I've made two trips now to look at the F100. Its a really solid truck. The area behind the front wheels on both front fender are rusty but new fenders are available for $150 (import),$300 (Ford) and good used ones are available for $50-$75. Lower areas on both doors are rusted but skins are available. And, there's one area on top of the DS apron that needs about an easy 2" patch. Other than that, just surface rust on the body and underneath. If the Crown Vic front end swap was done it puts 5X4.5" lugs on the front. '70 F100 originally has 5X5.5" lugs so something would have to be done to get the 5X4.5" lugs on the rear. About 100 ways to approach that from re-drilling the axle flanges and drums to 8.8 rear end install. Think it would need limited slip so an Explorer, Bronco or Mustang 8.8 would probable be the way to go. Putting the spring perches on the bottom of an 8.8" rear would lower the rear of the truck about 5". "C" reliefs would have to be cut into the frame rales. I'm thinking like Earl now -- go big or stay home. Either DOHC 4.6 or 5.4 Mod motor would be the way to go. There's a company that makes adapters to mount a Thunderbird or Mark 8 IRS in a F series truck. Thought about that for a while, thinking that would be a NEAT way to get matching lug patterns on the back. Only problem -- the Thunderbird and Mark 8 don't use a 5X4.5" pattern. 4.25" if IIRC. Anyway, I'm having a lot of fun thinking about an F100 project. Thinking I should bring the truck home and get it running as is while I decide to go ahead or not. Having it running would probably raise the value about $1K. Its interesting that the prices for these trucks, projects or drivers, are similar to Mavericks!! Once they're done up really FINE you see asking prices of $30K or even one for $60+ but asking and getting are different. While prices are similar, supply is greater and there are a lot of aftermarket parts. It would be a fun project. We'll see ...
Starting in about 90, the F 150's started using the 8.8. Don't know if the axles will swap with say a Explorer or not, but it should be close to the correct width for the 70. I know where there is a 70-71 that looks just like that except it's baby or sky blue. Supposed to have a big 6 in it, wiring is supposedly screwed up. I don't need another project, but heard I could get it for $800, but I don't need another project, but I don't need another project, but I don't need another project, gotta keep telling myself that......
I don't know about the axle interchange either. Might be simpler to use an 8.8" with 5X4.5" bolt pattern and leaf springs, if there is such a thing. Saw where someone was making (no-weld IIRC) brackets that connect to the spring perches on top and flip the springs under a 9" axle. Shouldn't be a big deal to put some spring perches on the bottom of the axle, get them parallel to the ones on top, and weld the two together. Wouldn't think welding on the spring perches would warp the tubes. This F100 was that light blue originally -- its showing thru the crappy red paint job in lots of places. What's one more project? :evilsmile
1957-1972 have there own rear both axles are the same length,1973-1996 are wider with one short and one long axle.Do not buy a flip kit unless it's dirt cheap,a pair of $40 competition engineering spring perches and some shock mount adjustments (alot of 3/4 ton trucks have bolt on shock mounts on the rear end) and thats it.Until 6 years ago when i bought my Comet i lived and breathed Ford trucks,from lowered ones to lifted ones i have had alot of them.Here's my old 64.
Love the lines of that truck!! Very clean. That's the look I'd be going for but maybe 2-tone, Sprint-like or gray/black. I'm thinking I can make my own flip kit if I can find a 9" or 8.8" rear end with leaf springs on top and 5X4.5" lug pattern. Broncos are like that, right? Do you know of any others? If the spring perches on the rear end are close to the right distance apart, I'm thinking I can add new spring perches on the bottom of the axle, fitted to be parallel to the originals perches, and weld the two perches (on each side) together. Expect welding just on the spring perches would not warp the tubes. Then, mount the leaf springs under the axle, of course. I have an extra set of Maverick lower shock mounts that bolt to the U-bolts. Might be able to use them, maybe with some mods to the U-bolt holes.
Yup but with a wider housing that can be used with some creative backspacing on the wheels.The only broncos with small pattern are broncoII's and most of them were 7.5's.If you really want to put the 4.5 pattern on the rear there's many options,you can adapt a 8.8 out of a explorer some have rear discs too,they are narrower than the F100 but with the right backspacing on the wheel it can work or just pick up a set of Moser or strange axles with the 4.5 pattern thats what i did. Mine was lowered in the rear by just flipping the rear on top the springs no blocks at all.Oh and you will have to "C" notch the frame for housing clearance
Cool ideas on the truck! I like the DOHC since the V8 mod motors pretty much all mount the same. You could use the rear half of a later model (03-09) CV and get the 4 link and watts link and air suspension(if equipped) as well. That would also take care of your bolt pattern issues.
OK, Broncos are probably out. Think its between the '70 9" with custom axles and the Explorer 8.8 with new spring perches. When you did your custom 9" axles, what did you do about drums? That option would be more appealing if I could use off-the-shelf drums.
I wouldn't worry too much about having different bolt patterns on the wheels. With good tires, you're not likely to have a flat nowadays anyway. Lots of new cars don't even have spare tires anymore! Might find a multipattern wheel that has both patterns on it, too. Since it's pickup, plenty of room for two spares, too!
I wouldn't feel safe without a spare. I was thinking more along the lines of a nice clear urethane on some Oak planks with nothing going in the box that would make scratches. Maybe could have two side-mounted spares. Or one uni-lug spare that would mount on either pattern? Naw, I'd want some way to have the same pattern front and back.
Since my truck had all new brakes i wanted to keep them.So i simply set the drum on the axle without studs marked the holes and drilled the drums.The raised part on the axle keeps the drum centered so everything is square.Took me all of 20 min for both sides.
Looks like Fast & Loud on Discovery Channel is building just this truck on the new episode tonight. Ill be watching it later, catch the re-run if you miss it.
I'M WATCHIN' IT!! I just about fell over. I'm now leaning toward a Triton 5.4 rather than the Mark VII DOHC but other than that, its my project!!
