The story
I found this in a local Ecology Auto Wrecker. The body was super choice with no rust or damage other than the missing parts. The engine is disassembled and I assume that is why the truck was scrapped. This truck originally was a US Air Force support vehicle at the George Air Base in the southern California high desert. The wrecker i purchased this from is less than 1 mile from the old air base. — Tom Cherry AKA Hawkrod
Photos
As I found it at Ecology Auto Wrecking. Owner
As I found it at Ecology Auto Wrecking. Owner
As I found it at Ecology Auto Wrecking. Owner
Looking a little better now! Owner
Looking a little better now! Owner
Looking a little better now! Owner
The only panel I will replace, the tailgate! You have to love rust free california metal! Owner
This is where the oil cooler will be. There is plenty of room between the radiator and grille. If you have air conditioning you will have t… Owner
This is where the oil cooler filter adapter will sit. Plenty of room here as well. Owner
Another angle on the oil filter showing plenty of room Owner
Yet another angle of the filter area. Owner
This area will be where the hoses are routed. Owner
This is the block with the oil filter removed. The threaded insert for the oil filter will need to be replaced with the special fitting tha… Owner
Here the threaded fitting has been removed. Owner
Here is the threaded fitting after removal. I used a large EZ out but you can also use Vice Grips. If you use Vice Grips be sure to stick a… Owner
Here is the new fitting installed in the block. Note that the new part has a nut to tighten, it is much easier to install and remove than t… Owner
Here is the adapter installed with the filter and lines. Owner
Here is another picture from a different angle which shows that there is plenty of room. It is actually a little nicer because when you cha… Owner
Here is where the lines are routed. Very clean and easy. Nothing in the way but I did fold a small tab on the bottom of the radiator side s… Owner
Here is the late model oil cooler bracket after I bent the end 90 degrees. You can see that I bent it in line with the edge where it drops… Owner
Here is the end I cut off after I bent it. Owner
Here is the bent and cut off end of the mount. The way I did it allows it to fit right up against the grille/hood latch center support. I s… Owner
And here is the oil cooler installed. This is an excellent mod for any truck and I have also used this setup on Mustangs and Cougars with e… Owner
The parts truck! Yup, this is a parts truck for sure! The truck was being restored and had all new running gear, brakes, tires etc along wi… Owner
And this is what made sure it was a parts truck! I was told it was a 40 MPH impact and looking at the damage I believe it. I'll bet the oth… Owner
This is the plug a truck has in the bed if it did not come with a rear tank. Ford had to do this because they used the same bed sides on al… Owner
The inside of the fuel hole plug Owner
The factory rear floor heater. I had not seen one of these but have since found out it is the same as Econoline buses. Owner
This is the switch for the floor heater. It is missing the knob but I am sure I will find one in a van. Owner
This how we decided to swap the engine! I even left all the fluids in it including the anti freeze, dang I am lazy! Owner
This is how I was able to do the engine and trans with the radiator. I pulled the core supports from both trucks since I had to switch gril… Owner
Looking much better and more like a truck! The engine is in, the grille is swapped, and the major stuff has been dealt with. Owner
Not a pretty seat but a good start. I found two identical 89 F150 front seats with arm rests for $5.00 each! since they match the upholster… Owner
Front and back fit well. Owner
Another damage shot of the parts truck, The bed took a good blow as well as the cab. No rust but a lot of fixing! Owner
Another damage shot of the parts truck, The bed took a good blow as well as the cab. No rust but a lot of fixing! Owner
Not the way I would have prefered to do it but until I find a correct set of brackets this will be fine. Owner
Looks great! I used a later Bronco bumper filler lightly modified on the ends and turned upside down. Owner
Frontside of Super Camper Special F350 rear gas tank Owner
Backside of Super Camper Special F350 rear gas tank Owner
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