Prepping the Truck ('66 Ford F100) and the Trailer

4/2/2014

 

Yesterday we pulled the trailer out and started brainstorming how to arrange the inside.  We took out 2 of the racks and we think we'll end up taking all but 2 of them out. 

 

We are not taking the box springs with us (they are going to the dump - there is a funny story about them that I'll write about at the end of this post!!).  We used the box springs to get an idea of how to arrange the mattress in the trailer.  There are two options, but we are going with the option that allows us to access the side door. 

 

Instead of building a platform for our mattress to sit on, we are using my 9 crates (previously used for my booth set up design).  We will sit them on the floor of the trailer so that we can fill each crate with our clothing.  Then Scott has some left over MDF board that will sit on top of the crates and then the mattress will sit on top of that. 

 

Today we put the crates in the trailer to see how that is going to work out and it looks like it's a go!!

 

Scott's not a fan of getting his picture taken as you can see here!



 

 

 

And here he is in deep thought trying out his crate design idea.

 





Here is Scott's 1966 Ford F100. 

A fun back story - this is actually his very first vehicle that he bought when he was only 15!  He and his dad worked to fix it up and we will be hauling our cargo trailer to Wyoming with it!

This winter (2013), Scott spent approximately 3-4 months making much needed improvements to this truck to get it ready to haul the trailer to Wyoming.  I can attest that this was a very long winter not just because of the crazy weather, but because of how long it took to work on the truck!  Because the truck is so old, lots of the bolts and other parts were rusted and either broke when trying to take them off, or they didn't come off at all.  Luckily my dad was able to help press one of his parts out.  I spent just 1 day helping him with the brakes and it was the longest most frustrating day for me.  I can't imagine the patience mechanics have! 

Here is what he did to the truck:

Under the Hood

• new radiator
• electric fan for radiator
• oil cooler
• new transmission
• new transmission lines
• new carburetor
• new spark plugs and wires
• new distributor cap
• new rotor
• new windshield washer
• new gaskets
• new booster and master cylinder
• new oil and filter
• new fuel filter and hose
• and new radiator coolant

Front End (everything is new)

• front disk breaks
• king pins
• wheel bearings
• new brake lines all the way around
• shocks
• springs
• suspension bushings
• anti-sway bar
• ground straps
• valve covers
• dual oil filter

Inside the Cab

• electronic gauges (all new!!)
• fuse block
• windshield wipers and wiper arms
• stereo and speakers
• added foam to the seat
• sound insulation inside the entire cab
• both doors have all new window tracks, seals and armrest
• added door locks
• new headlight switch, ignition switch, choke cable
• side mirrors
• LED flashers (upgrade from the original ones)

Underneath the Truck

• U joint for output shafts
• center support bearing
• shocks
• leaf springs
• bushings
• bolts
• U bolts
• anti-sway bar
• wheel bearings
• differential bearings
• disk breaks
• break lines
• trailer hitch - class IV hitch
• rewired tail lights
• new license plate light
• added trailer lights and trailer brakes
• added reflective tape inside the rear lights to make them brighter

In all, it was approximately $7,000 in parts/materials.  We were discussing about how much it would have cost him to have someone do all this work and we estimate about $20.000-$30,000!!!  Isn't that crazy!  I'm so thankful I have a multi-talented husband!

There is still more stuff Scott will be doing to the truck but he will wait till after we move to do these:

• new body bushings
• cab mounts
• undercoat and frame
• radiator filter (similar to what a semi has)
• steering column
• steering wheel
• horn (currently it doesn't work)
• steering box
• fix the bed
• tailgate - we need one!!!
• new all-terrain tires and wheels (something that does well for Wyoming area)
• and repaint it to the original look:

 



After we get moved, I'm going to work to save the ~$5,000 he needs to finish the remaining upgrades to his truck.  I want to surprise him with it someday, especially after he made so many sacrifices for us to be able to move so soon, specifically selling his '67 Ford Fairlane XL.  This is the least I can do for him!!


Funny Story:)
When I first moved in with Scott, I think in 2009, Scott and his brother Paul were in charge of moving my stuff from my apartment into Scott's house all while I was at work one day.  When I got off work I went over to the house and found a hole in the wall of the stairwell and Scott with an electric saw cutting my box springs!  My response was, 'Well that's one way to do it!'.  Scott told me he didn't think I'd be home this early and that I'd never know!!  What happened was my queen size mattress went down the basement steps just fine, but the box springs was just a bit too big plus it had no 'give' or bend to it.  When he pushed to try to force it down the stairs, apparently Scott was pushing a little too hard against the basement wall and managed to put a hole in it!  But it worked! (not the hole part, but sawing my box springs part :).  Once the box springs was on the bed frame, you never knew it was once cut to fit down the stairs!