Hot Rods Build thread: The evolution of my '54 f100 / m100 clone "Plain Lorraine"

Good job

 

Final fit and assembly began on the rear:



Detail painting:



And the rear brakes were upgraded from stock 1 3/4" to 2 1/4".

 

With the rear axle installed and finished up it was time to see just how much the rear was dropped.



Here is a comparison. The top picture is the day we took it to Brian's shop and the bottom is the truck back on the ground in his shop. Mission accomplished!



Plans are to pull a couple of leaves from the front now.

 

More tomorrow, but until then something artsy...

 

Here is mine, still a 6 banger and 6 volt....a very rare piece is the wheel holder on the truck bed...I dont think anyone repos those.

 

Nice build.

 

To keep the new motor cool I decided to forgo an aluminum radiator and ordered up a 4 row stock appearing replacement. I also decided to get it with a trans cooler installed so I didn't need to worry about mounting a remote cooler somewhere.



Since the trans cooler is in the radiator Brian bent up a pair of trans cooler lines.



And installed them in the truck.







He also built hard lines for the fuel, advance, and PCV as well as shortening the trans dipstick to tuck it down behind the motor.

 

Nice truck!


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Thanks for the positive comments guys - I'm really pleased with the progress and work.

 

Probably one of my biggest pet peeves is exhaust. I hate seeing exhaust. With that in mind Brian did his best to tuck the exhaust up under the truck and keep it hidden where it exited.

Brian started with some mandrel bends and straight pipes.

 

After everything was tacked together and fitted it was all pulled out, finish welded, coated, and reinstalled.

 

those trans cooler lines and exhaust are just perfect!! i like your truck, i'm restoring mine with the same approach, but with a 283.

 

Thanks JUNK ROD. I originally wanted a 283 or 327 but couldn't find much local, and I got a really good deal on the crate motor.

 

Time to get the coolant in and out of the motor...

 

Dude. Details extraordinaire. I dunno' where to start or stop pointing ? You can't just leave well enough alone ? Well........that's just perfect ! ! ! !

 

Where did you get the heater hose clamp/spacers? Great build.

 

Great truck and awesome detail!!!

 

It's NAPA belt hose straight hose and the clamps are for silicone hoses.

 

And thanks again for the compliments fellas!

 

Well about the last thing to be done by Brian was to hook up the loud pedal...

A couple of heim joints, a threaded rod, and a sleeve to make it pretty.





Brian's (Hot Rod Packard) attention to detail is terrific. I am more than thrilled with the work he did for me. I'm also thrilled with all the "little things" he did. The hardline for the coolant overflow and the Manganese Phosphate coating on the bolts are just a couple of examples.

 

Ready to come home...

 

I like it, nice job.

 

Nice Truck!!

I like the vintage look to the motor, fits with the rest of the truck. I had a Inline 6 in my truck the first time I built it too. I'm in the middle of a rebuild with a 327 and a 700r4 this time.

 

You and I are on parallel paths. My $150 6cyl finally gave up after 15 years of abuse as a daily driver. So I threw a 327/4 speed combo under the hood of my '54.
You have a beautiful truck and I've been envious of that chrome grill for years! Enjoy the extra power. I know I am.

 

Thanks for the compliments guys!

Got the hood back on and made a Costco run...

 

Thats a fine lookin 54! The beauty's in the details... Wish I had the sheckles to move mine from the garage and copious collection of parts staged for my build to a driver...


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Love the subtle details and clean look. Great work and great truck!

 

That's a damn good looking truck. And I commend you for keeping the 54 grill. The 54 F-100 grill has always seemed to be par with the 60-61 Chevy Apace hoods; as in the first to be replaced with a different model year piece. Sweet truck.

 

What a difference, coming along nicely

 

awesome truck