1x1_Speed_Craig
Active member
Continue to follow the build (with a new owner) on the FC170 Patina Rod Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/FC170PatinaRod/
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I'm layin' down a disclaimer right out of the gate. This will not be a quick build, so all of you fine "microwave society" citizens might not get the immediate gratification out of watching my (slow) build thread. Watching paint dry? Much faster. Watching grass grow? Oh yeah...still faster. But what I build, I build right.
I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, but I ultimately chose "Jeep", even though it also could have gone in "Domestic: Full Size" (keep reading).
After a year+ of not owning a Jeep, and just focusing on my now 13-year-old daughter's 2-door XJ build (build thread HERE), I got myself into another big project that'll eventually give me some great utility, and have some great character at the same time.
This will be a relatively low-budget build utilizing late-model drivetrain parts (many I already have), with an attempt to maintain the character/patina of the FC cab. Here's the plan...
The FC170 cab donor (see below). I originally started with a different "Dan's Snowplowing" FC170 cab, but plans changed when I found the (better-condition) gray/patina FC170.
Jeep Commander "Saddle Brown" leather seats blend beautifully with the patina, and will add a touch of class to the interior. Matching custom leather arm rests and sun visors will complement the seats.
I wanted a stout, longer-than-stock heavy-duty frame for my project. Rather than work with the original frame, I decide to mount the cab on a late-model F350 Cab & Chassis frame, allowing me to use off-the-shelf suspension & axle parts. Ultimately, I landed on using a 74K-mile 2008 frame, which included the fuel tank, lines, etc. It also has the side pieces for a hitch (but not the center section).
The Ford Body Builder Guide on the Ford Fleet site has been an incredible resource for dimensional data.
I got the narrow F350 Cab & Chassis Dana 80 (71.1" WMS-to-WMS) from the same 2008 F350 C&C. Gear ratio is 3.73.
The front axle is a Dana Super 60 (3.73 ratio) from a 105K-mile 2005 F350 pick-up. I replaced the ball joints, U-joints & pinion seal, and am just finishing up getting the axle & suspension parts cleaned up & painted.
1994 Cummins 12v 6BT, 230K miles
Rebuilt 1994-1995 Dodge 47RH 4WD automatic transmission & 2001 NP241 DHD transfer case
https://www.facebook.com/FC170PatinaRod/
***
I'm layin' down a disclaimer right out of the gate. This will not be a quick build, so all of you fine "microwave society" citizens might not get the immediate gratification out of watching my (slow) build thread. Watching paint dry? Much faster. Watching grass grow? Oh yeah...still faster. But what I build, I build right.
I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, but I ultimately chose "Jeep", even though it also could have gone in "Domestic: Full Size" (keep reading).
After a year+ of not owning a Jeep, and just focusing on my now 13-year-old daughter's 2-door XJ build (build thread HERE), I got myself into another big project that'll eventually give me some great utility, and have some great character at the same time.
This will be a relatively low-budget build utilizing late-model drivetrain parts (many I already have), with an attempt to maintain the character/patina of the FC cab. Here's the plan...
- Repair the floors in the cab and neutralize exterior rust as much as possible. Prep/paint the interior nicely, but retain the existing exterior paint scheme/patina, rust, etc.
- Mount the cab on a 2008 Ford F350 Cab and Chassis frame (see below) painted nicely in satin black.
- Mid-engine install of a '95 Cummins 6BT, 47RH 4WD transmission and 2001 Dodge NP241 DHD Transfer Case.
- Build custom bumpers.
- Build a semi-custom bed. The original bed is shot, so repair is not an option. Some of you chimed in and suggested rebuilding a bed like the stock one, but for me, the flatbed will give me the utility I need, and be a lot easier/cheaper than trying to reconstruct the stock-style bed.
- Tire size? Stock F350 (~31-32" tall).
- Must be built with a meager budget.
The FC170 cab donor (see below). I originally started with a different "Dan's Snowplowing" FC170 cab, but plans changed when I found the (better-condition) gray/patina FC170.
Jeep Commander "Saddle Brown" leather seats blend beautifully with the patina, and will add a touch of class to the interior. Matching custom leather arm rests and sun visors will complement the seats.
I wanted a stout, longer-than-stock heavy-duty frame for my project. Rather than work with the original frame, I decide to mount the cab on a late-model F350 Cab & Chassis frame, allowing me to use off-the-shelf suspension & axle parts. Ultimately, I landed on using a 74K-mile 2008 frame, which included the fuel tank, lines, etc. It also has the side pieces for a hitch (but not the center section).
The Ford Body Builder Guide on the Ford Fleet site has been an incredible resource for dimensional data.
I got the narrow F350 Cab & Chassis Dana 80 (71.1" WMS-to-WMS) from the same 2008 F350 C&C. Gear ratio is 3.73.
The front axle is a Dana Super 60 (3.73 ratio) from a 105K-mile 2005 F350 pick-up. I replaced the ball joints, U-joints & pinion seal, and am just finishing up getting the axle & suspension parts cleaned up & painted.
1994 Cummins 12v 6BT, 230K miles
Rebuilt 1994-1995 Dodge 47RH 4WD automatic transmission & 2001 NP241 DHD transfer case
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