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The Parts Trucks: Part 1 - The '68 F100 Ranger |
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Not much
left on the interior of the '68...but I'll grab everything useable.
This shot was taken after the removal of the factory underdash
air-conditioning unit.
Here's a
shot of the holes in the inner firewall to accommodate the AC and
heater hoses...
..and a
shot of the outer firewall with holes for the AC and heater hoses
marked. |
Above: Here's a
shot of the field where the parts trucks are located. A good friend
of mine has had these sitting around for some time now and was
willing to let me scavenge parts, before they set so long they
become useless. (THANKS RAY!!) Both trucks were his work trucks in
the past, and he's told me a few stories about adventures he's had
in them.
The red
F-100 on the trailer is a '68. The above shot was taken several days
after I'd removed the front clip, with the intent of using the inner
fender aprons and radiator support. They're not perfect, but they're
not too bad. The radiator support area behind the driver's-side
headlight does have rust which I'll cut out and replace, and the top
of the support is bent over a tad...no problem. I also scavenged the
passenger side door (no rust!), the factory underdash AC unit
(pictured below), the stock AM radio (just in case) and all the
emblems, including the 390 emblems from the front fenders. I plan to
also get the front big-block springs, the automatic steering column
and power steering box,
the dash cluster (for parts), the power brake booster and the Dana
rearend, which I believe is a posi-trac. Since he simply intends to
use the remains of this truck to build a box trailer for farm use,
I'll be keeping the Dana posi and replacing it with the 8-3/4" Ford
version from my '67.It's an afternoon's worth of work to swap the
rearends, but very worth it. (I just wish I had more storage
space...I'd also take the hood.) |
Still a
few useable parts here. This is a Bendix-style steering box which
will make converting my column-shift 3-speed to power steering a
bolt-in job.
I'll
also be swiping the Dana posi-trac, since the remains of this truck
will be turned into a box trailer. |
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The Parts Trucks: Part
2 - The '70 F100 Ranger
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Here's the
inside of the '70. All the parts are from this truck, including the
outside mirrors, the dog-dish hubcaps and trim rings and various
engine components....along with the factory underdash AC unit!!
Here's a
close-up of the AC unit. It seems to be in great shape, and I don't
believe I'll have any trouble getting this to work. |
This '70
F-100 is the truck supplying my cab and front-end sheetmetal. This
shot was taken after loosening most of the front clip. It's just about
ready to remove. It's got a factory simulated
vinyl top...it's not just paint, it's textured and bumpy just like a
vinyl top would be. I'll also use the passenger door from the '68
and the driver's door from this '70, both of which are virtually
rust-free. I was considering keeping the '67 doors for the '67
look, since they're slightly different from later years because the
door lock and latch mechanisms are different. The '67 uses the door
operating mechanism to lock the door while '68-up had the little
pull-knobs and paddle-type. But I believe it'll just be easier to use
the later-style doors.
The fenders are virtually rust-free, as is the hood and
passenger door. The parts will find their way to the '67. The driver's
door has some minor rust in the lower rear corner which should be an
easy fix. The radiator core support and inner fender aprons are full
of cancer, however. Even though the cab trim seems to be in pretty
good shape, all trim will be removed. |
This is
why the truck was parked. He was hit by a little old lady, which
tweaked the frame a little, in addition to the body damage shown.
A close-up
reveals rust in this damaged cab corner, so it would have needed
replaced anyway. But considering it's the only damage to the entire
cab, I'd say it'll be a fine replacement candidate. |
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The
tailgate is in great shape, so it will probably be used...though I'm
not sure about the rear bumper. This is an adapted Chevy piece, and
I'm thinking I'd prefer a painted bumper, anyway. |
The
original 302 has parts missing, most of which are inside the cab. It's
got 100K+ miles, so it would at least need a basic ring and bearing
job. However... |
...I'd be
more inclined to rebuild the 300 I6 resting in the bed. The 300 is a
good engine with lots of torque, and might fit into my plan of an
economical daily driver a bit more, while still being fun to drive. |
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July 1, 2003 - I'm heading out this holiday
weekend to get started on the green '70. We'll be towing it up to the
house area so we have access to power and compressed air, to
facilitate the removal of the front clip, cab and bumpers. Since we're
stripping it down, we'll go ahead and pull the engine & tranny and get
them stored out of the elements, at least until I decide if I'll want
them or not. This all should be accomplished easily in a single day.
I'll then haul everything back to my shop and get started on the
immense amount of work to piece everything together. Stay tuned! |
The
plastic grille is shot, but I'd like to use the all-steel piece
from my '67 anyway. The front of this hood has minor dings, but my
'67's is perfect. |
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