bcook07's Unibody Build

[bcook07]

Here are a few pics of the first stages of my unibody build.

[bcook07]

[HiBoy63]

To bad you didnt live closer to Washington state. You could probably pick this uni cab and box up from pull and save for a song and dance. It looks like the twin to yours. It even has the blue hood.


Floors and steps in the cab are solid I didnt check the bed but I think it would be solid if the cab floors are any kind of indication. I kind of wish I would of found this truck before it ended up here. Good luck with all your metal work looks like you have a couple hours worth ahead of you.

[Harper]

thanks for sharing, I very much enjoy seeing pictures...we all love lots and lots of pictures...

[pcola60]

Hi, I'm a new guy so I'm not sure how to do this. Question ; What is the front sussension you are using ? I'm doing a 61 Uni also but have installed Corvette sussension under front and rear. I'll try to figuer out how to post photos.

[bcook07]

the front suspension is out of a 05 crown vic but 03-up works. Right now it is a budget build so it is going to get the springs cut down however eventually it will probably get bagged.

I only get to work on it on the weekends but I pretty much spend all day sat and sun on it. I am trying to bust ass and get it going for the show me f100 show i go to every year in Branson in July.

I think it is a reasonable goal if i can find a parts car for a drive train. Maybe I am too picky. I cant find a decent priced or wrecked mark viii so I am looking at crown vics and just doing a 2v 4.6L. I want it 96 and newer so i can run OBDII. That way I can flash tune the pcm to delete the egr and tune it for more power. If i can find a vic I might swap on an intake from a 2v truck because they are longer runner intakes and should make more torque.

[Harper]

i like the way you think! I wanted a 302 EFI since I know the setup so well from a mustang, but I believe it may also be easier to go 2v 4.6 because of ease of finding parts etc... also the AOD's were not that dependible IMHO....so I am now thinking I could do a whole donor later model mustang or truck or whatever with the engine, trans, computer etc...to get the over drive etc....
there is a web site that offers wiring harness's i belive its RJM , I will find it and post the info under truck talk...I already have a EFI harness from them for converting a 70 bronco to EFI 302 and will more than likely use this on either my truck or my sons....later on...

[bcook07]

Got to finish up my driver side step and get the passenger side tacked in







I also got the patch work on the bottom of the passenger door done. Just have to do the body work on it. Hopefully saturday i will be able to finish that and the bondo work on the steps and get the interior in primer.

[noley99]

Nice work!

[Harper]

awesome...

[Leeroy]

Looks good! Love seeing fresh metal returned to where it belongs!

What's the plan for the bed floor?

[Robert]

looking good bcook

[HiBoy63]

Definately had some rot going on those cab steps. Nice fix.

[bcook07]

Looks good! Love seeing fresh metal returned to where it belongs!

What's the plan for the bed floor?

Not 100% sure yet. I might get the patch panels that npd sells. or i might mount the fuel tank to the back of the cab and box it in with sheet metal.

I didnt get pictures this weekend, but i did get the dash, steps, and door/window jams in primer. With easter on sunday I didnt get to work on it.

[bcook07]

Got the filler in the steps, the back of the cab patched, and a second coat of primer on this weekend.

[bcook07]

after taking ASE testing for 2 weekend and a swap meet I finally got a few hours to work on the unit. I got the doors hung and aligned and all the holes drilled for alignment after paint. Now i get to tear it all back apart to paint the jambs and interior.

On a side note I am still searching for a decent donor vehicle.

[bcook07]

Well things have been slow working on it recently but last night I picked up a 2000 crown vic with 50K on it for $900. It was a state police test car. runs and drives. I also picked up a bunch of steering shaft parts from an 03 vic Saturday from the junk yard.

[bcook07]

My donor car


I spent today taking the engine and trans out of the crown vic and sitting it down in the truck. My plan is to use absolutely everything I can out of the vic. Once I have it stripped a local guy is gonna buy the shell for a derby car. I am defiantly intrigued by the rear end in the vic. Apparently the changed the setup on the crown vics in 1998 and went to a true 4 link with a watts link instead of the triangulated setup in the older cars. Now I have to decide if I want to set my truck up with the 4 link or run the stock leafs.

I know if I bag it I really need the 4 link. however, I am trying to fight the urge to bag it. I really just want a really good riding low sitting truck without worrying about all the extras involved with the bags.

Here is a couple shots of the 2v sitting in the frame.

[slickmainer]

good fit!

[bcook07]

just a quick update.

I got the engine and trans painted and sitting back on the frame. I painted the frame rails. I installed the gas pedal and have the new steering column clamped in. Next weekend i am going to build the column drop, and the brace for the column on the floor and connect the steering shaft. I should also have the brake pedal and booster fitted by then.

I did quick wire the ecm relay and got the engine turning over and it hitting on carb cleaner. Once i mount the fuel tank and plumb the lines it should be no problem getting it running.

I also took off the crown vic exhaust manifolds and switched them with mustang manifolds so i could use a bbk offroad x pipe i had sitting in my shop that i took off my bullitt mustang. This will make the exhaust easy. It already has the 02 bungs and everything and i just have to weld on some extension pipes and mufflers.