1996 Ford F Superduty recab project.

[Frank S]

I bought a 1996 Ford F Super duty bucket truck that had been burned. From the pictures the guy sent me I thought aw just some sanding and paint and a few parts it should be fine. Once it was delivered, I learned the fire had melted some of the accessories on the engine and the interior of the cab was nothing but a glob of plastic in the floorboard. No worries I just happen to have an exact cab to replace it with the only problem my replacement cab is nothing but a steel shell Lots of parts would be needed to be bought. Cheaper to buy another truck and pull the cab off it but that would be too easy and besides I have been saying I was going to do something with one of my old B model Mack cabs, hadn't I. Why not do a custom insanely stupid thing and marry the B model to the Ford, since I have to start with a bare shell anyway.
This is going to be a work in progress which will be constantly changing as it progresses.
First off, I don't really care if it turns out to be really cool or a steampunk rat job. it may wind up being a little bit of both.
here are a few of the startup pictures.


Sitting the cab on for the first time It doesn't look right.



The crispy engine. Nothing wrong with the engine that a few accessories and clean up wouldn't fix though. Who knows one of my 7.3 IDI engines may go bad someday if so, I could rob some of the accessories off them replace the melted turbo and drop the 7.3 power Stroke in either my 91 or my 93 pickups.



Instead of bringing the Power Stroke back to life I'm going to use this Farmall AT444E Pretty much the same engine both share the same blocks heads and internals Both built by international the Ford engines turn higher RPMs have less torque and an oil pressure driven fuel system. they International has a different cam grind gear driven fuel pump with the fuel delivery done by electronic injection the same as the ford engine. but it turns a 1000 fewer RPM and develops more torque the Power stroke has 525ft lbs and the Farmal has 620 However with either engine a tuning chip can do wonders by adding a 100 HP and 200 Ft lbs torque Not that I will be doing that.

first fitting of the engine

Parts from the vehicle the 444 came out of

front engine mount crossmember fitting.

Who needs a steering gear anyway? fact is I didn't like the position it was mounted in.

first fitting of the rear engine mount

Too late to move the engine now,

Second mockup of the cab location I'm liking this a little better.

figuring out the front cab mounts

After removing the old engine support crossmember adding two crossmembers in front 1 for the engine 1 for the core support I boxed the frame on both sides in this area from the crossmembers to the rear motor mounts

looks like a good place to mount the steering gear. 20degree less angle and an inch further out in the frame

The front cam mount in place which also serves as a crossmember for the rear motor mounts. Checking hood for slope and fitting to the radiator shell something's not right just yet.

widening out the shell

[Frank S]

Continued
I have a C model Mack that closely resembles what I am doing to the Frankin Built. but with a slightly longer hood and wider radiator shell

Bat wing fenders, Interesting???

I think I like this concept LOL

Hate those rear fender mounts.

I already have my cab this high

Something has to be done to that fender.

Time to fit the shell together,I like to hold a gap at least as wide as the sheet metal is thick. but I may have gone a little overboard here.

But it turned out OK, I tightened up the curve of the hood a little too much will dela with that later. I cut 4inches out of the fuel tank I like how it doesn't stick out past the body now.

Still need to do something to that fender and that tire and wheel looks way too small.

Yep fender too long wheel too small

Figuring out possible places to cut the fender.

Will probably cut it here too.

Cut here



Much better still hate that wheel though

That's better


More will follow as or if work progresses. have other things to do besides play with this thing all the time.

[Dollar Bill]

Lookin good - You're almost ready for paint and upholstery

[Frank S]

Lookin good - You're almost ready for paint and upholstery

I wish, but last night around mid-night a truck showed up to be worked on. A rock truck had drove into it while it was parked and shoved the front of the truck sideways about 8 feet. The other truck had driven away but was tracked down. The driver of the other truck was going to try and pay for repairs out of pocket. In the mean time the owner of this truck had hired a guy to facilitate a temporary patch job to the hood and fender so he could at least drive the truck. Based on the pictures and his findings of things that were not the same as before the crumple I submitted a bid knowing much of the probable damage which could have been done. Lucky me my bid was the highest of 4 bids, but the truck was brought to me because it could be put directly in a bay to be worked on not 2 to 3 weeks from now. Down time is money to a trucker. The only bad thing now is the other driver couldn't come up with the money so it had to be turned over to his insurance and I may have to wait on money for parts. Like I need out of pocket expense right now.

[Dollar Bill]

Insurance companies are the only thing more trifling than lawyers - Best of luck getting paid.

[Frank S]

Insurance companies are the only thing more trifling than lawyers - Best of luck getting paid.

My customer is good for the money even if the other guy's insurance company drags their feet. I've done work for him for over 40 years

[stillldoinit]

Continued
I have a C model Mack that closely resembles what I am doing to the Frankin Built. but with a slightly longer hood and wider radiator shell

Bat wing fenders, Interesting???

I think I like this concept LOL

Hate those rear fender mounts.

I already have my cab this high

Something has to be done to that fender.

Time to fit the shell together,I like to hold a gap at least as wide as the sheet metal is thick. but I may have gone a little overboard here.

But it turned out OK, I tightened up the curve of the hood a little too much will dela with that later. I cut 4inches out of the fuel tank I like how it doesn't stick out past the body now.

Still need to do something to that fender and that tire and wheel looks way too small.

Yep fender too long wheel too small

Figuring out possible places to cut the fender.

Will probably cut it here too.

Cut here



Much better still hate that wheel though

That's better


More will follow as or if work progresses. have other things to do besides play with this thing all the time.

Gonna be a great build! Johnny cash would be proud, one piece at a time.