Getting started 68 shortbed

[la1031]

Just though I would show the group how much lost time and money I dont have....

http://s446.photobucket.com/albums/qq186/1968F100/

[fireguywtc]

It's looking really good. You seem to have a good base to start from, little rust and the cab isn't rotten through like mine. Frame looks really sharp, did you primer then por 15 or is that paint? can't wait to see more. I like the blue coil springs too!!

[la1031]

I took the frame down to bare metal with sanding and sandblasting. I used a high grade etching primer to seal it and eliminate rust. The paint is a tractor/implement paint that I have used before. I like the gloss that the frame gives off and besides you will not see all that work later anyway. Yeah the blue coils... I though I might break up the black for everything theme....and they are powder coated. I have powder coated as much as possible on this project. If the part was made of metal and fit in my blaster I have powder coated it.

The cab mounts were really the only problem on this truck. I welded washers underneath them to reinforce the area

Suspension is 1 full coil out of front and 2"drop in rear. I am putting the fuel cell in the back and the circle track protection bar. I do have new pictures on that just haven't posted them.

Thanks for looking.

[la1031]

One of the few subtle things I wanted to do to the truck was fill in the dash knob controls. I am using a F600 dash piece so I will put the controls there.


http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/qq18 ... 1225640128

[la1031]

lets try that again..

[snake]

That looks good! I was just thinking that same thing this past weekend - it might be nice to 'clean up' the dash by removing all those knobs................

[la1031]

Yeah I know the purists in the group are cringing at this, but this was me doing body work on the instrument fills.

[la1031]

Just a couple of pics on my progress

[kaptnkaos]

Hey la1031, that's lookin' extremely nice...

Just in case ya didn't already know...
'68's ROCK !!!

So do Irish Setters !!!!

KaptnKA S

[la1031]

I pointing at the truck..it"s over there....

[1971ford]

my dogs point like that when they hear stuff to
truck looks good, im about to start filler and primer work with mine too. What brand are you using and thats just the epoxy right, no high-build yet? Im using SPI stuff.
I just bought a 32 gallon fuel cell for my '71 and we will be counter sinking it in the same exact spot, but will have to be raised alittle since its so deep. is that a 32?

[TheMadScientist]

Nice work! Can't wait to see more progress

[snake]

In your pics, it looks like you are using leaf springs on the rear. If that's correct, what are the 'extra' bracketry/mounting tabs in front of the rear end for? Just curious.....

[AlleyCat]

Very nice work. If I'm ever able to do my 67 as I'd like to I'd do the same thing with the dash. I like the crash bar on the fuel cell too.

[la1031]

The fuel cell is a 22 gal diaphragm cell with racing foam inside. I used weld nuts and flipped the rear cross member to level it out. It is still a little to close to the bed if you ask me. I would use a 16 if I had it to do over and lower the tank.

I am eliminating the rear bumper on this rig..have not decided about roll pan or not...that is a circle track fuel cell protection bar. We had to shorten it and weld some brackets to it but it really helps add stiffness to the rear shackle mount. With out it....if you bounce the rear of the truck you could see the frame tweak itself..it really makes me think twice about changing the original design.

This brackets are for a track bar or ladder bar setup that I will use. I wanted to make plumbing the exhaust as hard as possible Basically it is going to be the top half of a four link setup...no spring wrap here! I welded on a triangulated support on the 9" housing as well...we got carried away..



I hope it runs as fast as my budget is increasing...