Finally Building The 67 F100

Backed her out real quick for a photo op.

 

That’s awesome, didn’t know they made the rpm heads for FE’s. Hopefully they start again soon anyway

 

Got a little done this week. The tire was about 2” toed out and since these beams are 1.5” narrower than stock I had to cut .5” off off both rod ends to correct that. A few buddies came by and the bed came off. Then about an hour with the degreaser and pressure washer to get a better view of the spilled house paint on the frame and axle. That’s a nice touch.

The axle is out though. My plasma cutter was acting up cutting perches off so back to old faithful, the oxy set. Remainders are ground down. At this point I need a few spring centering pins and I can start mocking the axle into place.

 

The axle is temporarily back in. The two leaf removal was probably too much. Is gently sitting on the bump stop. I think I’ll reinstall the add a leaf and see where that lands it. It’s very close though. I’m concerned if I don’t run that last thick leaf I’ll have some major wheel hop but if I do it’ll lift her up too much. I’ll play with that some. First though, now I know the exact location for the C notch so I can start working on that. Then place the bed back on and play with the spring combo and tack weld the perches once the pinion is set.

Here she is sitting closer to level.

 

By the way, those wheels are perfect on that truck..

 

Is that the remains of a Red/White Dentside I see up on the hillside in the background?

 

I agree, I really like these mags. I just need more wheel diameter in the long run. Even in the short run I’m not sure they’ll clear the rear disc calipers.

 

That’s a bump side, 72 I believe. I’m strongly considering cutting its bed down to short bed length and swapping out on temporarily. There’s another up there too, my buddies short wide 73 f100.

 

Doh. got all excited, at least in that picture, I saw body panels that I could use =P

 

Well got a bit more done over the last few nights. Got the C notches bolted to the frame webbing and welded on the inside. Now the home built trailer hitch needs to be cut. Jumping on the frame hits it on the ground before the axle bottoms out on the frame. Tomorrow I’ll try and get the bed set to start fine tuning the suspension setup.

 

Looking at your work, I see what you are trying to accomplish but personally do not believe your work is anywhere near complete. There are several items that concern me, and I believe warrant further work. You cut out half if not more of the frame's web and added a doubler plate. The doubler does not appear to be adequate to replace the strength lost when cutting out the web. At the very least, I believe that area of the frame should be boxed. The upper frame flange has a slight bend up which could be the start of a frame failure if you experienced any side load from the left side of the vehicle. Provided there is clearance, you could also build an arch into the upper flange to add to the strength of the frame. Look at how ITLKSEZ addressed a similar situation when building the front frame of Varg, his flat fender jeep. You have completely cut out the lower frame flange. How are you addressing the loss of strength there? Again, there isn't any side load strength. Something needs to be done.

 

The thought right now is probably to box the inner section of that and possibly bend a strap and edge weld it to the lower flame tying in the flange to the c notch section. I welded flange to notch but understand it created a spot to crack. I figured that’s better though than not tying them together though, even for a very short time period. I’m not too concerned with the upper flange. I probably will end up boxing that section though at the least to strengthen the weakened section. Thank you very much for the feedback, I appreciate it.

 

While I love this view she’s going up. The add a leaf makes most sense for wrap sake. I have about 2” of uptravel before the axle pumpkin hits the bed floor. About the same up front before the tires engage the inner fender.

 

Leave it alone and add a torque arm!
Ride will stay cushy....... the launch will make you grin!

 

It sure looks great at that height.

 

That’s sort of the other option. We use Calvert racing caltracks on Anna’s Falcon and I really like the performance. But with the big monoleaf they use we have to be very careful what goes in the trunk or the rear tires rub. Also Air bags are looking really good to me right now.

 

Well I worked on it some over last weekend. Did a bunch of spring swapping trial and error. Putting the fat short leaf added 3 inches. Adding just the regular lead I removed gave an inch which is about where I want to be. Trimming the bed floor bolt the diff was hitting on solved that problem. And the additional spring brought the spring rate to a seemingly very nice spot. Bouncing on the bumper Doesn’t bottom Out anymore and the rate feels soft but not too soft. Need to figure out shocks now. I’d love some QA1 adjustables but that’s too rich for me at this point. That’s a very upgradable item later on in life.
Otherwise it was just grinding the nubs and fitting the perches to the axle tubes. Then while attempting to set the pinion I found the drive shaft is too short. No big deal? Oh it has the rubber deals in the ends i hasn’t even noticed until dropping it off at the shop. So instead of $120 to shorten and balance, it needs a $300 full retube.
No pictures this round. Nothing much new to show. The master cylinder and rear rubber brake hose are ordered. I’ll start working on brakes soon.

 

A little more work in this weekend. Ordered a master cylinder from O Riley’s week before last and I’ll be darned-it was aluminum. I also ordered an adjustable wilwood brake valve and adjustable pedal rod as well. After much cussing and wasted nicop tube the fronts are plumbed. Too much to do in the rears to bother running hard lines but is in my mind.
Look close and you’ll see the tube I was 5” short on and had to do a Union. It’s not bled so I may try again but I have a hard time wasting 6’ of tube.

 

I’m slowly plugging away on her. Finally got the brake pedal hooked up using an adjustable rod I’d ordered.
The driveline finally got done so I was able to set the pinion, center the axle and burn in the perches. Then it was cutting and grinding a bunch of extra junk off the frame, and wire brushing to prep for POR-15 painting yesterday. I’m positive there’s more of that paint on my arms than the truck by the way.
The first picture is after washing the etching acid off.