60 project. Moving slow, but getting there. Have a 5.0 motor with a 5 speed tranny for it. Shortened explorer rear with 18" wheels and tire's. Planning on a gloss black roof and satin blue body. Dave https://www.supermotors.net/24189
Awesome sheet metal and suspension work! It's exciting to see that kind of quality work on a round body - it makes me think what might be possible with my '62. Suspension work on front and frame mods for suspension on rear look first class. I see that you cut out the sheet metal that surrounds the shock towers in the engine compartment. It's impressive how much larger that makes the engine compartment. It also looks like you extended the bed down just behind the cab. I've always felt that volume was wasted on a stock round body. Bob the Builder
Very nice work! You have room for two motor's now. Looks like you are well on your way. Have fun with it ' the time you spend will be well spent.
A 5.0 motor with a 5 speed in a smaller ranchero like that? You are gonna be flying off the pavement! Keep us informed on your progress
Very nice I envy you the courrage to go for a big job like that, and it looks great, keep us opdated.
Thanks everyone for the comments. Yes, we moved the springs to the inside of the frame and widened the wells as much as we could without cutting existing frame.
How did you gain access? I have posted before on this subject, and not received any answers. Fasteners are welded from age. Not accessible with heat or penatrating oil from below due to Falcon pans underneath. Grind off the heads?
access area Sir, not sure exactly what you mean. When I bought this years ago, someone had replaced the floor pans. I'm assuming this storage area is hard to keep sealed and still have access from above. This is why it had the most rust issues. I thought if I accessed from inside, I could weld and seam seal the top to make it water tight. thanks , Dave
Looks good Dave. I thought about building a section like you did for storage access, just didnt' feel like messing around with all of that metal work. Looks like your doing a great job with it, makes me wish I would have gone that route myself. I will be doing some dash work similar to yours myself but don't plan on filling all of the holes only a few I won't use.
Thanks Don, been watching your build too. Nice work! We're basically doing the same build with minor differences. I asked about your front suspension, but you never replied.
Sorry I missed that post. I installed the Heidts front suspension on mine. I think most are very similar. My install was pretty easy, how'd yours go?
Yes Don, they're similar. I thought TCI went together nice. Everything fit perfect. All the frame reinforcments worked nice too. Was very happy with the kit. I also went with the Explorer rear end, shortening the long side to match the short. It also has disc brakes. dave
My problem is that truck is so original, that no one has tried to remove the front bed pan before me, so 50+ years original. The first bolt I tried (using #4 phillips on a 3/8 ratchet) broke the captive nut loose and now just spins in the hole. The Falcon pan underneath prevents you from getting any heat or penetrating oil on the captive nuts, so question again is how did you remove front bed pan? Or was this problem already solved before you owned the truck? All I want to do is change the rear shocks.
