1970 F100 Frame and Powertrain Swap (to 07 CrownVic running gear)

[hdman90]

WOW! You guys are flying through this project! I'm interested to know how you predetermined everything you needed before even diving in? Also, how did you pre-determine what would need done with wiring? Very intrigued by this! You're making it look easy!

[biggurn]

Thank you gentleman for your kind words of encouragement.

Wiring was fairly simple as I decided that for the chassis, more would be better, so I ordered a 21 circuit harness from EZ Wiring. I went back and forth on what to do for wiring as the OE wiring was probably adequate, though quite antiquated. In the end, YoungFordKid made a good argument that it was in my best interest to go with a new harness, and I agreed. The 21 circuit provides all the needed factory functions, as well as those needed for the electronics for the engine and transmission. The harness also has additional circuits for other modern amenities that I'll be adding (Modern sound, Air Conditioning, etc).

As for pre-ordering parts, I guess a large portion of that was past experience with builds (several Jeeps and other vehicles) as well as a lot of research on line. I've always preferred to have everything at hand as I build, it really moves things along! Though, as in this case, there is always something that is missed (i.e. the 2004 Coolant Temperature Sensor to work with the Holley EFI).

I'm hoping to work some more on the truck tomorrow afternoon, finishing up the EFI wiring and perhaps the transmission controller.

[biggurn]

Spent a few hours working on Floyd this afternoon after I finished up some work on my Bobcat. I started the tedious process of welding up the trim mounting holes in the body. I was able to get both fenders done, smooth the welds out with a little body filler and then primered the spots. I plan to have the paint color matched when I'm all done so that I can paint the areas back to the current sun burnt color, to assist in maintaining the patina.


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While waiting between body repair stages, I also mounted the front bumper. Turned out great, just need to pick up the correct hardware.


Yesterday I was able to pickup a set of late model Ford seats. I also have a jump seat/console coming.

Up to 36 hours invested.

[biggurn]

Project Floyd Update: Pretty big afternoon for ol' Floyd... I was able to get the air box mounted, even put a hole through the core support to enable a little "ram air" effect coming through the grill.




The sensors that I ordered arrived, so I was able to install them and then clean up the engine harness...

......oh, and yeah with a quick tune entered into the ECU, it started! I need to spend some more time working out the tune, but it will start AND run!!!
https://youtu.be/vkvTWsscjnA
Now I get to work the next few days, so no more work until Monday. As of thise evening, 40 hours invested.

[hdman90]

Just watched your video! Very cool! Running in under 40 hours?! WOW! Its amazing that this build has been able to move this quickly! It gives me very bad ideas for a future project!

[biggurn]

It gives me very bad ideas for a future project!

Haha! It really comes down to having a plan and having all the right components ready and at hand. My last Jeep engine swap (1993 Wrangler with a SBC) took 40 hours start to driving down the road. With it, every single component was preordered. Biggest issue I had with it was waiting on drive lines as I swapped Engine, Transmission, and T-case in it, I did the swap during Potato Harvest here, so the drive line shop was understandably giving preference to the farmers. Having made a list up front, doing research into what has worked and didn't work for others, then waiting to start until I had all the components was huge, a guy on one of the jeep forms started about the same time I did, took him over a year as he had to hunt down parts, reinvent the wheel several times, etc...

This is the list I started with for this build:


I've added a few things, found a few things for less, some things are down the road items, but it gives a solid starting point (plus I know what to prepare the wife for).

So far, the only issue I have with anything is the rather lacking instructions that Holley provides. Fortunately, their tech support has been great, but after hours and weekends, I'd really like a better manual than the TWO pages that Holley provides.

[hdman90]

Oh my! I never knew that some of those components were so costly! Especially the A/C, for that price, Ill just keep the windows down!
But with that, the cost of the F-100 and the Crown Vic, you're easily looking at a 10k build, no matter what route you go.

Very impressive, and that list is saved! Thank you!

[biggurn]

I planned a budget of $12k when I started and I think I'll be pretty close. I could easily have done the entire build, including vehicle purchase, for under $5k if I'd retained the stock ECU from the crown vic, that alone eliminates almost all the electronics on the list, including the gauges as the Vic dash can be used with the Vic ECU. However, as at some future date this truck will have forced induction and a larger engine (5.4L) spending the $3500 for Holley EFI and a MSD TCM made more sense now as I'll always have infinite adjustability for modifications in the future.

AC is spendy, however it looks like I'll be able to reuse the Crown Vic compressor, condensor, and a few other parts, cutting the cost in half.

[hdman90]

Is there a way to use the Crown Vic ECU and still have custom gauges? When people hack apart a F-100 gauge and put the Crown Vic gauges in there, I just think it looks so tacky.
And that's good to hear! I know with these newer engines and everything attached to them, space becomes an issue sometimes.

[biggurn]

I do not know of anything that would inhibit the use of aftermarket gauges with the stock ECU. One may have to buy a few parts and pieces from Dakota digital to convert the ECU output to a signal to drive the aftermarket gauges. The biggest issue is having to either use the stock key and ignition or having the ECU flashed to remove the factory anti theft controls. With the 4.6L in the F100, there is cavernous space for just about anything, which is nice.

[biggurn]

Little more time spent working on Floyd this afternoon. Managed to get it to run better, talked with Holley, its now down to just letting it "self learn" to get the computer programmed.
https://youtu.be/9ot3NnApJm8

With the base program figured, I went to work finishing off the hard wiring of the ECU, TCM, and started on the radiator fan. Managed to use a '03 crown vic throttle pedal to make two into one with the F100 pedal. Case the Cat was real keen to check on the quality of the work. 43 hours invested.






imagen

[biggurn]

I only had an hour to work on project Floyd today. Changed the oil, installed the oil pressure gauge sender, and popped on the wheel center caps I picked up for $12 at the salvage yard. Much better than the cheepo plastic wheels. I'll add a set of stainless beauty rings to the combo and I think it'll look sharp. 44 hours.

[biggurn]

Project Floyd: With help from YoungFordKid, we tackled a major portion of the wiring today. He wired up the chassis and dash while I finished up the ECU and TCM. Just need to route a couple of more wires under the hood and it'll all be done there! After today, 50 hours invested.

[biggurn]

Project Floyd Update: poor Floyd has been quite neglected this week... it was spring break and time to build the boys their promised tree fort...I did manage to install the new antenna today! Still only 50 hours invested.

[Bullitt74]

Floyd can wait - that tree fort looks epic!

Nice antenna! Is that one of the DC reproductions?