Finally starting my 1971 f100

[sscheffner]

Long time lurker, finally using my old account to post the start of my project. This was handed down to my by my dad who passed in May, I've been saving basically since 2004(when this account was made), figured there was no better time than now, especially since I now have a little boy and I want him to grow up with this truck like I did.

Before I start, I know very little about vehicle repair/restoration. I have a work neighbor who is a mechanic, who also knew my dad, who is going to be helping me along the way, so if I ask stupid questions thats why. I have a few after the pictures if folks could give me advice. My budget right now is 5000, which I know isn't a ton, but its a good start.

So, here are the first pictures, first day of work today, just working on getting it stripped down to begin the work. I bet resto work is like demolition, its fun to tear down, but putting it back together isnt nearly as fun!

(not posting directly into forum so I dont have to resize).

http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/truckbed.jpg
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/truckcab.jpg
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/truckgrille.jpg
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/truckside.jpg

As you can see, we are going to attack the rust first, I need to order new floor pans, which I am in the process of researching here who has the best one.
The rear axel is off as well, we are going to take the leaf springs into to get worked on and brakes and seals are going to be done as well.

That being said, my friend is going to help straighten the body and get the engine and transmission(360 with a 4 speed) in tip top shape. I am going to learn, but while doing so I need to work on the smaller detail things like the trim and grille. As you can see mine is pretty beaten up. This was a farm truck and more than once was used to just push stuff when needed, which leads me to my questions for now.

1. Are those dents worth just giving up and using some of my budget for a new aftermarket grille?
2. I have most of the trim around the truck. I am only missing both doors, and right bedside. If I buy replicas, will it ever match close enough with my old trim?
3. Can I restore old trim? I'm reading you really need it anodized? Mine isnt rusted at all, just lost that shine.

[sargentrs]

back! I'm faced with the same trim dilemma. I've accumulated several partial sets of trim for my truck but a few pieces will have to be bought. Fortunately, there's a guy local to me that refinishes trim for a lot of the resto guys in my area and he, supposedly, can take an old piece and make it so it can't be distinguished from a new piece. Remains to be seen. Here's a write up on refinishing trim. http://www.fordification.com/tech/polishing-trim.htm A bit more work than I care to tackle but you may be interested. As for your grill, unless you're a good sheet metal man, I'd look for a replacement. The headlight bezels look beyond repair to me. A new grille shell will run you $500 + the bezels. Might contact ChicoF100. He repairs/refinishes grills and is in the California are somewhere. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... p?p=476476 Might get one from him cheaper or get him to restore yours. As for floor pans, Dennis Carpenter, IMHO, is the best vendor. However, NPD sells floor pans at a cheaper price and, typically, they come to you with DC labeling. Apparently, the buy from DC and resell cheaper somehow. Keep us posted and looking forward to watching your project!

[72stepside]

Dig through my project thread (Uncle Fester) and you can see what I used to polish the trim. Bought everything from either Harbor Freight or Lowes. No way I could afford all new. I think it'll look ok once I get it all put on.

[sscheffner]

will do, thanks for the help!

Got the springs back today. The truck is gonna sit a little higher in the back end, which is what I like.

Seat and dash gonna go out soon to be redone. next step is sandblasting, unfortunately, this weeked is going to be doing the 105000 mile service on the wife's subaru. =(

shane

[sscheffner]

update incoming. Have lots of pictures im currently uploading.

now i have to make a decision on whether to rebuild the 360 in the truck or go for new. -(

[HIO Silver]

update incoming. Have lots of pictures im currently uploading.

now i have to make a decision on whether to rebuild the 360 in the truck or go for new. -(

Build a 390 - the cost is generally the same as a 360. Extra cubes are a good thing.

Oh, I too have a New Lime long bed. .. it's a stripper out of Pocatello with a Salt Lake City DSO. The only option was an AM radio and western mirrors (three-legged).
She's getting a makeover in FTE: The Lo-Buck Bumpside

[sscheffner]

http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/fwithengine.jpg front with the engine in.
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/floorpanbefore.jpg floor panels before
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/bedbefore.jpg bed before
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/batteryrust.jpg rust where the battery is.
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/frontafter.jpg front after engine pull and painted
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/floor%20panel.jpg floor panel rough installed
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/cab%20corner.jpg cab corner rough installed
http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/rec ... 20seat.jpg seats and dash recovered on the cheap!

Current Tasks:

1. Was going to just grind and refinish my wheels, but they are bent pretty good, and I can pick up ones in better shape for 15 bucks a shot. Not worth the work
2. engine is mostly assembled. Had to buy a new one. Last bit if getting a new exhaust manifold that was cracked. Will get installed once i get my new rims to get the truck rolling.
3. going to the junk yards, forgot I needed a bracket for the brake booster. went to install it and whoops, doesnt fit.
4. buying a new carb.
5. desperately looking for a new grill. From what i gather 68 to 72 should fit? Most I find at just as beat to hell as mine.
6. Find a better tailgate.
7. Install LEDs into my dash assembly.

I am staying with a 360, I know the 390 is better, but I am trying to keep the truck like my dad had it, and he bought the 360 after be blew up the original.

Questions for people with more knowledge.

1. What paint did you use on the dash assembly? Mine is in good shape, just needs repainted. Has anyone put leds in theirs with good sucess?
2. What grilles fit my front end for sure?
3. Ive been told edlebrock is best, shy away from holly. Agree?

[sscheffner]

Pics are broken for now. renewing my domain problems. Will egt them back up.

Truck goes in for new exhaust next week, then we learn how she sounds!

[Heirloom]

Cool. Glad you are keeping it and going to keep it around for your boy!

Any 67-72 grill will fit, though if you are looking to keep it original the 72 shell and inserts are year specific I believe. With a core support swap you could put on a 73-79.

Carbs are a matter of personal choice and what your goals are. They all meter fuel effectively and are only as good as their setup. Holley parts are readily available at most regular parts stores, where it's harder to get edlebrock, demon or other parts at a walk in store.

[sscheffner]

Small update. I did end up getting a grill in way better condition, its not perfect, but it will do until I can get enough money scrounged up for the chrome all the way around(lottery numbers needed).

ill try to work on some of the pictures this weekend. We have the body almost ready for paint. We have painted the bottom of the hood to make sure I like the color(boxwood green). Once the paints done, its just a matter of all the assembly of the little stuff.

[hillcountryflt]

Just an FYI - I will eventually have a 1971 grille available. I am replacing mine with a 1968 painted grill. Mine's in pretty good condition. Need some clean-up but not in bad shape.

[sscheffner]

I didn't realize my account was dorked up again, so ive fixed the links for the pictures. btw, the budget of 5grand... we are wayyy past that now.

Here are a few more

http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/sideview.jpg
Heres it from the side with the new tires. the rims are just stand ins, but the ones I bought are fairly similar. I am really glad the guy talked me into the fatter tire, it was really what I was looking for.

http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/hoodpainted.jpg
here is the bottom of the hood. We did a spray of the color I picked, its just the standard boxwood green. My dads truck was always green, but we didn't want to bother with two tone, so I went with this as a comprimise.

http://www.thoughtbottle.com/filess/engine.jpg
this is the engine. We are going to get rid of the distributor, but we had a lot of problems getting the electronic ignition to work right, so we sent it back, and have put back the dist to work on the engine which is also new. We also added a brake booster and power steering(hooooray). Its a bit dirty cuz of the sanding going on on the body.


Next up
1. ordering the window trim
2. LED lighting for the dash/new plastic
3. rewire the heating controls
4. wish AC wasnt so expensive

[red_67f100]

Awesome build!

[sscheffner]

Small update but update nonetheless. Here is the bed painted. Love the boxwood green.

[sscheffner]

Together at last! its been a long journey, now in the home stretch!