68 F-250 project

[tattedjoe]

Well its time for the old farm truck to get all the TLC is desperately needs. My old F250 was a workhorse on my grandpas farm for just a tick under 30 years. It has an hoist installed on the bed and was used to haul grain, rock, livestock, and who knows what else over the years. My brothers, my cousins, and I all learned to drive in this beast. So needless to say that a little "beauty treatment" is long over due.

The ultimate end state I want for this truck is a nice driver that can also due periodic duty as a tow vehicle.

The first step is going to be me just putting all my ideas on paper so that I have a good idea on where I want to go with this.

Right now I am looking at possibly cutting it into a short bed since the bed is trashed. If anyone has done this I would love to hear your opinion and techniques on doing it.

I have really considered also keeping my eyes out for a wrecked late model F150, Expedition, Navigator, etc for a 5.4 to put in it.

Right now I am thinking of a nice coating of Dark Slate Grey metallic on the truck with some kind of "Joe's Garage" logo on the doors. I have a few friends that are artistically inclined and I am hoping that for a couple of cases of malted hops I can get something drawn up.

Here is the truck as she sits now.

Let me know what you guys think.

[70shortwide]

I like it! be sure to keep us updated with lots of pics!

[mljjones67]

Nice truck. If you ever want to sell the hoist let me know!

[Blue Blood]

O ya, I like.

[PhilthyF100]

very cool truck, Joe
do you have any pics of how the rams are mounted to the frame and the bed?

[tattedjoe]

very cool truck, Joe
do you have any pics of how the rams are mounted to the frame and the bed?

I dont have any at this moment, but I will leave myself a note and snap some when I get home from work.

[ford4x4fun]

I would say whatever you do keep that bed! That would just be awsome all cleaned up at a show, and than rasing the bed But that is just the Redneck side coming out of me I think! Looking forward to seeing whatever you do to it

[bigkytex]

I Would like some detailed pics of that also... Maybe i can fab it up on my f250 that would look sweet... A 1968 f250 dump truck with the 6.9 diesel i put in it...

Thanks
Bigkytex

[tattedjoe]

I would say whatever you do keep that bed! That would just be awesome all cleaned up at a show, and than rasing the bed But that is just the Redneck side coming out of me I think! Looking forward to seeing whatever you do to it

Well when you get back in town feel free to stop by and see how its going. I saw a yellow bump with a blue post decal on post today down by the SF recruiters office. It looked pretty nice.

[tattedjoe]

Well I got some pictures tonight when I got home from work. I tried to snap them to show the way it attaches the best I could. I am far from being a professional photographer.


the entire kit



the hydraulic pump



how it attaches to the bed



and a video of the bed in action



I haven't decided if I want to put this on the truck again or not. Part of me wants to just because its cool, but the other part of me doesn't want to because its cable actuated and I hate the knob on my dash. Right now its a huge orange knob about 3 inches across. ugly as can be.

[Supermike]

That bed is awesome... no way I'd get rid of that if I didn't have to...

[flyboy2610]

Me likey!!!!!!!!!!!

[tattedjoe]

Well thanks to my favorite uncle sam, I am in Iraq. The upside of this is I get to save lots of money and I have lots of time to think about my plans for my bump. I think since I have decided to stroke the 360 and swap out the four speed for the Tremec TKO I have laying around. The question I have is has anyone built a hydraulic clutch setup for a FE/TKO combo? I'd be interested in possibly doing a hydraulic setup.

[flyboy2610]

Can't help you with your tranny questions, but based on your original post you said you planned to do some towing with it. For a tow vehicle you would be happier with a longbed. The longer wheelbase is more stable when towing.
Thank you for your service to America!

[70shortwide]

hes got a longbed