Classic truck guys, what would you do?

[turbomacncheese]

I made some pretty good milestones on my 818, and I can't say that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm starting to think about next projects.

Wife wants a hallmark-esque truck to drive arouns, probably gonna make me put a tree in the back, too. She isn't particular about make/model, but wants the rounded fenders, rounded nose, and stepsides.

Most of what I've found over the last few weeks has been pretty pricey, and frankly deserve to be restored.

I'd like to build something with slightly more modern bits and pieces that can be driven around and do some work like, you know, haul back a pile of steel or three for the projects that follow. The opposite of a show truck.

I found one sale that was a clapped out body on rails, and if it comes down to it I'll wait for something like that and not feel TOO bad about not restoring it "the right way".

The project is quite some ways off, but I'd spend several months planning it anyway, then change the plan when i got started. No harm in having a few revisions in between now and then.

I guess I suspect that I just don't know where to look or how to think about this, but I was expecting to find a thriving community like the vw or fiero guys had. What I mostly found was dudes putting legit 36 ford bodies(and others) onto rangers and s10s. One company AC Autos has some fiberglass parts that look pretty neat. Is that really the best way to get to the end?

I figure with all the great brains and experience in here, SOMEBODY can point me to a path that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

[turbomacncheese]

Acautos has a rolling chassis and fiberglass body. It ain't cheap but it looks great. Maybe I can get a donor truck with the right wheelbase and take the running gear and electronics. I have so much to figure out and learn...

[Salty Chief 35]

There are several options available. You could do older f100 with a crown Vic with complete chassis or fit suspension to stock f100 frame. Ac autos you have already listed with their frame. Scott’s customs has ford and Willys trucks that can order their frames or use s10 frame (the ford trucks might need frame from Pete and jakes). Or you could do factory fives truck and frame.
Respectfully
Jeremie

[jemo]

I've built a few 53-56 F-100s and Salty Chief is right on point. I'll tell you a cheap way to build a 53-56 that will ride, stop, and handle exceptionally. Buy a front end from an 03-11 Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, or Town Car. They go for about $300. If you have to replace a control arm or tie rod, they're very cheap, especially on Rock Auto. For the rear, get an IRS out of a 2015+ Mustang. They go for $500 ish, sometimes cheaper if you get lucky. The front end is pretty easy to install, it just holds on with 4 bolts so drill 4 holes in the right place and it's pretty much done. The rear is a little more effort but there are lots of videos online. Even tho this is on a Chevy, I like how he did his install: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQCTfAhQxcQ

If you want to do it sorta cheaply, find one with a decent paint job, decent interior, and do the suspension mods above. All the trucks I've built I did from a shell, very rough condition. They turned out great but it's not cheap. I usually spend around 40k to get them looking very nice. I hope this helps.

[Wizbangdoodle]

Nothing wrong with looking for the next project while still on your current project. I'm not even at go-kart stage with my roadster and I have a '67 F-250 waiting to get a QA1 front suspension installed. Engine is being built as we speak. I'm hoping to do the truck while the car is away for paint.

[jemo]

Nothing wrong with looking for the next project while still on your current project. I'm not even at go-kart stage with my roadster and I have a '67 F-250 waiting to get a QA1 front suspension installed. Engine is being built as we speak. I'm hoping to do the truck while the car is away for paint.

Are you familiar with this page: https://andrewstuningandperformance.com/

[Wizbangdoodle]

Thanks for the link. I thought about a Crown Vic conversion, but ultimately settled on the QA1 for a variety of reasons. I'm looking forward to getting started with it.