What am I in for

Green72 · Post by **Green72** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 1:14 am

I have recently been trust into the world of classic trucks. My father in law purchased a 1972 f100 2wd swb new in 1972. He owned the truck until the late 90's when he sold it to a member of my wife's family. Recently that member passed and we ended up purchasing it back, so I guess you could call us original owners? Anyway it's been awhile sine I've been in this world and have never worked on any f100, what am I in for? What should I expect, what are the best upgrades/ repairs to keep this thing reliable. We plan on keeping it fairly original. It has a 302 with manual four speed Trans. Thanks ahead of time, although since my research began I've already read a ton of posts from the great community on this forum.

I would add a photo, but I am trying to figure out how to reduce the file size on the photos in my ipad.

Green72 · Post by **Green72** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 1:20 am

See if this works

Craigerf100 · Post by **Craigerf100** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 1:58 am

How well is it running? Tell us what's wrong with it. As for upgrades... how are the brakes? 'stopping' is always a good upgrade to do first; to preserve your truck from possible incidents. A brake booster is a simple and affordable upgrade and easy. Do u have one already?

Green72 · Post by **Green72** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:09 am

Runs good, already did plugs and wires. Plan on a pertronix a little later. I need to do a carb rebuild and fix the choke "stove". I was looking at the brakes as it is not power brakes and a four wheel drum, but they actually work ok. I do not have a power booster. I am still in research mode on power disks and power steering.
As for what's wrong with it, really not much, need some new rubber pieces, new upholstery, and a dome light lens.

sargentrs · Post by **sargentrs** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:38 am

Cab mounts, radius arm and spring bushings? If these are good condition, nothing much to do. As for upgrades, you've already mentioned the big 3, electronic ignition (Pertronix), power steering and power brakes. If you're comfortable with the drums, stick with 'em, if not, a front disc upgrade is relatively easy. As for "what you're in for", IMHO, you won't a vehicle easier to work on and simpler to understand. If not major repair issues, just driver her and enjoy her every chance you get!

Madman · Post by **Madman** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:05 am

Just take it all about and rebuild everything....it is what you end up doing over the really long run anyway!!!

Mancar1 · Post by **Mancar1** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:10 am

I installed the Petronix II in the 68 and it did make a difference. Also attention to the brakes is a front row must.
Enjoy the truck.
And keep on Trucking

Green72 · Post by **Green72** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 11:14 am

Thanks guys for the replies. I'll try to post some more photos today. I grew up working on cars. My first vehicle was of course a vw super beetle that my dad and I rebuilt from the bottom up. That's where I first used a pertronix. But now there is the 2 and 3. What is the difference, should I go with the original or the pertronix 2? Thanks

jimmy828 · Post by **jimmy828** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 5:30 pm

from ASheville NC. When i purchased my truck i was going to just repair the main items that needed attention, mostly the safety issues. The more time i spent on the truck the more i wanted to do to it. It started snow balling real fast. As i dug deeper into investigating other parts i found that every damm thing on the truck need some TLC. I guess it is how passionate one is about fixing up one of these ole rides to how deep the project will go. Nice to hear you have ended up with the truck.

Green72 · Post by **Green72** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:16 pm

As much as I would love to tear this thing apart and start building it as a modernized frame with an old spirit, I cannot for several reasons, which it don't think I would need to list as most guys have the same reasons. If it wasn't in as good shape as it is I don't think it would have been driving anytime soon. But I don't think it's going away anytime soon, so there is always the chance to do something with it in the future. As for now, make it reliable, make it safe and drive it is the plan. Rest assured though I will be watching what you all do to get ideas for when I do get the tear into this thing.

doughboy68 · Post by **doughboy68** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:44 pm

Ditto to what everyone else say's - they covered the basics!! The great thing about these trucks is you can do what you want, as cheap or expensively as you want and have a great truck that turns heads even if it has three different colored panels with primer and bondo.... some guy you drive by will stare at it and go.... Man I wish I had one of those to rebuild!! I'm working on my first resto... My buddy came by tonight, I have just the cab and motor in the frame, he stared at all I have done so far and said just that.... "I really want to rebuild something too!!" You don't need a huge tool box with specialty tools either. I took almost the whole truck apart with a screw driver, a crescent wrench and 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 11/16 and 3/4" sockets.

The best thing I can say to you is this -

I have gotten so much help from a lot of knowledgeable guys on here... they didn't give me a hard time when I asked really dumb questions!! Right Rich!!

I don't know any of these guys personally.... but a lot of folks have had a hand in me rebuilding my truck through this website... so don't be afraid to ask for help! Have fun with as much or as little as you choose to do... it's addictive!!

Craigerf100 · Post by **Craigerf100** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:12 pm

Green72 wrote: I was looking at the brakes as it is not power brakes and a four wheel drum, but they actually work ok. I do not have a power booster. I am still in research mode on power disks and power steering.

a power brake booster upgrade is ten times easier then doing a disc swop. for example:

booster upgrade:
new MC (for booster)
booster
bracket
a possible brake rod (from booster to pedal)

disc swop: (2 ways to go about doing this, disc spindle swop, which requires a press or swop the entire twin i beam suspension.)
new spindles
new king pins (go in the spindle to ibeam)
new MC (for discs)
new brake hoses
new calipers
new pads
new rotors
new lug nuts (if not included on hub on rotor)
and last a proportioning vave ( your drum/drum block valve wont cut it this requires removing your block valve and splicing in a proportioning valve. plus new brake lines)

ill let you be the judge which is easier and cheaper, its all up to u

if your drums braking power is "ok" then with a booster it will be great

i personally did both on mine. mainly because my twin i beam suspension was bent bad.

if it runs good then why are u rebuilding the carb?

Green72 · Post by **Green72** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:31 am

Craigerf100.
All those parts for the swap, where can they be sourced from. Is there a list posted somewhere of compatible parts? And I am rebuilding the carb because it runs ok but not great. It's a little rough, the choke doesn't work correctly. And it's something that I have never done before. Gotta learn sometime, luckily my dad is a pro at these older vehicles. His cruiser is a 64 Fairlane Thunderbolt

Craigerf100 · Post by **Craigerf100** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:43 am

For the disc swop? Or the booster upgrade?

Green72 · Post by **Green72** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:02 am

Craigerf100 wrote:For the disc swop? Or the booster upgrade?

Both. I have to drive a ways for a junk yard, so having a list of possible donors will be nice to go in with.

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