My dent build....

[mikey94gt]

Figured this was the place for this.... mods can move it if needed.....

I started my 1976 F250 4x4 build this summer, drove it from Idaho to Denver, which is about 700 miles... got 14mpg most of the way. I figured it was more fun, and cheaper to build my own truck to my liking, instead of buying one. besides, it should be plenty cool when its done.

My dad bought the truck brand new, and I have had the truck since I was 14, started working on it for my daily ride then. wasnt in too bad of shape, had the usual Idaho off road dents and rust. Has about 138k on it, and 120k on a very abused T-bird 390/NP 4spd.

the pic is pretty recent, has a 78 rust free bed on it, Ive replaced the smashed door with a nice straight rust free one, and filled the bed with 460 swap parts... lol

The new door....

the current motivator...

the new trans...

So.... I ended up with a Zf 5spd from a 89 F450, seems pretty tight, shifts well, came from a truck with a 460. I nabbed the NP205 with it as well, cleaned both out and put new seals in them. a friend of mine fabbed up the 4x4 shifter so it will work in the stock location.

Started talking to a local here in Denver, he restores the 67-79 trucks. He had just picked up a fairly fresh 72 460 big block, and is willing to trade it for the 390/4spd out of my truck. SWEET! the 460 has everything to go in, correct motor mounts, all accys, dizzy, and an Edelbrock performer intake. I plan on using a Petronix points conversion and a 650 vacuum secondary Holley for now, got my eye on a used Truck Avenger 770 in town. I am taking the engine apart a little to see whats in it, swap a cam in, pop some D0VE-C heads on (has D3VE on now) and some nice headers.

I will post up some progress pics once I have a place to swap everything. THe only thing I am worried about is the driveshaft lengths, as I hope it works long enough for me to save some $$ to do the 4" lift and put new driveshafts in since these ones are worn the h#ll out.

 

[Mustang Mark]

I love 70s Ford trucks. My buddy who passed away had one that was lifted with 35s, that sum bitch would go anywhere you could fit it.

 

[Woody6799]

cool build, same thing I love old school trucks all shined up, good luck with it.

 

[mygreengt]

fawking love these trucks. swap in a psd! that would be tits. and is that a sun roof?

 

[5.0kid]

awesome!!! like the harley in the first pic too...

 

[PI96GT]

Gotta love those old dents.

 

[auto_x5.0]

Im building my girlfriends lifted '79 F-250 right now, these trucks are amazing. It runs like a raped ape, but it just wasn't taken care of.

 

[mikey94gt]

Wow, thats quite a reception to this build! Thanks Fellas! I'll try to keep it updated as things progress.

MygreenGT, ya, that IS a sunroof... .lol. my dad put it in shortly after he got the truck. On the PSD option.... I voted that out due to the complexity and price of parts. the wiring would be a nightmare.... lol.

SO... little update.... Got a ZF 5spd for it, needs a shift fork, but I know where to find one. This trans is all set up to go right in the truck, with all the mounts and shifters.

I also scored a 71 block 460, a set of D0VE-C heads that are fairly nice, and a Performer 460 intake. the engine had all the accy brackets attached too, will get pics soon. should make some big torque with a nice 4x4 or RV cam.

For wheels, I plan on a set of these in the picture.... with some military Hummer tires, probably the 37" radials. Gotta clean and paint the wheels first though..

 

[mikey94gt]

awesome!!! like the harley in the first pic too...

Just noticed this.... thanks man, thats the daily ride in the summer, I dont really like driving cars around town.. lol heres a recent pic of it

 

[miss2slocoupe]

wow thats cool your dad bought it new! i bet it makes it that much better... did he just give it to you? but thats how i feel about my dodge, even though its not as old as that truck, we bought it new when i was 8yrs old and i learned how to drive in it, and it was the family truck. to this day its drove everyday with 250,000 and still going on orginal transmission and engine. its been good and i plan on keep the truck till i die

 

[mikey94gt]

Well, he sort of gave it to me, he didnt want to buy me a car, and I was interested in learning how to fix cars. it was a pretty good deal, actually. I got the truck with about 115k on it, so its still not quite worn out.... especally after I get done throwing parts at it... lol! I think its cool he bought it new too, its really a 2 owner truck, which is hard to find.... these trucks are usually beat to hell.


Thats cool you still have your family truck too. I wish I had learned to drive in this truck, it would be that much cooler. Its just that connection to a vehicle that you grew up in that you cant shake, ha! Ive almost sold the thing a few times, im really glad I didnt.

 

[mygreengt]

i learned how to drive in that green F250 i used to drive in the winter time.

 

[Knuckles@Empire]

I love these old trucks, best of luck on getting it to were you want.

Knuckles

 

[mikey94gt]

So, I havent updated this in a while... kinda ran out of cash and time there for a bit. I picked up a recently rebuilt 460, it might have 20k on the rebuild, which means I can be mean to it immediately... haha. Its a D1VE shortblock, and D2VE crap heads on it.... which I have the remedy to in the garage. Unless I go with some aftermarket ones first. It has motor mounts set up for the 76, just need to find accy drive, starter, and an intake manifold, preferably aftermarket.

I plan on getting 90% of the parts together before I start the swap, so im not chasing stuff down later. Still need a clutch/flywheel, a clutch fork, hydraulic clutch master/slave cylinders, and driveshafts.

 

[Steven]

Sweet man. I love those old trucks. They are tanks

 

[mikey94gt]

Thanks man, I think they are better than the new trucks, in that parts are pretty cheap, and they are super easy to work on.

 

[Steven]

For real. I had a 69 f100 shortbed single cab when I was younger. Was C notched, flipped axle, bent I-beams. Was on the ground but was slick as hell. I sure do miss that truck.

 

[mikey94gt]

Damn man, you went the opposite way I did... I always wanted a lift and big tires. I like the bumps, they look good when slammed. you have any pics of that truck?

 

[mikey94gt]

So, update.... Got the flywheel, clutch, hyd clutch assembly instead of the crappy mechanical one, a 460 minus intake, a WEiland Stealth intake 460, and debating on headers. gotta find somewhere to do the swap too. Should be tearing into it soon, after the Mustang project is done.

 

[mikey94gt]

SO, now that my DD runs, (1988 Honda accord), the F250 will be getting a much needed tear-down very soon. I have the 460 on an engine stand, the bottom end looks really good! Gonna have my parents overhaul the heads and bring them up, then I gotta find accy drive, driveshafts, and headers for the thing. I also have a huge garage to do it all in, so I dont have to rent someone else's place. awesome.