new project truck

[bassdude]

picked this up today. 77 F-250. i've always loved the looks of the 70's super cabs. plans are, warm over the 351m using 400 crank and pistons. a little head work and a little cam. change it to 4X4 of coarse. replace the long bed with a short bed. the bed's shot anyways. i'd like to find some kind of 5 speed to put behind it. maybe a ZF, if it will fit on the 335 series.
cherry out the body, lots of rust repair. and cherry out the interior using a lot of dynamat with some nice buckets.

http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/77_ford_015.JPG


http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/77_ford_003.JPG





yeah, thats a pic of my foot through the floorboard.:D
http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/77_ford_010.JPG


some cancer on the bed.


http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/77_ford_006.JPG


it's going to be a lot of work but i think it will be worth it in the end.

[Burg460]

Nice project Randy!! Looks like your old redish high boy that I got the FE out of. Yes, the 351m/400 share the same bell housing as a 460! The only other thing with a ZF 5 speed is it uses a hyd. clutch system. Can't wait to see you start tinkering with this one! :D

[Burg460]

Oh and if you need help with the 4x4 conversion let me know as I did it to my f350 crew cab. Be warned though, its a pain in the ass and the 2wd front crossmember will hit the diff unless you lift it or modify it. Of course knowing you, you will make it look easy. LOL

[mattadams]

Definately looks like a project, but lots of fun at the same time :).

[bassdude]

i want to lift it just enough to fit some 35's. not sure what to use for springs though. it has coils so maybe i can just use those buckets with a new axle.

[Burg460]

I cut the coil buckets out of mine. I had to drill a 2 1/2" hole in the frame for the rear mounts on the leaf springs. It had the holes up front behind the bumper for the front leaf spring mounts so that was bolt in and go. I drilled another 2 1/2" hole up front for the steering box. I used all high boy stuff in mine. I think the shock mounts even bolted right up.

[bassdude]

I cut the coil buckets out of mine. I had to drill a 2 1/2" hole in the frame for the rear mounts on the leaf springs. It had the holes up front behind the bumper for the front leaf spring mounts so that was bolt in and go. I drilled another 2 1/2" hole up front for the steering box. I used all high boy stuff in mine. I think the shock mounts even bolted right up.

cool. thats giving me some good direction on the front.

[bronc_17113]

Ryan beat me too it on the tranny quesrion I'm jealous man my first truck was a 78 sc

[Burg460]

I took a bunch of pictures when I did mine. They aren't the greatest being they were on my phone but back then that was a big undertaking for me! I could dig them up if you want.

[Hypoid]

Dentsides Rock!!! :D

[bassdude]

and so it begins...:D

http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/new_bed_002.JPG

[bronc_17113]

thats a good lookin bed

[bassdude]

thats a good lookin bed

wait till you see the next pics.

[bronc_17113]

salivating :D

[bassdude]

this is whats underneath that smooth primer paint.

http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/001.JPG

it's still much much better than the one i already have.

i think this is the most body filler I've come across yet. this piece was covering that rust and basically shaping the wheel opening.
http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/003.JPG


one side after about three hours...

http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/573/medium/007.JPG

[shawns 64 F100]

cool project. you need to check the pilot bushing and input shaft clearance into the crank to make sure the ZF will work. This is the more overlooked part of transmission swaps. the C6 behind my 400m had over 500k on it. It was just rebuilt about 3 years ago.
Damn body work, I have been back at it on my 64, the paint is original but just like your bed, every square inch needs straightened lol

[bronc_17113]

lookin good man

[bassdude]

cool project. you need to check the pilot bushing and input shaft clearance into the crank to make sure the ZF will work. This is the more overlooked part of transmission swaps. the C6 behind my 400m had over 500k on it. It was just rebuilt about 3 years ago.
Damn body work, I have been back at it on my 64, the paint is original but just like your bed, every square inch needs straightened lol

i've got a C-6 sitting in my garage that would work but i'm pretty stuck on having a five speed.

[shawns 64 F100]

Well as long as the input shaft is correct length, and you should be able to find a pilot bushing to fit the crank and shaft. everything else should work. I want one for my F100 also (ZF) but havent found one without a T case behind it... yet

[bassdude]

let me know if you come across another one of thos ZF's with the t-case. they are few and far between down here.

[shawns 64 F100]

just go to a salvage yard. find one behind a 460 or 7.3l, the 7.3l will have a bellhousing adaptor. and you will still need to find the 7.5l flywheel and clutch group. when I went searching. There were plenty of 4x4 but none for 2wd. I went through alot of work with a old heavy bell from an F600 even to make my 4 speed fit, but the same problem, input shaft was not correct. as well the F600 bellhousing wouldnt fit between the cab and crossmember (64 F100's have a crossmember there where the OE mounts would be) so I ended up with my C6 for now

[Burg460]

Damn you ain't wasting no time on that now, are you?! Let me know when your done with that one and I'll start dropping off trucks. :D
I'll keep an eye out on the junkyards up north here for a ZF for ya. I wouldn't think they would be that hard to find.

[dannan_w]

sorry about draggin up old news but. Howdy neibor! If you ever need help with the truck let me know!