New here, so hello to all

ripsnorter · Post by **ripsnorter** » November 12, 2006, 6:09 am

Hi, my first post here, and I thought I'd introduce you to my truck(s)

A few weeks ago I was looking for a '62-'66 era Ford, without knowing too much about them. Now, I just brought home my first, a 62 F100 straight six, longbox standard cab that's licensed and I drove home over about a 5 hour trip. I happily paid $350 for it and am just tickled pink. Sometime within the next week or so I'll be bringing home 2 more 63s, one a shortbox, one a longbox, that a very cool gent just happened to give to me. So now I'm the proud owner of 3 of the beauties

Heres my plans that i've been brainstorming about. I don't know these trucks well at all, and I'm not at all sure how much is possible, but hopefully I'll get to know them very well as I tear into them.

2 of the trucks are 1/2 tons, one a 3/4. all are 2WD's.

Somehow, in the end, I'd like to end up with a 3/4 ton 4x4 (non hi-boy) with anything between a 302 to a 460. I'd also like to have some sort of 5 speed manual with a decent overdrive and still be able to stand up to abuse. (That 3 on the column is just way too low geared) I want to keep the original look and feel of the truck, but update its running gear and a few other things.

At the moment I have about 10 460s laying around, ( a tribute to my love of 69-71 Mark IIIs ) and about 4 302s as well. One of the 302's is a beautiful little balanced and blueprinted ex-marine motor that I'm very tempted to stick in one of these trucks. I'm torn though as I'm going to need quite a bit of towing capacity in the possible future (Mostly dragging home new prizes heh.) and am concerned if the 302 would have enough power for the job. The majority of its duties will be simply running supplies back and forth to town though. I also have around 4 or so mid 80s F250 4x4s laying around for donors if its possible to use them.

So... is it possible to create what I'm aiming for? Has anyone around here done anything similar? I'm really stumped on which transmission to use too.

I'm sure I'll have a few hundred posts asking for ideas and help as I go about building my little truck, but now you know a little about me, and about my new addition to the family. So, a big hello from me to all you folks.

mikecarson · Post by **mikecarson** » November 12, 2006, 7:08 am

Hi!

Iceman is one who can guide you in the 4x4 conversion, he's done it. Some others , probably, but he comes to mind.

3 trucks, total $350? GOOD DEAL!!

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » November 12, 2006, 8:39 am

Definately go big block. With trucks, it's about torque, not HP. You're not going to get those massive torque figures with a 302 that a 460 will give you in spades.
Welcome aboard!

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » November 12, 2006, 10:00 am

Wow, I'd say the price was definitely right!

On the 4x4 conversion, I'd definitely go with a 460 over a 302. Use a 302 in something you're planning on using as more of a commuter maybe, for the gas mileage advantage.

Since you have a few of the 80's F250's laying around, I'd go measure up a frame on one of those.

I haven't personally tried that particular swap, but I've sure been thinking about it lately. You'll probably have to make new cab & radiator support mounts, but in my opinion, that would be an easy way to get you where you want to end up.

The ideas I've been toying with for a 4x4 conversion is to use a chassis from an early 90's F350, so I have a solid front axle, fuel injection & an overdrive transmission. It's only a spitball idea so far, as I haven't done any serious measuring, but it sure would be cool to have the driveability of a more modern truck in an old slick!

Speaking of which, here's a thread with a few 4x4 pics to stir the appetite.

http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=740

Post by **Greg D** » November 12, 2006, 10:08 am

I'd put the 460 in the 4x4 conversion and the blueprinted 302 with a 5 speed in the shorty. Welcome, where are you from?

FORDMANLCRACKEL · Post by **FORDMANLCRACKEL** » November 12, 2006, 10:58 am

Welcome to the group.

I have done a 4x4 conversion the easy way. 66 cab on 77 4x4 chassis. two members come to mind on the conversion you are planning, ICEMAN, in ALASKA he's dont just about everything to these trucks and BIT LITTLE down here in NORTH CAROLINA. Bit is doing a conversion now. One day he will post some pix. lol. My thoughts are if you can cut, weld and know what your goals are anything is possible. Be very careful its more addictive than any drug known to man. the ICEMAN has 12 of these trucks.

We are really a support group of a bunch of very slick people. Yes, women get it too.

Lonnie

MadMaxetc · Post by **MadMaxetc** » November 12, 2006, 12:26 pm

Welcome to the group!

Sounds like you came out all right on the trucks...$350! wish I got mine for that, let alone 3!!

As for what is posible...

Here are a few upgrades that most everyone has done or is planning to do.

Front Disk Brakes! There are a lot of stupid people out there! Protect yourself and your truck!
On 65-66 4x2's just swap out the axles from a 73-79 F-150 and upgrade the MC to match. It all bolts on, so simple!
On 61-63 4x2's you will have to get a kit from some place like MPBrakes like this one <Kit>
Sway Bars. Most just go with the front, but some do the back as well. This will also help you avoid the idiots on the road. You will not belive the increace in cornering ability! Again, sway bar from 73-79 all bolt on. Just ask or search for more info.
Fix the Cab Mounts (or make sure they are solid). Haveing bad cab mounts will cause so many problems! This is a must!

Now for my opinion on some things...

Use the 302 for regular driving and light loads. It will get you better mileage and have enough power to keep most people happy.
Use the 460 for towing, like stated before it is about torque NOT hourse power.
If you plan to replace any rubber (weather stripping) only get it from DC (Dennis Carpenter) He makes it from the origonal tooling and it fits, all the other stuff is a gamble with poor odds. (you can get his stuff through other suppliers as well)
Some goes for the majority of patch pannels. Do your reaserch and ask her before you order!
Post lots of pictures of you progress!! We LOVE pictures!!
Above ALL ... Have fun! Working on cars and trucks is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done!

Feal free to post any questions you have...even if you think it is dumb or has been asked before.

Good Luck and keep us posted!!

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » November 12, 2006, 12:34 pm

C'mon in. Sounds like you got it all goin' in the right direction!!

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 12, 2006, 12:38 pm

welcome
i have as previously stated done lots of 4x4 conversions and am willing to help in any way.

ripsnorter · Post by **ripsnorter** » November 12, 2006, 3:51 pm

Thanks for the welcome

Brakes are a fairly immediate concern, as it pulls extremely hard to the right at the moment. (so much so that it actually made the whole back end hop to the right at a stop sign while i was driving it home) and I had kind of idly been wondering if 4 wheel disk was even a possibility. Definately going to do the front though.

I had my doubts that the 302 would work as a tower, but I wasnt much looking forward to the gas hogginess of the 460 either. My girlfriend however has been bouncing up and down like a little kid ever since I picked it up asking me if she can have it heh. So I'll probably stick the 302 in one of the 3 for her. (shes going to college, driving an hour each way to school, not sure why she wants an old truck for a commuter, but you can't argue their appeal

) A good overdrive transmission in both of them is a must though.

The one thing above all I want to do is keep the motor simple. I absolutely abhor the newer engines with all the miles of electronics and an engine compartment you can't even find the engine in. So I'm definately going carbureted, and keeping it as simple as possible.

A few of the other ideas i've got are

Power Steering
Halogen Lights (hopefully I can find some that still look like these old sealed beam ones though, I want it to appear stock)
A/C and a better Heater

I'm also thinking I'll probably simply fix the few rust spots, (thanks for the patch panel info, I didn't realize that there were some out there that didnt actually fit) leave the few minor dings in it (adds character

) and prime it black and leave it that way.

Thanks for all the tips and warm welcome, I like nice friendly forums that don't scream at newbies.

Ah and I'll try and get some pics, all i've got at the moment is a little camera phone though.

(goes to check out the 4x4 thread)

mikecarson · Post by **mikecarson** » November 12, 2006, 7:19 pm

Everyone here was a "newbie" at one time (well, maybe not, there's a couple that financed Henry, I think..lol). So we all know what it's like. And have been to the forums that hate the new guy.

Welcome to the best group on the Web, and the tightest knit group of friends.

six-two · Post by **six-two** » November 12, 2006, 9:50 pm

WELCOME!!!

For fun and all, I would go with the 460. The marine 302 will obviously go in one of them, that sounds great too. You could even build a six, standard for more of a driver, mileage counts these days.
I'm sure this will piss everyone off but I think that unless you are doing some serious towintg, a small engine is ok as long as you are not in a big hurry. My dad used to tow a forty foot trailer across country about once a month for years and all he used was a chevy six. For me I might go total overkill and tow with the 4x4/460 combo. (more fun) With three trucks you could go three(four?) different directions:
4x4 460 super burly combo, good towing capability bad mileage, but who cares?

302, 3 or 4 speed auto, short bed, hot rod still good mileage
anybody can drive it ... or my personal favorite

460, std tranny, short bed hot rod COOL

6 cylinder, whatever tranny great mileage, very cool

But then who cares as long as they are on the road. Thanks for signing up.

ripsnorter · Post by **ripsnorter** » November 13, 2006, 1:08 pm

Well, I took some pics with my camera phone and they didnt turn out too bad. I've yet to go pick up the other two trucks as we're flooding a bit here and I dont want to bring them home only to get them drowned.

And the interior:

I potentially may have found a donor truck as well. A early 90s F250 4x4 with a 5 speed manual in it, problem is that its an extended cab. it has no engine in it, but i have plenty of 460s. So hopefully I'll be able to pop the body off and staple mine on. I'm in the process of building my shop though, so it will be a few months.

Post by **Greg D** » November 15, 2006, 8:11 am

If the supercab donor has the short bed the wheel base won't be horribly far off, a short bed E-cab uses the same frame as a regular cab long bed. You would have to move things around quite abit more if it's a long bed E-cab though. I for awhile considered a 92 frame under my 66 short, takes some work but should be doable. Just remember that the frame rail width is different not just the length and the wheel base might not be as bad to do with a straight axel cab.

ripsnorter · Post by **ripsnorter** » November 15, 2006, 12:21 pm

well, I talked to him about the truck, he wants $500 for everything except the box and cab. Which I dont want anyway heh. I just want the 4 wheel drive units, new brakes, suspension, power steering, and the 5 speed.

It is a extended cab long box though, so yeah i'm sure i'm going to have some monkeying around and cutting up to do. Luckily I'm in the process of setting up a fab/welding shop, so hopefully it wont be too bad. I'm pondering doing as much restoration as I can to it while the body is off the frame though. Problem is that if I do that I'll never get it done

I do really need to find out what the rear ends are in the donor truck, I dont want to be sticking 4.10s or something in it. Heck I'm not even sure what the rear end is in mine right now.

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » November 15, 2006, 1:14 pm

ripsnorter wrote:Heck I'm not even sure what the rear end is in mine right now.

Probably 4:10's.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » November 15, 2006, 1:56 pm

If I was gonna go to all the trouble of putting a '62 on a newer frame, especially an '80's frame, which is quite different, I think I'd be looking for a matching box and send that fridge box on the ferry up to Iceman, or someone redoing a Fridge (57-60) who would have a good use for it.

ripsnorter · Post by **ripsnorter** » November 15, 2006, 2:49 pm

Johnny Canuck wrote:If I was gonna go to all the trouble of putting a '62 on a newer frame, especially an '80's frame, which is quite different, I think I'd be looking for a matching box and send that fridge box on the ferry up to Iceman, or someone redoing a Fridge (57-60) who would have a good use for it.

You mean the box thats on it isnt stock?

(scratches head) I really dont know all that much about these trucks yet, my main interests before now have been geared more towards cars. I've got quite a few Lincoln Mk IIIs, a '41 chevy coupe, a '59 plymouth sports fury, and an assortment of other cars laying around here. Its only recently that I've gotten into these old trucks, so I really wouldn't be surprised if the box doesnt match heh.

I do have the two '63s I need to go pick up though, so I'd imagine one of those would have the right box. Problem is that the longbox on the 63 is a narrow box, and I prefer the wide box look. The other is a shortbed, so not really swappable there either. ( I need a longbox)

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » November 15, 2006, 4:25 pm

Yes for a truck up to '63 with a separate box (non-unibody), that IS the correct one.

After and including '64 , Ford finally designed one that matched the truck. I would use one of those newer ones if I was gonna swap frames. Look much nicer IMO,

Note, none of this reflects Ice's opinion

ripsnorter · Post by **ripsnorter** » November 15, 2006, 4:37 pm

ah i see what you mean. You had me worried for a second there heh.

I'll have to think about whether to change boxes though now. since you've mentioned it I do notice the difference between the two. very obvious, not sure why i didnt notice it before.

Will any box from a '64-'66 match the cab as far as width etc go? it wont matter too much if the holes wouldnt line up, as i'm going to have to fabricate mounts anyway.

Are they easy to find?