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I traded my '57 F100 that I framed swapped a '99 Vic frame, engine & transmission under for a '79 supercab last November. Threw an explorer 302 in that, drove it for a while, then the wife & I decided we wanted something to stage photos with, to start a small business.
Found this '63 F500 in Oklahoma. Shortened wheelbase (141") GM 14 bolt rear, 223 engine, 3 speed. Runs and drives, just needs some love. Rear end is geared at like 6.-something, maxes out around 25mph. Ended up trading my '79 for it.
I affectionately call it 'Ol Red, but my friends say "Stubby Bob 2.0"...
Anyway, I decorated it for Christmas, swapped in a Patriot header to fix the cracked exhaust manifold, and ordered sound deadening and carpet. I plan to drop the rear down to 4.10s over Christmas.
The paint really shines. Yes, I kept the bull horns from the '79, they'll go on it after Christmas.
Thanks for looking. We are at popsfarmshop on Instagram (I post build and progress photos almost daily there).
Looks like a nice clean truck! 6...rear end is odd, many of the 14 bolts were 373. 8 lug bolt pattern?
thank you, yes, also has air bags. I cross referenced the rear cover to photos of 14 bolts, the PO didn't have too much info on the truck, said he also got it on a trade.
Here's more photos...
I'll be taking the cover off soon to verify tooth count and check for markings.
Hardly any need to check if it only goes 25MPH ! LOL. I don't think the GM 14 bolt has a bad rep, they used em for many years. I have a set from a 79 4x4 suburban I plan to use on a slick cummins conversion
Last edited by rusty valley; Dec 1, 2025 at 10:49 AM.
Good looking truck. What did you use for shine juice?
Thank you, on this one nothing yet, on the '79 I used Zepp floor polish & buffed it. Lasted thru the year sitting outside & I thought it still looked good when I traded it.
Spent the last few weeks sprucing up the truck, fixing some things, verifying PO information.
It was claimed a 3 speed - that's not entirely true. The case number is a T98-1R, which is a 4 speed, but the synchros are no good.
I also pulled the cover, it's not a 6.XX rear. It's a 4.10 based on the 41 10 markings.
Threw on a 2 barrel carb.
Dropped in sound deadening, and new carpet.
Drove it to a local show, topped out at 37mph in 3rd, I started pulling bolts to remove the T98 last night.
Before After cleaning, new seals, oil pump, headgasket & arp head studs.
I also plan to pull the 223 out and clean it up, reseal, but I bought this 300 I6 from a '96 F150 (it was seized up when I got it, some MMO/Blaster in the cylinders and time, I freed it up).
Dropped the T-98 out last night, sourced a rebuild kit after matching part numbers. USA standard gear has it for ~$230-ish, found the same kit from a supplier on Ebay for $150. No brainer.
Starting the clean up & tear down this evening.
I pulled the T98 the other night, with anticipation of doing a rebuild.
But, inside looked pretty good (I thought) synchros are still brass colored. The shifter has some serious slop, about 5" of travel side to side in either direction, so I'm fabricating a new, larger pin for that.
So, I'm just going to clean the case up, put new seals in & paint it. Everything spins nicely & goes into gear. I found some coolant on the throwout bearing, and on the bellhousing, so I'm thinking one of the rear freeze plugs is leaking.
I pulled the 223, not to replace with the 300 just yet. I need this truck to run & drive for a small business my family is starting, so I'm just cleaning this up, resealing & throwing it back in for a few months.
Easiest way to get the 223 out was to take the wheels off to drop it down, and take the hood off.
Tossed the 223 on the stand. I'm in the middle of painting this, installing new gaskets throughout, freeze plugs, water pump, thermostat, and a new clutch, then it'll go back in its home this weekend (barring any unforeseen issues).
