Another kind of build

[Bonehead]

You guys are riding me pretty hard about a new build thread. Well here is a quick one. Not a rat rod, so it really doesn't fit in the build section.

My son will turn 16 in a couple of weeks. I took the last week off from work to work on the truck he will drive to high school with him. I figured life is too short to pass up the opportunity to get with my son and build a project together. So all the real work got backed up for a week. None of it was as important as this build anyway.


Almost two years ago I picked up this 79 Ford 4x4 stepside truck. I have told you guys about it a couple of times. It was kind of beat up, but has a 6cyl, and 4 speed with a granny low.
A great kid truck as I see it.

 

[earthman]

And you have your priorities in order BH. Another reason we both admire and appreciate you here.
( all kidding temporarily suspended)

 

[Bonehead]

Thanks E-man.

I grew up on Baja Race trucks. Just the era in the mid 70's I guess. And my son loves the 70's style. The truck is 30 years old, so we thought we would make a baja tribute truck. So we stripped it down and cleaned it up. (since I am a ratter at heart we rattle canned it) We built a roll bar, front and rear bumpers, put on a lift and tires. We replaced the wood floor in the bed with diamond plate, replaced the rear tail lights with LEDs. I know it doesn't sound like a weeks work.... but here it is a week later.

 

[Bonehead]

My son took 150 pictures of the build. He is pretty proud of it. We still have numbers to put on the side and some vintage stickers are on order. We hammered out the major dents and left the ones that didn't matter so much. A fun build.

 

[Gastrick]

A week? That's the same truck? Are you kidding me? Outstanding! Is the boy excited about it?

 

[Bonehead]

I never saw him so excited about going to work. Yep same truck. It is a little rougher than it looks in the picture, but it looks good from 20 feet away.

 

[22dodge]

Very Cool....

That is quite a change for one week, the truck looks awesome.
Your son should be very proud of the truck and the fact that you
built it together (I am sure he is.... ).
Well done, Bonehead. '22

 

[Bonehead]

Thanks 22.
Here is a mid week picture.

 

[Arkansawer]

Very very nice work bonehead. Im sure that your boy is proud 110%. Very nice.


One question, do you still have the grill guard, and if so would you want to sell it and ship it?

 

[Bonehead]

I'll check with the kid, it is in his scrap pile. I'll let you know.

 

[Arkansawer]

Please do, before you send it to scrap id like to get it.

 

[Barber]

Truck looks awesome... but looks like the Vultures are starting to circle.....

 

[rainman]

You better put some steps on the sides, especially the pass. side for all the young ladies that will be wanting a ride. Nice work.

 

[CR55]

Nice job BH. I'm glad you have the time to spend with the young guys. Did you say that's a rattle can job?.......CR

 

[Thunder1]

I wish I had a Dad as cool you Bonehead!! That's a great looking truck! Your son should be proud.

Thunder

 

[Willowbilly3]

What? You axed the lighted running boards and tape striping? Just kidding, the truck looks great. Myself I would run a front bumper but other than that I can't see a thing out of place. The 300 will do you awesome and you can really wake it up with just a bit of effort. I'm sure the one in my truck would out pull the 351 I removed. I have an Offy C and 390 Holley I got for $80, efi manifolds for $30, built my own high energy ignition for $27. Next is to find a good head for some porting work.
Did you put a dropped steering arm and track bar mount? It don't take much lift to make those trucks bump steer real bad.

 

[hotrod preacher]

man that was a quick build! i couldn't believe it was the same truck-thought it was photoshopped or something! it looks great, and you should know that a kid will never forget the time you spend wrenching together- i still remember the time me& dad put a 2 ton rear axle under a dodge pick-up and other projects as well.....25 yrs ago.....

thanks for the thread bonehead
HRP

 

[Bonehead]

Thanks guys, The pitman arm is coming. I did replace all the rubber with the correction poly c bushings. And I am thiking about dropping the rear of the radius arms as well.
The truck still has a ways to go. But we are inspired now for sure.

 

[Bonehead]

Still coming together.

 

[wrecker55]

Very good looking ride BH, would have given a precious body part to have something like that as my first ride. Your a awesome dad