53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[big_dan]

So let's get started. I've had this truck 5 or 6 years now. It's a sweet little truck, but time to add some attitude. I'll start by bringing this thread up to date . . .

Several years back I decided to build a shop for myself to play with my toys and teach my boys a thing or two. The 53 stayed in driver status all that time, watching a few other builds happen, hauling the occasional parts and attending a few cruise ins here and there. Shop was finished (if they ever are) so a long term 65 Ford had to be finished first, so now the little 53 is front and center. When I got the truck it was a 4.3/350 turbo sitting on a full size 79-80 chassis. I lowered it a little, added a chrome grille, white walls, etc. but it still didn't have the attitude I wanted, so it began.

I found a 53 frame locally and started the project with the truck still on the road. Stripped the frame, had it blasted then stored it while I finished the shop and my 65. Finally, time to start, so here's a few pics to start getting up to date.

[big_dan]

Finally, after a few years stashed and waiting, this spring we pulled the chassis out and got started. We fixed the rusted factory cross members with Speedway bolt-in parts, got everything square then made them weld-in. After that we started boxing and smoothing the frame in earnest. I think final count was 200+ holes welded up.

More to follow.....

Dan

[big_dan]

So while smoothing and boxing the frame, I turned down some weld nuts and welded then in at the running board bracket holes, front bumper holes and cab mounts.

More later . .

Dan

[8man]

Nice truck to start with.

[oldman3]

I'll tag along for the build, nice truck...Jim

[mongocanfly]

nice start...

[big_dan]

Thanks, fellas. A few more smoothing and boxing the frame, checking square every so often. Rounded the frame horns, broke some plate to smooth in around the speedway crossmember as well. Almost ready for the IFS.

Dan

[youngrodder]

Very nice looking frame and project. You think you truck has any idea that its about to get its frame pulled out from underneath it???

Marc

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Very nice looking frame and project. You think you truck has any idea that its about to get its frame pulled out from underneath it???

Marc

No idea - but maybe . . .

More updating. Finished smoothing and boxing, mocked up crossmember for rack clearance, notched for the rack, etc.. Made some mock up bars to keep it at ride height as well.

Thanks for looking -

Dan

[8man]

Nice work on the frame, and a Falcon in the background to boot!

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Very nice looking frame and project. You think you truck has any idea that its about to get its frame pulled out from underneath it???

Marc

its staring right at it!



nice start!

[mongocanfly]

Looking great..!!...after you weld those 4link brackets on be sure to check your housing for straightness...you can see how I did mine in my IH build..

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Looking great..!!...after you weld those 4link brackets on be sure to check your housing for straightness...you can see how I did mine in my IH build..

Absolutely. Thanks.

So at this point of the chassis work, I made the realization that starting on the 4 link and notch using jack stands and sawhorses was just wasting time. I needed a better way to fixture the chassis while I got the rear going...... So, off to the steel yard. I picked up a few 6x6 beams and misc steel and whipped up a chassis table.

Here's the start -

Dan

[big_dan]

We made sure it was perfectly square, of course, and added adjustable feet with lock nuts to keep us level. Once the jig was in position where we wanted it, we locked it down and set the chassis at ride height. Pretty simple; the top of the jig is "zero" based on 3 things; front and rear axle centerline based on our wheel/ tire sizes and the frame level with running boards 5" off the ground. Front wheels will be 18's, rears will be 20's, no air bags. Fairly easy to tell a simple C-notch isn't going to cut it -

More later-

Dan

[lv2tri2]

What are your shop dimensions? Plenty of room. Interesting build.

[8man]

That is too cool. Looking forward to more.

[oldman3]

Really nice set-up table...Jim

[mongocanfly]

sure its allowed dan....you can start a thread in the alt tinkering section if you want

[big_dan]

Outstanding! I may drop a few pics if anyone is interested.

Dan

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by big_dan

Outstanding! I may drop a few pics if anyone is interested.

Dan

Sure we are, just lets us know the thread number, or post a link, so we know where...Jim

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Sure we are, just lets us know the thread number, or post a link, so we know where...Jim

I'll see what I can come up with. Thoroughly impressed with this forum after just a few days on board!

Dan

[big_dan]

So lately I've been pulling a tape and deciding my exact next move on the step notch. I tend to ponder things for a little while to try to avoid rework . . .

But, as luck would have it, another project has cruised in alongside the 53 so I'll work them together - the price was RIGHT, and it'll help bring things up a level . . . . .

Dirty? Yes. But here's 5 minutes worth of work . . . A few bearings and we'll be 100%.

Dan

[mongocanfly]

nice..!!! you got 3ph power?

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

nice..!!! you got 3ph power?

No 3 phase here. Just electrician buds. Will most likely run it off of a VFD.

Dan

[duramax55]

hi i run my brigeport n vdf not that expensive and work great . they also give you variable speed in all gears. I would rather go through vdf than three phase .