66 long bed project has begun

[rderr]

This is a pic from a few years ago when I first bought her. There is some rust hiding under there!



front clip removed



Engine pulled (nice of those Ford engineers to install the handy beer holders!)

More pics to come as I find time to work on her.

Rick

[bruceandersson]

I love the ford coasters on the front suspension. Looks like a decent truck to start with.

[rderr]

It really is in decent shape. Major issues are the drivers cab mount which is completely gone, the cab brace on the pass side, and the radiator support. As you can see in the pic the pass side rad support bushing was so rusted that I didn't even have to remove it to pull the radiator support.

I replaced the bed floor last year

[rderr]

More progress made yesterday!

[Shadow]

Great Looking Truck! Nothing Better Than A Nicely Faded Rangoon Red. IMHO....

[Alan Mclennan]

Nice job on the floor Rick!.....but the Coors supports are further forward on the chassis mate!..

[totten]

Looks like my truck when i started. You will have a beauty when finish,Tony

[rderr]

I thought the floor was pretty solid until I found this. Not as bad as some I've seen just a little more cutting and welding than I had planned on.



Pass side has a patch as well but this one is welded in

[totten]

Rick, that is rangoon red color on the floor. Looks like the floors pretty solid. Keeps the pics coming,Tony

[rderr]

Been a while since I have updated this build so here is where I stand today Enjoy:
Frame in primer


Engine all gussied up


Radiator support re-fabricated


Other things done to date:
Cab metal work complete
Cab underside primed and painted
Bed under side Primed and painted
SS brake lines run throughout
New coil springs and shocks installed
Rear wheel bearing installed

Things to do:
inner fenders stripped primed and painted
install engine and trans
install new u-joints and install drive shaft
Paint and body
bed liner
install new wiring harness
etc...

[therealjoeshmoe]

looks great!! keep the pics comminG!!

[brute66]

Great effort on the restoration. It's looking really good. I hope you'll unload those exhaust manifolds though. They are a corporate bean counter accountant's dream come true and are very restrictive.

[rderr]

Yeah, my neighbor who is my "senior advisor" and beer fridge emptyer says they look like sh!t on a white dress. Are there any recomendations on a set of headers that wont break the bank?

[Eallen66]

Yeah, my neighbor who is my "senior advisor" and beer fridge emptyer says they look like sh!t on a white dress. Are there any recomendations on a set of headers that wont break the bank?

We picked up a set of OBX stainless long tube headers for my sons 5.0, 5 speed swap in the link in my signuture. I think we used ones meant for the 70's f100. Myself, as well as our exhaust guy, were overly impressed with the quality and flange thickness that will really reduce those pesky leaks of cheap headers. They are heavy duty for $240 or so. They will discolor as all stainless do but since they won't rust you can always have them coated years down the road if you want. You can just search for them on ebay or our swap might have the direct company that handles them. He probably has 5,000 miles on them and all is well.

Build is looking good!

[rderr]

It has been a while since I updated this build thread. so here goes Updated pictures:
This is what really got me started on this restore


Some of what I found as I peeled the onion






























The end!

[therealjoeshmoe]

HOLY CRAP BATMAN!! LOL YOU JUST FINISHED YOUR TRUCK! LOOKS GREAT! GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE IS MAKING PROGRESS! LOOKS GREAT!

[orangeRcode]

Looks awesome. Congrats on a job well done!

[rderr]

Had a photo opportunity this weekend with a blue bird morning. Enjoy:

[osiyo59]

Absolutely something to be very proud of! You did a fantastic job.