1970 F100 Project

[F100builder]

I pulled the bed today, removed the spare carrier along with a couple of old exhaust hangers, and pulled the front spring hangers for a possible flip if I decide to go that route (thinking about putting the axle on top of the springs). I also removed the rear cross member in preparation for the Mustang tank. I'll bolt the cross member back in behind the tank.



I emptied the bed of all of its parts (the front clip was placed in there by P.O.)...



...to reveal a near perfect bed floor.



However, I did find a bit of rust in the right cab corner. Oh well. It isn't as bad as several that I've seen being repaired by many of you guys out there. This doesn't even look like it warrants buying a replacement panel...I'll just cut a couple of patches.

[F100builder]

I guess I can put those hangers right back where I got 'em...I just ordered this kit. Now, I won't worry about pinion angle or hitting the bump stops!

[XABN82]

F100Builder, which rear kit is that? I have the DJM front I beams but have been going back and forth about how to drop the rear. I'm in the collecting parts mode. Thanks and you truck is looking nice.

[F100builder]

Thanks! I think they're called Chassis Tech. I simply googled "1970 f100 axle flip kit" and these guys were at the top of the results list:

http://www.x2industries.com/ford-1965-1 ... Z7UHpy1eSo

I searched several more results and found I could have gotten it 5 bucks cheaper from one outfit but their shipping was backed up and it didn't look like it would have shipped for at least a week. Another place had it for $259 but wanted $35 to ship it so I felt this was the best of everything...in stock, free shipping, and I can drop it 5-6 inches rather than the 4 using the DJM kit. I hope that with one coil cut from each new front spring along with the DJM beams, I'll net about 3-1/2 to 4 inches in the front. I will also reassemble the whole rear suspension with new poly bushings (entire front end is already new) so, while a Crown Vic IFS would be nice, I think the truck will handle quite well.

I like the fact that this kit does not require boxing for the C-notch as this would be a tricky area to box in on our trucks and I don't really want to do a bunch of fab on this one.

[F100builder]

Well, you give a guy too many wrenches and it's bound to happen! I decided it would just be easier to get the frame done all at once sooooo...





...and after several hours of grinder work...



I HATE removing old cab mounts!!! I've got some new ones to replace the old. Here's a shot of the new Mustang tank too.

[Heirloom]

Sooo much time and sooooo many wrenches!

I can't wait to strip mine down to a pile of parts!

[F100builder]

Sooo much time and sooooo many wrenches!

I can't wait to strip mine down to a pile of parts!

I can't wait to be putting freshly painted and like new parts back together! This is my least favorite part of any build...CLEANING!

But the results are worth the extra time and elbow grease!

[sargentrs]

You're making a ton of progress quickly! Great work.

[Heirloom]

I can't wait to be putting freshly painted and like new parts back together! This is my least favorite part of any build...CLEANING!

But the results are worth the extra time and elbow grease!

True!!

[rusty2872]

Could you explain how you removed the cab from the frame. Did you have a lift or somethin??? I've been racking my brain trying to figure out the best way to separate the cab from my frame with a common shop lift and some jacks. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. It must be a pain to do all that work outside. Do you cover the truck up when you aren't working on it?

[F100builder]

Could you explain how you removed the cab from the frame. Did you have a lift or somethin??? I've been racking my brain trying to figure out the best way to separate the cab from my frame with a common shop lift and some jacks. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. It must be a pain to do all that work outside. Do you cover the truck up when you aren't working on it?

Well, there are plans out there for one-man cab and bed pullers that use a picker and my buddy made one that I could have borrowed.

What I did here was support the back of the frame with jack stands. Next, I pulled the rear axle and leaf springs because it's easier to clean them separately and I plan on replacing the bushings and installing C-notches and a flip kit so it'll get new u-bolts and hardware (I left the tires on the axle and just rolled the whole thing out from under the truck once I lifted the leaf springs out).
Then, I pulled all 4 cab bolts and separated any wiring, e-brake cable, fuel line, etc. and placed jack stands under the cab on the pinch welded seams.

Finally, I jacked up the rear of the frame slightly to remove the stands supporting the frame and let it down slowly. The cab stayed in the air and I simply wheeled out the frame like driving a wheel barrow. It's not the easiest or fastest way of doing it but like I said, I needed to pull the rear axle and springs out anyway which kept me from needing to jack the cab way up to clear rolling tires. Plus, I took this week off work and was on my own as all of my buddies are working.

As far as doing the work outside, it's been absolutely beautiful here with temps in the 60's and 70's and no rain so I'd rather scatter an infinite amount of grinding dust, grease, rust, dirt, and grime in the good ol' outdoors (my back and side yards) instead of my garage floor. Besides, I was DYING to get started and my garage is currently full of crap from a storage unit that needs to be sorted through and donated, yard saled, or thrown out. Plus, my '56 is taking up 1 of the 3 bays too!

[F100builder]

I sprayed the Rust Bullet on the '70 frame today. This stuff is just a little tricky to spray but I'm glad I sprayed vs. brushing because it took only about 20 minutes once I got my gun loaded. They recommend 40-45 psi as it's fairly thick and gooey. I can't wait to start bolting new stuff on! Next up (I think), is the axle flip and c-notch, Mustang fuel tank (using BobbyFord's idea), and more prepping/painting the cab bottom.

[Alstoyz]

Very nice. Man I really like your work. I've subscribed, and can't wait 2 see more!!!

[F100builder]

Take a wild guess as to what I did today! I HATE this job! Thought about building a puller but I didn't feel like leaving the house to find all the hardware...I already have a chisel, punches, hammers, etc. Next time, I'm building the @#$% puller!!!



Then, I replaced them with some new polyurethane bushings.



Next up, is to trim up these brackets for the axle 'flip' and burn in some C-notches.

[sargentrs]

Ta Dah! Congrats. Removing those old bushings/sleeves can be a real PITA. I used an air hammer/chisel to get my old sleeves out but it still took HOURS! Great work. Looking forward to seeing how your C notch and axle flip come out.