Using a slick like a modern pickup truck, sacrifices?

Phil · Post by **Phil** » April 19, 2008, 12:55 pm

I am putting my 1996 Ram up for sale.
I want to ditch it while gas is under $20 a gallon, while it still runs well and to free up space. Ill make my 2.3 Stang my daily. Both have 128K miles but I hate working on the Ram. I don't mind the stang.

To replace the Ram's duties (hauling engines, parts, household stuff and side work) I will take some of the cash I get and fix up the 62 F 100. The plan is to fix the steering, ring and pinion and trans.
It will be an around town truck but as it improves I may drive it further, finally towing my 70 Fairlane or a tool trailer is my goal.

The 429 runs OK but will need some help eventually.
Maybe a 302 AOD swap.

I may also lower it and go with 20s and 18s.

Can I get this from my truck, safely w/o sacrificing too much with these mods? I will keep the straight axle.

Rustbucket · Post by **Rustbucket** » April 19, 2008, 2:20 pm

I use my 65 for " household work" Also pull a 5000 gvw trailer. The only upgrade I have done is a dual mastercyl. It sure beats buying a new truck.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » April 19, 2008, 4:24 pm

dont see why not, i have been doing it for years.

ras4434 · Post by **ras4434** » April 19, 2008, 5:37 pm

Like Ice said I have been doing it for years. When we had only the 66 I would haul firewood on weekends, come home Sunday and fix what broke and then drove it to work for the week. The I-6 had more than 600,000 miles and if it had not been for the rust getting away from me I would still be driving it instead of using it for a doner. Just watch the brakes and have fun.

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » April 19, 2008, 8:15 pm

Like Ras said watch the brakes! I would add them to the list, its not that the drums wont stop you, they us wont stop you as quick as the dickhead in front of you might. I`ve had my eye on a bump down the road for that same purpose and flick the transit

Alan,

frank66 · Post by **frank66** » April 19, 2008, 8:32 pm

I use mine (f-250) to tow my race car. Does the job, but not as well as a newer truck would. Brakes are next on my list of upgrades.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » April 19, 2008, 8:44 pm

Mine has a CCP manual duaal pot swap. The 429 should pull OK after I fix up the rest of the drivetrain and fix all the steering headaches. Needs tie rod ends and probably kingpins

Pinion howls, trans leaks like the Exxon Valdez and I may need to swap in wheel bearings in back. After that Ill drop it and add wheels.

It will be a slow process. I am trying to get my 68 vert in paint this spring

Post by **Greg D** » April 19, 2008, 11:56 pm

I bought my first Slick in 1994 (65 lwb 300 & 3 on the tree), used it for a daily & normal pickup stuff. My old 64 lwb (definately not restoreable) same thing. My 66 short (352 & 3 on the floor) would have been a hotrod/daily/pickup, non issue (if you didn't mind the real loud pipes).

For all the custom stuff/work I am doing to my Uni it will/does still haul stuff from Lowes, firewood, etc. I am careful loading it because a ding on the inside of a Uni is a pimple on the outside but it's still a truck and I don't have an issue using it as one - even after it's ALL done.
Sacrifice? I would rather have a Slick for a truck than a newer one.

64 litl un · Post by **64 litl un** » April 19, 2008, 11:58 pm

I've had to bring the 50 up to daily driver for a short while so I have some idea what to expect.
No AC, I live in the South and it gets pretty hot but Ive always rode with the window down and in a white truck I think it won't be that big of a deal.
Brakes, since you already have the dual master I might consider a vacum booster. Maybe the whole booster master set up from a 88-96 F-150.
With a 429 the milage will be worse than the Dodge.
A modified truck is going to show out from time to time. Unexpected things will happen.
Allthough it will be very reliable the turn the key and go will not be 100% .
I would consider a higher ratio in the rear. Get a passenger car or auto truck pumpkin from the junkyard. That is if you have a 9". You can change the bearings at the same time.
This is just me but personally I dont get the slamming and giant wheels thing. I think its a waste of money. I think it kills the usefullness of the vehicle. Some may say different but I think they are purely city dewellers. One rough drive way or side road and it will sound like your tearing the guts out from under it. It may not damage it but why take the chance on a fad. Early 60s trucks need to look like the early 60s. I know Kustoms were lowered back then but they were never main stream. The look you have now IMHO is about perfect. Those Explorer wheels with no or different centers would look very 60s.
Now, Its you're truck and you can do what you want. No offense meant.

jkimbrel65 · Post by **jkimbrel65** » April 20, 2008, 7:29 am

I think a uni lowered 4"in front and 3" in back is perfect,Big fat wheels look cool to

http://fordtruk.com/forums/album_picm.p ... b10c4d70bf

Phil · Post by **Phil** » April 20, 2008, 8:38 am

No offence at all 63. I won't go to the weeds and as for the milage this truck will be an occasional driver. My daily will be the 4cyl.

As use increases Ill probably do a 302/AOD swap. I actually have a 9" highway gear in my garage that may work out well if the truck is a 28 spline.

I have to admit working on a vehicle with no jackstands is pretty awesome. I just think that someday I;ll follow through on my modification plans. I like the freedom from originality this truck offers.
Ive done 2 retorations and its kinda getting tedious

I think I read a 66 receiver hitch will work on a Uni, no?

Post by **Greg D** » April 20, 2008, 1:05 pm

I think you will likely find your truck a less complicated restoration than a Ford unibody car.

64 litl un · Post by **64 litl un** » April 20, 2008, 2:59 pm

One word of caution with the 302 AOD...
Be carefull in selecting too high of a rear gear ratio with the smallish 302. That 302 will have to work harder in the lower gears to turn the tires over especially when you change to big meats. On the top end in OD will probably be fine in the flat, but any hills and it'll constantly have to down shift. This will cost milage and some drivability.
A higher gear with the 429 C-6 would be fine.
Since you have an overdrive transmission the stock 3.89-3.73 would be just right for the 302.

Post by **Greg D** » April 20, 2008, 5:01 pm

You could always put an AOD behind your 429 too (E350 vans have the strongest one). Or go 351 with an AOD, if you get a small block AOD get one from a 5.0 Mustang or from behind a 351, they have more clutches.

insane1 · Post by **insane1** » April 20, 2008, 9:58 pm

The only reason I bought my unibody was to use it as a shop truck, which I do, and drive everyday.