71 f100 4wd build

[pedstagn71]

I’ve started on my 71f100 4wd. I’ve got the cab fenders and doors ready for paint. Shortened the frame for a shot box and starts cleaning the frame with the laser cleaner

 

[tpj71mach]

It's looking great! The cab is nice and solid, once you repair that mount area it will be good to go. I am a big fan of the bump-side F100's. If I did another build, I would like to build a 2WD short bed resto mod in the future. The frame sectioning looks like it is nice and strong and will hold up well. I like that rack that you fabricated to hold the doors and fenders out of PVC pipe.

 

[pedstagn71]

I replaced both front mounts and the ends of the cross support and cab corners. otherwise it was in great shape. Just a couple dents on the roof

 

[cjstaci]

Nice work. The first truck I had was a 67 short wide box 2wd. I bought a 68 mustang coupe with front end damage for 400, but I didn’t have the money to fix it. A friend offered to trade his truck straight across for the mustang so I agreed. The truck was straight, ran good, had a 352, C6.
You mentioned you laser cleaned the frame. I am curious as what you think of the process and how fast it cleans and what machine you are using. I see there’s a lot of machines out there and vary in price and power output.

 

[pedstagn71]

I use the sfx 1500w cleaning laser. It works well on heavier metal you have to be careful with lighter metals because it can get them hot and warp them. On heavier rust it seems I have to go over it with the laser then a wire brush and do that a couple of times. It may not be as fast as sandblasting but worth the extra time to not have to clean sand out of everything It is very clean and pretty much turns everything to smoke. You’d want an exhaust fan

 

[cjstaci]

That sounds pretty cool. Sandblasting is definitely messy, been there, done that. I think I will look into the lasers. Thanks for the info.

 

[cjstaci]

I looked at the sfx 1500, nice looking machine, but $10,000 a bit out of my budget.

 

[pedstagn71]

I looked at the sfx 1500, nice looking machine, but $10,000 a bit out of my budget.

 

[pedstagn71]

There are smaller less expensive ones out there

 

[pedstagn71]

Got part of the frame epoxy primed and new rear spring hangers on for 3” wide 4 inch lift