10 Ford Truck Builds to Inspire Your Next Project
If you recently bought a project truck or are considering one, these 10 inspiring builds may give you the motivation to push through.
Intro
Some claim that the first use of the term “love-hate relationship” dates back to the days of ancient Roman poetry. We think it was first used to describe how owners feel about their Ford project truck, where everything always starts with a grand vision, but often gets mired in expensive delays.
If you are considering entering the world of project trucks or are in the middle of a build right now, we thought these 10 project builds would inspire you. They are all builds by members of Ford Truck Enthusiasts community. And these are just 10 of the hundreds you can find in our forums. But these have garnered quite a bit of interest over the years. They all have hundreds or even thousands of replies. Some are still in progress, and others are complete. But they are all interesting. Let’s have a look.
1. 1976 F-250
In 2021, Ford Truck Enthusiasts member Rubiranch started a thread about his 1976 Ford F-250. Over 3,200 replies later, and that thread is still going strong today. The truck was purchased for just $800 and was sitting in a property for nearly 20 years. The truck needed a lot of work to get back into running order. But that is what makes a project truck a project truck.
2. 1977 F-150
This thread titled 1977 F150 4x4 - Another Project was started on Christmas Eve 2021. As you can see from the picture, the truck needed a bit of work. And by a bit of work, we mean a lot of work. The engine doesn’t start, but it turns, so that is good. As of today, the build is still going. The truck is now drivable, which is a major accomplishment. But there is more to do. As we said in the introduction, with a project truck, there is always more to do.
3. 1996 F-250
This project truck is not as rough as the first two on our list, but there is still plenty to do on this 1996 F-250. The transmission is shot, the oil pan is rusty, there is a coolant leak, there is rust under the truck, and the truck needs fresh paint. The forum thread was started in March of 2020, right when the pandemic was kicking off. The perfect time to work on a project truck. Nearly six years later, and you should see what the truck looks like today.
4. 1940 F-100
If you ever think a Ford truck is too far gone to save, let this 1940 F-100 serve as your inspiration. But beyond the condition of this truck, the background story is what really makes it special. It was headed to Finland in 1940 when bad weather forced the ship it was on to divert to Norway. The truck was then commandeered by the German Luftwaffe. Eventually, the truck was stuffed in the woods of Norway before Ford Truck Enthusiasts member Camaronisse from Norway pulled it out and began the incredible restoration. It's currently running and driving again and looking fresh out of the 1940s. Read the whole story and see the restoration HERE.
5. 1960 F-250
A thread titled F250 Project was started late in 2019. It involved a 1960 F-250 that the owner got from his dad 15 years prior, but never did any work on. Until now. The truck didn’t run, one of the wheels was seized, and so on. The normal neglected truck stuff. It took about four years to get everything sorted. But today the old F-250 looks like a show truck. It is a stunning transformation.
6. 1960 Super Duty Crew Cab
The thread titled 1960 Super Duty Crew Cab build thread started way back in 2013. And it is the perfect example of why project trucks are so cool. This truck is a Frankenstein made up of bits from other trucks to create something really unique. Twelve years after opening the thread, the truck is still a work in progress. Although it is much further along than where it started. As often happens with project vehicles, life gets in the way and slows things down. But at the same time builds like this can be a great distraction from the pressure of everyday life.
7. 1983 F-250
This is another older thread that began back in 2012 and kept going for about eight years. It is the perfect example of another project truck trap. Thinking that you are just going to do one thing, and the next thing you know, you have a whole project on your hands. The owner of this truck set out to just do the interior. Well, you can probably guess how that went. It took several years, but the end result was a stunning 1983 F-250.
8. 1967 F-100
In 2009, the thread titled 1967 F-100 project was started. It shared another common project truck theme. That is, many owners have the truck for years before actually starting. This one was around for ten years before the owner started to tear it down to restore it. And as of the summer of 2025, the project was still going. It goes to show just how long some projects take to complete. But stick with it. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
9. 1969 Bronco
OK, this is not technically a truck, but you have to love an early Ford Bronco. This build thread started in 2016. The goal was to take the body off for repairs and paint. But it turned into much more than that. The last update was from November 2024. The Bronco was nearly complete by then, so hopefully today she is all done. This was another build that saw a dramatic transformation. We are just dying to see the completed project.
10. 1989 F-250
Sometimes a build is a family affair. In a thread titled Project: Smogie...RacinNdrummins IDI build, we learn about a 1989 F-250 that was bought for $500. The truck actually ran OK, but the owner really wanted an IDI diesel. So, the truck was sold to his dad. Then he finds a 1994 F-250 with the IDI engine in it. He buys that truck for the engine and transmission and then buys the 1989 F-250 back from his dad. The build thread covers the marriage of the IDI and the 1989 F-250. It is a fascinating thread with nearly 2,200 replies.
Everyone loves a good build thread. We hope you enjoyed this sampling that we shared with you, and it has maybe inspired you to start a build thread of your own.