My 1969 Ford F100 Thousand dollar Moneypit

[69fordrangergirl]

So since this seems to be the place where everyone shows off their hard work and smartiness I thought Id carve out a spot for myself. Im not sure youll find me posting any a-ha moments, but you never know.

Today I crawled under the bed and sprayed some penetrating oil on the bolts holding it to the frame. I tried to turn them too but... um... SOOOO not going to happen. Going to try and find a pipe to give me some more leverage tomorrow, but I think I'll spray it every day for a few more days too. Im fairly certain I do NOT want busted bolts.

I also took the time to take the taillight hardware off. I totally found a nest of some sort behind the passenger side rear brake light. I never thought I was going to get all that straw out. Whatever once lived there has long since moved on apparently, but dont think I wasnt thinking about it the whole time I was reaching in to fish it out.

Im on the fence on whether I'll put these reflector pieces back on. Part of me likes the trim, part of me says keep it simple and clean.

While Im not planning on spending a bazillion dollars on this thing, I am planning on taking it all the way down to the frame to clean it up and paint it. I want a truck that can last me another 45 years. Maybe someone reading this can chime in and tell me the order I need to be working on these things, so that Im not wasting any more of my time than I have to. The bed just seemed a no brainer, since I assume it gets me into the frame, suspension, rear end, and everything that goes with it.

[jimmy828]

Welcome. When i started on my 69, i also started with the bed but i decided to just grind the heads off bed bolts just so i would not be underneath. I think it was a lot easier. I am replacing all bolts anyway throughout truck. Have on hand plenty PB Blaster,propane torch, grinder and a lot of patience. Good luck on project!

[jimmy828]

Oh,i forgot to mention. Far as being a money pit, i don't look at it that way. I look at my project as a passion even though it is costing the crap out of me.

[Mctrick]

Do have any pictures?
1969 F100 4x4 360 4 speed LWB
The Moose

[e6ug]

show us some pics.

[sargentrs]

Would love to see pics. The bed is where I started too. Surprisingly, my bolts came right out with no problem. You can see my sequence of disassembly in my project thread in my signature. Be prepared for the long haul. It'll take twice as ling and 3 times more money than you think. Ask me how I know.

[jdeshler]

Yeah save yourself a headache and cut the bed bolts.. even if you get the nut to start backing off it'll probably just round out the square hole in the bed..

Nice truck btw!