Need advice.

[Chavo]

I have a 1971 F100 SWB. 302/c4. At the moment the truck does not run. I don't know the condition of the drive train, the doors are in bad shape, cab mounts are shot, needs a front fender. Along with a bad interior. Now...I want the truck low. I have consider the CV swap but from what I understand it wont go as low as I want to. I have the money for a Fatmans Mustang II but it will drain the truck fund. And as of now I've entered the realm of "paralysis due to analysis". Where would you start? What would you concentrate on? Need help. My fragile little mind needs some experienced advice. Thanks.

[elgemcdlf]

how low do you want the truck? Mine is just under 10" right behind the front tire & I can probably do another 1"-1 1/2" without bagging it.

[Chavo]

Have you seen the Fatmans shop truck? That's what I'm shooting for.

[elgemcdlf]

I have but have not seen it against anything to use for scale. Just how low does it sit? Have you seen my truck? http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=54398

[Chavo]

I belive I read somewhere that the crossmember is 4 inches off the ground with 15 inch wheels.

[elgemcdlf]

I can't get a floor jack under my crossmembe

[Chavo]

I haven't ruled out the CV, just leaning more towards the mustang II. In your opinion, would you pull the body and focus on suspension first. Or body first?

[Ranchero50]

Starting with a low rust foundation puts you money ahead very quickly. I will not restore rusty sheet metal again. The cost in cash and labor vs. expected lifetime ratio sucks. You can ship a rust free truck for around $1500 anywhere...

For suspension, I'd go CV just because the geometry is so much more refined vs. the '70's... Think about it, the MII stuff was just an easy to swap out front suspension back in the day, kind of the same as the CV is now.

[Chavo]

Point taken.

[elgemcdlf]

I couldn't agree more on the rust factor. I drove from Indianapolis to northern GA to get my truck specifically because of such little rust. It cost me $500 to do the round trip to pick it up. Money well spent IMHO. I started with a really clean body rust wise. I put money in my truck in a basic plan but when a deal pops up I try not to pass on it. I started with suspension, then engine/trans, engine/trans mods & along the way have replaced body panels here & there, modified the body, pwr windows, etc.