Back when I was in my early 20’s, I drove a 1960 F-100 factory four wheel drive daily. It was the newest vehicle I owned, and it seneved me well for years until I decided to upgrade. Back then that 60 was just an old beater pickup. Now they are becoming really scarce and semi valuable. I really missed that 60... I have a love affair with the 57-60 Ford trucks and have owned many. I had picked up a 60 F-100 4WD project truck and was looking for the right donor truck to complete it. The 60 has all the drivetrain, but the bed was gone and the body was not super great. It didn’t run and drive, but all the axles and special four wheel drive parts were there. I didn’t want to restore one, and I wanted it to look decent. I knew sooner or later the right 2WD truck would come along with decent enough sheet metal to combine the two. It finally did, although it was rather ugly looking. I found it on eBay in Great Falls MT. It was an original meadow green truck but painted with primers all over it. I won’t get into much detail, because I already did a thread about how I removed all the paint and primer on the main board. But here are pictures to tell the story. The truck has really decent factory paint. Then I’m browsing craiglist over the summer and see an ad in Missoula MT for a running 1959 F-100 4WD. It was priced right, ran and drove and titled as a 59 four wheel drive. 1959 was the first year Ford built factory four whee drive pickups. They are not very common. I bought it site unseen and went and picked up. It’s a rusty truck but runs and drives really well, and that’s all that mattered to me. I planned to swap my good sheet metal over to the 4x4 chassis. Over the past few days I have been getting the 4WD stripped down and ready to pull the cab off the frame. Tonight the wife and kids were gone so after work I rolled the gantry crane my dad loaned me and had the cab off in about 5 minutes. That went smooth, so rolled the mint green truck out and started unboltimg and unhooking everything on it. Still had daylight, so rolled it over and lifted the complete cab and nose, rolled the frame out and rolled the 4WD chassis under it and lowered it down. Worked really slick, especially beings I was by myself. That is up to current. Stick around, I’ll update this as I get it back together.
What are your chances plans for power? Your build is similar to what my 8 year old son and I are building. It’s a 1963 International C1100. Ours had a 266 IH V-8 but the block is cracked, so we are installing a SBC and auto transmission. I understand that 4wd is not real popular around here and I understand that, but ours will end up 4wd too. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Over the weekend I got nearly everything buttoned up. Fighting a few electrical problems with lights not working but did get it back in the road. I installed new shocks, brake lines, spring bushings, drag link and rebuilt the steering box while it was out. It runs and drives really nice. Still gotta get the box on it. More to come
Beds installed. Getting that rear bumper off was a chore- it was welded to the frame. But I finally got it. Still some clean up to do mainly on the interior, but I’m impressed with how it rides
Those tires are perfect! I love the look, what size and brand are they? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
They are 7.50 16 Bluestar tires. They are on ebay and very affordable. They are actually a really nice tire and drive nice for an aggressive bias ply
I love this truck! i want to put together another 57 Fargo or Dodge as a 4x4 one day. Won't be a factory one but built in the style of them.
Chris, what do those early Ford 4wd trucks use fornthe front axle? I am a fan of the late '50's and early '60's 4 wheelers, and have a line built '59 Chevy 3/4 ton myself. It is all original, except the 402 that is in it at present.
As we move into fall and winter, I’ve been driving the truck frequently. Trips to the dump, hauling stuff home, and even driver duty for a couple days while my “reliable truck” was in for some warranty work. I even put a seat belt in it for the kid. I really like this truck and the heater works great
Well, last winter a guy in OH made me an offer on the truck I couldn't refuse. It wasn't for sale but he wanted it bad enough I caved. Early this spring, and out of the blue, I picked this junker 59 4x4 up just North of me. And have been watching this very clean original 60 F-100 down near LA. A friend of mine had an empty trailer coming back from the LA roadster show, so I pulled the trigger and this nice original 60 showed up Monday. So now I will do it all over again This time it will be an axle swap, as opposed to a body swap. The color is 1960 "Goldenrod" yellow, so the wife named it ol gold. This trucks a V8/3 speed. It runs and drives great, I will add a 4 speed when I do the conversion. I should have everything to do to it.
I bought a beat up '59 F100 4x4 back in the '70's. Put the running gear under my '56. Almost a bolt in. Had a lot of fun with it. My ex gave it away a few years ago for $1200. There's a guy near me has a '60 4x4, had it for decades. Was trying to sell it awhile back but thought it was gold plated.