1968 F100 6.0 ls build

[aidanfancystang]

wow, this is my new favorite project!

[hackster]

Been neglecting this project for a couple weeks.

I did manage to get all of the fuel system finished up as well as a majority of the wiring all wrapped up for the Fuel System, battery, and engine/alternator.

I had a friend machine down the factory coolant temp sender to 12mm so it will thread directly into the factory LS head. Still need to figure out a solution to the oil pressure sender. I have an adapter from 16mm to 1/4" pipe but the actual sender will not fit there so I think I need a 45° or a 30° fitting to make it clear the back of the manifold. Seems like I am putting a lot of work into making the factory gauges work.... I am trying to keep the interior as much 1960's as possible.

Met with a painter last night since I cannot seem to get motivated to put it all together like this. It needs paint of some kind on it.

Also I picked up some 17" FR500 wheels 9" Fronts and 10.5" rears.

275 on the front and 315's on the rear with plenty of room to go.







These will get it on the road but working with Jason from Rushforth on some Rated X 20"ers....

Sean

[hackster]

Well not too much to report in the last few weeks but I did manage to get a tranny dip stick that did not work. Cut the mount off it and re welded it and sent it out for powdercoat. Got it back on Sunday and got it bolted on. Looks great all stealthy in the back corner.

Picked up the driveline from Driveline services on Friday and got it installed last night.

Met with a painter on Saturday as well to discuss the truck. We hatched a game plan and a date so it was go time.

Pulled the front clip all back off last night for a few final fitment issues and for some clean up painting. Painted the underside of the fenders to match the bottom of the cab. Painted the lower part of the firewall and the cab where the inner fender covers to give it a finished appearance.

Got the turbo gasket installed, bolted down the turbo for good. Installed the Wastegate and the downpipe as well.

Here are a couple of shots of what I have got so far. He wants the front inner fenders and core support on the truck and bolted down so he can hang the fenders and install the hood, hood hinges and all that jazz, so I have some work to do still.









I would like to have a couple good shots of it like this before I get the front sheetmetal back on but our three days of good spring weather looks to be gone until July now.....its rain everyday for the next 10 days.

Sean

[WSSix]

Looking good, Sean. I like that you've got all the tubing and exhaust in black.

[hackster]

Originally Posted by WSSix

Looking good, Sean. I like that you've got all the tubing and exhaust in black.

Thanks Trey. I think it turned out nice. Trying to figure out what to do with the rest of the exhaust system now. Toying with the idea of doing it all with 4" stainless and tig welding the entire thing but kind of want to keep the black theme going under the truck as well so I am a little torn.

I will try and keep some updates coming in the next few weeks as the truck gets into the body and paint stage.

Sean

[BritishGreen68]

Truck is looking awesome! Funny story, Ive been following your build on here because I have 73 f100 short box ive always wanted to build, and my boss was telling me about this white ford truck he is bringing in to work on and I didnt think anything of it until he said it has an LS with a turbo lol.. I had no idea you were in Oregon, but ya I work for Aaron.

[hackster]

Originally Posted by BritishGreen68

Truck is looking awesome! Funny story, Ive been following your build on here because I have 73 f100 short box ive always wanted to build, and my boss was telling me about this white ford truck he is bringing in to work on and I didnt think anything of it until he said it has an LS with a turbo lol.. I had no idea you were in Oregon, but ya I work for Aaron.

You gotta ask yourself what are the chances of that happening but it happens more than you think.

That's awesome though. Super excited to drop this off to you guys and get started on the body and paint work. Aaron seems like a great guy so far.

You guys should have this on Sunday afternoon as long as I can get it back in one piece by then

Sean

[hackster]

Well the last week has been a total whirlwind of work. Had to change a clutch and fix some stuff on the daily driver so that got done Thursday night. Much better.

I managed last week to get the bed all pulled off, welded up all the extra holes in the bed floor, finish up the gas filler door in the bed, get the bottom of the bed all cleaned up and painted as well. Cleaned up the bottom side of the front fenders and got them painted as well. Also pulled all the wheels off and installed new brake pads all around.

Yesterday was a great day. Had some friends come over and give me a hand with a ton of stuff.

Built a little aluminum shield to keep the spark plug wires away from the steering column,
Hooked up all the grounds, both from the harness to the motor and the motor to the chassis
extended and terminated fuel level sender wiring from cab to rear mounted tank
rebuilt entire rear chassis harness and sleeved in loom, installed in truck
re routed rear most fuel lines through rear crossmemeber to clean up fuel lines
removed parking brake assembly from cab of truck
completely gutted doors of truck for paint work
installed and routed transmission wiring harness
removed front core support bushings
installed new core support bushings
installed inner fenders with all new stainless button head hardware
installed core support, radiator and upper radiator hose
installed brake fluid, fixed all leaks and bled the brakes

got a ton of stuff done, got the bed back on for transport and hauled it off to the painter late last night.

Did not have much time to shoot pics yesterday but here is what we got done....and don't worry that hot side housing will be getting taken care of, that was like two minutes of rain that did that.









Aaron said that he is looking at about a month for the body and paint work. Should work good since I have some traveling to do this month and need to figure out what to do with this new dodge I bought....

Sean

[hackster]

Truck made some good progress the first few days at Southbound Customs. Filler neck hole and antenna got welded up and filler installed, all the farm holes in the bed got welded up along with the side reflectors. Seam sealer all got pulled out from the cab drip rails and seams. There was a tiny bit of rust in the passenger door skin that Aaron is going to cut out and patch but other than that its very solid and rust free.

I stopped by last week and after they got all that stuff welded up the truck started to look pretty clean, leaving the stake pockets in place just looked so out of place so I decided to get those welded up.

Outside of the truck will have no trim, mouldings, or extra stuff, just a super clean stock looking truck. At least that is the plan.

I talked with him yesterday and they were sanding and blocking out the bed getting it ready for primer. Hood got all warped by the blaster fella so Aaron doesn't know if he is going to fix it or get a different hood for it.

Will have a little bit of a lul in the action as Aaron is heading out of town for a week to the Rockabilly show in Reno with some friends and family.

Either way, I am happy with what they are doing to the truck. Still should be on track to have the truck back and painted by end of April or Early May.

Door Handles, tailgate handle, rear bumper and bumper bolts all are out for powder coating too.

Getting a little bit antsy not having the truck around to work on though.

Maybe Chris can post up a few pics here if he has a few extra minutes =)

Sean

[BritishGreen68]

I got the door jambs painted before Aaron left