I picked up a couple of F100's last weekend. I have never restored/built anything bigger than a motorcycle............I know almost nothing about body work. I am a fair hand with a wrench, I can weld, and I am up for a challenge. But these were a deal I felt like I couldn't p*** up so now I have to do something with them. The 64 (Tan) has a 4 speed and a 292 in it (motor is seized from water down the intake for years). The 61 (Green) has less rust but the rust it does have is floor pans/body mounts. It has a 223 l6 (turns over) and a 3 on the tree. The 3 speed needs a rebuild. I am thinking the 61 will be my focus at first, with most of the body being more solid, and I like the idea of building a funky l6. Anyway here are some pics how they sit now, show me some inspiration!
My 64 f100 Straight axle removed, 66 twin I beam installed . 292 y block removed , 390 5 speed installed . 65 trim all around .
Looks like you have some work ahead of you...all good though, these old truck can be so awesome!! But you really need an FE in it!!
Nothing is off the table right now haha. I have a line on a 3 speed and if I can pick it up reasonably then I may try and get the 61 rolling under its own power for the time being. Or I could drop the 223 into the 64 with the 4 speed and pull the cab on the 61 and give it the attention it deserves while beating around in the 64. So many possibilities! Getting one driving as economically as possible would be fun and allow me to enjoy it while I was putting the work in on the other. I have found with bikes that it is a lot more fun to build one when you also have one to ride lol.
Random pic I’ve put a lot of miles on a 223. Not gonna outrun anyone but was virtually trouble free Get it cleaned up, evaluate the pieces. Everything ya need is there. Simple brakes to rebuild.
Man, that truck is almost exactly what I have in mind! Any more pics of that stance or details on your drop?
Nice trucks. Good luck with them. Mine is driving me crazy right now but, if it was easy, everyone would do it.
Not mine. Just a random pic I’ll guess though. To achieve that you can have the front axle stretched(dropped axle) and/or dropped leafs. The rear could be a simple axle flip. The clean up on the paint? I’ve used CLR to remove rust stains then buff and polish.
Thanks, that shop is only 1.5 hours from me so that is good to know! At some point nice paint and chrome would be cool, but for the near term I just want to cruise so I'll rock the pasture paint while I am getting it rolling.
I didn't go this route because a twin I beam drop for 1965 wasn't available from Sid's at the time I tackled our front end. Everything I've read, and it's been a lot, Sid's axle drop would be the easiest option for you if you're ok with the solid axle ride. I see he is now offering the rear leaf spring front bracket drop and dropped shackles. I got my rear 4" drop kit from DJM. The rear kit from DJM came with bushings. The Sid's parts look to be a bit higher priced if I recall compared to what I paid. Late 70's Ford trucks came with front disk brakes so you could adapt those to your king pin Axle. I had those disks on my '65 before I ripped it all out but, there was plenty of stopping power.
From what you've said about your skills and abilities, it may be wise to dump those two hulks then go find something in better condition to start with. My advice is to go west, to where it is less humid, to somewhere where they don't salt the roads in the winter.
And yet Ryan let it into the HAMB Drags more than once and there are dozens of shots of it over the years on the board... To the OP, this truck shows how easy it is to make one of these a nice mild custom. Simple scallops, a Mercury grill, a little lowering and voila! There have been several of them done on the board over the last 20 years, @Malcolm built a really bad*** one.
I am not arguing Mark but one of those shots you deleted was actually pulled from the HAMB and has been on this site for well over 15 years.
I do appreciate the advice. There is no doubt that I may be in over my head in terms of taking these things and ending up with a "show truck". At the same time I am hoping to use these a learning experience. There is a fairly large car and custom scene in my area, and between that and the interwebs I am hoping to build my skills and knowledge, that is as much the fun as cruising when it is done.
I have already looked a little into grill swaps and am amazed at how it can change the whole look of the truck. My setback there is being able to visualize or realize what would fit well even with some narrowing.
I am starting to realize that there doesn't seem to be near as much love for the flare sides as the style sides for these trucks, at least in terms of online photos. Having both trucks is almost more difficult than having just one in terms of planning and getting started. The more I look at them the more I go back and forth. the tan truck needs inner and outer cab corners, and some of the roof above the drip edge but other than that the cab is pretty solid. the fenders are all bolt on and I can find them rather than trying to patch the rot, at least on the rears. The green truck floor is awful, but doesn't have the roof rust. I am thinking they are worth more as two whole trucks rather than pulling parts from one to fix the other, or is that all subjective depending on my initial investment? I am also surprised by how hard the bed side steps are to find since they were the same for so many years, and what I do find is spendy. Tailgates are both trashed I pulled the plugs out of the 292 and the rear plug was the only one that showed any signs of corrosion. I oiled the cylinders with Marvel and will try and get the crank to budge if I can, I would feel better just having the motor freed up. Anyway, just a little bit of progress. When I really dig in I will start an actual build thread. Thanks.
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