1971 f250 DESERT truck- 10/24 race prep

[1971ford]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=602287


Check out this thread on Pirate4x4.com It's an F-100, but the same things apply. I think the leaf spring suspension will work fine for you. That F-100 in the thread uses Deavers (I think) shackles and springs for more travel.

He also welded on extra shock mounts on the front and rear. It would be a good idea on yours, too.


Nick

ive been watching that thread closely, you can see that ive "bumped" it up to the top quite a few times looking for updates . cool build, im lovin it. he just needs to work faster.

i think ill use Deavers too, i just got to get a good enough shock to go above the leaf packs.

Cool truck! I wanted to make my 72 F-100 into a vintage style desert truck, but it's all original and too nice to cut up...

thats EXACTLY what i said a couple months ago... and here i am

[RedneckTexan]

Keep the pics coming Ryan!

[1971ford]

cage ideas:

give me your input


the brown is just to try to make the design easier to see. to avoid allusions.

the green bar is under the bed.



with fuel cell: also im thinking i might "countersink" the fuell cell into the bed like the 2nd pic

OR

(pretend the green bar isnt there and the black bars go underneat the cell with a skid plate protecting it)


squint and it looks better. this is following OFF-ROAD magazines bumper build design.


what would you do differently ?

thanks

[Ranchero50]

I'd mount the tires up closer to the cab to bring their weight closer to the center of gravity. But then again, I guess it depends on the weight bias since it seems you'd want it a little tail heavy. The 429 is going to hurt you for weight bias.

I like the idea of getting rid of the 250 suspension to eliminate some unsprung weight as well.

Gonna be an interesting project.

Jamie

[1971ford]

I'd mount the tires up closer to the cab to bring their weight closer to the center of gravity. But then again, I guess it depends on the weight bias since it seems you'd want it a little tail heavy. The 429 is going to hurt you for weight bias.

I like the idea of getting rid of the 250 suspension to eliminate some unsprung weight as well.

Gonna be an interesting project.

Jamie

yup yup and yup.

with the 429 big block, much weight in the back will be needed and much aluminum will be needed in front to prevent endo-ing over. have to try to balance it out.

the f250 suspension is history. or WILL be.
the leafs will definately be replaced with Deaver leaf packs (offroad leaf spring company, they make VERY nice springs) and some type of shock will be mounted on top of the leaf packs. not sure if it will be just two resevoir shocks per wheel, or a double bypass but we shall see.

for front suspension i'd like to keep the f250 i beams. the BRODOZER(67 offroad truck, really cool build) was playing around and they bent a f100 i beam enough so it was undrive-able. that was just testing. so f250 beams should be good.
also i want to put some KING coil overs in front. extended radius arms as well

yes, it will be VERY interesting

[1971ford]

havent done too much lately.
but need some input.

my dad and i have talked about cutting out the dash and replacing it with a simple aluminum dash. with guages etc.
that would save quit ea bit of weight.

but im also thinking it would be really cool to use the stock dash. but thats quite a bit more weight. but since we wont need a am/fm radio and heater/ac controls, what if we put a sheet over those holes and install 4 guages (oil pressure, temperature, fuel and water for example) for the co-driver to monitor, and cut the center of the cluster out and replaced it with a sheet of aluminum with the speedo and tach for example.
maybe weld a sheet over the glovebox hole for more guages even.

what do you guys think? im thinking your all going to say keep the stock dash, so i wouldnt be hacking up a bump though

[FordTruck]

With the cage i would go with the third drawing,and they dash i would either go with the aluminum one or have is shaped to resemble the stock dash but that's just my

[layedout72]

Why do you say a 4 link is expensive? You work at a welding shop, that's where the money goes. By some 2x2x3/16 wall, some 3 inch long 2inch round DOM bar ends and get to work!

You MIGHT have 100 dollars in it when it's said and done.

Coilovers you can buy from any truck that would work, and make mounts to make the travel like you want.

[1971ford]

finally spent a day working on this truck instead of the 69 f100.
this is what did
removed the radio, wiring, glovebox/door, heater/ac (alot of weight saved there!), heater/ac controls, the seat, the carpet, the sound deadener, the reamains of the firewall cover, and the dual tank switch and wiring, and the lower valance, and i mounted the liscense plates so its streetable for now





replacing this heavy bench with racing buckets will be a big weight saver as well




plans are to rhino-line the floor later on, and cut out the front of the dash from the radio/heater controls on to the glovebox area and put a sheet of aluminum there and install the guages for co-driver. then cut out the whole center area of the cluster, and install the street driving needed guages.

[19674x4]

i like the idea of mounting the vital guages for the co-piloit to monitor, but the co-pilot is usually your navigator, so hes always watchin a map and reading you directions over the radio, might i suggest mounting them in the center with warning lights below each one, for hi-temps, low pressure, ect. and have the tach and speedo in the stock cluster location.

[1971ford]

i like the idea of mounting the vital guages for the co-piloit to monitor, but the co-pilot is usually your navigator, so hes always watchin a map and reading you directions over the radio, might i suggest mounting them in the center with warning lights below each one, for hi-temps, low pressure, ect. and have the tach and speedo in the stock cluster location.

well i didnt really mention that we will also be fabbing a big center section that stretches from the bottom of the mid dash down to the floor for a portion of the guages plus the art-carr shifter. so i dont think we will have any guages over the glovebox area, since i will save that for in the far futer so our GPS can go there.
since we will just be doing 300 mile races, in laps of 6 or so, we wont be using GPS. we may have a paper map of the general turns and such. but were going to have to rely on sight.
co-driver should have a good amount of time to scan the guages

[71PA_Highboy]

Rhino is HEAVY. If you are trying to reduce the weight, and since it will be a desert racer, rust shouldn't be an issue.

POR15 and a topcoat would be sufficient... and much lighter.

jmho,


eric

[1971ford]

yeah i thought it might be heavy. i think we'll just leave it as it is or lay down some thin carpet

[James72]

lookin good man
oh, and you should send that AC unit my way


James

[1971ford]

the a/c unit will be up for sale soon