It's hard to believe that a truck of this caliber was once considered a rust bucket. When Bill DeGaine purchased the truck in 1995 it wasn't even safe to drive, but Bill jumped at the chance and transformed this '56 F-100 into a real looker.
During the five years it took to complete the truck Bill enlisted the help of a few talented people and a few extremely talented shops. The first such company was No Limit, were he went to receive help on his chassis modifications. First the frame was C-notched and a Ford 9-inch rearend swapped for the original. Next came a pair of mono leaf springs combined with air bags. Wilwood disk brakes were added out back and a Mustang II IFS setup with Air Ride Technologies bags and Wilwood disk brakes were used up front. Then a new No Limit master cylinder, power booster, and 20-gallon aluminum gas tank were installed (the gas tank being relocated back between the rear frame rails). Budnik "Mercury" billet wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber gave the chassis something to roll on while a power rack-and pinion backed by an ididit chrome-tilt steering column were chosen to steer that rubber in the right direction.
A Chaparral-prepared '69 302 Ford engine was chosen to get the chassis moving. The small-block is outfitted with a Holley 750 carb, a Torker II intake manifold, and K&N "Carbon Fiber" valve covers. Sanderson headers, Flowmaster III stage mufflers, and a 2 1/2-inch exhaust system were added to the mix, as was a US Radiator "Desert Cooler" radiator. Backing the powerplant up is a '70 Ford C-6 with a 3,000-rpm stall converter which was prepared by D&M Transmissions in Highland, California.
Bill enlisted the aid of several shops during the course of the build. For the work on the cab he went to Hot Rod & Custom Stuff in Escondido, California. For the rest of the work that was required on the body and the application of the PPG/GM Bahama Blue paint he went to The G Shop in Cathedral, California. Pete Gonzales of Fontana, California, was then called upon for all of the trucks glass needs. The wiring was left up to the pro's at Fred's Custom Wiring of Ontario, California, who installed the Ron Francis fuseblock, while the Interior was given to Stitch by Stitch in Mentone, California, who covered it in tan leather and tweed.
Transforming this one time rust bucket into the beauty it is today took a lot of hard work and talent, and to all those who helped, Bill would like us to extent a special thanks on his behalf. As for Bill himself, he's still busy giving his children those rides he's been promising them for the last five years.