'71 F-250 Diesel conversion and more 01/10 starting back in

[Ranchero50]

No pics today, but I spent a very frustrrating time trying to get the gas pedal installed without tearing the firewall blanket. Since I'm using the cable setup from the diesel I thought I'd just weld the top of the new pedal onto the old lower section. Hard part was getting just the hinge section through the hole and then feeling the bolts into their holes (which I never cleaned out the paint so I had to do that behind the cover as well.

Oh yeah, got the windshield wipers installed after a trying every wrong way that I could. Yep it sucked too.

I did make some bolts for the rear of the cab. The front lower bushings are missing so I may just order a kit from NAPA and replace them and the radiator support ones.

I started pulling the '79 Dana 60 apart as well. I need the socket to remove the bearig nuts though so that didn't get very far either.

Jamie

[fomocoguy]

So, any progress in the last ten days? Did you take a break? I wouldn't blame you...

[Ranchero50]

There is a windshield in the truck now, does that count? Had a low 70's day Friday so I took advantage of the warm soft rubber gasket to get the stinking miserable thing in the truck. Even though I had left the gasket in the frame for a few weeks to relax it still fought going in. The waxed cord made the install go pretty well and the truck looks drivable with glass now. Ironically the rear tinted glass from the '69 still had too much overspray on to get installed I just thought it was green dirt until I tried to clean it up. Need to get some ez off...

I'm playing with the sun visor project and got my but kicked at work today so no work tonight.

Jamie

[70shortwide]

I started pulling the '79 Dana 60 apart as well. I need the socket to remove the bearig nuts though so that didn't get very far either.

Jamie

i went through this a few weeks ago, i went down to schucks and they 'rented' me a set of sockets. i just bought them and returned them. all they ask is that you clean them before you take them back, and dont break them. they had a lot of tools for 'rent' this way. in the end its free.

[Ranchero50]

Not much of an update. The kid helped me get the rear window in the truck, man what a mother to install. That and the front gaskets leaking in the bottom corners...

Been working on the visor clip project and trying to get the winter prep stuff done.

Got the spare dana torn apart, now I just need to get mine apart. I may just shove the spare parts i the shed and wait til spring to tackle the rear.

Jamie

[Ranchero50]

Well, winters here, the truck is sitting outside without door windows with a tarp over the motor. The front core support and inner fenders are on the rear frame, the hood is on the bed that's on jackstands out of the way. This just plain sucks.

Today I was offered a '74 F250 Highboy frame and running gear to put under my truck and I'm seriously thinking about doing it. The '74 already has power steering, I'll just have to scrounge up a disk brake conversion for it. It'll let me set the motor lower in the frame and keep the cab down where it belongs. The '74 is still together so I need to go tear off the cab and bed, then pull the 390 and four speed. Stop at a car wash on the way home and blast it before tearing into it.

Jamie

[Fordnatic]

Excellent project. I just read the whole 10 pages. It kept me from changing the shocks on the wife's Explorer! You have made some terrific progress. I'll be very interested to hear of your mileage and how the micro-balloons do for the sound and insulation. I have read a few threads (and the Hot Rod mag article) about the roller painting, it's pretty interesting.

Anyway, take heart! You are not as bad off as this guy!




He got off the proper path of the ice road. Alaska actually assigns state highway numbers and maintains ice roads this time of year. Some of the villages are cut off except by air other than the ice road.

[ares360]

any update? I have run out of popcorn waiting.

did you have clearance issues with the top of the motor and the hood?

[Ranchero50]

Kane, no update. Just been too flipp'n busy to get the truck back into the garage. It's sitting outside with a tarp over the engine, the inner fenders are on the rear frame, the hood is on the bed and the fenders etc is i nthe bed and the bed is sitting on some big aluminum boxes as jackstands. I just got rid of a IH 656 tractor that needed a bunch of work done, did a windshield wiper motor swap on a friends wrecker, had to remount a beacon light on a roll back, I have half a roundbale holder in the garage that need finished. I did a tractor wheel repair last week. Another stand up jet ski in peices for a dory for dad. The mill is being neglected and I need to get it running. My '93 stang has two blown head gaskets and is puking antifreeze, the '68 ranchero needed an alternator upgrade and seams to have blown it's heater core for some odd reason. Once that stuff is up to date I will get back on the truck.

Oh yeah, I got a '64 fairlane that I just got running too. Another easy winter project was to get my 14'x48" aluminum bass boat in the garage and install a '95 seadoo jet drive on it. I'm a bit behind this winter.

I won't mention the firewood I haven't chopped either...

Jamie

[ares360]

it's all good, but did you have any clearance issues with the top of the motor?

I am working a deal to get a 7.3 turbo and need to know if I will have to fab the hood, maybe have to make a cowl induction?

[Ranchero50]

Really shouldn't be an issue. The pics should show where the air cleaner ended up. I had to raise the body 2" to clear the tranny hump and cut 1" out of the sump so I couls drop the motor as low as it would go without the exhaust manifold hitting the steering box.

I have a '74 highboy sitting down at the farm that I'm probably going to swap everything into this spring and redo the mounts.

Jamie

[ares360]

ok, sounds good. I ask because I have a 7.3 turbo that I have all but paid for. I am using your thread as a guideline to do mine. the only thing different is I am hoping to find an automatic tranny, (don't like shifting) . and get a shift kit to put it on the hump.

[Ranchero50]

No pics, short easy update, haven't done anything yet to the truck this year. The gloss blue Rustoleum paint still looks really good and it hardened up fine. The flat black paint didn't hold up very well and has a lot of rust scale breaking through though.

The boat is still in the garage and about 3/4 done.

If I'm allowed to make a long term goal, I will have the truck finished this year. I need to do the front clip, the bed and redo the doors (not very smooth), then start putting it back together.

More to come.

Jamie

[fomocoguy]

So did you decide against the 4x4 idea?

[Ranchero50]

I'm to the point where I just want it done good enough to drag the boat to the river and to go get firewood in, two things that haven't happened so far this year. The ranchero is dying a slow death, heater core blew out last week so maybe I'll fix it...

Jamie