Daily Slideshow: 1959 F-100 Gets 12-Valve Cummins Diesel
This retro pickup got quite the restomod job when it underwent not just an engine swap but a whole new dualie rear end! This truck comes to our attention via TruckTrend.com and was something we definitely had to share with you all.
Something sure to get folks talking
Sergio Cueto, owner of S&E Custom in Miami, Florida was inspired to build this hybrid after a previous truck that was a 1928 Ford Model A with a 24-valve 5.9-liter Cummins diesel. That project was so much fun to build that he couldn't wait to do it again with a twist and to claim it for himself. Once the plan was all mapped out for the rat-rod truck he began to collect the needed materials starting with a 1959 F-100. The body needed a ton of work but having something "rough around the edges" was exactly what he wanted from the getgo. Then Sergio came upon a 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 dualie and he had inspiration for pushing the build even further. He took the two trucks and began to blend them together neverminding the almost 40-year gap between their factory production dates.
>>Join the conversation about this dualie F100 with a Cummins diesel right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Dr. Frankenstein that thing together
The first hurdle to clear was the size disparity between the two trucks. New mounts for the cab were fabricated in order to fit Ford's regular cab and the 8-ft extended cab chassis of the Dodge and stretched the Ford bed to fit. He then went and created a 1x2 inch frame to ensure that the bedsides would hold their shape once the bed was sliced, right behind the forward hall. Sergio clamped the front portion in place behind the cab and positioned the rear half so that the wheel openings of the Ford matched that of the Dodge's rear wheels. Sheetmetal panels were formed to fill that gap and welded in place to give the F100 a usually long and unique bed.
>>Join the conversation about this dualie F100 with a Cummins diesel right here in Ford-trucks.com.
No way to get board
With the new bed in place, a new bed floor was crafted using pine planks separated with 1-inch aluminum trim strips and sealed with a stain and clear epoxy finish. Sergio then grabbed the rear fenders from a 1956 F100 and widened them in order to fit over the dualie's wheels in the rear and matched them up with a set of abbreviated flares up at the front. Included in the back is a small toolbox that holds whatever small items you have need to carry.
>>Join the conversation about this dualie F100 with a Cummins diesel right here in Ford-trucks.com.
If it ain't broke
The suspension the F100 ride on are the stock Dodge bits that are the same as when they rolled off the production line. The full floating Dana 80 rear end is equipped with 4.10 gears. The 5.9-liter Cummins under the hood is stock also except for a cold-air intake, a repositioned intercooler, an altered fuel pump, and a 4-inch exhaust that goes to a beefy 6-inch stack outside the back window. On the powerplant and mods, Sergio remarks, “It has more than enough power to get the job done.”
>>Join the conversation about this dualie F100 with a Cummins diesel right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Some very cool steering
For the exterior, Sergio made only slight changes since he was sticking with the rat rod look. “I always liked the rat rod look, so I kept as much patina as I could, clear-coating it after it was finished,” Sergio says. “It takes the worry out of driving, but the truck still gets lots of attention.” A Rat Fink inspired cartoon adorns a fender along with the logo on the door that points to Sergio's shop.
On the inside, the instrument cluster from the Dodge was inserted in order to update things and an aftermarket air con unit was installed. The vintage Ford bench seat was restored with new foam added and the removal of the original springs. Diamond stitched rawhide upholstery and diamond stitched headliner that matches the seat makes the cabin feel very road trip ready. The unique steering wheel was crafted using an agricultural chain and a circular mold, welding the links together with connecting rods as spokes. As cool as it looks, the steering wheel had to be perfectly fabricated from a safety standpoint as one weak link would be disastrous.
>>Join the conversation about this dualie F100 with a Cummins diesel right here in Ford-trucks.com.
That's all folks!
Once couldn't imagine rolling around in silence with just the engine and sounds of the road to keep you company, so a stereo system was added. Music comes by way of a Pioneer head unit, five channel Kicker 1,000 amp under the seat.
>>Join the conversation about this dualie F100 with a Cummins diesel right here in Ford-trucks.com.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.