Re: My '69 F100 Build...TONS of pics!

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:14 pm

Well, most of the following isn't new to several of you but I decided to put all of my separate build threads together in this most recent one to show it from beginning to end. My plans for this truck since the beginning were to make a cool hauler to be used like a truck (light duty though) and do it on a budget. I've been absent from the forum for a while and I'm starting to get the itch to build again so hopefully this thread will be added to soon...

The first picture is of my truck on the night I drove it home...

I found the cab to have a rusted out floor and replaced it with a '72 cab for $150 at the wrecking yard. Also, started the color change to satin black...

With nearly the entire truck being satin black, I decided on a slightly contrasting gloss for the door panels and dashboard...

I fabricated a new gauge cluster with LED indicators and rewired the entire truck bumper to bumper using an all new harness with a new blade type fuse block...

Insulated the cab...

Installed new RED carpet along with some new 3-point belts and a center lap belt...

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:24 pm

Finished off the interior (for now) with another wrecking yard find. It's a bench from an '89 F250 that is in fairly good condition other than a little fading...

Then, it was time to focus on the engine compartment...this is the BEFORE:

For now, just some degreasing and a rattlecan overhaul followed by an Edelbrock intake/carb, electronic ignition, and long-tube headers...

and add a little powdercoating and more Ford Red to an old school pair of Cal-Custom valve covers...

New radiator and electric fan. I fabricated the fan mount and added a thermostat control...

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:33 pm

Added a few shiny pieces...

and rebuilt the 4-speed steering column with all new components (no column shift)...

Now, it sits WAY too high for a 2WD and although I had installed a brake booster from a '75, the truck had drums at all 4 corners. Gonna take care of the altitude and upgrade the brakes all in one swoop. The overall height didn't bother me as much as the crazy rake. The front coils are the originals from when the truck had the 240ci sixer so they were real saggy...

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:47 pm

Out with the drums in front...

In go the spindles from the previously mentioned '75 F100 along with dropped DJM beams, new rotors, calipers, springs, bushings, bearings, seals, hoses, etc...

as well as a new master cylinder, the '75 proportioning valve, and all new fabricated hard lines...

For the rear, a no-cost hanger flip to drop the back roughly 4-5 inches. Well, I did have to buy some grade 8 hardware and some 4 degree spring perch shims to correct the pinion angle (this pic isn't mine)...

and how 'bout some stainless 4" boloney cut tips and 40 series Flowmasters???

and now it's sittin' down where I like it. I've since touched up the chipped paint in the hood seam where the yellow is showing...

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:57 pm

and after another fresh coat of satin black, I took it to a show in the park...

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:06 pm

Remember the rattlecan overhaul??? Well, I've got something in the works right now to take care of that tired and very leaky 390/C6 combo. I rebuilt another C6 complete with a new, higher stall converter and flex plate and now have a 390 build happening. I just have to finish up the head porting and get them off to the shop for new seats, guides, and valve job. It should be a real stump puller!!!

mybros71 · Post by **mybros71** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:18 pm

I'm not trying to pick up on you when I say that is probably one of the hottest bumps I've seen. I'm all randy to find another short-box now. The steelies with caps are perfect. My wife brought the last rust-bucket home so its my turn. Gotta find a Crown Vic front end, small block, C4,.............fired up!!

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:55 pm

mybros71 wrote:I'm not trying to pick up on you when I say that is probably one of the hottest bumps I've seen. I'm all randy to find another short-box now. The steelies with caps are perfect. My wife brought the last rust-bucket home so its my turn. Gotta find a Crown Vic front end, small block, C4,.............fired up!!

And I did it all myself with recycled parts!!! Thanks for the kind words! This is what I want to be a temporary build for this truck. The final build, I've recently decided, will still be satin black...just with good quality, non-rattle can, paint from my gun with a satin clear. I was considering a sort of Lightning clone for 1969 if Ford would have made one back then. I doubt I'll want to put on the Lightning decals though but I wanted to add something very subtle to the finished truck...I've got some time to think. I've been thinking about a CV or Must. II IFS as well as a coil-over 4-link or Mark VIII IRS and may just do that when I get my '56 finished. The '69's next phase could then be a father/son project for the one that's on the way and maybe he just might own it when he's 16 (if I can bear to part with it!).

mybros71 · Post by **mybros71** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 11:12 pm

Cool deal.

SomersMerc · Post by **SomersMerc** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:16 am

Wow!
That sure turned out really nice. A ton of work but looks like your very mechanically inclined. I would love to be able to fix mine up like that on my own. I think it is totally cool.
Thanks for sharing!

Canadian Ford Eh · Post by **Canadian Ford Eh** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:58 am

Great build! I love the flat black/gloss black combination, and I really love the few red items. I'm gonna copy that for my next project probably. Great fabrication work too!

Brian

fireguywtc · Post by **fireguywtc** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:10 am

Fantastic work. I really like your build!

thrush544 · Post by **thrush544** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:34 am

Sweeeeet!

FoPAR · Post by **FoPAR** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:37 pm

very cool build, love the black and red

F100builder · Post by **F100builder** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:55 pm

Thanks everyone!