Long Bed 1980 F-100 Lives The Low Life
This F-100 was passed down from grandfather to granddaughter before going under the knife.
Golden Opportunity
Like most of us, Kimberly Miller became a fan of Ford trucks because a family member - this time her grandfather - owned one that she got to ride around in frequently. When the time came for Miller to purchase her own vehicle, her grandfather decided to pass down his own 1980 F-100, but while taking one final ride in it, he got into a wreck. However, that only motivated the younger Miller to give it a total makeover, as she recently explained to Street Trucks Magazine.
Photos: Street Trucks Magazine
Team Effort
Miller teamed up with My World Fabrication in Terrell, Texas back in 2016, where the truck received a custom chassis with a Mustang II front suspension and an Explorer-derived 8.8-inch rear end. Next, Brent Kelly went to work rebuilding the truck's powerplant, replacing the brake lines, and adding tubs before Soulless Innovations gave it new brakes, a fuel cell, and electric fans.
Photos: Street Trucks Magazine
>>Join the conversation about this F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Original But Different
After this, Miller drove and enjoyed the truck for a couple of years before meeting the folks at Finer Paint & Bodyworks, who suggested taking the F-100 down to its bare frame again and giving it a fresh paint job with airbrushed "chrome" trim. Miller wanted to keep the truck's original style but also give it the ability to drop to the ground when desired, which led to the installation of air bags.
Photos: Street Trucks Magazine
>>Join the conversation about this F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Custom Touches
That same theme carried over the interior, which was repainted and restitched with distressed brown leather. The kick panels were airbrushed to make them look like they still contain speakers, while just a few modern touches like the new billet steering wheel were added to complement the original look.
Photos: Street Trucks Magazine
>>Join the conversation about this F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Unique Decisions
Miller went with a set of American Racing Daytona wheels on the outside, which now sit tucked way up inside the fender wells when the truck is on the ground. However, she also chose to leave the long bed intact, rather than complete a short bed conversion as many do. Overall, the look is certainly unique, which is precisely what Miller was going for.
Photos: Street Trucks Magazine
>>Join the conversation about this F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Family Heirloom
Ultimately, Miller transformed her grandfather's old F-100 into her own personal dream ride. And while the slammed pickup is bound to attract some haters, she's quite satisfied with the results, which have earned her a number of show trophies since the build was completed. Perhaps more importantly, the F-100 has her grandfather's blessing as yet another family heirloom that lives to see another day.
Photos: Street Trucks Magazine
>>Join the conversation about this F-100 right here in Ford-trucks.com.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.