FORDification.com - My '67 Ford F100 SWB Project


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My 1967 Ford F-100 2WD SWB pickup Page 38
Getting the F250 parts truck home

02-25-05 - Well, the F250 finally came home tonight...but I'll tell you, it was an adventure getting it loaded!

I hooked the truck onto the back of the trailer and towed it up to a flat spot in the lot. It turned out that as we were setting up the ramps we noticed it seemed like the front end might be almost too wide to fit. I dug out my tape measure and sure enough, the overall front track width was about 1/4" wider than the trailer's siderails. This was caused by chrome wagon-wheel rims with a major offset, which increased the width by several inches. Well, we hoped that we could still force it on anyway, since we didn't have any other 8-lug rims to use as replacements.

We were able to get it about a third loaded before it wedged itself so tight between the rails that it just wouldn't come on any more. At first we thought we'd remove the front wheels and just winch it up on the front drums, but that plan got nixed. We ended up grabbing a large roll-around hydraulic jack and lifting the front end up in the air far enough to get the edges of the rims above the rails. Then using a LOT of manpower, Gary ran the come-along and I pulled with all my might on the jack...and it finally made it all the way. However, once we dropped the jack, the front end wedged itself so tightly between the trailer's siderails that the front tires were actually about an inch off the bed. I went ahead and secured the truck to the trailer, though I had my doubts whether that was even necessary...it sure as heck wasn't going to go anywhere! We figured that bouncing around on the highway for a few miles would let it settle down onto the bed, but after driving for a couple minutes and then pulling over to check it out, we were surprised to find that it hadn't budged! Even after the entire 75-mile trip home, it didn't move at all.

I was supposed to return the trailer tonight after unloading the truck, but since it was dark by the time we made it home, we called the guy who loaned the trailer to us and told him that we were going to keep it overnight and would return it in the morning. Trying to get this truck unwedged from the trailer is probably going to take a while, so I'm gonna get started on that first thing tomorrow morning. I'll probably try to jack the front end back up with a hydraulic jack until the front wheels clear the siderails again, and then either push it off, or tie the truck to a tree and drive out from under it.

Stay tuned!

Fig. 1 - Gary and I finding out that loading this truck was not going to be an easy task.

Fig. 2 - Here you can see our dilemma. I tried wiggling the steering wheel while the truck was coming up the ramps, to try to work it in. We got it about 1/3 the way before it got too tight.

Fig. 3 - We were able to jack the front end up above the side rails go gain enough clearance to finish loading the truck.

Fig. 4 - Here's a shot of the loaded truck. Even after bouncing around on the highway for a few miles, you can still see daylight under that right front tire.

Fig. 5 - We stopped to gas up about 1/3 of the 75-mile trip home, and the front end was still up in the air.

Fig. 6 - I'll bet this is the first time this truck has been out on the freeway in many years!

Fig. 7 - Finally home in the shop. I snapped a few pictures before calling it a night...they appear below.

After dropping the truck off at the shop tonight, we decided it was too dark and too late to get started trying to unload it, so before heading home I grabbed the camera and walked around the truck a few times snapping a few pictures:
Fig. 8 - Though the tailgate is from a different truck, it's in great shape. There is one tiny dent above the release handle, but that's it. No rust at all. This gate is drilled for the trim panel but that wasn't included. However, I already have a good one, so I'm all set.	Fig. 9 - AHA! NOW we know that the reason for the wheels with major offset was for exhaust pipe clearance! The owner wanted to install dual exhaust, but since this truck had the auxiliary fuel tank, the left side pipe had to be run outside the frame rail.	Fig. 10 - The front cab mounts and surrounding areas were sandblasted clean, but due to being stored outside was starting to flash rust. They're in great shape overall. You can also see where he's installed urethane bushings when rebuilding the front end.
Fig. 11 - In the bed I find both front fenders, bumper, almost NOS inner fenderwell and radiator support and lots of small parts.	Fig. 12 - The front tires were an inch off the bed all the way home.	Fig. 13 - Here's a good shot of the frame's PN on the left front frame rail. This is something I've only noticed on '67s.
Fig. 14 - The Camper Special emblems are removed but I have them. There is also an additional set of holes on the cowl panel, presumably for CB antennas. There are identical holes on the other side.	Fig. 15 - Full-instrumentation instrument cluster and a perfect black dashpad. Chrome horn ring has no pitting. The hole for the radio is mutilated a bit.	Fig. 16 - This concerns me a bit. Snaps were installed around the rear window for a camper boot, plus there are two additional holes above and two below the window. (Gun rack? Nah, too close together.)
Fig. 17 - An almost perfect headliner, with only very minor bowing. This will be easy to correct and use.	Fig. 18 - A very straight aluminum grille (just a couple tiny dings) and valance panel. This is one of very few valance panels I've come across that isn't dented or rusty...or both. The headlight doors are AWOL.	Fig. 19 - A previous owner installed an aftermarket A/C condenser on the backside of the grille, by drilling three holes of each of the two outer vertical support bars.

The pictures above were taken during a quick inspection this evening, and I still haven't really had time to very closely inspect this truck....that will come tomorrow. From what I can tell, this truck is basically complete, minus an engine and transmission. The right-side inner fender is rusted out but included. The auxiliary fuel tank and skidplate are missing, but all the other related hardware is still installed, such as the underdash switch for the sending units, the on-floor tank selector valve, the filler neck and filler neck shield (in the bed). Other than some scratches, the hood appears to be perfect.

After I unload the truck tomorrow (which will probably be a bigger adventure than getting it loaded today!), I'll be spending the day in the shop taking a complete inventory of all the parts and their condition, and then deciding which will be used for my F100. All in all I'm very happy with everything, considering I only paid $350 for the whole truck.