Just a Thought, Now a Reality

When I was about to leave for college, I bought a 1998 Honda Accord for $400. Before leaving, I decided to trade it for a 1994 Pontiac Firebird. After realizing that it wasn’t the car for me, I traded it for a 1977 Ford F150 4×4. After a few months of having it, my father put the thought of, “Hey it would be really cool to restore it and put a 12 valve Cummins in it.”

After a few years driving that truck to college and back, I decided it was time to try and make it work. For the three years, still being in college, playing college football, graduating, and then working as a teacher and coach, the “thought” became reality. Two-toned to match my father’s 1976 Ford F250 Highboy he had when I was just a baby. I used Allis-Chalmers Orange to match our collection of Allis-Chalmers tractors that we collect and restore as well. I wasn’t a big fan of the ’77 grille so I put in a ’78. Underneath the hood is a 1997 Cummins, with P-Pump and HX35 Turbo. I left the original four speed transmission, using an adapter plate from a bread truck that had a 12V and Ford transmission. We made the motor mounts and much more to make sure the truck looked and acted like it was made from the factory. To help with the 1/2 ton front suspension, we placed heavier air shocks to help absorb the weight of the heavy engine. Completely new interior, with bucket seats, center console, and gauges.

It is crazy to think that at one time, it was just a funny thought, but now a reality.