Steve's 64 Short-bed Project

[orangeRcode]

Steve, is the primer you are using the type that isn't porous? I'm no painter but know I will be tackling it once I land one of my own.

[TurnAroundTrucks]

Steve great work and thank you for the detailed before and in-progress set of pictures with explanations. A couple of questions if you have the time? By the way I presently have three 1964 Ford F100s (2 x slick side and 1 x step side-it was used in the new movie Taken 3). I am getting ready to start on them in sort of a sequenced process so that I as I do one stage on the first one and get it finished and moving to the next I will then apply that learning to it the next in-line and so forth. I have a couple of motivated Tech School Mechanic Trainee's to help me with the muscle work. My first question? After all that you did lowering the rear of your truck with front spring shackle rotation and the new rear shackles are you satisfied with the way it turned out and the height and what would you do differently the next time? My second question is about your wheels. I love the look but was wondering did you do the reversing your self and are your satisfied with the outer clearance (tire to fender) and did they balance out ok?

Again thank you for the detailed posts with tons of pictures. I love the way it is turning out and will certainly apply some of your ideas to my three 64s as I do them. I have already ordered my 3 inch drop axles from Sid for the front ends.

[SteveCanup]

OrangeRcode...I am using rattle can sandable "Automotive Primer." I have taken the truck down to the metal because someone at sometime (years ago) repainted the truck without properly sanding it. The top coat of paint is flaking off everywhere. There are a few places that I just went down to the original paint or primer. I am not a professional by any means and I have been told that I should use etching primer on bare metal, but I am a 'back-yard' builder on a budget (tight) and I plan to use the truck as well as cruise in it. I am not building a show truck by any means, but I do want it to look nice....on a budget.

TurnAroundTrucks....what a lucky guy you are! 3 trucks? Yes, I am very happy with the lowering in the rear. I bought the shackles off of ebay for $40 and did quite a bit of reading on here about lowering the rear. The only thing that I was concerned about was the pinion angle at the rear axle, but I do not have any vibration at all. I would do the same again, because it was fairly easy and very inexpensive and the end result was where I wanted. Also I wanted to still be able to haul lumber, gravel, etc in the truck and this was a great way to get lowering without a C-notch or any other major modifications and still keep the full spring pack. It rides and handles great, especially after adding the front sway bar. I also want to obtain a drop axle from Sid and I might add a spring leaf or two back to the front. If I want to raise the truck, I will simply re-rotate the front hangers and put the original shackles back in. But I love a lowered (not slammed, but they're o.k.) truck. Again, I am building on a budget and I had read many articles on the HAMB about reversing wheels. I'll admit it was a little bit of work, especially drilling and punching out the rivets, but to me it was worth it to get the look I wanted. I put the centers back into the hoops and mounted it on the truck and borrowed a dial indicator to true the wheels up. I was surprised when I drove the truck to the local garage, which was 9 miles away, to have the wheels balanced...they did not vibrate or shimmy at all. I did leave the air nipples (?) on the inside of the wheel. I did not like the way the truck looked with original wheels. They looked like they were too far back inside of the front and rear fenders. And I have more than plenty of clearance. Thanks for looking and asking....this is a great site for anyone building a F-100...lots of great ideas.
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

No more red...I finished sanding and applying primer to the roof. I also removed all of the bed wood and resprayed the bed and the wood this afternoon. Local cruise-in coming up Saturday night....looking forward....


More to come....stay tuned.....
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

I've been out of pocket for the past week to week and a half. I am a counselor at a Christian Camp here in Virginia and last week I drove my truck to camp. The young guys (and the gals) loved it...I let one of the other counselors drive the truck out onto the football field with the "camper's team" in the bed. Needless to say they had a hayday. Stay tuned, I want to get back to it soon....
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

Still driving and enjoying....and enjoying.....

[SteveCanup]

Not a good day in WhoVille....



I was going to eventually replace the windshield....maybe next year or the year after....grrrrrr

[SteveCanup]

Took time to weld up 6 small holes on the passenger side of the bed....no pics....but progress...now to obtain a windshield.
Stay tuned....
Steve-

[bruceandersson]

I've seen ads on craigslist for new windshields for $100. I'd start by calling around to various glass shops, its amzing how the price can vary.

[JOSHF100]

Windshields are cheap for these trucks... I picked up one Monday at a glass shop in town for 110.00 tax included ..

Randall

[SteveCanup]

Local glass shop quoted $130 plus $85 to install. I am saving my pennies...

[64f100sixcylinder]

Local glass shop quoted $130 plus $85 to install. I am saving my pennies...

That is a deal, I paid $139 plus about $30 for the gasket. I had to pick up the glass at a glass shop and install it myself. It was quite easy to do though.

[SteveCanup]

Ordered new Custom-Cab emblems for the doors and a new chrome front bumper....be here next week.

[SteveCanup]

New emblems arrived today...(baby steps)...


New chrome front bumper and clear turn signal lens will be here Friday. Redoing the door panels and still working (slowly) toward getting ready for paint. I'll be a bachelor most of next week, so I'm hoping to move along with some work on the truck...
Stay tuned....
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

Little things make all the difference...
Before with old yellow lens...


AFTER WITH NEW CLEAR LENS...


New front bumper coming tomorrow...pics to follow...
Stay tuned....
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

By the expression on my grandson's face you would think it was Christmas! Well, it is...excitement abounds!



Man, this thing is beautiful!




We are going to an afternoon matinee of the new "Minion" movie...and when we get back he wants to install it on my truck. I made an appointment for Monday to have a new windshield installed...$175 out the door. Stay tuned...more pics to come.
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

Trevor, my grandson, and I managed to install the front bumper without any problems...good help is hard to find...lol...
Then Trevor asked me if he could take it around the block...I don't think so...maybe in about 10 years...


He's such a cheeser....


Stay tuned...more to come...
Steve-

[SteveCanup]

All I need now is some paint...

...and a dual master cylinder with booster and front disc brakes....

[TurnAroundTrucks]

Very, nice!!! I love your grandson in the pictures and the smile on his face.

[SteveCanup]

Thanks! He has had a blast this week with us. He's only 6 and already he likes to tinker with mechanical stuff. He really loves tractors. Took him to a cruise-in last night and he loved it...
Well some bodywork is on the agenda and maybe some paint squirting will occur soon...stay tuned folks...
Steve-