"Pinché Caliché" '57 StepSide/LSx/CrownVic

[t-tung]

Hey guys. Been lurking here a while and finally picked up a project of my own this past weekend. Plan is to get the 235 running, yank it and the 3-speed. Then in goes:
5.3 with some goodies
Built TH350 or 400 with manual valvebody
Crown vic front
8.8 rear
'99 1500 steering column
Going to get it low and tuck some 20x9 BMF Novakane's wrapped in either 285/50 TerraGrapplers or 285/55 BFG A/Ts or "gravel chunkers" as my grandpa would call them. Going with 17" Novakanes up front with respective tires in a smaller size.
Exterior wise, I'm just going to clear it after I rehang the doors and take care of a few holes. I'll probably CLR, clear and polish the engine compartment to show off the original dark blue color of the truck. For the bed, I plan on chopping the floor and wheel wells out of an 80's Chevy bed (or whatever bed I can get on the cheap), weld them in utilizing the wheel wells from the donor bed to make clearance for the bigger tires. Then have it Armadillo-lined.
Interior is my weakness. I've figured out what seat I'm going to get but I'll let that be a surprise. Just not sure what colors to go with inside. I've been kicking around the idea of sanding it all down and cold-bluing the whole thing and using some steel wool to give it some grain. I don't really want to paint it because black is so hard to get to look good.
Anyways it should be a fun project for my dad and I. Can't wait to get it done and tear down some caliche roads.