- Joined
- June 3, 2003
- Messages
- 3,296
- Reaction score
- 47
- City, State
- Austin, TX
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- OBD-1 Kenobi
Well, I suppose it’s about time I lived up to my user name and actually build a nice 59 Ford f100 pickup truck. The story begins back in February of 2000. I was a young lad, 13 years old, not a care in the world, and I stumble upon a bright red Custom Cab F100 Styleside truck sitting behind the horse barn. No motor, no tranny, but complete and cool looking. It was because of this truck I pledged my allegiance to Ford in the first place. Anywho, long story short, 2 years into the project of a full frame off restoration, I turn 16, puberty hits, and I start driving this little 92 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer named Blue Bandit....Needless to say, we all might could guess which direction I went in vehicle wise.
Well here it is, over 10 years later, and 4 Explorers later, I come back around to this idea of the F100. It's still in pieces, still 45 minutes away from me, but now that I have completed my very first motor rebuild in Blue, I find myself yearning for a bigger and better project...namely, finishing this pickup.
In my short existence on this earth, and my wild learnings from the Blue Bandit, I have the knowledge and wisdom to know a complete restoration is out of my ability, both financial and economically. But alas, I have an idea..
And thus this mountaineer enters the picture...
I was searching through craigslist listings in and around Oklahoma for Explorers and Explorer parts when I ran across this little gem in Wichita, Kansas. It said it was a V8, AWD, over 200k miles, and the owner was parting it out. So I called and offered 500 dollars for the entire truck, as is. He took it
So I drove up to Kansas, trailer in tow, and met with the owner and took it for a little spin around the neighborhood. After getting gas in it (wouldn’t start) and a battery I had brought (no Battery) I went off. Immediately a clunking noise from the front end and the test drive stopped. I didn't care, I had another V8 truck. So I proceeded to load this bad boy up, in the pouring rain no less, and drive back to OKC.
Once home, the truck, ironically named 'Mercury Blues', was unloaded and barely limped into the garage. Sadly enough, this was the final location where it would be a Mountaineer. For you see, these two vehicles are related, as my plan is to integrate all the mechanicals of the mountaineer (motor, transmission, front suspension & differential, rear axle, and complete electrical) into the 59 Ford. Not only will I have completed my very first truck, it will be completely modern underneath with all the features of the mountaineer. The only problem is I have to do it...
So now, with everyone's permission and hopefully optimism, I present you a build log of this project. It will take time, I understand, and a lot of determination and sacrifice. But I owe this to myself. I have to do this.
So feel free to comment, suggest, yell, or stare in disbelief. The encouragement will help me, and I want to share this with everyone here! You guys are like a second family to me, and with your knowledge and expertise, I hope I can complete this little folly of mine.
Thanks!
Russell
Well here it is, over 10 years later, and 4 Explorers later, I come back around to this idea of the F100. It's still in pieces, still 45 minutes away from me, but now that I have completed my very first motor rebuild in Blue, I find myself yearning for a bigger and better project...namely, finishing this pickup.
In my short existence on this earth, and my wild learnings from the Blue Bandit, I have the knowledge and wisdom to know a complete restoration is out of my ability, both financial and economically. But alas, I have an idea..
And thus this mountaineer enters the picture...
I was searching through craigslist listings in and around Oklahoma for Explorers and Explorer parts when I ran across this little gem in Wichita, Kansas. It said it was a V8, AWD, over 200k miles, and the owner was parting it out. So I called and offered 500 dollars for the entire truck, as is. He took it
So I drove up to Kansas, trailer in tow, and met with the owner and took it for a little spin around the neighborhood. After getting gas in it (wouldn’t start) and a battery I had brought (no Battery) I went off. Immediately a clunking noise from the front end and the test drive stopped. I didn't care, I had another V8 truck. So I proceeded to load this bad boy up, in the pouring rain no less, and drive back to OKC.
Once home, the truck, ironically named 'Mercury Blues', was unloaded and barely limped into the garage. Sadly enough, this was the final location where it would be a Mountaineer. For you see, these two vehicles are related, as my plan is to integrate all the mechanicals of the mountaineer (motor, transmission, front suspension & differential, rear axle, and complete electrical) into the 59 Ford. Not only will I have completed my very first truck, it will be completely modern underneath with all the features of the mountaineer. The only problem is I have to do it...
So now, with everyone's permission and hopefully optimism, I present you a build log of this project. It will take time, I understand, and a lot of determination and sacrifice. But I owe this to myself. I have to do this.
So feel free to comment, suggest, yell, or stare in disbelief. The encouragement will help me, and I want to share this with everyone here! You guys are like a second family to me, and with your knowledge and expertise, I hope I can complete this little folly of mine.
Thanks!
Russell
: )
Subscribing!
more updates tonight when i get off work
