Shared by @RetroCoal. The timeline and plans reflect the owner’s original account.
Deven’s grandfather drove this 1978 Ford until advancing Parkinson’s meant he could no longer drive. The truck, in the family since 1979, came to Deven with a promise that he would do something with it. He had owned it ten years when he shared his account.
Two weeks into the build, his second attempt to fit the old body to the newer chassis showed that the firewall needed cutting for the 7.3 turbo and downpipe. His grandfather had died by then. As Deven made the cut, he promised it would not end as a half-finished project or hack job. Six years later, he kept that promise.
The work and the years behind it
A fully restored 1996 F-350 chassis and repaired cab and bed became the foundation. A local Father’s Day show brought a top 4x4 truck award, with Deven’s dad and two boys there to see it. He thanked his patient wife for supporting a project that took longer than promised. More injector, tuning and fuel and air-delivery work remained on the list.
Read the owner’s original account and build details
Truck year:
1978
Ownership when this account was shared:
10 years but it has been in the family since 1979.
How the truck came home
My grandfather drove this truck into his mid 70's but when his Parkinsons advanced to a point where he could no longer drive, it was given to me with the promise to do something with it one day.
The memories behind the truck
About 2 weeks into the build, I did my 2nd attempt at mocking the 70's body onto the 90's chassis. After trying a few things it became apparent that the firewall was going to have to be cut to make room for the 7.3L turbo / downpipe area. My grandfather had passed away by this point but I still made him a promise as I sliced a zip cut through the firewall of his old truck. I promised him this would not get left as a half finished project or a "hack job." 6 years later, I held up my end of that promise.
Build details, in the owner’s words
The truck has been completely restored including new cab corners and extensive box repairs. It sits on a fully restored 1996 F-350 chassis with a 7.3L powerstroke and a 5 speed manual transmission. It has an adrenaline HPOP, rebuilt turbo with a wicked wheel impeller, bellowed up-pipes, 4 inch exhaust, Southbend clutch and edge 100 HP tuner.
Plans at the time of the story
I am doing upgraded injectors and a custom hydra tuner this spring. Long term plans of doing an electric fuel delivery system and upgraded turbo / air delivery piping.
More from the owner
I entered the truck in our local father's day car show last summer. This was a life long dream for me. Winning the top 4x4 truck award with my dad and two boys present was more than I ever could have imagined. A special thanks to my very patient wife who supported the longer than quoted journey.
Keep the old Ford story going
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