1953 F250 Powerstroke RatRod

Skill_Kills

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So, I got a killer deal on this truck for $300 and decided it deserved a 7.3 with way too much power. It deserves a build thread so here it is.

Starting off in the weeds behind my buddies shop is the first picture i took, He was looking for glass for his '46 and brought this home instead since it had good glass and the frame was dang near perfect too. he didnt want another project so i picked it up for $300 =)
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Hauling it home
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Bare frame and axles i was going to use from a '90 F350
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After sitting bare frame for a little while i found a deal on a wrecked early 99 2wd 6spd. Yanked the motor out of that and we found that the frame height would be ideal to just use the front section on top of the 53 frame.
Some old timer said i couldnt take a 7.3 out without lifting the cab.... I showed him =)
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Heres the start to lining the two up
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First time with the motor in and the cab on
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Putting the 10.5 in. It lined up with a couple existing holes which made that easy compared to the front
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At this point the fun parts started to show up since it was around black friday/christmas time. Here's the S486 compared to stock =)
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Parts from Ballistic Fab for front radius arms. NOTE TO ANYONE READING!!! DONT BUY FROM THEM. IT TOOK 2 MONTHS FOR THOSE PARTS! I learned my lesson twice.
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Back to boxing and bracing (you can see the brackets on the Ibeam too)
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Radius arms done. I'm kinda proud of these things. mostly because of how much of a pain they were to get lol
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Everything boxed and braced to the back of the cab (kegs in the background are going to be the fuel tanks)
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Back in with the motor and cab back on to work on the floor and firewall
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Comp 910s, ARP studs, pushrods, and other goodies installed to work on clearances
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Important donor section from the 99 cut out
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Cab mounts placed from the 99
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Start of a new floor and trans tunnel. Tunnel is made from piping from our feed mill
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seperate 8" piping just for around the exhaust
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Pedal placements
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Had to cut the mesh out just to get enough clearance
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Heres the firewall complete from underneath. Pretty proud of this too.
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Mounted a seat from an '85 f150 i have out back and steering wheel positioned as well
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Traction bars made and driveshaft shortened up to fit
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Frame was all boxed in and motor went on for the last time after the chassis saver dried. Putting in the sexy new Southbend clutch
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Finished up some stuff on the motor before the cab started to get in the way again. Fuel lines all ran back to the pump as well
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Cab on for the last time!!!
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It looks big in there about now
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Full Force 250/200s going in to finish the installation of new parts
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Brakes and steering all done.
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Everything still fits back on the front. Tires will need to get swapped for something smaller
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Radiator is a little tall too, but it looks like powerstroke vans came with slightly shorter rads in them
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Thats how she sits currently! I've kept every part of it Ford so far. Trying to keep it that way too
 
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Awesome build! Can't wait to see it done! I love these old trucks! I have a 56 ford pickup with a 428 in it. I always wanted to put a 7.3 in it. Just can't bring myself to cut up the truck to do it.
 

Daddyusmaximus

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This is a bad ass build, but curious... Why not just put the old cab and bed on a newer frame?
 

Skill_Kills

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This is a bad ass build, but curious... Why not just put the old cab and bed on a newer frame?
The frame from the 99 was bent up pretty bad. it was a yellow truck and it definitely looked like a banana lol

Thanks everyone, its a big project but every time i walk in the shop i get a huge grin so its definitely worth every busted knuckle and welding burn
 

jngreen

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When I saw your first firewall, floorboard, and pedal position picture I was questioning the whole build. But after I saw how you finished it, I can tell that you know how to build what you are picturing in your mind. It should be a fun rat rod when you are done with it. Nice job so far.
 

Skill_Kills

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NICE! I want a 51-52 with a flathead for my next project. A 7.3 should fit perfectly in that 51. If you dont want to update the steering and all that like I did, custom motor and trans mounts would probably be the quickest and easiest for you
 

Skill_Kills

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Thanks everyone! I had work and thanksgiving this weekend with the family so i didnt get much done but I did set my sun visor on it! Still waiting on the radiator but while its on its way I'll put the running boards on and get the stacks all mounted up

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