F100 project...The beginning

[Texas Bob]

So I've been with Pro-touring.com since like '04. Dreaming of some day being fortunate enough to post on here about my own project. At times the forum has been my demize, like when I spent too much time here and I was banned by my wife from it or when I thought I'd completed all my courses for my degree only to realize I was 1 class short due to the 2 welding courses I had to take because I eventualy was going to build a car.

Since I was in Iraq in 04 and 05 I was pretty dead set on working on a first gen camaro (hey, isn't everyone). I've got several books and saved documents to include build sheets on a couple of projects in that arena. I even startedgoing the route of difference by looking into a '63 Corvette Grandsport replica so I wouldn't be following the crowd.

While there is nothing wrong with following the crowd and many do not as each car seems to have it's own personality, I've come across a project that is me. I say me because I once owned a pretty sweet 1982 F100 Flareside pickup and after a short search I've come across another.

Just after graduating highschool 11 years ago I picked up this F100 Flareside with a bunch of goodies including a 460 big block that had been swapped in. The truck had quite a bit of custom things done to it including louvered tailgate, tail lights that were recessed into the flare, door handle delete, custom bumper and roll pan smoothed into the body, custom paint, and a few others. One dislike I had was the spoiler on the roof, but at the time I didn't seem to mind.

Here's a grainy picture I've saved...


The only other photo I have is the AutoTrader ad my parents sent me while I was away for 2 yrs in Canada.

So I got the bug wondering what I would have done with it if I had her still today. So I put a few want ads out and the other day I get a call from a gentlemen not far from here who has an 82 in good running condition with a 302 sb and 4 spd manual tranny for $1K. I thought thankgoodness I wasn't looking for that 1st gen camaro anymore because that I can do.

So here's the project layout.

Exterior
Subaru WRX blue
Similar front bumper smoothed into front
Roll pan
Louvered Hood on sides like the Saleen S7's top portion of fenders
Shaved and smoothed doors
Tail lights recessed
Mini tube
Pine bed

Suspension
Fatman Fabrications Stage IV Hub to Hub kit with Shockwaves
Fatman Fabrications 4 link with shockwave 9000s

Not sure about the tires yet as I don't know if I want lower profiles all the way around or something with some meat. This will not be a drag truck but I want it to look proprtional to the body.
Wheels will be something with a polished edge and charcoal center.

Drivetrain
460 bb
Either C6 or 4L60e with an adapter and run paddle shifters
My old truck had a 9" rearend, not sure if this one does so I'll have to see if we'll be switching so as not to have the 9" rob power.

Interior
Undecided, but a bare NASCAR truck series look is enticing.

So I guess once I get somethings smoothed out and pick up the truck I'll probably have a rendering done so I have a visual and then go from there. Comments, questions, advice all welcomed. Thanks.

Bob Martin

[6'9"Witha69]

Good luck. Sounds like a nice project and yes, Trucks can be pro-touring too. I am undecided how (when) my '62 will end up, but I want to do similar things as well.

[rellim51]

Sounds cool. You may want to use something other than pine in the bed. Pine tends to warp with seasonal changes. I would use ash or oak.

[Nate K]

That sould be bitchin! Check out these suspension setups I think it might be better handling than what you are looking at. Thay dont list your truck but I bet they have somethig you can make work. Check ebay for the c4 parts they are cheap.

http://www.seattlestreetrods.com/cor...suspension.htm

[Texas Bob]

rellim51-that's true and it might be advantageous to skip the wood bed all together and go with just sheet metal to lighten it up.

Black Betty - thanks, I'll call them in the morning and see what we can do.

[Texas Bob]

Also, I've been talking to Steve-0 about using the Twister Machine since originally the truck had the manual/automatic 3 on the tree. Looks like I can go one of two routes.

(A) Ford E4OD for say $2800
(B) GM 4L60E with an adapter kit for about the same

I think route B might be better do to it's size, availability, and familiarity. Plus I believe it can handle the 500hp and 550 lbs of torque the 460 will put out. That last statement was more of a guess as I'm not knowledgeable in this department. LOL

[Nate K]

You could also run a t56 Mcleod makes a belhousing so it would bolt in. You should be able to it for less than $2800. I am doing one in my 75 F100 and have $1500 in all the parts.

http://www.mcleodind.com/application...L_HOUSING.html

[Texas Bob]

You could also run a t56 Mcleod makes a belhousing so it would bolt in. You should be able to it for less than $2800. I am doing one in my 75 F100 and have $1500 in all the parts.

http://www.mcleodind.com/application...L_HOUSING.html

But then Steve told me I won't be the world's first F100 with a paddle shifter.

[Texas Bob]

So here are some shots of the truck we'll transform.











All in all it's a solid truck with a working 302 and 4 spd manual. There is a crack in the rear portion of the frame that will need attention unless I opt to remove everything from the cab back and tube it in order to tuck that rearend up in the bed. Some spots of rust, but nothing too too bad. Of course I'm sure we'll find something once it's stripped.

On a side note, I just noticed the F150 badging. Any Ford guys clear on when the designation changed from F100 - F150?

Bob

[Texas Bob]

Ok, so I love this part of the process...Brainstorming.

One thing I've found out is more on the lineage since I was looking for an F100 and am looking here at an F150. Same truck just different engine choices kind of like an XL vs. an XLT and the F100 designation was dropped at the end of 1983. I'm open to corrections, but that's what I've been told.

I'm going to drop the MII front end and maybe the air suspension all together. I do want a vehicle that not only I can drive here and there, but impressive enough to do some autocrossing. I here it's addicting. So acting on Black Betty's suggestion I'm going to see about Seattle Street Rods' C4 bracket kit and possibly running 86-95 corvette IFS and IRS. I am worried about the corvette's Dana 44 and whether it can handle more than 400 hp. I wonder if I should use the stock 9" instead. Thoughts?

I'm meeting with a fab shop today. I don't know the guy, seen a bit of his work, but we've discussed the project in bits via email so far. He says he can work sheetmetal so I want to run the idea of a modern Ford Lightning influence? Here's my thinking. This 04 concept Lightning has a squarish look to it that resembles the box like look of these 7th? generation F series trucks. The rear on the other hand may not get the same treatment, but the spoiler is cool.



It will be interesting to see with a mini tub what kind of rear tire we can fit. As well, I'm still undertermined regarding sidewall height. Should I go bigger wheels and lower profiles sacrificing some rider comfort or go with a 50 front and 60 back which gives it a more straight line appearance?

[Texas Bob]

The fab shop guy seems like he can do the deed. Although he'll be making the transition from sport trucks to pro-touring he had some custom built frames and a smooth hot rod he'd been working on. Young guy too, which means a lot of enthusiasm.

On a side note, found out my donor truck is indeed not an 82 F100 but is in fact an 84 150. Essesntially the same thing with no changes in the body but just engine choices. Should I reconsider? I mean 2 years in a 1st gen camaro is a big differnce so should it be here? I'm leaning towards no since not much is going to be staying as far as OE.

Bob

[matdean]

I do not think it would matter considering what vehicle choice you are going with to begin with. I am curious to see how this turns out. Very interesting combination of ideas!

[chet]

'82 and '84 are damn near identical. and f100 had slightly lighter suspension. the '84 will have a better frame the '80-'82's had whats called a swiss cheese frame ie it was full of lightening holes that made it really weak. fatmanfab makes MII based front suspensions for your truck.

[Texas Bob]

Yes, we've confirmed that there is no functional difference between the two.

I've gathered specific measurements for Flat Out Engineering who is excited about adding the 80's era bracketry to their list for Ford trucks if another yr. doesn't already measure up, No pun intended.

Working on finalizing the list and then sending it off to have the rendering done.

[Texas Bob]

Ok, sent all the photos and info off to get the rendering done.

[matdean]

Keep us posted on this! I want to see where it goes.

[Rantheman]

yeah keep us posted if you end up making a 80's lighting that would be sweet through in a 5.4L supercharger

[twosaturns]

'82 and '84 are damn near identical. and f100 had slightly lighter suspension. the '84 will have a better frame the '80-'82's had whats called a swiss cheese frame ie it was full of lightening holes that made it really weak. fatmanfab makes MII based front suspensions for your truck.

agreed on that. I had a '83 F100, 300 I6, 3 on the tree, short bed, NO frills at all. lighter/simpler than the F150. quick out of the hole, wouldn't go above 70mph, but stopped ON A DIME. someone told me at the time that Ford put the same brakes on all the trucks; whatever it was, it had HUGE front discs and BIG rear drums.
of course, I had just gotten married, so, the 5.0/T5 plan never materialized...
nice to see this project, I'll be watching!

[matdean]

Any updates?