My first vehicle was a 1976 Ford F250 4wd. It was modified to a short bed and lifted about 8". I spent way too much money on it and a good portion of my late teens working on it. Some would say I've grown up, I'm now 34 with a family and the nostalgia hit hard when I saw an early F250 cruising around, looking bad-***.

I got this truck about 8 months ago with the intention to rebuild it from the ground up. Along the way, I purchased some parts trucks in order to save money on random parts I'll need. I have amassed an expensive pile of parts along the way to avoid the impact of buying it all at once.

I have replaced 99% of the bolts and pretty much every wearable part. My goal isn't to make something show-stopping, but to build a truck I can use for years, that will take some abuse and hold up well.

Here she is the day I got her, in all her beat up glory:

Found her in Klamath Falls for a good price. $400.


I had actually already got a few parts trucks in preparation of finding a 79

76 F250 2wd. Found in Reno for $100.

1979 F100 2wd. Found in Chico for $270. Great metal.

Found these in Lake County, both off 79's. Good metal on both. Got them with a couple seats, trailer hitch, rear window and some other misc for $500. Sold brown bed for $1,500.

This project has taken me all over. I met some great people and have enjoyed myself thoroughly. This wasn't the goal going into it, but it was a nice bonus.

I have done a majority of the work myself, with the exception of shortening the frame. I really wanted to use the flareside bed, so I figured it was worth cutting the frame down. I had a good friend help with this as he familiar with cutting welding, at least more than I am.


Z-Cut of course.

Back in place, measurements all spot on.

 

I've tried to take my time and make sure everything looks good. I have a few of each part, so I make sure I'm using the best version I have of everything.

I rebuilt the C6, that was a first for me. It was easier than I anticipated. I also rebuilt the NP205, which was cake after working on the C6.




I've basically learned to drink POR-15. I love this stuff more than I should. It seems to do exactly what it says and adheres well to most surfaces. The hard part is surface prep.

I worked on the frame when I could handle the cold. I removed everything and sandblasted it. Then, of course, POR-15'd it. I used the POR-15 Top Coat on it for sun exposure.


Body/Bed/Engine removed


One of the hiccups. Drilled out rivets and replaced.


Blasted.




After the frame was shortened and mostly reassembled running gear.


I am still working on the body. I picked the best I could, I did have to replace one floor pan, but the rest of the body was great.


Ready to strip and undercoat


Nasty floor, but I've seen worse.



Undercoated



Floor replaced. This was a 2wd C6 so I had to cut the hump and drill the holes as well. Also notched the underside support to clear the transfer case, as prescribed by another guy with similar project.


Sound deadener and insulation. I used the cheap roof patch. Wanted it in early to get rid of the smell before I'm done. Took 3.5 rolls @ $16/roll from Lowe's.

 

Got the 38 gallon fuel tank from Spectra, via Rockauto. Comes with all the fixin's to convert the truck from a rear 19 gallon. Extending the sender was the hardest part, but not super challenging.


Yup, POR-15.

Had the 400 machined and got it back bare. Reassembly was one of the easiest things on this project so far. Went together fast/easy. (and hopefully correct)




Ford Dark Blue



Let's not talk about the one re-used bolt.

My first exterior patch panel was started yesterday and it's not finished yet. So far, it seems like I haven't screwed anything up on it.



Patch is a little better...


Had to work the bends on the inside with a 12mm socket as a template.


Radiator support and another 79 F250 4wd parts truck this week.




Probably didn't need this, but it was cheap. $360. I plan on using it to reference some of the smaller stuff as I reassemble project.

 

I'm not particularly close to being done, but I'm slowly making progress. Winter is coming, so it may slow down a bit.

Forgot to mention, the truck got a 6" lift, using ProComp 4" lift Super Duty front springs and ProComp 6" lift model correct rear springs. I pieced together the lift and saved serious $$. Got all the springs for around $550 and the pitman/drop drag for about $200. Got it all on Jet and Amazon.

I've got part numbers for everything.

 

Nice job! You can do the second one in the same color scheme and leave it stock.

 

Good idea! Still not sure what color this will be, but I will have enough for another truck with all the parts. Next will be 460 stroker or Cummins though...and maybe in this lifetime.

 

Looks like you're making pretty quick work of it so far. I can't believe the prices that you are snagging those parts trucks for. They're selling them to you cheaper than scrap metal prices would fetch out here, amazing. In fact each one of those is nice enough that they could be sold as rollers in Pittsburgh for way more than you're paying.

Where exactly are you located? The terrain looks like parts of Nevada I've been to.

 

OP's "About Me" profile: CA

 

Good call. I live in a small city near Susanville, CA...still in CA. Only about 1.5 hours from Reno. High Desert...pretty much more Nevada than California.

I wish it felt like I was making quick work of it. Feels slow as hell for me! Money isn't holding me back, it's the time.

There are expensive trucks around me, but if you wait long enough, they pop up cheap. They are ALL OVER NorCal, no where near rare. Most have little/no rust, too.

 

nice build and nice truck you are most certainly making more progress than i have

i vote for either a dark green or a dark blue on the paint

 

Funny, I came here expecting to get flamed about how long it's taking me...

Dark blue is definitely an option. I think I'll just let me wife pick. That's always a good default.

 

Great work! Glad you made a build thread. Much easier to keep tabs on your progress now

I wish I would have taken the time to fully rebuild and paint my transmission and transfer case. Definitely envious of your frame and clean clean parts. Nothing is more frustrating than hammering away on something and having crud fall into your eyes!

 

I will have to get some pics of the C6, it's pretty as hell. I almost didn't paint it, but then realized it would be the intersection of my xfer case and engine, which are both pretty. Kinda had to.

 

One of those "may as well" moments. I've had a few too many of those lately LOL

 

I'm going through this now with a D60 front.