a project i call, THEE WEE *******

IDIoit

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a project i call, THEE WEE *******/ MANchero

this is a little project ive been working for the past few years,
I have been building customs and muscle cars for the past 20 ish years.
Last december, i did some trade work for a 01 F250 7.3 CCSB 4WD.
after replacing heads, i fell inlove with this truck. minus the ******* OBD II part.
then i started messing around with IDI's, i built (fixed really) a 90 and a 91 F350, ended up selling both.
now i have an 87 F350 CC LB 4WD, that i just finished getting do daily driver status.
i was going to do a bunch more to it, but the truck runs great, and i just want to enjoy it for now.(until i find a 4WD ZF5 to replace the T-18)
so.... through my diesel journey, i came up on a 97 PSD 7.3 with an AODE.

this is my 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero.

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i purchased this truck for 200 dollars back in 09.
the front unibody was rusted out beyond repair.
for those of you that do custom work, you know that once this type of vehicle gets front end rust& rot, its pretty much done for.
well these rancheros i have a soft spot for, so i couldnt just scrap it.

i had a 71 IH Travelall which was beat more than a red headed step child.
with parts for the corn binder being so rare, i ended up scrapping the body.
i chopped 11" out of the center of the frame after the transfer to allow for the body of the ranchero to fit.

i gutted the rancheros front end and replaced the floor with a floor from a truck my neighbor was scrapping.
left the IH d-44's under it for a while, until i went with a set of dodge axles, and then chevy
the IH transfer was a pass side drop, so thats what i had to work with.
at this time the engine was a 345 corn binder with a 4 speed behind it.

Recently i picked up a late 70's F250 frame on a trade for my chevy d-44 and C-14

so now i have a high pinion D-44, and a D-60 with a NP 20 divorced transfer for the driver side drop.
sitting ready to swap out.
the IH frame fits the body well, so im gonna stick with it.
besides, the body mounts are done.

i spent last weekend, ripping out the 345, 4 speed and transfer. and installing my 97 7.3 PSD and 2WD ZF5.

i purchased a 96 F250 crossmember from the local yard, along with all of the wiring.
the complete harness, minus the engine harness. i passed up on the ECU, and IDM because these things i do not like purchasing from a junkyard.
so after a day of fitting, cutting, installing and pulling this 7.3,
i have it in the approximate location. I am 1/2" off of center from the tail shaft of the trans. i may address this further.

Lazerjock suggested i posted this ******* here, so here it is!
now back to work!


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I plan on boxing the entire frame in with 1/4 plate after i get all of the suspension mocked up.

id really like to find a pair of D-60's instead, already with cross over steering. still another thing i need to address.

may have a lead on a F350 SCLB 4WD for 500 bucks... going through a aquantence, from a friend of a friend... you know how those deals are.
 
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laserjock

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Well, I can say with reasonable certainty that you will have the only one like it. It's pretty cool and I think you have it aptly named. ;Sweet

Keep us posted. I
 

IDIoit

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originality is what im going after! the only thing i do not like about this project, and many others like it, is that you can see the frame rails.
to solve this, i have picked up a pair of stacks, im going to split the down pipe and run them as a lake pipe set up.(side pipes)
now that i have all the room i need with the firewall being cut out.

my shp has a boat in it right now, so ive got to finish that thing up before i drag this beast in and start on some of the heavy welding and fabrication.
ill post pics soon as i get some progress done.
 

IDIoit

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i will never understand why ford put these restrictive downpipes on these early PSD's.
problem fixed

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so i can run a dual exhaust PSD ha!

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IDIoit

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UPDATE:
right now im like a kid on christmas morning.
i finally found all of the missing links!
soon as the bank opens, im making a slight withdraw.
going to pick up a 1989 F350 CC LB 4WD.
its a gasser 460 with an AODE.
i wanted a truck with a ZF5, but, for 1300 bucks, registered, and the 460 still runs, who am i to complain?
now i have a set of 60's, steering, a set of 38's and other random parts for this project.
also,
i get a cool set of bumpers, a rack, 4" lift, super clean interior for my 87!
perhaps i can make some money back off that 460 if its just a head gasket.
 

IDIoit

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the engine thats in it now, with the main harness cut, pulleys bent, and a 7.3 that does not spin completly over....
i fixed these woe's today with a clean runner.
and scored a 5 speed for my 87 F350

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let the games begin!
 
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IDIoit

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Major major set backs today.
I spent all morning cleaning the frame
And cross member for final install of the 7.3 and ZF5.
Turns out my frame is too narrow to accept the transfer!
Damn the bad luck!!!
Luckily, I havnt junked my F350 frame.
On the upside of things,
I will be spending the rest of the day stripping the rest of the F350
So I can cut the wheel base down to fit the ranchero.
I feel like I'm taking 1 step forward, 3 steps back.
But....
I won't have to box the entire frame due to the thicker frame.
The engine cross member is already installed,
Axles are already hung.
I just have to shorten the wheel base!!!
Going to spend the next day contiplating chopping the frame in the center, or repositioning the rear axle.
Time will tell!

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IDIoit

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I'm not using a NP205 anymore.
I'm running a ZF5 with a married transfer.
The ZF I was gonna run turned out to be a F450 trans.
That one went into my 87 F350.
You know, I'm like a woman trying to decide on a pair of shoes
When it comes to what parts on my rigs.
I'm gonna scrap the IH frame and run the F350
Frame.
For many reasons
1) it will fit the combo of engine and trans better.
2) all the suspension is done.
3) body mounts are a lot easier than suspension and drivetrain mounts.
4) stronger frame.
It's like the car gods are kickin me in the ass for a reason. LOL

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Like a whirlwind today, this morning it was a complete truck minus the bed, and transfer case
I gotta drop the tank, and finish in bolting the cab.
Not bad for a days work.
 

gonecrazyi

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The 450 zf is a 4x4 trans with a brake bolted to the back. As for the np205, a mated one fits in the frame rails of a ranger. I don't see why it wouldn't fit in the frame you have. But like you said it may be easier in the long run to get everything setup for one chassis instead of a mix match lol
 

IDIoit

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My frame rails are 32" outside to outside.
As you can see in the pic, it was wayyy off center.
Will be definitely be easier with the F350 frame.
I just have to make a decision to shorten it in the center,
Or reposition the rear axle.
It's starting to rain and the sun is setting,
So I'm done for the night, besides my son is crying. Something about food.
Gotta go feed him a knuckle sammich!
Tomorrow is a new day!
 

IDIoit

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The 450 zf is a 4x4 trans with a brake bolted to the back.lol
Yup, me being a rookie on diesels, I'm learning a lot.
Stole the transfer off this c6 and slapped it in the 87 behind the F450ZF
May put the transfer from the T19 back in it so I don't have to cut my floor.
That's another day.
I'm doing some extensive body mods on the 87 on the 20th.
So it can wait
 

IDIoit

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I think my wheel base is a little off.
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