Old ford f150 (possibly my new summer project)

[willhf1011]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/rvs/1723756313.html

Just buy this and go wheeling.

X2 Thats a sweet rig and by my reasoning a very good price. I think you will be blown away by the mobility of a smaller rig

[willhf1011]

there's just generally a lot more throttle, smashing, and abuse involved than if I were wheeling a mini-truck.

You wouldn't have it any other way...

Can you imagine if I wheeled a full-size?

It wouldn't be a full size for long. About one obstacle in I imagine it would be crunched/torn up to about mini truck size

[alk1174]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/rvs/1723756313.html

Just buy this and go wheeling.

X2 Thats a sweet rig and by my reasoning a very good price. I think you will be blown away by the mobility of a smaller rig

I went back and read it again and someone needs to get that thing. I can probably scrape up half.

[willhf1011]

I went back and read it again and someone needs to get that thing. I can probably scrape up half.

Currently trying to convince my brother or friend from home.

[Arya Ebrahimi]

That's a great deal. It's also about what I figure I could get for mine on a good day. Built 'yota's are pretty cheap to buy used(especially compared to the cost of building one from scratch). I'd buy a pre-built rig and customize to my liking if I had to do it over.

There are a couple learning curves to this sport:

Build first vehicle with multiple major revisions(My XJ from 2"=>3"=>4"=>8"=>6" of lift, and 5 sets of tires) $$$$$$

Build second vehicle from stock to hardcore in one shot and spend a lot of money(my mini-truck) $$$$

Buy pre-built vehicle and spend a little time fixing it up and just enjoy wheeling(my next move ) $$

[willhf1011]

That's a great deal. It's also about what I figure I could get for mine on a good day. Built 'yota's are pretty cheap to buy used(especially compared to the cost of building one from scratch). I'd buy a pre-built rig and customize to my liking if I had to do it over.

There are a couple learning curves to this sport:

Build first vehicle with multiple major revisions(My XJ from 2"=>3"=>4"=>8"=>6" of lift, and 5 sets of tires) $$$$$$

Build second vehicle from stock to hardcore in one shot and spend a lot of money(my mini-truck) $$$$

Buy pre-built vehicle and spend a little time fixing it up and just enjoy wheeling(my next move ) $$

Although, I think that progression is kind of required for anyone looking to be in for the long term. The first two stages help you earn the right to buy a prebuilt hardcore rig that isnt wayyyyy over your head.

[willhf1011]

Also another vehicle along these lines that your thinking chris.

I think my next rig, possibly by the end of the summer will be an 80's 4x4 ranger with ttb. I'm not super well versed on them but I've seen a fair number of them built pretty well for cheap and they seem to perform. I also want to go fast and ttb is what all the cool kids run.

[ridemx]

I have always been a fan of ford and fullsizes, I feel I would be disappinted with anything less than a v8. In an attempt to stay away from ttb I have been looking at late 70's f150 and have anoter question. Would a 351 Windsor or Modafied be better? I know the Windsor will have more aftermaker but I'm not planning on a ton of aftermarket build up on it.

[TerryD]

That question has many parts. What do you want as far as power? You say you want V8 power, but that ranges from the 80hp of the old Ford Flat Head in the 30's up to todays 600hp+ LS series Chevy production engines.

The Modified:
The Modified engine is just that. An engine designed to be 400cid that was reduced in cubic inches only without regard to the rest of the system. Massive combustion chambers with the largest valves FoMoCo put in any small block engine. This combination is great for higher RPM operation (3500RPM+) but lacks port velocity that promotes cylinder fill at lower RPM. That's why they were offered with 2bbl carburetors to help mask that short coming. Blocks that weight as much as big blocks but are labeled a small block and shared the bore spacing with the 302/351W block, limiting bore size to just over 4".

On the up shot, the larger block allows longer strokes (possibly 4.5"+ with our calculations) and support nearly 450cid with a stock block. The oversized cylinder heads would be an asset in this case, but a 540cid big block (385 series?) would be cheaper and easier to put together for the average joe with no engine working experience. The modifieds also share the bell housing bolt pattern with the 385 series big block (370/429/460).

The Windsor:
This engine is based on the architecture of the small block developed in the 50's. It shares the bore spacing with the 260/289/302 engines as well as the 351M/400 engines, but uses a block much closer to the 260/289/302. The deck height is raised to accommodate the longer stroke it takes to make 351cid. Just about any aftermarket part for a 302 will fit a 351 with the exception of the intake, timing cover, oil pan, and distributor. Cylinder heads need to have the bolt holes reamed out or you can use a special set of studs offered by ARP. The light weight of that block design offers good power:weight ratios. It also shares the bell housing bolt pattern with the smaller 302 engines

The 351W was never offered in a 70's vintage truck though. It requires changing bell housing on manual transmissions and finding small block transmissions for automatics to do the conversion from the modified. You'll want to find a 351W with all the accessories still in place so that you have the correct brackets. There was an earlier 351W made known as the "Cleavor" engine. I believe there was a slight difference between the deck height of the "Cleavor" and the later model Windsor engines, adding even more confusion to Fords million different engine blocks. The "Cleavor" engine does have a really good set of cylinder heads that are almost impossible to find remanufactured.

I'll leave it at that for now, if you have more questions, Grubb or I will be glad to elaborate on anything we can. FWIW, I'd use the Windsor engine if I were you. The swap is easy to do but you'll need to put the time into reading and researching.

[lantozzi42]

I have always been a fan of ford and fullsizes, I feel I would be disappinted with anything less than a v8. In an attempt to stay away from ttb I have been looking at late 70's f150 and have anoter question. Would a 351 Windsor or Modafied be better? I know the Windsor will have more aftermaker but I'm not planning on a ton of aftermarket build up on it.

quit being a damn fan or a ford full size u allways get stuck or need a spotter buy a damn jeep or yo yo you will be much happier and we will be able to move so much faster

[ridemx]

Thanks Terry, thats helps alot!:thumby:

quit being a damn fan or a ford full size u allways get stuck or need a spotter buy a damn jeep or yo yo you will be much happier and we will be able to move so much faster

I need my truck to stay drivable. So I went a little slower over obstacles to make myself more comfortable, sorry it slowed you down. I got tired of having to deal with this myself so I am buying a truck I will be totally comfortable beating the hell out of and not have to worry about breaking anything. I want it to be an F150, so I am going to get an F150. Now correct me if I am wrong but I feel a 79 F150 with at least 4" of lift on 36's or so, locked front and rear, and me not having to worry about breaking anything will not be slowing anyone down

[lantozzi42]

Thanks Terry, thats helps alot!:thumby:

quit being a damn fan or a ford full size u allways get stuck or need a spotter buy a damn jeep or yo yo you will be much happier and we will be able to move so much faster

I need my truck to stay drivable. So I went a little slower over obstacles to make myself more comfortable, sorry it slowed you down. I got tired of having to deal with this myself so I am buying a truck I will be totally comfortable beating the hell out of and not have to worry about breaking anything. I want it to be an F150, so I am going to get an F150. Now correct me if I am wrong but I feel a 79 F150 with at least 4" of lift on 36's or so, locked front and rear, and me not having to worry about breaking anything will not be slowing anyone down

GOOD!!! but im stil gunna give u shit for havin a fird

[BadAssEddie]

I need my truck to stay drivable.

So did I, yet I succeeded in not driving like a vag.

[ridemx]

GOOD!!! but im stil gunna give u shit for havin a fird

And I will take in in stride

[Stinson]

how do you plan on getting the f150 to the trails?