Projects 1955 f100 new build // satan's chauffeurs

Sand and varnish whats left and stick it to length's of chrome strips under it. That woods part of its past.

 

Did you even look at the pic of the existing floor?? the varnish would end up in the dirt.
chrome strips?? on a hot rod shop truck.
What else, chrome tie down hooks and chrome bed chains?

You guys that are suggesting a boat deck wood floor in the bed of a working shop truck are cracking me up.

First of all there is nothing traditional about a bowling ally floor with chrome strips in a pick up, that was a '70s street rod thing. Most every truck I saw when I was a kid the wood had been replaced with metal for a more modern look which was the thing back then.

I have nothing against those beds in a show truck, or street rod, but the fact is, if Roger wanted to keep it as Henry meant it to be, it would need to be painted body color, not high shine oak or something.

I think you missed the part where Roger said he needs a truck he can haul an engine or rear end in.
A mat? I can see that now, "hey Rog can you take our ice chest in your truck?" "sure but let me get my mat first"

The funnyest thing is that Roger just got the truck unloaded today and hasn't started anything yet and you guys have got your ******* twisted over his bed ideas.
Give this project a chance, any of you that have followed the other builds know Roger doesn't build junk.

I almost wish Dru would not have started this build post, I know when I start my build on my '59 I'm keeping it to myself.

 

Wow I hope I get this much action on the post when I actually start building this thing lol....Thanks again for all the input guys. As for the guy that Unsubscribed from this post because he didn't like the thought of a metal bed in a truck that will be a WORKING shop truck for our shop, no worries but I think you're going to miss out on a pretty neat build. As for the metal vs. wood bed thing, like my dad (Rustygem) said, I don't build junk, don't think it would just be a pice of sheet metal tacked into the bed it would look like it grew there.

 

*****en truck, great find, sweet friends you have. Good luck with it!
These fords look fun with a slight rake and painted steelies. Can't see the bed when you're driving by anyway, so have fun with that!

Nice snug fit on the trailer too - did you measure it really well before hand, or was it a bit of a "I hope this fits" when it was in the air inching forward?

Paint looks like it was neat - any interest in keeping the layout when you go to green?

These old 50s trucks are so cool - I get stoked on mine every time I drive it. People respond to these in a different way from other types of rods that can make them more fun to own.

Today, the gate attendant at the local dump here wouldn't charge me to drop off a load of old s**** wood and metal and toxic house waste from our remodel. He liked my old truck and the fact I was using it. Little nice things like that have been happening often since I began driving it.

We'll see you out on the road sometime soon!

 

hdh thanks for the reply! Stance will be as you said, slight nose down rake and probably painted steel wheels as well. As for the fit on the trailer there was no beforehand measuring just dumb luck that my trailer was wide enough, JUST, lol....and the skill of a really good forklift driver, that coupled with a bunch of my family and friends doing the lifto pusho deal got her loaded up. Not sure about the paint just yet but that's a long ways away so we'll see what happens there. You may just see us on the road sometime, my girlfrined and I love heading over to Santa Cruz. Hopefully before to long we'll be able to make the drive in the truck!

 

great find. I love watching you guys help each other on builds. Wish my buds were as enthusiastic about work!

I vote "steel" since this is a work truck. I'm sure you will think of something better than a flat plate welded in. Maybe reuse those strips on top of plate?

I built a '54 Effie years ago for a DD, and kept the PO's steel bed floor. I made a slide-in wood floor from maple tongue-n-groove salvaged from a school gym. sorry, no pics. The idea sounds better than it really was, my intent was to slip it in when going to cruises, and pull it out the rest of the time. Truth is, I used it only a handful times! It was heavy and unwieldy to get in and out...it spent most of its life, in my way, leaning against the garage wall.

 

don't like that one huh ?

drop a piece of plywood in it over whats there ?

 

Falcon, there is nothing left of the original bed floor except the steel strips. The wood that is there can easily be pulled apart and broken by hand. Looks like you have a neat little truck, what's the plans for it? wfritchen, the idea of using the original steel strips over a flat pice is a good one. It would be much easier to fab up a pice of flat steel then add the strips back in for a more original look, good thinking!

 

So I picked up some rollers yesterday on I think the tire heights are about right, fronts are 225/75 15's and the rears are 30-9.50 15's. I won't know untill I can get the truck inside the shop and set it at ride height but it looks like they will fill the wheelwells out nicely! The rear seems like it still may need a little more tire but you know how these trucks are it's tough to get enough tire in the rear because the wheelwells are so friggin' big lol....Progress will probably be a little slow for a while, I need to sell my '72 4x4 for the cash to put this one together. For now I will be doing a lot of cleaning and fixing sheet metal and maybe some mockup stuff. Thanks for looking guys and gals. Later , Roger

 

How about using a steel bed floor from a later model truck? Either buy a new panel from Keystone or just cut one out a truck at the junkyard.

Don't guess you'd have to weld it in, just cut the new panel down and drill some holes to bolt it like OE.

 

D-fens, that's kind of what I had in mind. I have a '70 F100 that is a parts truck for my 4x4 F100 that has a nice bed floor in it. I thought like you that doing it that way would give it a nice factory look. Thanks for the input!

 

I was just looking through the new Sac Vintage catalouge and noticed they have a steering setup for my truck that uses a GM power steering box in a cross steering arangement. It looks like it would be a trick setup and would help cure some of the bumpsteer that is created when these trucks are lowered. Has anyone here tried this setup or heard anything good or bad about it? I'd like to add power steering and I have a GM box off of an A-body that I'm working on for my Uncle, any thoughts? Thanks, Roger

 

cant believe all the debate about the FLOOR for the bed,,,,,jeez,,,,
its gonna be a WORK truck,,,,,these guys will cross that bridge when
they come to it,,,im quite sure that's the LAST thing they are worried about,,,,

with the way they work as a team,,this truck will be running/driving in no time flat,,,,,,cant wait to see more,,,,

BTW,,,,what are you gonna use for the bed????

 

Good Luck on your Build, I have been debating the whole bed floor thing too, so I just left the bed off for now ! I needed a windsheild and looked all over online, pricey, and shipping was a killer, called the gl*** shop the dealership i work for uses and got one for 150 and it fits. Wish NY'ers were as ready to lend a hand ! Pic is My Truck when i first spotted it, Had a utility bed

 

Boulevard Bomber that's a neat little truck. I bet it will do a mile long burnout with no bed on it huh? Man I hope I can score some gl*** as cheap as you got yours, that's really one most expensive things I'll have to deal with on this one. Kustom7777 thanks for the vote of confidence but this one is going to be a bit of a slow build untill I get some cash flow for now it will be a lot of mockup and sheet metal stuff.

 

So guys and girls I'd like to leave the straight axle under this thing but I'd like to get it pretty low. What kinds of tricks and tips do you have for me? I'd love to see some pics with a description of what you did to get the stance you wanted. Later, Roger

 

remove all but two leaves to get it low, and then use coil over shocks to make it drivable as a work truck

 

Thanks Wally I'll have to pull a few leaves and see how she sits.

 

I told one of my kids he could have it when he got back from iraq, but I don't think he knows what hes got. He drove it in hs and thinks that should make it his, so I put a 350/200r4 in it so it can get out of it way. I just hope he doesn't stack it up with the boys-n-beers thing if you know what I meen..I'll keep an eye out for some gl*** for your new rig..

 

Cool score and best of luck with your build.Can't wait to see the progress as you build it.You definetly got a good start on it.

 

congrats...keep us posted

 

certainly didnt meant to cause a heated debate on bed floors. lets just junk the rear fenders and make it a flat bed...ha ha ha.

roger should have some shop space cleared out when the elky project he's been workin on heads out for some paint work. stay tuned for more pics when it gets inside.

 

I had thought of doing that on mine while I restore the bed...even make a proper flatbed!

 

There was a thread on here with flatbed pics, some didn't look half bad. most were workers.

 

I like that idea. I just hate the flat steel deck that people toss in and call done.

 

I'm building a 56 with straight axle front and GM steering. The steering works good. I've drove and have friends with this for 20 years. Do not use the quick ratio. They sometimes will push axle with no harm. Built a panhard bar for front. Found out today to use a 80's 3/4 ton sway bar on front. I have installed reversed eye springs with ****ons on front and extended y hangers and reversed eyes in rear with spring linings. By moving rear spring hangers up you can get approx. 2'' more drop free. Have fun. Hope this helps.

 

I bought a Toyota 4x4 steering box here on the HAMB for my 54. Non power but supposed to steer much nicer. I'd have to scrounge up the info on it if you are interested.

You just inspired me to get back to work on mine. Thanks!

 

I will add one more comment on steering. You can use a 1 ton or larger box and get good results. Lock to lock is more and I beleive you need to drill 1 more hole. Try some old large farm trucks.

 

willymakeit, thanks for the information and the heads up about the one ton box. I'll keep my eyes open, I live in farm country so I woulden't be supprised if one turned up. Erik B I'm still considering the toyota box but I would likely go with the power unit. I'd like to have power steering as almost all of my driving is done in town. My girlfriend will likely drive this one as well and while she's not a "weak little girl" she didn't care for the manual steering in my mustang.

 

Does the Merced club use this same plaque .....



and is Planada close to Merced?