Thugs 65 f-100 build With Dakota suspension

[65f100_Thug]

http://fordtruk.com/forums/album.php?us ... &mode=list
Heres the link to my album where I ACTUALLY started MY BUILD
Its in the shop getting a re manufactured re-fabricated Dakota clip installed and a body off paint job. More pics to come.
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I can't convey how nice it is to be working on My Truck again here's the progress.

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This Is a template for one of the parts I made.
I cut it out of cardboard and made it fit ,then used it to make one out of tin and then trimmed the tin to fit BETTER, and made the thicker metal part from the tin pattern.

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sitting a little high in front now. we will have to see how it sits with the motor in it.

OK I ADDED some more pics with the motor notice the OIL bottle for ride height reference

[BackyardRest]

NICE! Really like the in dash tachometer.

[jwh f-100]

Thug, nice rig..

The panel around the speedo, did you just strip the black??

Is the guage on the left a clock??

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[65f100_Thug]

Yes if you strip the ring around the spedo its actually polished aluminum. I used zip strip from wal-mart.It may take a few times but DONT scrub on it with a brillo or it will scratch severley. I was tempted and screwed up my first one.
The clock is out of a 50's car I was told . heres a close up pic of it.

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I was told they didnt work very well even when they were new,so i plan to have a 12volt clock made for it. It just looked so natural in there. I really went about the restro on this truck backward. I have started on other rigs and ended up selling a awesome rolling chassy and a body almost ready to paint and a new motor. I figured if i got all the little cool custom things i wanted and got it running then I could wait till a good tax return year and tear it down and paint everything and put it togather again.

[ezernut9mm]

lookin' good byron. there are places that can convert those clocks to electric, but i've never priced it.

[DCarr]

Byron, I also like your instrument panel it just looks "right".

[STOFFER]

the whole truck looks right, love the color choice

[dotcentral]

Looks good.

So what did you use with the stripper to not scratch the polished metal on the gauge panel?

[65f100_Thug]

Looks good.

So what did you use with the stripper to not scratch the polished metal on the gauge panel?

If stripping alone does'nt work use something soft like a plastic spoon or something. It really pays to let the stripper set for a while and blast it off with water and repeat several times till the paint is gone but some gentle action from a plastic spoon or Q tip might help. just nothing too abrasive.

[65f100_Thug]

After this last mock up pic we dropped it 1 more inch and narrowed the width between the front tires 2 inches. We decided to make a "weld in kit" from the stock Dakota frame parts instead if clipping it. we did notch the frame on the slick like the kit from Steve requires.Basically we took the Dakota frame and made a kit out of it.

But the shop is being used for some paying customers now and Were on indefinite hold right now. I cant wait to work on it more.

[65f100_Thug]

New pics to explain a little.






The cross member will be trimmed allot more to allow for the rack and pinion,but will be using the same motor mounts. both cross members will be boxed in and welded together to make one. the hub to hub distance is the same as a stock f -100. ride height is the pending question.
on the last pic of the cross members you can see where i got a little carried away with the torch that big gap will be filled along with all the others underneath. it has rusted sitting outside More SANDBALSTING fun.
Maybe this will give yall a better idea of what I'm trying.

[Anthony]

Byron, the truck is looking awesome!!!! Keep us updated on your build, it is coming along nicely......
Anthony

[65f100_Thug]

Got a long way to go but at least shes rolling again!! still got to get a front end alignment and a core support. The front end is bolted on with minimum bolts awaiting a core support that isn't rusted out.








here's the wheels I'm putting on there as soon as I can get tires mounted. this picture the wheel is mocked up to see what it would look like with them.

[65f100_Thug]

[rickairmedic]

Looking good Thug . How about a bigger version of the last 3 pics and while were at it are those Bullit wheels and what size .


Rick

[65f100_Thug]

Yes they are 8x17 bullitt wheels and I'm working on bigger pics, wonder how many pixels I can go up to.

[65f100_Thug]

This is after the roughed in roll pan/bedside trick like Wyatt did on Betty.



This is after the 76 double master cylinder and booster i got from Summit Racing.







The above and below pictures are with it all put together with NEW bushings,ball joints ETC, Later got a NEW rack and pinion.


here's my new ceramic chrome shorty headers...and yes I made a heat shield for the starter ( out of a chrome Harley Exhaust heat shield.
HERE'S SOME MORE PICS , OF COARSE YOU GOT TO CLICK ON THEM TO MAKE THEM BIGGER.

[65f100_Thug]

http://s1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj6 ... G_1101.mp4

http://s1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj6 ... IMG_1106.m

http://s1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj6 ... G_1127.mp4

[rickairmedic]

Looking good . Now come on over and help me pull the body off this crown vic .


Rick

[65f100_Thug]

Sure, Rick I'll be right there!