1966 Ford F100 build

[Randzz75]

Seeing all these build threads on here gave me the bug to start my own. I bought this truck from a buddy for $600 and drove it home with barely any brakes. It started life as a bone stock 1966 Ford F100 with custom cab doors. The engine was a 400m with a 3 speed with blown out synchros( sorry I don't have any pics of the truck when i started, must have got lost when i moved)

[Randzz75]

I first started to do the airbags on it using the stock I-beam front suspension with parts from airbagit, what a joke! It didnt lower the truck at all, and came with no instructions and barely fit. Needless to say, I had to go a different route

[Randzz75]

Front clip from a 1979 Firebird, Hated to put GM into my Ford but the price was right!

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

I took the Firebird front clip, and having already measured the wheelbase and angles, cut the lower portion in half at the right width so it would slide into the waiting frame. I then proceeded to weld the perimeter of the clip to the inside and edges of the old frame. I then did some boxing in around the body mount since i had to clearance it some to get the right wheelbase

[Randzz75]

I then cut the bottom of the old frame and bent it up to meet the clip and welded it in. After which I boxed everything with plate that had a window cut into it so that i could plug weld the boxing plate to the clip as well

[Randzz75]

I then did some heavy cleaning, painting and rebuilding of the clip and installed the air ride tech firbird suspension, along with all new balljoints, bushings and brakes for the front end

[Randzz75]

Heres how she sat with the new front clip

[Randzz75]

from the side

[damagedduck]

NOT BAD! kinda digging it.

[Randzz75]

Just noticed how bad those welds look in the picture, believe me the whole thing welded up way cleaner then that picture!

[jhutch713]

I forgive you in regards to the gm clip in a Ford, but I totally understand, unless you have money falling out of you tailpipes, price dictates. Very nice ride and work, can't wait to see it finished. When you get it done swing over to Kentucky and we'll take a spin in it. Later.

[Randzz75]

With the clip all done I decided to try to figure out a way to make the 400m fit the firebird clip, after a while I decided to trade the motor for a kick ass 1970 ct70 Honda trailbike! Now I was in need for a motor. It just so happens my wifes uncle had his motor and tranny rebuilt about 10 years earlier for his 1978 c10 truck but he never got around to putting it in. So we agreed on a price for a 350 smallblock with a mild cam and noisy geardrive, and a turbo 350 with a shift kit for $800 still in the build bag sitting in my in-laws garage, another Chevy in a Ford but the price was right!

[Randzz75]

With a little help from the brother in-law, I got all the goodies on the motor

and the tranny bolted up

[rusty76]

prettty cool if you ask me!

[damagedduck]

well this just got ugly!!!
nah just playing! it's all good as long as your having fun!

[Randzz75]

Thanks guys, just trying to remember all the stuff I did, still a little embarrassed about having a Chevy powered Ford!

[Randzz75]

Had to cut a section of the firewall and the transmission hump to stuff this setup in

[Randzz75]

here's what I came up with for the transmission hump

[Randzz75]

Heres what I came up with for hooking the stock steering shaft to the firebirds power steering box

A co-worker was part of the crew that decommissioned the U.S.S. Nautalis, the first nuclear US submarine and he gave me these u joints that were off of the front hatch....pretty bitchin if you ask me.......but i wasn't too keen on the setup, pretty sloppy and real big so i went to a flaming river setup, but these are definitely going on a future project....too cool to leave on a shelf!!!

[Randzz75]

For the rear suspension I decided to go with a triangulated 4 bar. On the bottom outside bars i reused the stock leaf spring front bracket, just cut down and moved up on the frame

[Randzz75]

I welded the top bars brackets to the 9" and the whole setup looks like this

[Randzz75]

I didn't mention that this is the first project I have ever built and I learned how to weld on this truck.....and I still need lots of practice!!!! I was scared to death to cut the front and rear up but decided I have to learn somehow and what better way then on a $600 truck!!!

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by jhutch713

I forgive you in regards to the gm clip in a Ford, but I totally understand, unless you have money falling out of you tailpipes, price dictates. Very nice ride and work, can't wait to see it finished. When you get it done swing over to Kentucky and we'll take a spin in it. Later.

Definitely have dry tailpipes here, this has been a total budget build , Heard they have some bad ass shows in Kentucky!!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by damagedduck

well this just got ugly!!!
nah just playing! it's all good as long as your having fun!

Some days its fun!!!! and you can definitly tell the difference between where i started to learn how to weld and my recent welds

[Randzz75]

Decided to go with a different look in the engine bay, got rid of that stamped steel china brand valve covers....Oh and I threw a Ford racing breather on it just to piss off my chevy loving brother in-law!!!

[redstraw]

trucks gonna be bad ass, and you cant go wrong with the chevy stuff.

[derbydad276]

I gues I can be thankfull you didnt put it on a S10 frame!

I see your going super low with it I guess Ill subscribe to see what ya do with the body

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by redstraw

trucks gonna be bad ass, and you cant go wrong with the chevy stuff.

Thanks and even though Im a Ford guy, I can appreciate how easy the Chevy stuff goes together

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by derbydad276

I gues I can be thankfull you didnt put it on a S10 frame!

I see your going super low with it I guess Ill subscribe to see what ya do with the body

Definitely all Ford from the firewall back!!!!!

[Randzz75]

Heres the stance after the front clip and step notch, before the links and the bags in the back

[Randzz75]

heres some better pics of what I did with the bottom front bar brackets

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

Heres the initial cut in the bad to clear the notch, had to cut further to clear full suspension

[Randzz75]

and you can see where i was thinking about putting the stock gas tank, but scrapped that idea once I saw what was inside

[Randzz75]

Got the front end mocked up, while I was working on the rear suspension

[Randzz75]

And I forgot about my new shoes in the above pictures

believe it or not but they are radial tires with port-o-walls on 2 stock powdercoated 66 ford wheels and 2 summit powdercoated steelies

[Randzz75]

welding in the bag mounts.....never mind the ugly booger welds.....amazing what a grinder can hide

[Randzz75]

got the bags in and plumbed, extending the bag mount to make room for the rear shocks

[Randzz75]

shocks in but they are pretty short so i'm going to have to think of something else down the road, but they'll work for now

[Randzz75]

Finally started some body work...there was a ton of bondo on this baby, and a ripped out tailight section, got it put back in and a little filler on it

[Randzz75]

Time to do some shaving!!!

[Randzz75]

ready to make some templates

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

Trying to keep the heat down

[Randzz75]

Also shaved the hood emblem, antennae hole, and stake pockets in the bed

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

Im also filling the seam around the top of the cab, smoothing it out, the seam running horizontally down the side of the bed and building a profile like the one on the door, and also filling the seam down the rear corner of the bed

[Randzz75]

my oldest boy throwing the peace sign while doing some garage cruisin'

[KustomCars]

Wow ! Looking good! Like it alot!

[Randzz75]

Also shaved the emblems and trim around the sides of the truck

[Mitchell de Moor]

Looks good for you're first time. Just keep learning and if you fuck it up it's only metal and can be fixed.

[sanch052]

Nice work, your really motivating me to start working on my car.

[Randzz75]

Trying to get the dash wrapped up

[Randzz75]

Had to scrap the grenade, couldn't get the Lokar adapter to work right. Has anyone else had this problem?

[Randzz75]

Here's the gauge cluster idea I came up with

I put a 3 3/4 speedo and a 3 3/4 quad gauge into holes that i cut where the stylish circles are in the original 65 dash. I then cut all the guts out of the middle original gauge bracket and replaced the glass with dark smoked almost black plexi glass. I then mounted a tach behind the plexi-glass that's visible when you turn the key on and it lights up

[Randzz75]

Done but think im heading a different direction with it

[Randzz75]

Decided to go with a rear roll pan instead of a bumper on a purely financial reason.....pan was way cheaper than a bumper!

[Randzz75]

You can also see in that picture the start of the body line that im building on the bed

[Randzz75]

More body work, and she's sitting at the stance she'll have for a while....aired out

[Randzz75]

Almost ready for a coat of filling primer

[Randzz75]

need to do some alignment work on the hood

[Randzz75]

I did get to drive it for a week or two before I started the body work

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

guess i should show a couple things that happened before I drove it! Here's some of the cuts I had to do to make the exhaust work with its low stance. I also had to cut 1" out of the header before the collector on the drivers side

[Randzz75]

here's where the battery found a home, routed all the cables through the bottom

[Randzz75]

And the Viair 480 that fills my tank

[Randzz75]

Here's the whole bed....Ive since added a second viair compressor, bed bracing under the floor to the frame, large wheelwells and all of the relays and fuses for the airride sit in the corner by the battery

[Randzz75]

Ive also gotten rid of the big fuel cell in favor of an thin aluminum RCI fuel cell, Im also thinking of doing a false bed floor covered in black stained hardwood planks with recessed doors to access the battery, airride and fuel filler....Opinions? And I have thick skin so I can take the harshest of opinions!!!

[j-dogg]

I really like what you did with this truck. Looks good.

[510madmav]

Looks cool, I dig those trucks.

[Randzz75]

So here's what I traded my 400m motor and 3 speed tranny for

[Randzz75]

bondo is flying.....would love to learn how to lead instead of this crappy plastic filler

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by j-dogg

I really like what you did with this truck. Looks good.

Originally Posted by 510madmav

Looks cool, I dig those trucks.

Thanks guys!

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

Decided to go different on the interior, shaved the vents in the top of the dash and got rid of the stock speaker cover

[Randzz75]

trying to make it all 1 color

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

Shaved a couple of the knob holes below the gauges, just the ones i wont use, also cut 6 inches out of the length of the steering column to give me more room

[Randzz75]

here's the first choice in color, 70's corvette steel cities grey

[Randzz75]

more masking

[Randzz75]

painted the interior, not sure if I like it, was expecting more grey

[Randzz75]

put it back together to try to decide if I like the color

[Randzz75]

You can see my 1st try at engine turning on my switch panel I made for the airride, also a good shot at how the tach looks behind the smoked plexi-glass

[A Rodder]

I love it.
I seen where you mentioned the body line you put in the bed, but don't see it. What did you do?

[Randzz75]

also a good shot at all the chrome pieces I had powder coated gloss black on the inside of the cab

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by A Rodder

I love it.
I seen where you mentioned the body line you put in the bed, but don't see it. What did you do?

I welded up the seam that runs along the bottom of the body line that continues from the door onto the bed. The bed is originally in 3 pieces, top bottom and tailight, I welded up the tailight seam and the top bed seam but had to make that top seam flow the same as the door...Not sure I explained it very good

[FTbass]

I'm digging it, man! Keep up the good work.

[Randzz75]

time to see what the color looks like on the outside

[Randzz75]

not really diggin the color

[Randzz75]

might have to make a change before its too late

[Randzz75]

Ok, I went a different route, repainted the interior with a Chrysler crossfire silver blue metallic and added a black metal flake to bring out the powder coated trim pieces

[Randzz75]

also added some Fat Mat since there's a stereo lurking around the corner!!!!

[Randzz75]

Also got my seat back from the upholstery shop. I accidentally bought a seat cover for a 67-72 seat, so the shop had to cut and sew it to make it work

[Randzz75]

trying to make a tonneau cover

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

going to cover it in sheet metal

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

going to cover it in 1 piece of black vinyl, and you can see Im going with a grey primer so i can drive it and let the chips and scratches happen before I paint it

[Randzz75]

here's the finished cover

[Randzz75]

Got the primer on installing all of the newly powdercoated brightwork, getting ready to put the windows back in

[Randzz75]

before

[Randzz75]

After

[Randzz75]

Just in time to take the oldest to his and the truck's first car show

[Randzz75]

Heading to the first car show of 2012

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

Ruined one set of port-o-walls, so ran without em until the new ones came in

[Randzz75]

got the new ones on

[Randzz75]

Started thinking the other day while I was cruising 70mph down hwy 65, that if I had a bag or airline failure right now, it would be frame on the ground, so trying to figure out what to do??!!

[56Firedome]

Love it! I have a 62 short box uni waiting in the project line. This is very inspirational.

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by MitchellDeMoor

Looks good for you're first time. Just keep learning and if you fuck it up it's only metal and can be fixed.

Thanks, I feel much more confident now, and I hope it will show on my next project....1951 ford victoria hardtop

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by sanch052

Nice work, your really motivating me to start working on my car.

Thanks, do it, and take a lot of pictures, I didnt take nearly enough on this one!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by j-dogg

I really like what you did with this truck. Looks good.

Originally Posted by 510madmav

Looks cool, I dig those trucks.

thanks guys!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by 56Firedome

Love it! I have a 62 short box uni waiting in the project line. This is very inspirational.

Thanks, my dad had a 62 short box uni also, loved that truck, wish I had it today!

[Blake84]

Awsome build. Wish you lived close I'd love to kick it and help out. Love this truck

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by Blake84

Awsome build. Wish you lived close I'd love to kick it and help out. Love this truck

Thanks, Cant wait to read about your new front in going in someday soon!

[Randzz75]

So here's the route i am taking, shaved 3/4" off the belly of the frame under the cab where it lays on the ground. took some rubber 4" bump stops with a threaded rod in them and drilled a hole in the rod. Took a piece of pipe roughly 1" bigger than the thread and split it and drilled it. Welded the split pipe to the lower a-arm under the frame. Now i can put the bump stop in and pin it so it wont lay frame while I drive but is still accessible to pull when i get somewhere to park it. If anyone has a better idea please let me know!

[Randzz75]

this is how low she is now with that 3/4" cut out

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Blake84]

Damn. How you get so low without 2 piece drive shaft?

[Wooster]

Nice ride!! I have my dads 66 short wheel base he bought new back then taken apart and in storage waiting to go back together after the model a is out of the shop...been reading how the crown vic 2004 to around 2007 or 08 front end is being used on F100's ...everything I have read is that it is bolt in so this may be the way I go to get the front end down or then again may go back stock.

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by Blake84

Damn. How you get so low without 2 piece drive shaft?

just worked out that way, with the camaro clip and stock camaro transmission crossmember, plus a c-notch in the crossmember that my link bars are connected to to clear the driveshaft. I have a total of 1 1/4" cut off the bottom of the belly of the frame, basically transmission crossmember and frame rails lay on the ground. Thought about body dropping it another 1" but picked up the 51 ford victoria so think I'll be done with this one for a while

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by Wooster

Nice ride!! I have my dads 66 short wheel base he bought new back then taken apart and in storage waiting to go back together after the model a is out of the shop...been reading how the crown vic 2004 to around 2007 or 08 front end is being used on F100's ...everything I have read is that it is bolt in so this may be the way I go to get the front end down or then again may go back stock.

thanks, these trucks are cool, started this one 6 years ago when you hardly saw these trucks at the shows, good luck with your truck!

[53olds]

That truck is bad ass!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by 53olds

That truck is bad ass!

Thanks!

[32Tudor396]

Pull that chevy out!!!!!!!!!!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by 32Tudor396

Pull that chevy out!!!!!!!!!!

I know I know, took a while to get that comment, if it any consolation im starting a 51 victoria that will be all ford with a hi-po302 and aod!!!

[greaseguy62]

I dig it bro powered by Chevy or not its badass I actually had the same idea. I just bought a 62 unibody still got the original 223 just need more power. I'm still learning about bags and you say you did it the cheap way. How would you do it if you had more money?

[OneFineComet]

Looks good. I wouldn't go with the Port-O-Walls though. I would just shell out the cash and get some nice wide whites. But that's my 2 pennies.

[JakeDW]

Really clean f1 sits rite allso .

Jake

[bd64]

looks good!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by greaseguy62

I dig it bro powered by Chevy or not its badass I actually had the same idea. I just bought a 62 unibody still got the original 223 just need more power. I'm still learning about bags and you say you did it the cheap way. How would you do it if you had more money?

Thanks, unibodies are badass! If I had more money I would have at least put 3/8" hard lines if not 1/2", and a full accuair system in it, which might be just around the corner for this truck!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by OneFineComet

Looks good. I wouldn't go with the Port-O-Walls though. I would just shell out the cash and get some nice wide whites. But that's my 2 pennies.

Your 100% right, im on my second set, and they just dont last!, some g78
cokers are on the way!!!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by JakeDW

Really clean f1 sits rite allso .

Jake

Originally Posted by bd64

looks good!

Thanks !!!

[Randzz75]

Here's a new Mooneye's steering wheel I picked up. I'm going to run it until I can get the original one refinished.

[JakeDW]

They are nice steering wheels for a good price I have a slotted white one 15 in for mine.

Jake

[SlowMoe]

Randzz75, WOW, what a spectacular transformation in just four months! My first vehicle was a 1962 Ford Unibody Shortbed back in 1975. Always loved the lines of these trucks, and yours is just plain SICK! Awesome accomplishment!

[shocker998md]

Very nice, Ive got a 66 myself and I think I will be hi jacking your bed cover setup.

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by JakeDW

They are nice steering wheels for a good price I have a slotted white one 15 in for mine.

Jake

Nice, I almost went with the black slotted one, driven it around and am really digging the wheel!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by SlowMoe

Randzz75, WOW, what a spectacular transformation in just four months! My first vehicle was a 1962 Ford Unibody Shortbed back in 1975. Always loved the lines of these trucks, and yours is just plain SICK! Awesome accomplishment!

Thanks, I appreciate that!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by shocker998md

Very nice, Ive got a 66 myself and I think I will be hi jacking your bed cover setup.

The vinyl glued on top didn't work out to good, so it got scrapped. Im actually going to start a false floor on it shortly, I'll post some pics of it.

[Randzz75]

installed the door poppers today, then rolled everything out to clean up a little. going to start reshaping the bumper then install a false floor in the bed. More pictures to come

[greaseguy62]

Any progress? Got my 62 uni all sanded down. Layin filler and more sandin, then I should have it all in primer, minus the interior and bed this weekend. First time so its goin slow, but I'm learning a lot from your thread. Thanks

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by greaseguy62

Any progress? Got my 62 uni all sanded down. Layin filler and more sandin, then I should have it all in primer, minus the interior and bed this weekend. First time so its goin slow, but I'm learning a lot from your thread. Thanks

Thanks, I'm still learning a lot too. Started on the false floor, pictures coming soon. My plan is to build some of it out of my old cover, then put some osb down then nail in some hand scraped black laminate flooring. we will see how it goes!

[Randzz75]

Here's where I started with the plan for the false floor



Welded in some angle iron braces and cut down my old cover to fit as the middle bracing for the subfloor

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

The plan is for OSB sub floor with hand scraped black laminate floor over the top with cut outs for the fuel filler and a door for the battery and fuses for the air ride

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

I know I know there's not much bed left, but enough to strap a cooler and some chairs down and still hide the beer under the floor!!!

[Randzz75]

got some new bling on my wheels while I wait for the new Coker wide white's

[Randzz75]

[Mattilac]

Killer truck.

[Cooon]

Wow this truck is too cool. Neat to see you have a vic also.

Awesome work mate.

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by Mattilac

Killer truck.

Thanks!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by Cooon

Wow this truck is too cool. Neat to see you have a vic also.

Awesome work mate.

Thanks, and yes the vicky is in line going to rip the body off the frame real soon!

[1959apache]

damn brother, this is pretty nice. Keep it up, it looks great. That is cool that you can bring your boy to the shows. I know my dad did that when I was a kid and now I am infected with the car bug

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by 1959apache

damn brother, this is pretty nice. Keep it up, it looks great. That is cool that you can bring your boy to the shows. I know my dad did that when I was a kid and now I am infected with the car bug

Thanks, ya he loves cruising in the old cars and trucks.....another generation that hopefully keeps this hobby alive!!

[Redheadedlefty13]

love the build man..guy i know has one that lays body with a cummins!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by Redheadedlefty13

love the build man..guy i know has one that lays body with a cummins!

That sounds bad a$$, would love to do one like that!

[Randzz75]

So I started cutting the tongue and groove boards and staining them, then fit them in place

[Randzz75]

i got a fuel door to hide the porthole for the tank, plus I made a hatch to access my fuses and battery

[Randzz75]

got them all stained and mounted in. I still need to do some touch up painting to the wheelwells and bed sides. Not really happy with the floor but it will work for this summer, then we will see if it grows on me!

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

[imstupid]

I never was a real big fan of these trucks just because I never saw the potential i guess but damn this looks bad ass. I also have to say how jealous I am of the ct70, I have a 73 that i keep promising myself i will make look like yours. Anyway i really like the way your truck is coming

[paul hebert]

i'll watch

[mattrod68]

i like the bed, just start using it and it will look right at home with a few scratches!!

matt

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by mattrod68

i like the bed, just start using it and it will look right at home with a few scratches!!

matt

That might be exactly what it needs, maybe I don't like it because it looks too new! Good call!!

[Randzz75]

Ordering some new shoes today




Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad

[Degenerate]

Been watching your build since the first post, great work. I'm building a '41 International. You don't get any static on engine and driveline choice from the troops cause Internationals don't get any respect. Yours is built Ford tough with Chevy stuff.

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by Degenerate

Been watching your build since the first post, great work. I'm building a '41 International. You don't get any static on engine and driveline choice from the troops cause Internationals don't get any respect. Yours is built Ford tough with Chevy stuff.

I love those odd makes that nobody builds much of, i hate mixing powerplants but the price was too good to pass up, and it runs like a whipped mule!

[Randzz75]

Got these in today, gotta love summit shipping


Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad

[HOTRODPRIMER]

The '65 Grill looks good. HRP

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by HOTRODPRIMER

The '65 Grill looks good. HRP

Wow good eye, I had forgotten I even used the grill out of the 65 parts truck I had. The grill and the gauge cluster were the only parts that made it out of the ol girl before she was parted out.

[2dr_sedan]

'scribed!

[dirtbag13]

awesome work man

[THIRD PEDAL -lane]

out of curiosity what set up did you do when baggin the beams in the first time?

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by dirtbag13

awesome work man

Thanks I appreciate it!

[Randzz75]

Originally Posted by THIRD PEDAL -lane

out of curiosity what set up did you do when baggin the beams in the first time?

don't quite remember, but i think it was from airbagit. It had a hammer tone grey paint job on the parts.

[Randzz75]

So I decided to get rid of the rear roll pan. It kept dragging on driveways and was all beat up. First part was to cut the dang thing out.

now there is some body work that is needed!

[Randzz75]

I picked up a 1964-72 rear styleside bumper in great shape for less than it cost to ship it from colorado



Also the roll pan looks worse when it was finally out of the truck

[Randzz75]

The bumper also came with the original bumper brackets, they just needed some cleaning up and a new coat of paint

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

mocked the whole thing up. I'm really digging the new stock look, just need to get it powder coated black.



just a little adjustment and some body work and it will be perfect

[Randzz75]

got the panel straightened out as much as I could then fabbed up a cover piece to make it look good as new

[Randzz75]

[Randzz75]

picked up these cool little pieces to finish off my mirrors, just need to send them off to the powdercoaters with the bumper

[Randzz75]

got it back and put it on, final for now