Making a truck into a traditional Custom... but keeping it a truck.

I'd tuck the bumpers in, maybe a front bumper out back or shorten the ends, Merc tail lights as mentioned, maybe pie cut the hood so it looks less boxy. I personally think the bedside area in front of the rear fender is too long compared to the back, but that would be a tough fix. I dig the blue, a nice shiny paint job with some restrained pinstriping.

I absolutely positively would NOT chop it, unless you're gonna section it.

Or if you wanna go balls out I saw a concept drawing somewhere with a Lincoln Cosmopolitan 'treatment' to the front, looked pretty wild.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Here it is w/Photoshop chop and a simple scallop job

 

That's the same idea I was going with when I was modding my 55 f100. Although I will probably make it shiney someday

 

I can't see in the photos but if it has tailgate chains, they have to go. I've seen a couple of F1's with Chev AD tear drop style rear fenders that give it one of those "what's different about this?" looks. Top chop of 2" maybe but I'd not go much more. And a nice paint job, and maybe tuck the bumpers in a little tighter to the body.

 

Kev! A shave and a haircut, tuck n roll bed cover and interior, paint n mild scallops and your set. It's good looking truck as is, but some mild shaving and perhaps a chop and you got a kool kustom truck!

 

It could be the different color but the rear fender looks odd.
Maybe lower the fender a bit, section it and put the rear of it on a diet.
Nice 3 piece removable hard cover with a tuck and roll treatment.
Some lake pipes.

Cool lettering / logo

 

How about something like this?

 

Kevin,
I suppose this is not '50s thinking but if it were mine I would like it down in the snout more than level or tail dragging. I do like the '54 wheel openings idea.

I have an extra Stude over rider if you need an over rider for your plate. I guess I could come up with a pair and you could run one on both ends then you would have something to push with. Of course you will have to drive across town to get it.

Malcom
I hope that isn't yours, it looks like someone puked and called it a truck.

 

wonderful!!!

 

If you are thinking along the lines of a '50 Merc as you styling cues I think you have to do something different with the grill rather than just chrome the stock one. Seems like it would have been sacrilage to customize a '50's Merc and leave the stock grill back in the day.

I wonder if there would be anyway to work a Merc grill surround into the front end once it is sectioned?

 

W.W.R.D?

(What Would Rikster Do? )

http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/customcars_i_like/custom_pick_up_trucks/

http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_...like/ford_custom_cars/49-51_ford_custom_cars/

http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_...e/mercury_custom_cars/51_mercury_custom_cars/

 

I like this one

 

Oh hell no... It is, however, a perfect example of what NOT to do to an F1 pickup (cab).


Since this one was mentioned, figured I'd add a photo:
Awesome pickup!

 

Slight chop (2"?, Snug the bumpers up into the fenders, Adjust the ride height slightly, lengthen the rear fender toward the cab a few inches and add a tonneau cover. And paint it...

 

Most old shop trucks I've seen (in Calif in the 70's at least) were all of the hot rod version. Big & little tires with a hot rod rake + some sort of big block & the required chrome traction bars.

Hotrod or a Custom look would work on your Ford. Keeping it usable as a truck would be primary though. Given that, those old trucks could use a way better cargo tie-down arrangement, along with making the rear suspension more heavy duty just incase you find an old motor you need to bring home. You should looking into some hide-away tie's located low on the bed wood. There is also some really nice hardwood bed wood kits now that can take some abuse.

 

This may be a little "Bomb"-ish...i think i got carried away

 

Kevin...if you decide to go with factory polished stainless grille bar covers I still have that set...with an additional bar to get rid of the crank hole. If you dig the crank hole you could always slice,dice and use a body hammer to put one in...
A tunnelled antenne behind the doors always looks cool.
I definitely wouldn't chop it but I might see if I could get it [the front] a little lower without hurting ride quality or load capacity. I'd also get the bumpers a lot closer to the body and yes, I also like 49-50 Merc tailights on those trucks..

 

YEESH! Looks like Batman and the Riddler got together and ..... oh, never mind...

 

Porter mufflers.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/9034513?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400" height="265" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p>MERC TRUCK gets PORTER MUFFLERS from Rough Stock on Vimeo.</p>

 

Pull all of the chrome, nose the hood.....I would keep the grille opening, but change the grille. Custom grille maybe?

 

Oh yea, don't forget to make space for a trailer hitch for the Bonneville coupe.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383829&highlight=austin&page=2

 

That hubcap is boss!
I know this is not exactly the direction you're thinking ,but I keep forgetting to show this to you when you are over.



Sent from my iPhone using TJJ sucka!

 

Im going to bring this thread to the top I think Its a great thread.
When I had my F1 I wanted to lower the lower valance at the same level of the running board and I wanted to lower the rear part of the lower rear fender to the running board level..
just like these two suggested

Im guessing that hotflint was talking about something like this:

 

not one?

 

here is my take on one of these trucks. needs a little chop like everyone said, 2" or so, and take a little more out of the back than the front. levels out the roof. then here is my big one. get rid of the tops of the running boards so the running boards sit closer to the bottom of the cab. just section the bottom rear of the fron fender and raise the rear fender. next i lowered your front bumper just a little bit and shave your hood emblems, door handles, and hinges.





now where it gets to the grill i would grab the grill opening from a 51 and newer truck and narrow it to get the merc feel. run the headlights on the front of the fenders similar to the chevy AD trucks. give this thing a little more lines like a merc. also, i would get rid of the seams/ beads on the fenders. just my opinions.

 

I always wanted to put a set of 46 merc tail lites on a truck, would fit pretty easy too I think

 

1 color and drive the piss out of it is my vote... dig the look already.

 

I think one of the overlooked items when customizing the f1 and f100 trucks is the bed width. F1 and F100 bed widths are not as wide as the cab. If you drive behind one that has been customized it really stands out, especially if wider wheels are run in the back. If you add 4-6 inches to the width of the bed it really makes a world of difference.


Fryguy