my truck project,Gaining speed

Decided today was the day. After lots of re-organizing of the shop, and some serious muscle work movin big parts around, my 81 frame now has the 89 cab and bed mounted. Tomorrow I think I'll get my fuel tanks and lines installed, and maybe the rear parts of the wiring harness. I'f I can have the interior all swapped over by the end of next weekend, Ima call it good.

On another note, Im takin tire recomendations. 33x12.5 R 16.5 on a 9 wide rim. Lookin for a good overall tire, along the lines of the bfg mudterrains, but maybe something a tad cheaper.

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Darrell Duggan
71 Mustang, 351c 4 speed, future SCCA Corner Carver
70 Torino GT Convertible, 429 C-6 hard core cruiser
02 Ranger 4cyl, gerbils can move cars!
81/94 F-250 4x4 work in progress
78 KZ1000 aka Deer Slayer



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Luv70sFords on 2/21/04 10:26am ]</font>

Also, thanks to Larry, for helpin get the big parts dropped on the frame with me [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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Tonights progress report.

Got most of the interior out of the parts truck, cept for the dash and steering column. Got the cab cut for the 3rd brake light/cargo light and was then able to run the wires and hook it up. Mannaged to get the headliner installed, although it is currently only held in place by the dome light and sunvisors. Also got the new weatherstripping on the doors.

Not much in the grand scheme of things, but cuttin the cab with a weak compressor took its fair share of time, and couldnt do the rest till the wiring was in place, so Im happy.

With any luck tomorrow I'll have the dash and column swapped over and maybe the rest of the interiorr trim.

Damn It feels good to be workin on my own stuff again[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Ok ran into a problem last night, not easily solved. I wont bore you with details, but long story short a direct swap of 94 parts to an 87 cab aint happenin.

I've got 2 options here, both about the same as far as cost and difficulty, so tell me which youd go with.

Option #1 is to find the correct cab and continue with my original plan of using the 94 as a basis for my truck, ending with a 351 EFI and od automatic.

Option #2 is to use the existing cab, drop my 460 outta my (now parked) F-350, round up a 4 speed and tcase for it, and end up with basically an 87 interior on an otherwise all 1981 F-250.

Both will involve many parts hunts, so now its a decision over driveability. Lotsa power versus driving comfort. This will be my truck, but the wife will probably drive it from time to time. She can drive stick, but she really needs practice with a V-8, last time she drove the F-350 she really put a hurtin on the tires [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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Aren't you going to run into emissions testing trouble with that 460 in an 81 body? I'd stick with the original plan of the 351 &amp; od and get the other cab. Better mileage, more comfortable highway cruising.
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NAh, no emissions trouble here. 460 was an available engine in 81, and all it would need that it doesnt have now is a smog pump and cats.
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Okay cool about the no emissions hassle. Do you need to pass a visual check? Are they smart enough to check casting dates on the head or block? I can't remember what year engine you've got in the 460, I remember the build from the Ford Truck list, but not the details.

You know I'd still run the 351, its injected right? Unless your wife is a bit of a gear head isn't she gonna prefer the easy starting and driveability of the 351? Gotta keep her happy...

Oh by the way, if this 460 is in fact the one out of Tweety, what happened to her?
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The wife is a bit of a gearhead [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] She loves ole Tweety, and even enjoyed driving the mustang, although the lack of powersteering had her gripin about parking.

As far as Tweety goes, shes still here, but shes in sad shape. Electrical problems still abound, as do several other little problems. The final blow was when I scattered the tranny. Decided then that I needed a newer truck, with less problems and a lot more comfort. and 4x4 is a huge bonus, hunting in co in the snow was real scary with only 2wd.
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Oh and as far as inspections go, they dont check casting #'s and such, just has to have the original smog equipment and pass the sniffer.
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Well its been decided. 460 4speed for the 4x4, this 351 efi is getting torn down and rebuilt as a 393 roller motor for the mustang. Lotsa parts for sale now, just ask!
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