Getting started on the choptop truck...

[theskytoucher]

Looking good Keith!!!!!!
Keep on it and it will be done before you know it!!!!!

[layedout72]

hey keith, i might have asked this already, or maybe i havent. maybe you have gone over it...dont know. I know you are looking to do a budge build, so why not cut the frame right behind the crossmember and all that and in front of it and "Z" the frame? It would give a drop of however much you move the frame up. Steering would have to be messed with though....

[customcrewcab]

you just can't z the frame without doing a ton of work. it would be easier to h it. all the sheet metal has to tie back into the front and if you move it up you going to have to chop other things down. also change the motor mounts and the steering colum would have to be cut down and thats if the steering box clears the firewall. keith just wants alittle drop and looks like he doing to get for under 150.

[FORDification]

Yeah, it would take a ton more work, and for this project I'm not really interested in getting it THAT low, just a little lowering....for very little $$$.

[FORDification]

Well, I got some more painting done today, to the doorjambs, interior part of the doors and the dash area, as well as finishing up painting the bottom of the box.

Here's a shot of the cab. As you can see, it's basically ready to have the interior reassembled:



...and here's a shot of the freshly-painted box:



I also just posted two new project update pages. Page 10 is a report of everything that I got done last week when I took the week off to spend it on the bodywork and painting, Page 11 is today's progress, with a few additional pictures. As always, these update pages are available on the Site Index.

Also, last week I ordered two gallons of John Deere Blitz Black paint which FINALLY arrived today.

[customcrewcab]

last week? that post was on the 16th 3 days 2 weeks i been waiting to see what that color looks like and the bent i-beams

[RedneckTexan]

Lookin Good

[FORDification]

The I-beams won't be done until the truck is up and running, since I'll have to be able to drive it to the shop where they'll be adjusted. It might be a little while before it's ready for that.

[customcrewcab]

so they bend them on the truck?

[FORDification]

Yep, just like the factory shop manual specifies.

[460 crew]

Lookin sharp, I like the black

[RebelRider]

Looks good Keith!

[MadMaxetc]

That is looking awsome! Keep the pictures comming!!

[FORDification]

Well, I spent Friday night after work until about 9PM in the shop, and was back until after 10PM on Saturday, and got quite a bit more done.

On Friday night I got some welding done to the front of the bed where it was loose at the point where the bed front and sides met. Then I got the box front sanded down and painted, and got the box slid back up onto the frame.





I spent all day Saturday alternating between bodywork to the bed in preparation for paint, and getting some more clean-up done to the 390. Here's a shot of the finished bed, ready for paint:



...and here's a shot of the progress made on getting the engine cleaned up. In fact, I think it looks so good right now that I've decided not to paint it...it kinda helps add to the 'grunge' look.



At the end of the evening I got started mocking up the tailgate and getting the attaching hardware installed, since it'll need painted with the bed.

Next on the agenda is getting three broken-off exhaust manifold bolts drilled out, and getting the rusty junkyard headers sandblasted and painted (for protection, not for appearance). Then I can get the engine/tranny installed and get the front end reassembled so that the hood can be painted along with the bed.

Details and more pictures can be found on a new project update page. CLICK HERE

[71 LONG BED]

That will be on the road before you know it! Gotta love pictures on Monday morning! Keep up the good work.