I have a chance to pick up a 61 SWB Ford Unibody PU but the top is full of rust and bondo. Thinking about cutting the top off of it and running it *******. I'm thinking with the bed being part of the cab there would be enough structural support in the body to keep the doors aligned, etc. if I add some support in the subframe area. It currently has a stock leaf spring set-up on the front I-beam axle but someone started to add a R&P set-up that I'm thinking doesn't look too good so I may just go back to stock steering set-up to keep it simple. Anyone have any ideas??
Right.... the cab is all of the support... heck they didn't have any support to begin with... the door gaps would close up a couple weeks after they were driven off the lot when new!!! Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen!
I think you should look for a donor roof you still find those trucks in the bone yards. but will be something that might look cool to good luck
Thanks guys, I have heard some horror stories about these things flexing like crazy too but I have also talked to few guys at shows with them and the said as long as you put in some subframe connectors theirs have held up pretty good. Do the std. non-unibody cabs share the same roof?
Couldn't be any worse than trying to make a ranchero out of a '60 Thunderhawk. I would do one of two things with the truck, fix the top would be one of those things and walk away from it before purchase is the other. Never cheap out or whimp out on a car if you want one make it right.
Those trucks have frames. The "unibody" refers only to cab and bed being one piece. They are not like a mustang or camaro and use subframe connectors.
Yes the cab roof is the same... the only real difference (other than being a unibody) is the body line down the sides and the tailgate/taillight area. Doors won't interchange also because of the body line....
I could see it with no top. Sorta Bronco/Blazer ish. Reinforced of co****. I'd probably still just find a donor top though. Only save it if it's a short box & the price is way right. There also full ch***is pickups like a normal cab & box (same ch***is).
It IS a short box and already has a running 350 Chevy and AT in it. The price is very good, that's what's tempting me. I can get it for what the motor/****** and 9" rear is worth.
Roof look something like this? And this is only one side. All the early 60 Ford PU rusted out their roofs. Finding a decent donor will be hard. You need to fix it for structural integrity. Go over to the Ford Truck Enthusiasts (FTE) site and ask the same question. You'll find many more guys who have dealt with the exact problem on the exact truck......
My dads shop did a lift off top on a 60 tbird. They added support along the rockers, and and rear of doorjambs to rockers. I See the car all the time 2 years later and still looks good. Top on/top off...never started to fold up like people say. Just plan everything out and over build and you will be fine. -LUKEY-
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