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1968 F100 4x4 Refurb

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by bigjohn, May 23, 2021.

  1. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    This 1968 Ford followed me home from Tillamook last December. I’ve had about a dozen these 67-72 Ford trucks but it has been a few years. And now when I decide I need another, the prices have gone through the roof.

    This truck belonged to a cattle rancher since new. I recently learned from the original owners son in law it was used for hauling hay and calling calves to the auction often. He said the bed for had been rotten since the early 80s. It was side swiped in the early 2000s and parked in a field.

    The kid I bought it from had owned it very briefly, but did time it up and got it running. But didn’t have funds to go further with it.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  2. May 23, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    So... what was wrong with the bed? :rofl:

    I badly want one like this as a DD, but as you say, they've become collectible. :mad:
     
  3. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    The first step was getting it running from the key. I drilled out the original lock cylinder and installed a new one, and found a missing charge/start harness due to mine missing. Once it was running it was brake time. The entire brake system including the lines were rotten, rusted. On Nickmil’s recommend I ordered a coil of nickel copper line. That stuff was very very nice to work with, and it turns out 25’ is just about right to redo all but about one 10” line. She also got all new brake shoes, hardware, cylinder and master cylinder.

    Once the brakes were working the front clip was up. I found a matching front fender in Olympia, and the inner fender and core support I pulled off of trucks at Tony’s Ford truck parts in Portland. The only parts I was able to salvage from the original front clip was the drivers fender and upper valance. It was rusted and mangled beyond repair.

    The new inner fenders were mostly rust repaired, rust inhibitor painted, then top coated grey. Not the correct color but I like the look.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  4. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    Mar 18, 2010
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    My intent is still to daily this. The plan is make it solid but driver quality. On days I’m not driving the 74 cj anyway. It’s insane though, I considered this junk a good deal and it was still $700 to bring it home.
     
  5. May 23, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
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    Someone at the Farmer's Market yesterday asked me to put a price on my '56 CJ5. As a joke I said "$25,000."

    Then I realized, that amount would barely buy a decent used pickup today!!! I'll keep the Jeep.
     
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  6. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    I briefly had the front clip from my parts 67 on her to keep it mobile while putting the new front clip together. Also whilst having a bunch of daddy sodas one night I decided to see if I could straighten the grill enough to use. It turned out surprisingly well, but about the time I mounted it one of our new mechanics at work mentioned he had a nearly perfect 69 grill he was using as yard art. I traded the 67 grill and $100 for it. I also bought the front bumper from him and while it’s straight, I don’t like the bumperettes. I’m in the process of hopefully trading it to someone local for a regular straight bumper. I also got after the truck with the buffer using McGuire’s restore compound. Surprisingly that’s all it took to get the paint shiny again and remove a bunch of rust run stains

    We were almost ready for the road so the carb got a rebuild, new hoses, radiator, heater core and a belt. Nearly every bulb on this thing was burned. The dash lights still don’t work but everything else does, even got the heater working.
    The original fuel tank then sprang a a leak (in the cab of course) so I swapped in a later 19.5 gallon tank along with a new fuel pump and lines.

    I swapped the old cj tires on in place of the tubed bias ply 7.50-15, got a trip permit and hit the road for a test drive. All in all it was pretty successful. The 360 is tired and the clutch is nearing the end. The carb has to be cleaned again as junk broke loose and plugged the power valve port. But I have a few tanks of gas through it now motoring around the property and driving to the local country store.

    The big hang up now is registration. I have the original 1968 issue title, bills of sale, etc but because the kid bought it from the original owners estate (he’d passed in 2010), my state requires a ridiculous amount of documentation to change title, including a death certificate. I tracked down and spoke with the estate executors but they had zero interest in sending a death certificate to a stranger on another state. So the options are now a 3 year title, after I send an information request and do a state patrol inspection (6-8 week wait on that). Maybe just do a Vermont registration? I don’t know. Either option will have significant time and money costs. One of our mechanics just sent $400 to some guy in North Carolina who got him New York registration, allowing him to transfer the gto to Washington and get a title and plates. That seems pretty sketchy though.

    Lastly, I know this thread is short on pictures. I have a ton but they’re too large and I can’t beam them:banghead: So here’sa nice picture of the dash pad
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    Mar 18, 2010
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    1,054
    I had a similar experience recently valuing our old rigs for insurance purposes. To replace this stuff anymore is ridiculous.
     
    Rodney likes this.
  8. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    This was her briefly wearing the 67 front clip.

    [​IMG]

    doing some rust prevention in a few parts. I ended up using that rust inhibitor (knockoff por15) on the entire front frame rails, inner fender, and core support.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    This is the original 68 grill after bending it back over and a ton of hammer and dolly work over some daddy sodas. The passenger headlight bucket was beyond saving though. This grill is now barn wall art.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    And here’s where we are now

    [​IMG]
    Yes still fighting photo size issues.

    The 67 parts truck is down the road now but I kept the bed. The sides are pretty bad but the bed floor is largely good. So the plan is to harvest the entire bed floor complete with floor supports and graft it in place of my Rusty bed. Its a job I’m not looking forward to but I feel it important to save as much original sheet metal as possible. Aside from that the floor pans, door corners, tailgate skin and bed rockers need rust repair.
     
  10. May 23, 2021
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
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    500
    Well done! I’m also a sucker for these trucks. A friend on mine recently picked up this ‘68 for cheap. I’d love to make an offer to him since he’s up in the air with what to do with it but I also really don’t need it.

    [​IMG]

    I’ll be staying tuned for updates!
     
  11. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    Even in that conditions these trucks, especially higjboys values have gone through the roof. May be worth it if only for investment purposes. And there’s not not much that feels better than driving an old Ford like that down the road,
     
  12. May 23, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Death Certificate is a public record. Ask the County Registrar, or whoever.

    Or better still, give me a simple bill of sale, and I'll take the truck off your hands, no questions asked.
     
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  13. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    I wondered about that. They needed some other s documents also pertaining to who the truck was willed to and who has authority to execute the will. Again, stuff the heirs had zero interest in searching out or mailing. It turns out they has given the truck to the kid for free right before selling the original owners house. I’m guessing they just wanted it out of the field without much hassle. The Vermont registration is looking very good right now. And I’d be able to keep the original 68 title, which isn’t worth anything but I find super cool.
     
  14. May 23, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    Much better. I pulled the bumperettes to just see if it would polish out behind. Turned out pretty nice. Now onto another mundane task so I can continue to procrastinate a few bigger jobs I’m not overly excited about driving into just yet.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. May 23, 2021
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Nice truck. This vintage is my favorite F series of all. Ive owned several and the plastic grill years, 70-72 are my favorites, 1970 being at the top of my list. Keep the pics coming. I love looking at these trucks and the work people do to them.
     
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  16. May 24, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
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    May 24, 2011
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    1,178
    Nice looking truck. Bumpsides are the best looking Ford Pickups, IMHO. I've got a Dentside 2wd F250 I'm slowly working on.
     
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  17. May 24, 2021
    rusty

    rusty Well-Known Member

    norfolk,va
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    Dec 16, 2006
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    That is a great truck. Love it.
     
  18. Jun 5, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    Mar 18, 2010
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    The big rose valley garage sale was this today. One guy I was bs’ing with mentioned he has a 77 highboy custom he was thinking about selling. He’s had it since 78, 351m, c6, rough but very saveable. $1200. I didn’t look under it to see if it was a true highboy or not but I could definitely see potential for the price.
     
  19. Jun 6, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    I haven’t worked on her much lately. I ordered some new stainless head bumper front bumper bolts is about it. A guy on my regional bump side Ford Facebook pages posted a set of hubcaps for free. They’re certainly not a style I prefer but they really fit the “ grandpa” motif I’m shooting for. I’m loving it. And although I drive an hour and a half to pick them up, I kicked the guy $20 for them. Turns out he’s the same guy that sold me the aluminum spot Mags that went on the 74 cj for $50 last year.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  20. Jun 6, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
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    I have been working on the registration issue over the last few weeks. I was leaning hard towards just doing the Vermont registration until I realized my taxed about was 15,600 on the low value. They use exclusively nada. So even at 6% just tax is more than I payed for the truck. So I began the Washington 3 year registration without title process, which went ok until I couldn’t get the state patrol vin inspection scheduled. It appears you try to get an inspection online every Tuesday a first come first serve appts every Tuesday:censored:

    we’ll see how it goes this Tuesday. They did say they could possibly get me a 60 day temp permit if I could show them proof of a state patrol inspection appt. What a head ache.​
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2021
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