The Sickness Begins(My sons first truck)

My 12 year old bought his first truck the other day. We found a fairly solid, running 1960 F-100 for $750. He paid for the truck and I will pay for fixing it up (guess who got the best deal here). Here's a shot of his first bit of mechanical work on it, we had to replace a backing plate and wheel cylinder.

 

That is wicked cool! I love seeing kids get started early. That will make him a great truck. Is it a long-or short-bed?

 

Thats cool, I wish I started that early. I'm from a family of no motorheads, so I was on my own.

 

It's always cool to see kids get after it. A word of advice - stack your wooden chocks "log cabin" style, when you stack them up like in the pic they can be very unstable, especially when jr starts beating on some bolts. I don't want to be critical, and I'm stoked to see kids getting involved, but a few safety practices will make sure this project doesn't cost more than money.

 

It's a long bed, 223 6-cylinder, 4 - speed. It has new wiring and the suspension was rebuilt less than 10,00 miles ago. We've still got to put a new master cylinder on to have it roadworthy. Plans are for a v-8 so he can pull a horse trailer, he's learning to rope steers and plans on rodeoing in high school. We'll probably put in P/ S and P/B too. Needless to say he's really psyched about it.

 

I had it blocked up where it couldn't move.( two sets of blocks and a floor jack along with having the front wheels chocked) It sat through a couple of days of 60 mph+ winds before we got under it. I do appreciate the concern for safety that is here and it is my top priority when we work under one.

 

My thoughts exactly,,,,,,I have experience with working on a car in the yard and rolling off blocks of wood,,,thank God,,,I had just crawled out from under the car,,,,,

BTW,,,congrats on the new truck kid! HRP

 

i wish now that i could have gotten started that young. good luck with the project

 

hell, i'm twice his age and still can't turn a wrench. that's awesome, he'll be a great rodder one day.

 

that freakin rocks. 12 is about the same age my dad started me rebuilding carburetors, so your definetly on the right track there!

 

Very Cool!!
Clark

 

Thats awesome, hope he sticks with it. He'll be a fine young rodder some day.

 

Congrats on the project, good to see younger people into something other than imports. If you need parts for it, salvage, talk to Flat Top. He is listed in the HAMB-O-Dex, Owens Salvage up there in Wellington. He is a top notch guy, has good parts, and is very honest in dealings. Last I heard, he still has some of the '58-'60 F100's.

 

That's cool good luck on fixing it up got a 57 myself trying to
fix up

 

Great! I wish my Dad had done that with me. Instead, I had to resort to hanging around with undesirable "greasers".

 

My dad gave me my first truck at age 6 or 7. Its a 54 ford F100. Wish i would have saved money to fix it. Now i'm tring to gather the funds to put on the road. Glade to see your son is into turning the wrench.

 

congrats on the new project. I just finished my first father- son project with my dad. I'm 30 and he is 55. We pu a 1960 ford F -100 long wheel base on the ground. We bagged it and used late model chevy truck suspension in front and built a two link in back. I have some cool pics if you want to post your email or pm me. Welcome to the Addiction.

 

I wish I'd had a Dad like you...I learned how to do brake jobs from my Uncle. I had to learn routine maintenace (tune-ups) from books. I learned how to do bodywork in Highschool. I got real good at it from working 6 years in a bodyshop as my part-time (50 hours+ a week!) job!

Don't get me wrong, my Father is a great man...in many ways he spurred (is that a word?) my interest in Kustoms...he can draw a "RatFink" inspired drawing at the drop of a hat, but he's not very "mechanical". He has a love for Merc Ledsleds like I do.

I don't know where I got it from, but I've always had "it" (the mechanical aptitude). My Dad didn't. He and I are polar opposites when it comes to those things, despite first impressions

It's funny too, when I talk to Dad about mechanical stuff, he "knows" what I am talking about, he just never took it upon himself to do what I am doing. I think he blames it on me and my sister and never having the time to do what I've done..."had to put food on the table..."

Now- it's like I'm teaching him. "Explain to me what you're doing-" is his line...

I've tried to explain the HAMB to him...he "kinda" gets it.

Your son is very lucky to have a father like you...for support (in more ways than $$$)...cherish that. Help him learn. I always wished for a father who could teach me the ways of the automobile...but I knew mine couldn't...I had to look elsewhere.

Magazines, shop class, other people's Dad's, and a stint in a body shop got me to where I am now. Yoy have a special kid on your hands- mould him!

Mercman

 

In the live and learn column I bought my first car at 12 for 150 bucks. It was
a white 65 tbird with burgandy leather and a 390. The learn part was I said NO to my uncles 54 merc. It being black with red interior. It took week to get the bird clean till it sparkled then I flipped it for 500 and bought a 63 falcon which I sold to my pop for my sister to drive us to school in. I had owned a half dozen cars before I bought the 50 ford convertible my dad and uncle owned in 55. I bought it from a junk yard for 50 bucks and promply spent the entire 2500 (in 1973 mind you) on it. 351C motor, c6, wheels and some really poor body work on the rockers. I still have this car today and am
in the middle of the last build (correct mind you) I hope it ever sees. The best thing about the rag top is it had a bunch of mild custom mods done. Filled and peaked hood, everything shaved, 54 chevy grill and 49 plymouth bumpers, frenched head and tail lights, nosed and decked, the works ALL done in lead (the good news). The bad news is all the floors were shot and I
have replaced most of the bottom 4 inches of the ford. I intend to ride this
summer done or not. SO many years I put the car on the back burner, kids
houses, wives etc. I have been having a blast using this car as therapy for life's BS. Should have been doing it all along. Long story short, start kids out
early. GIVE them a hand. Teach them what you know and don't be afraid to learn with them. It'll be the best time you ever spent in your life. My uncle died but I know he smiles down from heaven when he sees me and his brother wrenching that shoe box. They aren't just cars. They are the beginnig of a life time of good memories and bad and a reminder of what really matters. Friends and family.
Rod

 

Congrats on the new project, you and your son will both enjoy it.

 

That is cool, I want to buy a project for my son, he's six so he has no ca$h. Right now he is settling on handing me tools as I work on my '62 C10 swb.

 

Thanks for all the encouragement. We put a m/c on it this weekend and will get it registered today. My son spent an hour or two out in the pasture learning to drive it, he now thinks 4 speeds are the greatest thing going. He's really having fun harassing me cause his truck runs and mine is still in pieces.

 

I honestly have never heard this put any better. My son was just born 3 weeks ago and he's everything that matters to me in the world and I'm going to teach him everything I know. The best things in life can't be bought. I'm even a little teary eyed, right now...guess I'm a big wuss at heart.

1LowSled