I have a 1965 F-100 LWB that I am just beginning to work on. I took over the truck from my brother, who needed it vacated from his property before his daughter's wedding two years ago. He parked it about 10 years prior to that, so it has not been on the road since. I was looking for a smaller project, having just completed the restoration of a 1964 Ford C-1000 fire truck that my father designed in the mid sixties when he was a fire chief.
They (whoever they are) say to start small on your first restoration project. I didn't listen to them, I started on a big truck with a fully compartmented body, a pump, a water tank, plumbing and a very complex electrical system. Fortunately I have been in the fire apparatus and equipment business for many years, so it was much easier for me to pull off a project like this than it would be for an outsider. Having completed that, I felt tearing apart a pickup would be easy. I may have spoken too soon.
The F-100 is a bit unique in that it is equipped with the "Ranger" interior package, however the body code is E-81, which according to some is the wrong code for a true Ranger. The truck was ordered from the factory with the bucket seats, center console, gas tank cover and carpeting; everything that made up the Ranger package. I guess I will just have to believe what I want.....
What started out as a brake job, led to pulling the front suspension for a rebuild. After that I began pulling other parts off, and now I have the front clip off and headed for a frame off restoration. There's no turning back now.
My goal is to have a very clean driver, nothing too fancy, just something nice I can take to car shows. My plan at this time is to lower the truck (I am debating between the drop beams and an IFS), nice tires and wheels, paint it Wimbleton white with the red Ranger interior. I already have a red/white vehicle, I don't need two. It has a 360 right now, but will likely turn it into a 390 or 428 with a C-6 behind it. I will probably install some creature comforts like power steering, power disc brakes and A/C.
I don't like to see vehicles that are nice on the outside but rusty and tired underneath, so the cab is coming off and everything will be blasted and repainted. When I first started looking under the truck, I was discouraged by the amount of rust, but after seeing the rotten cabs and beds that some people have to deal with, I am now considering myself very fortunate, as for the most part all I have is surface rust. Like every other Slick, the front clip and core support were a nightmare to get apart. I almost gave up when all the bolts started spinning in place, but I have overcome the challenge.
I have learned alot over the past couple days from reading your posts and looking at the pictures, so I am looking forward to connecting with other "Slick" owners.
This is where I started
And here is my restored fire truck. This picture was taken in front of the fire station where it was originally in service.
Yours looks exactly how mine did before I started. Should be a fun build. Been through Longview a few times, will have to check it out one day
