1978 F250 build

[Plzstrokeme]

That's an interesting color combo. I think it's gonna be titties. :rockon: I love this thread.

 

[gwunter]

I too love those colors. Is that a factory color combo?? I like how your keeping the two tone vintage look.

 

[Dzlnut]

Any update?? Awesome project

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[markfuga]

Just kinda stopped huh I had a bit of a personnel problem in the body/paint dept and had to make some changes. My "new guy" is making corrections to the cab so I should have better (close up) pictures soon. This was an unfortunate set back, but I need the right people on the team. I'm hoping to have the cab back on the frame during Thanksgiving weekend which will let me start putting everything back together and get it running. I'm also using this "down time" to swap out the turbo. I put a D66 on it but decided to order the KC-TP38R and give it a try with the stage 1 injectors. The Turbo should be here soon and it will be way easier to change it before setting the cab.

 

[markfuga]

Still going at it. There was a lot more correcting needed to the body work than I realized. Glad I made the changes before getting too much further with paint. The cab is back on the frame as of today so I can start putting everything together and get back to a "running truck". The clear coat is currently sanded to 2000 and will get final polish after the major re-assembly is done.

 

[markfuga]

Here's where the remaining body parts are at. All the body work is done and almost ready for paint. Check out the mirror finish on the door; and that's primer, not paint! The "new guy" is good.

 

[79jasper]

Nice.
Is the "new guy" yourself?

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[markfuga]

Thanks. No. I can do all the design, engineering and mechanics but I can't smooth body panels or spray paint.

 

[79jasper]

It's a art, that's for sure.

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[markfuga]

Took advantage of the couple warm days we had this week and got more pieces painted. Only the hood and tailgate need paint now. Cold front is moving through starting tonight but we might get a couple more warm days next week to get the hood and tailgate done in.

 

[mandkole]

this is great... I totally get that body work thing. I just don't have enough patience and my youth injured elbow would not tolerate the paint on paint off sanding. :thumbsup:

 

[Dzchey21]

Looks good.

I like what you did with the front of the frame to make the bumper fit. I am going to have to convert to a newer style axle and then do that same chop off the front of the frame. The width of a superduty frame isn't the same so ill have to deal with that as well.

 

[300000 and counting]

Will the interior have the 1978 Dash? or the 1996

 

[markfuga]

The 78 dash will go back in. I'm going to try to "adapt" the 96 gauges to the 78 cluster to keep the retro look. I made an effort a while back but didn't get too far before other priorities took over. The goal is to keep the truck's classic look both inside and out.

 

[gwunter]

So glad your keeping as much oem on the inside as possible!!

 

[mandkole]

The dash adoption will undoubtedly be a challenge but so cool once it turns out

 

[superpsd]

Keep up the great work. Looking good. Great choice keeping the oem dash.

 

[markfuga]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Still moving along. Bed sanded to 2500 grit and ready for polishing.

 

[markfuga]

Making an effort this month to get back on this project. It's become very tight under the hood at this point but looking good. In the spirit of documenting specifically what I've done to merge the three trucks together here's some of the recent activity:

Steering column connected to the 05 steering box by using a 36 spline x 3/4 U-joint (Borgeson 113449) to a 3/4 double D rod (16 inches) to a 3/4 x 36 spline rag joint (Borgeson 053449) to the 05 steering box.

Extended the radiator fan shroud 2.75 inches to enclose the fan.

Connected the 96 power steering pump to the 05 hydroboost by using a 96 F-Superduty hose. I'm using the 05 steering box so the hose between the hydroboost and box is the standard 05 hose. I'm using a generic aftermarket power steering cooler mounted on the radiator support.

Used the complete 96 under hood wire harness and had to:
-Extend the wires for all the lighting on the drivers side of the truck
-Replace the side marker light sockets with the 78 marker light sockets
-The 96 has one extra side marker light, cut it out and tossed in trash
-Replaced the 96 headlight sockets with the 78 headlight sockets (all wire colors and stripes are the same for both years)
-The 96 turn signal sockets fit the 78 turn signal housings so no changes needed
-Used the 96 battery ground cables
-Made battery positive cables with military style battery terminals, copper lugs, 2/0 and 3/0 battery cable

 

[bluedge8]

Nice!