My old farm truck.....

[SimpleMan]

Some of you know me.....most probably don't. I spent several years playing around on the Dayton Mustang forums. My wife has had surgery 4 times for cancer in the last four years and I kind of disappeared for awhile. Things are better for now and I needed something to do again besides collecting bicycles....which has been fun.

I've decided to drag one of my old projects out and do a little gas powered work again. Just thought I'd share the build. I know it's not a Mustang but it is fun for me.....and for those wondering I do still have my '03 Cobra sitting around. I've only put 60 miles on it in the last 3 years.

Hope you enjoy it....

I bought this 1960 Ford F100 about 8 years ago and decided it was time to dig it out and get it built in between bike projects. I had a vision for what I wanted it to be when it was done and have been collecting parts since the day I bought it. My 26 year old son Jason started a shop several years ago (he built his first truck at 15) building custom frames and suspensions for low rider trucks and he'll be doing most of the work.

2 weeks ago, this was how it looked after many years of storage.....still runs but hasn't been licensed and insured since 1974. This is the last time it will see daylight as a farm truck. It's going to be a hot rod in the near future.


http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/1848/0af1a.jpg (http://img577.imageshack.us/i/0af1a.jpg/)

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/9066/000aaa60f4.jpg (http://img854.imageshack.us/i/000aaa60f4.jpg/)

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7378/000aaa60f2.jpg (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/000aaa60f2.jpg/)

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/4373/0af2a.jpg (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/0af2a.jpg/)

[SimpleMan]

Into the shop....kind of appropriate that all the work on my farm truck is going to be done in the basement of a 125 year old bank barn.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/4867/0af3a.jpg (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/0af3a.jpg/)

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/189/0af4a.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/0af4a.jpg/)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2531/0af5a.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/0af5a.jpg/)

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1465/0af6a.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/0af6a.jpg/)

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/4573/0af7a.jpg (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/0af7a.jpg/)

[SimpleMan]

Last week I stopped out to start work on it and this is what I found........One of Jason's buddies from his truck club and one of his friends who is the editor of a car/truck magazine (Street Scene..I think?) where bored and tore it down this far. Big help...thanks guys!


http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5282/0af8a.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/0af8a.jpg/)

...so I spent 4 1/2 hours that night cutting rivets and removing suspension brackets and one of the crossmembers.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/576/0af9a.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/0af9a.jpg/)

[SimpleMan]

Jason normally custom builds tubing control arms and trailing arms for all of his projects. I had bought an '87 C4 Corvette front suspension several years ago and I wanted to go ahead and use it. The rear suspension will be custom built using a 3.73 posi 8.8 out of a '97 Explorer with a triangulated 4 link and coil overs. Also he builds all his trucks using air suspension...I wanted this one built at Static ride height and it will be using coil overs on all 4 corners.

Heres the front suspension mocked in, squared up, leveled and tack welded in....

....in case your wondering, I was told the cement blocks was my new small block :D

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3690/0af10a.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/0af10a.jpg/)

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/7592/0af11a.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/0af11a.jpg/)

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/9351/0af12a.jpg (http://img715.imageshack.us/i/0af12a.jpg/)

[SimpleMan]

Sat the old front clip on it just to see if all was good.......and it is sweet. The dubs on it are just for mock up....they just happened to be the same 27" outside diameter as the 16" front steel wheel/tire combo I'll be running on it. The rears will also be 16's with a 31" tall tire. The goal is that when it's done it will look like a stock truck with a ride height adjustment. The front is now 9" lower than stock.

This is the new ride height.....

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3108/0af13a.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/0af13a.jpg/)

I hate these wheels but they give an idea of how far it's lowered. I'll post more of the progress in the following weeks.

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2964/0af14a.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/0af14a.jpg/)

[draggin50]

Looks like a good start! Cant wait to see how this one turns out! I love the old pick em up trucks!

[V8Mustang1967]

This is a must to keep us updated on this. I have been wanting a 1940-1960 F-series trucks to restore and hot rod. Keep up the awesome work! :bigthumb

[Stangman]

That is an awesome project! Looks like the truck is in pretty good shape to start out with!!! loves me some old Ford trucks...

[SJSlots]

I wish I had something like that just sitting around waiting for a little resto-modding. My father told me when he passes I can have his 70' Caddy Deville convertible to do but I told him to please not hurry on that one! :)

Looking forward to seeing more progress on this. Just curious... what's on your mind as far as exterior color?

[91boost]

That is a sweet ass project!!!! Keep the pics coming..

[2Fast4You]

Love that truck, I can almost see exactly how that is going to turn out.

[Evil_Capri]

Great project/truck! Thanks for sharing!

[05yellowgt]

Hey Jeff!!!!! Glad to see you around again. Is the wife doing better now? I can't remember but I think at one time you were talking about putting a mod motor in the truck?

[mad max]

Glad to hear your wife is better and you are playing with your projects again. Keep us updated that looks like its gonna be cool .

[2000GT]

Sweet build! i love old fords trucks.

i just got a 79 f100 that id like to do this to some day.

keep the progress up and the pics coming!

[Stolly113]

Very Nice Project!!!! More Pics and Progress...

[Mustard]

Good looking Project

[SimpleMan]

I'll keep it up dated......just started on it 2 weeks ago and only have time to work on it a few nights a week. The front crossmember was finish welded in last night. Fabricating the front coil over mounts is next. Once the shocks are mounted and I know the angles then I can figure the spring rates and get them ordered.


Hey Jeff!!!!! Glad to see you around again. Is the wife doing better now? I can't remember but I think at one time you were talking about putting a mod motor in the truck?

John...the aluminum 4 valve is still floating around here but won't be going in this. My son talked me out of it for his latest project. I'll be running a 5.0 5/spd combo that I recently purchased. I wanted this thing to be as simple as possible....... money is going to dictate that and I want it to be dependable enough to drive everyday.

The 4.6/5spd is going in the other truck pictured.......should be a pretty sweet project.

My grandson........

"no crap...you idiots really think that will fit " :lol:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4116/0jason6.png (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/0jason6.png/)

mockup block and 3650 5spd in the frame...
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9682/0jason3.png (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/0jason3.png/)

And the hood closes.......
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/6842/0jason2.png (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/0jason2.png/)

[SimpleMan]

Looking forward to seeing more progress on this. Just curious... what's on your mind as far as exterior color?

It's probably going to be a very dark red with the orange hues removed. I don't want it to look maroon.

[gouldstang]

cool truck... love to have one some day..

[motox159]

You got you a sweet build there. Can't wait to see it sitting on the ground on all 4 corners. Can't beat an old FORD truck! I got my 70' shortbox and would love to have it layin closer to earth in the future. If the funds allow this could be a job for your son! Keep the pics coming!

[DNTRYIT]

That is a sweet build cant wait to see more pics

[angsears]

man that is one sick ride i miss my 64 f100 but i went the other way with mine 4x4 and lifted

[Da Natti]

any updates?

[SimpleMan]

Been awhile......life gets in the way sometimes. Back to work on the F100 finally....working on ride height. Front suspension is in, still working on the coil over mounts. Triangulated 4 link in the back is next.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5112/00000a1b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/266/00000a1b.jpg/)

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/599/00000a1a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/600/00000a1a.jpg/)

[setty2706]

:rockon:

The stance is killer man.. looking forward to seeing this truck all put together.. love old trucks

[SMOKE]

Love it! Nice work so far!

[NO SHOT]

That thing is sweet!!I'm a sucker for cool trucks anyway!!LOL!!:D

[SATURNV]

Interesting you went with Vette stuff. Most of the F100 guys (and I plan to myself with my 68 F100 SBSS) is use the front IFS from a 03 and up Crown Vic.

[cyah92]

Nice build lovr too c the old truck together again

[SimpleMan]

Interesting you went with Vette stuff. Most of the F100 guys (and I plan to myself with my 68 F100 SBSS) is use the front IFS from a 03 and up Crown Vic.

Crown Vic is a good way to go but I couldn't achieve the ride height I wanted with it and still be able to turn it. This truck is being built at static ride height(no bags) and is lowered nearly 10". We removed the C4 mono leaf and went with coil overs so the final ride height will have a little adjustment. The bottom of the fender lip is even with the top edge of the rim......even this low it will turn lock to lock without touching the fenders.

Hub to hub measurements on the '03 up CV stuff is about 5" wider than my '60's hub to hub. The Corvette is exactly the same hub to hub width. The 60' F100's curb weight is 100lbs lighter than the '87 C4 it came from so strength won't be an issue. Bigger brakes, better looking all aluminum suspension components, off the shelf rims (no custom offsets), ease of installation, and price all played into the final decision also.

[BIZLE]

your son has a great skill tell him to keep up the good work

[SimpleMan]

Long ways to go...it's a roller again though. Corvette front suspension and 8.8 rear diff with coil overs on all 4 corners. I'm pretty pleased with the stance. 5.0/5spd engine install and fabbing up the mounts is next up.

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/255/00000f100.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/00000f100.jpg/)

[motox159]

Lookin good :bigthumb

[juiced8850]

Damn good looking truck. Can't wait for more pics of progress

[Mr.Moontang]

Awesome build!

[Da Natti]

looks sweet!

[gouldstang]

that thing is a beast..love the stance..

[AZZKIKR]

Sweet Build, keep up the great work!

[Markcore]

Looks great man. I'd LOVE to have an old pick up project!