JB's 1970 F100

[JB5587]

Well step 1 is here:



I'm trying REALLY hard to be patient and sell the Ranger, but this project might start taking over the driveway... My wife still has to park in here so we will see how that goes Might just pick up a cheap car port to setup as a work space on the left side and park the F-150 on the side area. The F100 is still a long bed (for the time being), but it is still shorter than the F-150.



I'm not having any luck finding an 80-83 F100 9" with 5x4.5, so I'm just going to pull an F-150 9" and buy 5x4.5 axles. They are mostly all 65" flange width. I'll be pulling the 302/C4 combo out of the F100 and selling that, so that should help with paying for some parts while I wait for the big money to come from the Ranger.

[JB5587]

Well STILL do not have the Ranger sold. Lots of bites and a few convinced they were buying it, blah, blah, blah... The good part is I've taken this time to collect LOTS of information, line up parts, source out parts, and get a design more dialed in. Got bored and ran through 10 or so very quick Photoshops to get an idea. I'm on decided interior, paint, and wheels which was a hard decision as with most any build. Doing 18" Forgestar M14's most likely with 275/40-18's all around, but MAY go to a /45 because I like a meaty tire look when there is a symmetrical wheel/tire size all around. I know these wheels probably wouldn't work for most builds, but I think they will for the look I'm going for (hopefully)





Thought about gold like shown, but I think I may do gunmetal instead with gold fasteners for just a touch of uniqueness. The gold looks awesome in my opinion, but does not follow the build scheme... I have to thank this forum a ton for the research process though, because I've already saved my budget over $3500 by finding cool mods and alternatives such as the 14" big brake kit using GT500 rotors. Awesome stuff. That's why these build threads rock! Lots of other little things as well.

My interior choices are proving quite expensive, but going for a specific look can get costly. Between gauges, seats, etc, I'm already over $3000! But it will look really awesome.

I'm hoping to get going on this this spring when the nice weather hits. I should have a full roller chassis fairly quick as I've already got the front and rear suspension pretty much taken care of and parts ready to order, then I can focus on the engine.

[Lone Ranger]

This is a cool build. I really like the ww2 plane idea. I've always thought it would be sweet to paint a bump up like a p51 mustang. Doing above the bump dark green and below the bump painted to look like sheets of aluminum with painted rivets all over it. The mustang has a cool exhaust and it would be neat to somehow integrate that into the bump on the front quarter panels. Then painted number and kills on the side doors. Yeah ... I've thought a little about it haha. I've got tons more ideas but I took my truck a different way. Can't wait to see what you do!

[JB5587]

This is a cool build. I really like the ww2 plane idea. I've always thought it would be sweet to paint a bump up like a p51 mustang. Doing above the bump dark green and below the bump painted to look like sheets of aluminum with painted rivets all over it. The mustang has a cool exhaust and it would be neat to somehow integrate that into the bump on the front quarter panels. Then painted number and kills on the side doors. Yeah ... I've thought a little about it haha. I've got tons more ideas but I took my truck a different way. Can't wait to see what you do!

I've definitely put many hours into thinking these same things... I came up with many cool paint ideas, but in the end, I don't want this to be THAT specific of a build. I don't want it to be the "P-51 F100", but rather the "WW2 fighter/bomber type build" that resembles that era but is not as specific if that makes sense. My interior will have aspects of a fighter and bomber, and the outside will have hints and the look of a WW2 era aircraft, but not any specific type.

Funny you mention the exhaust... I've been trying to think of a way to do this, along with even painting some black "soot" behind an opening in the fender that you commonly see on aircraft. This would be challenging with a turbo system and also getting a muffler squeezed in there somewhere without creating a restrictive system. Also, I'm sure the noise and fumes would get kind of annoying at times when just cruising around. I may just say screw it and do it anyway though . If I kept it low enough, it could work with a small muffler.

I'll have to just see how it plays out. My plan is to just get a full roller chassis so I can then focus on the engine/tranny alone.

[hfdco4]

You could do cut-outs for the exhaust to come out through the lower parts of the fender for "FUN" times and during regular operation through mufflers out the back. Just a thought for a great project.

[JB5587]

You could do cut-outs for the exhaust to come out through the lower parts of the fender for "FUN" times and during regular operation through mufflers out the back. Just a thought for a great project.

Yeah thought about that as well! I will have to see what I end up with for room under there after all the turbo piping/exhaust

[JB5587]

Well got sick of not having any room in the driveway and all of that empty space to the side filled with stupid sloped dirt. Decided to spend a couple thousand now, make it usable, and enjoy the truck project more by having space to work on stuff. Who doesn't want more driveway space??? A lot more things I'm wanting to spend that money on for the new house (and truck), but my sanity comes first. I HATE not having space and feeling cramped when working on stuff. Once this driveway project is done, I'm plopping the F100 in front of the left garage door and I'm going to start on shortening the frame and bed until the Ranger is gone and I can get it into the garage and spend some real money on parts.



Also picked up a JY 65" width 9" rear and am going to start on that guy

[Lone Ranger]

More space is always good!

[Bullitt74]

Great idea - that scrub patch of dirt wasn't much use to you anyway!

[JB5587]

Got it done and am going to start working on making the F100 a shortbed now that I have way more room around the garage!

[Maximus]

Side yard looks good! Great use of previously wasted space, and now you have less to weed!

[67mann]

always good when you can get a project out of the way,too get back to the project at hand turned out real nice

[SeapineF37]

Yeah nice work! Looking forward to your build

[JB5587]

FINALLY got going on this damn thing!!! Got this done this weekend. Ranger is pending sale almost a year later, but I knew it may take a long time. Cleaned up the crown vic front end finally as well. Rebuilding the entire thing, so didn't bother with the upper or lower arms. Going to be making progress on this now, but excited to finally be doing something and being able to update this thread. Cheers!

[nytling92]

Just something to think about. If you buy replacement upper and lower control arms I doubt you get solid steel uppers or aluminum lowers. I think you can get everything to rebuild those. If you don't want to go through the trouble I would be interested in buying yours. Thank you and I like your ideas for your build, I'll be watching for your progress.