1969 Ford F100 / 2002 Ford Lightning "Thunder's Truck"

[syborg tt]

Very cool


Marty-mj
www.garagescene.net www.syborgtwinturbo.com www.2ndcamaro.com

[V8TV]

The crew was pretty impressed how the wheel fit in the front wheel well, and it didn't look like very much fore-aft adjustment would be needed.

The cab is still not all the way down on the frame in this picture, so this is not ride height.



Bringing down the cab left this fitment:

[V8TV]

With the cab "in the ballpark", the crew was eager to test fit the '69 bed on the Lightning chassis. We knew the wheelbase of the Lightning was approximately 5 inches longer than the 1969 truck, so we anticipated a fitment issue there. The crew unbolted the '69 bed and carried it into the Lightning chassis.






Once they set the '69 bed on the Lightning chassis, it became obvious that some modifications would be needed to have it fitted properly. The Lightning frame kicks up approximately 3 to 4 inches, raising the bed far above its original orientation to the cab.

[V8TV]

We also noted that this the gap between the cab and the bed was approximately 5 inches, so the crew began to strategize on how to make this fit.






At this point, it was determined that perhaps the cab should be "locked down" into its final position before the crew made any changes to the frame to fit the bed. Little spacers were made to simulate cab mounts to pick up the backside of the cab, and the cab was located longitudinally on the Lightning frame.

[V8TV]

This truck will not be using the Lightning wheels when completed, but it will use wheels of the same size to utilize the stock Lightning tire dimensions. This way, we will be sure that the gear ratio will match that is designed for the lighting.



It turns out that the front cab amounts will be usable on the Lightning chassis, and the crew position and '69 cab over these. Holes will have to be drilled for the mounts, but if it should work.



The crew rolled the chassis truck outside to be able to step away and look at it.

[waynieZ]

It looks good Kevin. Will you shorten the frame where it levels out under the bed after that rise behind the cab?

[V8TV]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

It looks good Kevin. Will you shorten the frame where it levels out under the bed after that rise behind the cab?

We'll show you what the crew came up with to make the bed fit and align with the cab. We ended up moving the wheelbase and shortening the frame.