Nina’s love for Ford trucks began at 14 years old and has transferred to her 1978 Ford F150 4×4. Her father had a Ford that she was going to eventually drive after getting her license. Unfortunately her dad was driving on a loose Oklahoma dirt road and rolled it. The truck was totaled, but Nina was already hooked on Ford trucks.

Her husband, Jim, has a passion for older vehicles and wanted to have a project, so he suggested that they start looking for a truck for Nina.

In June 2015, Nina found her perfect truck that was not in perfect shape. During their searching, Nina had narrowed her wants from any older Ford truck to a 1978 Ford F150 4×4, automatic, A/C, shortbed. They brought it home with intentions of just making it roadworthy so Nina could use it as her daily driver.

They tore apart the front end and had it repaired and drivable by July 4th, 2015. Nina drove it to work shortly after but the A/C wasn’t working, so parts were ordered to fix it. She left it to Jim to work later that week when the parts came in. She came home to find the whole front end taken apart and decided to change to a full frame off restoration.

They ordered an LMC catalog and always had one out in the shop with them. Nina would read each story and be inspired to continue their build. They ordered parts as they pulled broken or damaged ones off the truck.

Nina and Jim set a goal of July 4th, 2016 to complete their restoration. Weekends, evenings, holidays and vacation time was used to try to make their deadline.

Jim worked on cutting and replacing the many body replacement panels from floor pans to rear fenders on both sides. They quickly were out of their comfort zone and had moments of concern if they would ever get it back together again. Forums, technical books and many hours of YouTube and Velocity channel helped them through each step.

Nina wanted a unique truck but not something outlandish. They compromised on colors and now it has pink where it counts.

Nina and Jim had to get creative when it came to situations that required more than two people because they were working at odd hours and holidays. It was hard to scramble together willing friends and family to help. The bed was put back into place using some strong ropes tied to the lift. They raised it off the cart and then backed the truck under it.

This was their first attempt to do body work, sanding and paint. When they finished the paint on the front half, they were surprised by how well the paint turned out in their dusty, hot, bug-infested garage.

There was a lot of blood, sweat, tears and scars during this project, but Nina and Jim also gained new tools, knowledge, respect and experience.

Towards the end, Nina still wanted her daily driver, so they added the FiTech electronic fuel injection setup and electric fans. They also upgraded the stereo system to include Bluetooth calling. Power locks, an alarm with remote start and a rolling locking bed cover were transplanted from a 2013 Ford F250.

On Friday, October 7th, 2016, they were finally putting the tailgate, trim, classic license plate and the rear bumper on at 10pm for a car show the next day. They won first place at their first show.

“I came home to the whole front end apart! That is the moment when it changed to a full frame off restoration.”
-Nina H.