White 1994 F-150 Sleeper Build

[ChaseTruck754]

Not if I don't own it & have to deal with it I don't. Not my problem then - hahahaha.

In fact I LOVE the looks of the 92-96 trucks (2nd favorite after the 73-75) and would have one if the smog laws in CA weren't such red tape BS.

[nubreed71]

Haha, yeah, I've had mine for about 7 months now...hoping the smog gods are kind to me when my turn comes. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to keep this build as simple as possible.

Any input from the peanut gallery RE headers on the 302? I've already got an intake, and exhaust...just trying to decide what, if any, other performance upgrades would be worthwhile.

[robertcrav]

Haha, yeah, I've had mine for about 7 months now...hoping the smog gods are kind to me when my turn comes. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to keep this build as simple as possible.

Any input from the peanut gallery RE headers on the 302? I've already got an intake, and exhaust...just trying to decide what, if any, other performance upgrades would be worthwhile.

JBA or Bassani on the headers

[nubreed71]

That seems to be the general consensus. Are they worth doing in terms of performance? Better gains that what I saw from the exhaust or the intake?

[nubreed71]

Some updates...this thing should be dirt ready by next week. Shakedown run to follow shortly.

I pulled the stock battery tray, and battery tray support, bolted a ruff stuff battery box to it, and then sent the entire assembly off to powdercoat. Here's the finished product ready to go back in the truck:



I'm also in the process of having the upper rear shock mounts reworked. With the new shock position I'm making full use of the 10" 9100 weld tops and it should be bumped and strapped at 15" of rear wheel travel. I'll take that with no holes in the bed or a bedcage.







I've got some other updates in the works as well, just no pictures yet. Hopefully will have some pics early next week.

[robertcrav]

Nice!

[nubreed71]

Rear suspension is all complete...cycling at 16" metal to metal right now with no stretch in the limit straps. Once those stretch out it should cycle 16" strap to bump. Not bad for no holes in the bed.

Some droop shots:









A few other things are done as well...shackles powdercoated, motor and trans mounts installed, and bedsides flared just enough to clear the tires at full bump.

A quick shot of the bedsides:



The flare came out killer...very subtle, and instead of cutting the wheel well sheetmetal and screwing another strip of metal over the gap, the spot welds were drilled out, then the bedside flared, and then it was re spot welded and painted. Will post pics of the wheel well tomorrow. It looks factory!

All that being said, this thing is ready for the dirt. Hoping a buddy of mine gets his rig next weekend so we can start planning the first trip out for this thing.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

Looks killer!

[nubreed71]

Spare tire spinner options...

This?



Or that?

[hobbyturnedobsession]

My decision usually starts with price vs ease. If its more money but is considerably better ill spend the extra dough. If its more but dont really see the benefits i wont spend the extra cash just because its more money.

[nubreed71]

Fair enough. In this case, I already have both, and I have minimal funds into both of them, so this decision is going to be purely based on function and aesthetics.

[hobbyturnedobsession]

Well in that case i like the second one better.

[nubreed71]

That's where I'm leaning as well. The first one is a bit short, and I can't run it with the cone shaped poly piece to locate the tire. Plus, the second one has a sweet lookin handle!

[hobbyturnedobsession]

I based my choice on the wicked handle

[ESHALLBETTER]

I like the looks of the second one, but don't like "sharp" edges places where I may need to be stepping in flip flops, or throwing gear, coolers, ect. over. I would go with the first one.

[nubreed71]

Yeah, that's my only reservation RE the 2nd one. I may get some handlebar tape like they use on road bicycles and wrap the handle to prevent that.

[nubreed71]

So I solved that whole Hella 4000s too deep for the stock bumper issue:

[ChaseTruck754]

Looking good!

I like the 1st tire spinner, but then again I'm more "traditional" or old skool in my tastes. I also have the same concern Erik does with the edges on the 2nd one. Not that a bit of sanding can't cure that though. Still, my thought is that the 1st one will be more comfortable to your hand because of the shape of the tube vs. a flat plate.

[nubreed71]

Yeah...I'm still kinda torn. I like the traditional look of the first one too. The only downside of the first one is that it's a little on the short side, so I don't think I'd be able to run that polyurethane bit that locates/centers the tire on the spinner. I just gotta get the tire in the bed and see what hits and what fits I guess.

[Rmc]

I'm a fan of the first also, can't u cut it off and weld on a longer threaded rod? Or are worried about strength? Maybe cut it a little long ( with an inch or so left) mate up the threaded rod weld all the way around, put a sleeve over the union and weld both sides, the union will double up on the threaded side welds. U could also cross drill and rosette if your still worried. I dunno I love the old school look on older rides. Round light light bars ect.