1970 f250 camper special

[lloyd70cs]

Well, i managed to squeeze in some time on the truck over the holidays. My wife and some of our kids got sick so after the nursing back to health stage was done I had a few moments while they regained their strength. So its not the best paint job, but from the cab back i did wire wheel and metal brush, then sand block, then wash, degreased and rust reformed the frame. Then a semigloss frame paint.

Also did the shocks while it was so easy to access. I also may do the U-Joints while everything is accessible. I was planning on having someone else do the exhaust.

Frame and shocks 2.jpg

Frame and shocks 1.jpg

I was originally thinking of tilting the cab back on to the rear frame section and going at that area next but then i looked at the cab mounts

Cab Mounts.jpg

They look new. I had the front ones done when I did the floor pans a year or so ago but don't remember the guy doing the back. it looks good to me for now. The cross member just in front of these needs some help but that will have to wait.

Next order of business will be the front engine bay area and the frame and under the cab without removing it.

[hfdco4]

Looking good!

[lloyd70cs]

well good news. I was taking apart the front end to attack that side of things and found the rust was a little worse than I remembered. the rad support is rusted through and I think it's going to fall apart when I take it out. but found one from 73-79 from California up here in Victoria for a good price.

[sargentrs]

Good job on the frame! In case you don't already know, there are some minor differences beteeen the bumpside and dentside radiator supports. Just holes, no big deal. Thought I'd mention it before you scrap your old one and lose your drill template.
http://www.fordification.com/tech/radsupport.htm

[lloyd70cs]

thanks. yes I did some research after looking for a 67-72 to no avail. unless i wanted to part with a lot more money!
slowly but surely I'm getting this thing "restored". a bit of a hack job but, like mom used to say about using the bathroom, I'll leave it in better shape than I found it

[Manny]

thanks. yes I did some research after looking for a 67-72 to no avail. unless i wanted to part with a lot more money!
slowly but surely I'm getting this thing "restored". a bit of a hack job but, like mom used to say about using the bathroom, I'll leave it in better shape than I found it

Not a hack job by any means!!! Looks very good!!

[lloyd70cs]

thanks for the encouragement guys, both in responding and in reading your own build threads. got a couple of questions at this point. I've just ordered the firewall bracket and interior steering column seal for the power steering conversion from Flashback F100. I have the pump and box etc from a 78 or 79 and I'm already a 4 speed manual so the column is the right length. Just need to shorten the shaft. Do I need another stock bracket on the inside of the cab as well or can I fabricate/get away with what i have?
Also, i have the pitman arm, and drag link etc from the 79 (which was automatic), where is the easiest point to swap, at the pitman arm? or the drag link ends?

thanks.

just got a late Christmas present! pertronix 2 and the coil that goes with it. and some other small goodies!

[Manny]

The tie rod end is your best bet to swap sometimes the pitman arm can be a pain to get off. Then the inside cab bracket below the dash should be the same no issues.

[lloyd70cs]

thanks Manny. got the bed back on yesterday so will really be able to attack the front end now. I was a little out of steam thinking about the auxiliary tank and all the work in doing it. then I read Tyler's entire rebuild thread "glory days" the other night and have regained vigor! got the tank out and will clean it up and reinstall later.

[hfdco4]

Great progress!

[Manny]

thanks Manny. got the bed back on yesterday so will really be able to attack the front end now. I was a little out of steam thinking about the auxiliary tank and all the work in doing it. then I read Tyler's entire rebuild thread "glory days" the other night and have regained vigor! got the tank out and will clean it up and reinstall later.

Check out KBS products for their cleaners sealers for fuel tanks they work fantastic.

[lloyd70cs]

Check out KBS products for their cleaners sealers for fuel tanks they work fantastic.

will do. I think i used POR15s product for the in cab tank but can't remember. I'll check that out.

[lloyd70cs]

So I'm on to the front end. Started pulling off the fenders etc tonight (after everyone else was asleep). I was doing fine until I got to the bumper bolts. They're spinning . I guess I cut them tomorrow. Once I got the fenders off I started to get a better look around.

Front End Disassembly.jpg

One thing I noticed is that the spring coil I got for the front is larger than what is on the truck at this point. Not sure they are going to work. They have 9 coils where the old ones have 7.

Old Spring Coil.jpg

New Spring Coil.jpg

[lloyd70cs]

Next will be the hood, then the rad, support, inner fenders. Then...

[hfdco4]

Those new springs may have a different spring rate so more coils were needed?