Projects Somebody Gave me a 1955 F100 “Effie” It’s a rough one . Paint with iodine and mark it duty Doc!!

Here’s some more photos
I have already acquired a better hood. The was rotten underneath at the latch. It would just crumble.
The floors are surprisingly good.
It does have some body damage at the drivers cowl where the door pushed into it. Oddly enough the door is not damaged other than the bottoms.

 

Polish that beater up and cruise

 

This is in Eva Al

just saying

 

I recall "big car" engines like 455 Olds and Buick, Pontiac 400 etc being very common swaps into Ford pickups of all ages in the late '70s through the '80s. Makes sense, lots of availability, cheap, torquey.

 

That reminds me of the back of a nickel...which ironic...because 5 cents is all a SBC is worth.
Baw-ha-ha-ha....
(yes, I'm a Ford guy)

 

I changed the title.
More on this later.....

 

Lucky u. I was wondering about the frame resting/rusting on Alabama mud but pic of frame looks fine. How u plan to use it should decide engine to use. Free or already have helps make decision. Use also should help decide rear gear & tire size.

 

The main issue was grass. It been outside nearly 50 years. I believe it was tall grass that’s took a toll on the running boards and door bottoms.
It looks like dead grass and debris collected and held water on the running boards.
The underside of the hood was atrocious.
I have found a better hood.
The fenders seem OK so far.
I already have the wheels and tires.


I still have this set from the F-1
Use?
It’s going to be a simple old truck.
It’s going to be fun to pull it out of the field get it going.
I’m fine with the stock rear. I suspect it’s probably 3.73 or 3.90.
I’ll have to decode the tag.
Thanks

 

The hardest part is just finding one no matter where you are I think rust and time has done them in across most of the US.
They are literally 99 years old at this point, I can't imagine there is too many parked in the field that they died in 80ish years ago. I just happen to know of an antique store in Southern California that had a cab in the back behind the store (to be honest I am not even 100% sure that it is Model T but it is definitely around that era and at a quick glance i am pretty sure it is T, I never really looked at that close all I know it could be an International or a Graham). It too is pretty rusty although to quote a close friend "it's only metal" so it is repairable if someone puts the time into it, my big thing is I don't know if I need another project, I am turning into the typical hot rodder that has a dozen unfinished projects that daily drives late model junk. I am trying to break myself of that cycle but it still doesn't dampen my visions for cars. In the case of a phone booth T i can see a 1964 -1971 era street rod or in the case of an "effie" I can picture a stock appearing one ton truck with a long bed with a big block set up to tow but having all the stuff that makes a vehicle nice to drive like like AC, a heater and a decent modern radio and seat belts all hidden somewhere in the cab.

 

Hello,

My first episode with a Ford f100 truck was when we walked to a neighborhood market and park with a large playground and baseball field near our house. as we walked, there was a bright Tahitian red or candy apple red, how ever anyone saw the custom truck, parked on the street in front of our path to the market and playground. So, we saw it every time we went that way. of course we saw it and were amazed that what we saw in small magazines, was parked in this area of the Westside of Long Beach.

It was very cool and unusual. It was chopped and looked different than the f100 trucks in own block. Not only was it a show quality truck, but the angle of the chopped top was a little higher in front than the window height in the back. but, the overall paint job, white tuck and roll interior plus the chrome wheels just made it attractive any time of the day. So, we got to see a custom truck as if we were walking in front of it at a local car show. Except we saw it almost everyday.

It had to have started in some raw form and turned out great as the years rolled on, like most builds. back then, it was one of a kind. today, one makes their own choices as to how it will look and that is what makes hot rodding most pleasurable. It is your choice.

There are no photos of the custom truck, but the sight still lives on, today. Since then, growing up close to Lion’s Dragstrip, we saw what was the most unusual f100 truck of its day and today, it still has those lingering memories of days gone past.
1959 Lions Dragstrip
Charlie Ettien on right side of staging lane. (yellow)
1958-59

The theory was more weight for more traction. But, other times, the bed was empty and the ladder/pipes/tubes rack was taken off and the truck ran without it.
1959
It was lined up vs another powerful 671 supercharged El Camino at Lions. Sorry, no film of the race.

Jnaki

current version
Street driven to, while, prepped and ready at the Lions Dragstrip Museum display area.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/that-vintage-push-truck-look.1137864/#post-12941021


Full So Cal street driving without the painter’s rack and tools.


A blown Chrysler engine with an automatic transmission used over 100,000 miles of daily driving, what an amazing feat. A 5000+ lbs. truck slated for C/Gas... (Our 671, SBC, 40 Willys rivalry/competition in the making... including the idea of extra weight in the rear to make the class rules.)

This was the epitome of a daily driver, weekend drag racer. Drive to work, then drive to the race track, make a few runs with everything in the back and then prep for the eliminations. As well as stopping at the paint supply store for more paint and accessories!

The new version is one F100 to have as a daily driver. From 66 years ago with hard daily driving to its current state of outstanding rebuild, anything is possible… YRMV

 

No rules says this crap has to be perfect.
My bus still has some of its termites.
Ya autta see my step van. The bottom 6 lunches looks like Swiss cheese
We gonna let the loose ends dangle

 

I was glad to find a decent hood.
A hood is not really needed in decent weather. I figured I could keep a garbage bag and a few rocks, maybe a bungie cord to drape over the engine when it rains.
I’m glad I found a hood. I knew I would find one eventually.
Some of the more interesting repairs I have seen are done to keep a mechanism working in it’s period of use. I have seen some repairs on 200 plus year old guns that are as interesting as the gun itself.

There’s kind of a break over. Kind of like Kenny Rogers sings about....Know when to hold them.....know when to fold them.
You have to choose your battles.
You have to judge whether to let it be.....
Do a good farmer repair to keep it in use......
Completely rebuild or replace......
Sometimes the best option is replacement or restoration.....sometimes not.
It’s a judgment call.

Of course chassis, brakes, structure, wiring....
all that has to be top shelf.

body stuff....as long as it’s not falling off that stuff can wait.

 

Nice!.... But, I'd rather be space truckin'......

 

ALL DUE respect. What's sense got to do,,, gotta do with it?

 

Yeah, me too. I’ve always referred to mine as the Aero model. Much more aero than the brick nose it replaced.