When Todd was sure the Flathead was well on its way to being a classic that functions like a modern mill, he turned his attention to the chassis, where the same type of magic would be necessary. A complete Heidt's Mustang II front suspension package and a pair of Chassis Engineering rear springs brought the suspension up-or shall we say down-to standard. Of course, the 17- and 20-inch wheel and tire combination, each with disc brakes, also added to the updated handling characteristics.
Todd and Jeff Early handled all the body and paintwork. Because the body was the thing that originally caught Todd's attention, it was left almost stock, including all the chrome and stainless trim. The only real concession to this approach was the 2-inch top chop, which is just enough to properly proportion the top and body. To keep everything as light and airy as possible, the 2 inches at the rear of the cab were taken from the sheetmetal under the rear window. The fenders were so battered from their time in the woods that they were replaced with fiberglass pieces. All the remaining sheetmetal was straightened, and a heavy dose of House of Kolor Tangelo was applied to everything inside and out. For a bit of additional pizzazz, Early applied PPG Hot Hues Gold ghost flames outlined in Sublime green, a really neat airbrush V-8 emblem to the Pro's Pick box cover, and gold leaf to the Ford emblem on the tailgate.
The interior was treated very much like the exterior. The instrument panel was upgraded with a full complement of Classic Instruments, a Pioneer audio system, and an ididit chrome column. Soft door panels and a headliner were added to soften the utilitarian truck look before they and the original seat were covered with white and orange vinyl in a very traditional roll and pleat by Mike Hudyma in Duluth, Minnesota.
The finished truck is all that Todd had in mind. Sure, in hindsight he would have spent more time on the small details, but that's the way hands-on project guys always see it. The fact that he was able to cover 800 miles (the latest long-haul chapter) in one day while the temperature hovered in the 90s, without any problems other than the standard road-weary glaze that sets in at some point, is a true testament to this build's quality.