1966 F100 Build-PROJECT DISRUPTIVE

I spent the day with paint remover and a DA sander cleaning the bed. One passender side was nearly perfect but the driver side had a gallon of bondo in it. The bed seems straight except for the wheel opening. They do not make a patch panel for this bed but I read that a Bronco patch panel can be used.   Above is the passenger side Driver rear wheel opening Crease in bed pulled out with dent puller from PO Dent in front Close up When I used the paint remover I walked away and saw these numbers Notice how bad the cross brace was? Cut out the spot welds from the support Cut out a rear cross member from a donor truck and acquired some extra sheet metal for the bed wheel well and a nice fender Cross member  from donor 64 f100 Wheel tub tops when I tub the rear 3 1/2 on each side allowing for big meats down the road. This shows how bowed the cross brace was. Cutting out the supports Separated the welds ...

The Jag IFS was purchased locally on CL from a guy who just does Jags. After I got into the swap and painting parts I noticed the axles were blue and worn. The bearing has spun on the axle creating heat and a nice groove in each. I contacted the guy on CL for some insight on where to purchase new ones. He said that he stands behind what he sells and to come pick up another set of axles! You can not beat that for service. Here are the old axles

The poor rear springs were in bad shape. The plastic button glides were wore out if not gone. The previous owner removed a leaf or two (not sure) on the bottom. I sand blasted  the springs, etched primed and painted. I went to a company in PA that does springs and suspension parts for the plastic buttons and rubber insulators etc  for the springs. They were real helpful. Call Laura at ESPO Springs and Things 1-800-903-9019  for the buttons, glides, poly bushings or even new springs. They have suspension parts too.  Spent about 2 hours with an air hammer taking out the old busings from the springs and hangers. See new Poly Bushings!

If you are following this build we are putting the 1970 Camaro Built 350 in the 1966 F100 Truck. I got a donor bell housing to help with the positioning and made the motor mounts. I brought home a piece of scrap metal from the scrap bin at work. It was a  cross member from a light duty truck. I purchased early chevy motor mounts for $6.00 each and cut the cross member in pieces to make a motor mount. I then added 1/8 steel as a secondary brace. The brackets turned out well for almost free.  The rear cross member that goes between the cab mounts will need to be taken out or modified. The Yellow marks show the area to be cut. The bottom cross member lip will stay. We are still up in the air on leaving this in or not.