I purchased my 1978 Ford F-150 Custom P/U in 1992. I used it as my first work truck. I’ve been doing carpentry work since I was a kid I started my own business in 1994 and this truck quickly became one of my first work vehicles. I moved tools and equipment around and plowed snow with it. As I became better established in business this truck became more of a toy. In the mid to late 90s I started fixing it up and modifying it. I use to go off road four wheeling with all my other truck friends. In 1999 I blew my custom-built motor and took the truck off the road. I bought a rebuilt motor and disassembled most of the truck planning on rebuilding it. From 1999 until 2003 I dragged my truck around from apartment to apartment and stored some of it in friends garages. In 2003 me and my future wife purchased a home with a nice size garage and I finally brought my truck and all its parts to one location. I was struggling to make ends meet as a new homeowner and decided to try and sell the truck in pieces. Nobody really wanted the truck in pieces even though it had many good parts to start a rebuild project. One day on a construction job site of mine my older brother said to me why don’t you just keep the truck and rebuild it yourself instead of selling it. Not long after that day I rolled out the truck got my torches and stripped the truck to the frame. This started in 2004. From this day until 2012 me and a few friends of mine spent many days, nights and weekends prepping, painting, purchasing parts and restoring this truck from top to bottom. In this time I continued to run my business, restore our new home, get married in 2006, have our first child in 07 and second child in 2011. My wife was so patient with me and stood behind me knowing this truck was so important to me and a dream of mine to finish and enjoy some day. The entire truck was stripped down to the frame. Every single nut/bolt, bushing, springs, shocks, front end parts you name it was almost completely replaced. I had a guy who drives cross country looking for used parts find me an unbelievable perfect shaped cab and doors. I found original front fenders, original great condition hood and found a perfect 8 foot bed with tailgate that came off a truck in the early 80s and was almost brand-new. I kept the original nose and had it sandblasted. I installed a 3 inch aluminium body lift, 4 inch suspension lift, I installed a double shock at every wheel and steering stabilizer shock. The truck has 10 stainless Bilstein shocks. I also added a L&L traction bar set up to help with hop on the rear axle. After trying several different gear ratios I ended up installing all brand new axles and gears for both the 9 inch rear axle and Dana 44 front axle. I installed a new Detroit carrier and Strange case cover for the ford 9 inch and a new B&M differential cover for the Dana 44. I went with Yukon 373 gears, axles, bearings and seals. I upsized from a 31 spline to 35 spline axles. Running big tires I wanted to have this truck be tight and also be able to cruise on the highway without tacking out. Both the transmission and transfer case were pulled sent out to a machine shop and totally rebuilt. Both driveshafts were rebuilt. New Spicer greasable U- joints were all upsized and the rear shaft went from a four inch tube to a five inch tube. All new brakes all the way around including the rear conversion kit to disk. New Warn 4X4 hubs. After running a stock 351 M block I quickly realized it didn’t have much power to push this truck with these tires. I pulled the motor planning on rebuilding it. Once we opened up the block we realized it was junk and had been already bored out. I found a seasoned 400 and sent it out to be checked and dipped. The block was great and it was bored out 50 over. Keith Black pistons, Hydraulic Comp Cam, Trick Flow aluminum heads, Edelbrock manifold, chockless 650 Holly carb, March Serpentine kit, billet radiator, MSD ignition with rev limiter, high output MSD starter, Center Force fly wheel and clutch with new bracket assembly, billet harmonic balance, Milodon 8qt oil pan with pump, new billet optima battery set up, ceramic coated Headman headers, 3 inch stainless pipes, stainless super 40 Flowmaster mufflers with 7 inch stainless tips. On the interior I installed all new door panels, door handles, headliner, carpet, dashboard, glove box, installed a 90s XLT lariet Seat with lumbar that I had custom wrapped, billet tilt steering with cherry wood steering wheel, Dakota digital dashboard with a complete stereo system with amps, subs, speakers etc…
This truck has stock chrome bumpers all brand-new, all new headlights, tail lights, marker lights, grill, the bed was rhino lined, I installed a double triple custom steel roll bar which I had painted to match the truck.The color of the truck is called sangria red it’s a mid 90s Ford color with metallic. I installed a Lund sun visor and had some custom hand-painted detail added all over the truck. I enjoy this truck with my family and friends. I take my wife out every so often and kids out for joyrides to get an ice cream or just a fun cruise. I have attended many car shows since finishing this truck and it turns heads every time I pull in. I have won almost 50 awards and trophies and have really become a car enthusiasts and started my own car club. I have entered this truck into the World Of Wheels and won awards. It really has become a fun toy for me and my family. I would also like to thank LMC truck parts for helping me restore this truck and assisting me with parts.