1971 Ford F-100 - 71 Just for Fun

I own a '56 F-100 that has been disassembled since 1989. It was becoming the never-ending project. Every year after the F-100 SuperNationals, I would change direction on the style of truck I wanted to build. Finally, I decided to put the '56 on hold and purchase a newer-model truck I could use as a daily driver while upgrading it.

Just as I made this decision, a friend I work with told me he had a '71 F-100 which his uncle bought new in 1971. Furthermore, he needed to sell it. Fourteen hundred dollars later, I had my daily driver. It had a six-cylinder, a three-on-the-tree, and a 10-year-old repaint that was hiding a bunch of bad bodywork. A '78 F-150 donor truck was located soon after, which was important because it was equipped with a 302, a C4, power steering, and disc brakes. Dale Etheredge Auto and Performance rebuilt the 302. It's now .040 over with shaved heads and a Wolverine cam, and it has 9.5:1 compression. The rest of the donor parts were rebuilt and installed along with a Tanks custom gas tank. The tank went under the bed, and a '72 Chevy van tilt column was shortened by Mike Chesser and installed.

My goal at first was to do a paint job without disassembling the truck any further than necessary. I estimated it would take three weeks. It turned out to be closer to three years. Once I realized that everything needed to be stripped to bare metal for a good foundation, I fully disassembled the truck. During the process, much fabricating, welding, and grinding took place. About halfway through the build, I decided to pie-cut the hood. It ended up being the last thing finished on the truck. The hood was on and off the truck at least 20 times, and 3 different latch assemblies were tried.

After having the bed media-blasted and all the seams welded, I realized that help was needed to finish the project anytime in the foreseeable future. The bed went to Daniel at Excentric Customs in McDonough, Georgia, for the finish bodywork. Excentric took care of the finish on the hood. I handled the rest of the painting at home. The cab was painted first, then the doors, bed, tailgate, and, finally, the front sheetmetal.

Now there was an end in sight. EZ wiring's 21-circuit harness was used for all the wiring, and a Vintage Air Gen II unit was installed for comfort. An '89 Ford truck seat was recovered by Gene Payne of McDonough. RodDoors supplied the rest of the interior. All new glass, rubber, three-point seat belts, and power windows were installed along with new gauges, lots of sound proofing, and a custom amp for the stereo.

In addition to safety items, such as a new suspension, disc brakes, and a third brake light in the tailgate, the complete steering system was rebuilt, and new cab and core support mounts were used. Of course, dropped front axles along with anti-sway bars improved handling, and the Torque Thrust IIs finish off the timeless, classic look of the truck. Last-minute additions were the fabrication of the core support cover and fan shroud; the air cleaner that was fabbed out of another hood; and some 16-gauge sheetmetal bent into a recessed bed cover--which gives it a nice finished look while providing storage underneath.

I have to say that taking the last three years off of the '56 was tough, but at this past F-100 SuperNationals in Knoxville, I was rewarded with the F-100 of the Year award for my year range. And believe it or not, this '71 is still my daily driver.

We'd argue that this is the...        read full caption We'd argue that this is the cleanest engine compartment in a '70s Ford--ever! The 302 is dressed out with an air cleaner that was made from a second hood, and the rest of the bay is as smooth as can be.

The dash pad was removed,...        read full caption The dash pad was removed, and the entire dash was welded and smoothed before being painted in a satin finish to match the vinyl. The GM van column got the same treatment and was topped with a LeCarra wheel. Filling the billet insert is a set of Stewart Warner gauges.

More smooth metalwork resides...        read full caption More smooth metalwork resides in the bed area. This false floor is raised 5 inches and provides plenty of storage underneath.

Sean wanted to keep the '71...        read full caption Sean wanted to keep the '71 a '71, so he got the new grille surround from Dennis Carpenter and restored the original '71 inserts himself.

An '89 Ford truck bench was...        read full caption An '89 Ford truck bench was reworked and covered with brown tweed and vinyl. Overall, the interior of this '71 is very modern-looking yet comfortable.

RodDoors supplied the door...        read full caption RodDoors supplied the door panels, headliner, carpet kit, and rear cab cover. All were covered to match the seat.