my 66 eff series

[Big Jim F150]

Stress reliever, aka Therapy. These old trucks are perfect therapy, working on them and driving them is very therapeutic after a stressed out FTFed up day at work. My 78 F-150 is my therapist, whether, I'm driving it or working on it.

[cbaker65]

Any progress?

[Big_Texxan]

Yes, life got hectic. Got a promotion and my business is booming. But here are some updated pics.

[Big_Texxan]

Got the rear ripped out and rebuilt. Debating on keeping the hitch or selling it. I am doing a bunch of subtle things, and the rear has taken some time to do.






The rear half of the frame was stripped, cleaned and painted. Bed was taken off, and with all my experience, I am buying a new driver side fender. Its too gone and the time it would take is not economical to fix it. But hey, thats the only panel I have to replace, and Im happy with it. The rear crossmember was cut out to make way for the gas tank to sit inside the frame rails. I got a gas tank for 90 bucks brand new (I love my connections) and its from a 66 Mustang. Figuring out where I will put the fill neck will be tricky, and I want it hidden and clean, or make it look like it was supposed to be there.

[Big_Texxan]

Now to the axle. I bought a Yukon Gear posi, and ran the 3.55s that were already in the truck. I replaced all the bearings and seals, and even stuck brand new brass washers on the third member bolts.

The weld is the prettiest, but It wasnt the best welder or the best surface for me to weld on, but I made it damn good. Had to center the axle, and get the pinion angle right, and waited until I had the lowering shackles.





The brakes got rebuilt, all new everything besides the drums. They were in spec, and were able to be turned. They are dusty from sitting around a couple weeks.




All new bushings and such went in, and the truck was set on her own weight today. Sits damn near level now, (the bed has blocks under it so it looks odd).

I did however discover that my passanger leaf spring might need to be replaced. I believe it has lost its strength, but we will find out once all the tires match and have air. The next thing on my list is to fabricate the brake lines, and hook the parking brake cables up. The PO lost the bracket that ties both the cables together. Sooooo, im on the hunt for that now. I will have my sway bar for the rear mounted soon, and have the gas tank mocked up. Once thats done, its time for the front brakes.

Only had the truck for about 2 months now. So the progress is slow with the damn weather Georgia has had for the past month. But so far im happy.

Ive got shocks on the way, and deciding on the wheels/tires.

My 351 I have has not been touched. But planning a cam, heads, carb, headers, and a mild build and trying to track a 5 speed down to mate it too. Im now shooting for around 500 or so horse. Should be a cake walk since im working on a 800 horse N/A for my other truck.

[Big_Texxan]

I know this isnt the conventional way to do a restoration, but this is my truck, and not my customers. My customers get the full frame off treatment. My truck is an experiment, but its being done right and looks damn good. For my limited space and time, I believe its great progress.

Enjoy. Will update more as things start to get back to rolling again

[Big_Texxan]

Also, Id like to run this by as an idea. Would a electric power steering rack be something that would be neat in a 66? I can fab, mount, and make it work, not an issue. But it might be too sacrilege to do it?

[Big_Texxan]

Long story too. While I was trying to get a tag and registration, it took me 3 weeks to get btw. The office kept dicking me around always finding something new I had to have.

First time was needed a police officer to come inspect the truck.

Second time, told me I needed to have insurance to get the tag, which was a catch 22 at the time, not many companies insure anything older than 22 years. And classic insurance has to have your name and an already existing policy on another vehicle.

Third time, I got insurance on it, but the insurance was not in the system. And I had it for 1.5 weeks prior. so I had to get a 30 day binder.

Be in mind I work a shit ton, and rarely have time to make a trip. So my fourth time back, I was able to finally get the tag and regis' for it. The DMV is the biggest pain in my ass when it comes to my buying of classic cars, so is insurance.

[Big_Texxan]

shocks be on tomorrow. Brake lines fab'd up friday.... front discs ordered next week.

Parking brake works, made a custom bracket and adjuster.

[kiwi f150]

Looks like it's coming together nicely