'50s Ford truck builds typically employ the same formula, but this wild 1955 F-100 is certainly one of a kind.
Rebellious Ford
When you're talking about classic Ford trucks, few measure up to the massive popularity that surrounds the 1954-1956 F-100. These iconic trucks are quite simply drop-dead gorgeous, which is why they're hugely popular among the hot rod set. But most of these builds are, well, basically the same, which makes Drayton Hales' diesel-powered rig, recently featured over at Hot Rod, quite the rebel.
More Than Meets the Eye
For starters, you won't find any shiny new chrome or perfect paint job on the outside. Just a whole lot of patina and, interestingly enough, some massive vintage commercial truck wheels. That look alone makes this F-100 wholly unique in a cookie-cutter world, but there's much more to this story than what meets the eye.
>>Come chat about this classic diesel-powered F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Big Dreams, Small Budget
Hales began his unique project back in 2011, relying on help from no one other than his father to bring his dream to fruition. It all began with a cheap '55 F-100 body and nothing else. Hales didn't have a big budget for his build, so he spent a great deal of time sourcing parts from junkyards and private sellers.
>>Come chat about this classic diesel-powered F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Dare to Be Different
The first order of business was to modify the suspension and get this F-100 on the ground. Hales and his dad first boxed the frame before going with the interesting decision of incorporating a 2-ton pickup's solid front axle. That axle was narrowed and dropped to make it fit just right. The rest of the rolling chassis consists of leaf springs, rack-and-pinion steering, and drum brakes.
>>Come chat about this classic diesel-powered F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Homemade Features
The interior of this truck isn't typical of what you'd find in a hot rod '55, either. For starters, those bucket seats were homemade from a pair of 30-gallon barrels that the Hales duo cut down to fit. They also fashioned a support bar by hand before adding Simpson 5-point harnesses. The finishing touch is a steering column and wheel lifted from a '65 Ford.
>>Come chat about this classic diesel-powered F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Cummins Heart
As interesting as all that is, it's hard to top the unique powertrain the Hales family chose to go with on this build. And that, of course, is the ever-popular Cummins 4BT inline-four turbo-diesel. The little oil burner is stock for now, but Hales plans on cranking up the boost in the near future.
>>Come chat about this classic diesel-powered F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Mild and Wild Mix
Despite the presence of a heavy-duty front suspension, the back end features more conventional bits and pieces. Leaf springs and the legendary Ford 9-inch rear end are plenty beefy, and Moser axles offer up a little extra strength. But they went hog wild with the 1957 dump truck wheels that the father and son duo chopped up and machined to fit this truck's fat fenders.
>>Come chat about this classic diesel-powered F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Cross-Country Hauler
The exterior of this killer '55 is original, save for a few coats of matte clear coat to preserve it. After that, the Hales tested their work by taking their truck on Hot Rod's Power Tour, where it completed the cross-country trip without incident. And, as you might imagine, it sparked plenty of interest along the way!
>>Come chat about this classic diesel-powered F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
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