1972 F100 rust pile

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Are tail pipes out the side , behind the tires possible?   Something that has been done for like 67 years?  Just thinking out loud.

Gas tank clearance is a bit close too.  :mrgreen:

As I understand:  the tire clearance problem was on the inside with the bed rib?  The wheel tub?  Not a brace for the floor of the bed?

[kb426]

You are correct, Tony. The rib is about 1" above where the floor meets the wheel tub on the inside of the tub. If I had a set of 2001 bullitt wheels, they would fit. The silver mustang wheels have the same backset. They clear adequately. There is 5/8" difference in backset form the 2005 versus the 2001.

[kb426]

Spent most of the day aligning parts. The cab wasn't parallel with the bed. I took care of that and worked on the front sheet metal some. It's not great but better than it was. The bed is back off and ready for dry weather.

[idrivejunk]

You go ahead and nit pick it to your heart's content, KB... but what I see looks cool. Bullitts make everything. Mine must be the older style.

[chimp koose]

When you are done lining up your doors you could take a stab at mine on the T , I still walk by the car and look away :oops:

[kb426]

Besides watching Indy, I decided that I needed to raise the rear a little. I removed a lower mount and cut off as much as I thought I could and still get the bolt in. After doing that, I discovered that there isn't enough clearance to get the bolt in the lower coil over mount. I'm going to machine a pin, lock it in by some method, then assemble the lower mount and install in the lower a arm. Another simple task that will turn into way longer than expected.

[kb426]

I finished cutting the other lower mount off and raising it. I used the mill to cut both sides to the same height. I made pins to go in the lower mount. I'm sure I may regret this but I welded the pins in. That was the way that made me most comfortable with this deal. This allowed the lower shock mount to be .750" higher. Because of the leverage of the lower a arm, this is multiplied some. The rear wheel well is 1.75" higher now. I believe with the correct tires on and a full tank of fuel that it will have a slight rake. I'm ready to move on.

[kb426]

I spent 3 hours shimming the bed after installing the wheel spacers that allow the bullitt wheels to clear and have a tread width close to the front. The bed has a twist in it. I can't or haven't found how to take it out yet. I decided that the side body lines were more important so that's what I worked on. These pics are with the 4 outer corners shimmed. There is lots of work left. Only 1 of the other 4 bolt pads touch the frame. I will spend a day thinking about this to see if I missed something. Again.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Progress is progress...   :T)

[kb426]

I wasn't happy with the wheel spacers. I made spacers to pilot the adapter and the wheel. I went for a short drive. 1st time with the bed on.

[WZ JUNK]

That was a fun ride video.  Sounds good and seems like it must have plenty of pep.  

John

[kb426]

I didn't exceed the speed limit.

[idrivejunk]

Sounds suspiciously much like many car chase videos.  

Cool truck, man.

[kb426]

Afternoon break at O&S. I was working on removing the tail lights and the trim at the rear. I looked down at the right angle and saw the rust termites were very busy over the last 8 months. I was unaware that the bondo on the tailgate was filling rust holes. The right side one was large enough that it allowed access to the dent next to it. That dent had a crease that was going to be difficult for me to repair. The cutout allowed a piece of 2" square tubing to become a dolly and make quick work of the crease. There's at least 2 other spots that will require some repair. Where the panel braces were spot welded to the floor has rusted and I see a spot at the base of a brace in the tailgate opening. I'm not surprised but I thought I was finished with rust repair. I will blast a lot of the bed so there's room for more surprises.

[kb426]

End of day at O&S. The hole for the fuel filler has been cut. I changed the angle on one of the filler necks that I pirated from the 88 chassis that's sitting in the yard. I would have liked to make it 90* but the small internal hose didn't want to bend that much. It's old and stiff but I had to make sure it would be away from the weld area. If this doesn't work, I have some other options but none would have the small internal hose in them. It would be like the old days, when it was full, fuel puked out.