New Family Project

[Ditty]

OK, so I talked to the parents in Texas last night, BSing and catching up on things, and my Dad tells me taht he just got me a project truck!!! WTF??

It's a 77-78 F-150 with a 460 in it, reg cab long bed. Right now it needs a little work, so this is what I'm thinking for the next few years:

Built 6.0 with an ATS built tranny Swap
get all the body work done. (It's straight, but needs some work)
hook it up with a modern front-spring suspension (possibly convert to 4x4)
Update the interior a little, make it feel a little "newer"

What y'all think? I'll get picks ASAP. Dad and little bro are going to pick it up today or Sat.

Here are some sample pics of what it should look like:
http://www.ohtm.org/images/nea2001_78fordpu.jpg

[willypscustoms]

that will be one sweet truck when its done.

[Dave]

Ditty that would be awesome when it is done

[Ditty]

Yeah...If I ever get the $$$ to do it. Getting a 6.0 pumped up to handle the power is going to be pricey...not to mention the tranny. Converting the front to 4wd is going to be a chore too. It'll be fun...but hard and pricey. It'll prolly have to stay at the parent's place until I have a garage big enough to put it in....as well as my Neon.

You can't tell my it wouldn't be sweet though...Maybe once the aftermarket figures out the 6.4L I could drop that monster in there w/out the emissions crap! That would be even kooler!

[Dave]

I would just leave it 2wd and make one kick azz drag truck out of it

[Ditty]

I would leave it 2wd...be doing boosted 4wd launches is too much fun!!! If I leave it 2wd...I'll have to invest in a set of really good slicks. That would be cool...How about some drag radials??? That would be sweet too.

[robertcarmel]

Ditty, I will tell you something about the 460 in that truck! That was an AWESOME motor! I saw a stock one spin the tires at 50mph with little effort! Althought I am a HUGE PSD fan, I am a FORD truck nut in general! That would be a tough decision for me to make. When I was a kid my father also bought a 8000 E250 11 passenger van with a 460. Stock that thing would do over 110, because my father and I pegged more than once! I would have been afraid to get beside that thing today, if it were in new shape! The new 460's are not much, but the old ones were dooseys!

I LOVE the late 70's f series! My first truck was a F250! 351M Granny Gear - Dualed exhaust, and rims! I LOVED that truck. I ocassionally still dream I have it!

good luck on the project.

Bob!

[Ditty]

What I'm thinking is:

Do all the other work around the motor and trans. Get the body all done, and painted, suspension, interior, etc. Leave the 460 for awhile, while sourcing either a 6.0 or a 6.4L and tranny ofr the swap. I'll also have to figure a way to get the newer gauge cluster into the old truck. Maybe a total dash swap.

I'm going to try to do some searching while here at work to see about a 2wd set up....front (maybe mustang style suspension) and rear possibly 4 link. I don't really know too much about suspension setups...so I'm on the research train right now...I have a big learning curve to get through. Maybe I can tub-out the rear and lower it...that would be SWEET!!!

This is pretty nice looking...something like this...but less flashy!
Geaux Town Muscle - Performance and Restoration - Projects

[robertcarmel]

Originally Posted by Ditty

What I'm thinking is:

Do all the other work around the motor and trans. Get the body all done, and painted, suspension, interior, etc. Leave the 460 for awhile, while sourcing either a 6.0 or a 6.4L and tranny ofr the swap. I'll also have to figure a way to get the newer gauge cluster into the old truck. Maybe a total dash swap.

I'm going to try to do some searching while here at work to see about a 2wd set up....front (maybe mustang style suspension) and rear possibly 4 link. I don't really know too much about suspension setups...so I'm on the research train right now...I have a big learning curve to get through. Maybe I can tub-out the rear and lower it...that would be SWEET!!!

This is pretty nice looking...something like this...but less flashy!
Geaux Town Muscle - Performance and Restoration - Projects

I think lowering the Twin I beams is a little easier than it used to be, but still not too much fun! Once you get them in place they don't move too much, it is the alignment that was no fun! I accidentially jumped my 79 F250 over a RR Crossing in Tomball it went almost 15' before landing, never even bothered the alignment on that truck! I think you will like that vintage 460 until you get a PSD. I also had a 460 in a Merc, Grand Marquis 77 it would fly too!
I am jealous! Good luck, and have fun building!


On the truck in the link, this should be done also:

shave the drip rails, Color matching mirrors,front bumper, and grill, except the part in the middle which should be Billett ! And Suicide the doors!

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Last edited by robertcarmel : 08-10-2007 at 08:40 AM.

[Ditty]

I'm thinking about keeping it pretty close to stock looking. I'm a big 'sleeper' fan. Nothing like rolling up on some unsuspecting ricer in a 30+ year-old truck....that looks pretty much stock...save for a wierd sounding whistle and 16" wide drag radials....lol!