My 1953 F100 Flathead V8 build

[Dreasoner]

I was asked to start a build thread so here I go.

I bought this truck down south of Wichita Ks this spring and have been working on it most the summer.

Tha first project was cutting off the drip rail, sand blasting, leading, and putting it up. It was completely rusted thru, I pulled it off by hand.

I couldnt find a cheap enough sandblaster that would be worth a darn so I build one out of a large oxygen tank I had. I flipped it over, welded a few bungs on and a port on the top to fill it with sand and was ready to go. Cost me about $120 bye the time I was done but it works great. I just need more air volume to keep up with it.

 

[Dreasoner]

I started a reverse hood tilt a month ago but its giving me a little trouble getting it how I wanted to I am taking a break from it for know. Here is what I made for it so far...

I made the front piviot bar to mount acrost the front of the radiator as pictured but recently changed it. I'll have to get a better picture of the updated one.

I also made th bracing for the underside of the hood and tied them into the sheet metal of the hood to stifen it up. The picture I have of this is to high of resolution to load so I'll put up on later.

 

[Dreasoner]

This past weekend I started the build of my bed, I posted a few pictures in the other area but wanted to add it to here.

I had a friend help me make the cuts and bends friday afternoon. I put the bed sides together saturday and started assemboling the floor.

I decided to make the floor look like a wood bed but go with metal. Everything is 12 gauge steel on this thing, a little beefy but worth it.

 

[Dreasoner]

That bring me to today...

I bought a set of really good rust free original rear fenders of a 54 from RPM Motors in Albert Lee MN. These things were cherry and well worth the cash, not even a dent in them. I had to shell out $240 each for them but still $110 under new and almost ready to bolt on. I have a pair ov decent ones to sell and make up most of that but I hate patching fenders!!

I'll post pics tomorrow for these.

I got a little more done on the truch bed today. I rounded off the front stake pockets before welding them on.

Then I made the rear cross member with new tabs to mount the bed to the frame. I used a piece of 2x3 square for the front crossmember both cut to meet the stake pockets comming down the sides.

I squared everything up, tacked it, measured again, and welded it solid!

I made my bed a lottle long so I ended up cutting 3/4" off the tailgate end and caping it with a piece we bent up the other day. I wanted it to look as OEM as possible, just like the wood.

I finished up tonight with the upper rail of the bed behind the cab. I plan on framing it in with 1x1 and filling the fron with a sheet of 12ga.

I'm very happy with it so far

 

[andyspinstriping]

Cool truck! I love the F-100's!

 

[earthman]

Very nice metalwork.

 

[Dreasoner]

I got a little more done last night.

I finished up the front of the bed, framed it in with 1x1 tubing and sheeted it.

I mounted my new fenders.

I started the lower part of the bed sides extending them down to the bottom of the fender. I am going to build a roll pan so I trimed them off in the pattern I was looking for.

I am going to take a few ideas from another member, drewski, and build out the lower corners. I really like what he did to the back side of his bed. I haven't decided if I will french in the taillights or mount them off the side like original. I'll have to decide after the roll pan is done.

Any opinions? If I french them in I am thinking only 1 taillight per side not the 2 like drewski.

 

[Dreasoner]

Ive been busy but got a lot done. Some updated pictures...

Next step is to french in my 1950 Pontiac taillights and use a oldsmobile licence plate flip mount to finish off the roll pan. I want to put a hitch behind the licence.

Then the tailgate!

 

[Stacy]

Great work on the bed and steps.

 

[Dreasoner]

Good morning guys!

I got a little further on the bed build the last couple days.

I made a set of taillight buckets, and frenched them into the roll pan.

I pulled the licence plate mount off my Cutlass until I finde one for the truck and mounted it. I want to add a hitch behind the licence some day and the GM A bodies had the gas fill behinde the licence so they flip down.

I only have the tailgate left to make. I am a little stumped on the latch design so if anyone has suggestions please let me know. I have seen the seatbelt design and the hiden pins in the upper bar. I actully made the pins inside my upper rail and they work OK but my tailgate isnt going to go in far enough to have meat in the steel to drill. I just don't know what is best so far. I don't really like the pull i]pins stisking up when the gate is down and it looks like it will get crap in there and jam up.

Pictures...

 

[tattoodfreak]

Truck is looking great-that is very impressive metal work you got goin on

 

[Drewski]

Good morning guys!

I got a little further on the bed build the last couple days.

I made a set of taillight buckets, and frenched them into the roll pan.

I pulled the licence plate mount off my Cutlass until I finde one for the truck and mounted it. I want to add a hitch behind the licence some day and the GM A bodies had the gas fill behinde the licence so they flip down.


Pictures...

In my build thread I initially wasn't going to try to install a trailer hitch behind the license plate. I later changed the gas tank over to a 69 Mustang tank which gave me a little more room to mount a receiver for the hitch.

I spent a little time in the salvage yards looking to see what cars used a fold down license plate holder. Was I ever surprised to find that there are a bunch to consider. I opted for one that would fold down and stay down.

Drew

You're doing a great job on the bed. Thanks for posting your build. I am always drawn to custom builds of the 53 to 56 F100's.

Drew

 

[Dreasoner]

Nice Drewski. I didn't see that on your build.

 

[Dreasoner]

I managed to get my tailgate welded up and mounted. All I need is the ford lettering and the bars to look like OEM.

Its a lot heavier than I thought it would turn out but thats ok.

Tomorow I hope to finish up the latch. I decided to cut out pieces to go inside and use the chain hook like original but keep it all inside. I bought a length of stainless steel chain.

 

[Mr.Crown]

So very very nice. Love the tail lights...a lot.

 

[Dreasoner]

Thanks Mr. Clown! I'm happy with it so far. Getting a little burned out with it lately so I think it's time to paint the back half and drive it! That always helps me get motivated again.

 

[Dirtyrat]

The bed is looking really good! great work you had done there!

 

[gunter32nd]

Bed an steps look great!!!

 

[Dreasoner]

I think I am finally done welding for a while!

I finished up the tailgate with the brackets and chains. I also added some trailer strap eyes mounted flush to the bottom of the bed to strap things in. Like my chopper. I'll have to add some welds when I get the bed flipped, I have them just over the front crossmember so I can get a good solid mount. I think they will blend in and wont be as noticable once its bed lined.

I also had a sample color shot at the local NAPA. Its a Mack truck color that I had flattened. Might be a little hard to see in the pictures but looks great in the sun. I wanted something different than flat black.

 

[bob w]

Man oh man that is really nice.

Drewski, nice to see you're live and kickin'