1968 F-100 Ranger

[dcbullet]

Wow, it's been a while since I posted anything. I kind of go into hibernation during our cold winters here in Northern California .

A couple months ago I got my passenger side exhaust manifold replaced. It had a huge leak in it ever since I got the truck. I can not believe how quiet the truck is now with the stock manifolds! It sounds like a regular vehicle instead of TAT TAT TAT TAT.....

A couple of weeks ago I installed the headlight harness that 390Nut made. This was a very well made product as the rest of you probably experienced.



The battery tray and innner fender aren't in too bad a shape. I'll probably want to replace the battery tray but the inner fender just needs some wire wheel and new paint. Thank god for California weather. I cleaned them up a little and gave them a coat of Krylon Rust Tough in the mean time.





I also purchased these "Euro Style" halogen headlights from LMC.



The problem I had with these headlights is that the back of the assembly has this large rubber cap that holds the bulb and keeps the elements out. Unfortunately, that rubber cap doesn't fit through the hole in the headlight bucket so the assembly won't fit all the way in by about 3/16". My solution was to use longer sheet metal screws to hold the headlight ring on. This works, but it would be better to make the hole larger I think. I just don't have a good tool to do this with yet.



I attached the relays to the inner fender here and ran the harness under the starter solenoid. It's a nice fit.



Then I ran the harness to the passenger side over the core support, as 390Nut designed it.



Here are some before and after shots. As you can see, I had some aiming problems before I switched out the headlights.

BEFORE



After

It looks like I can still work on the passenger side aiming a little.



BEFORE



After





The pictures show the difference, but the actual real life results are even better than you can tell here. It is way, way better lighting now.

[dcbullet]

I also replaced the rear step bumper, which was bent down, with the sport bumper. It took me a while to make this decision. I like the way the step bumper looks too, but I decided to go with the sport bumper to see how I liked it. I figure the brackets will hold their value so I can always switch it out if I change my mind.

The pictures are clickable to larger size.

Here are the brackets if you need to see how they install, for reference.




Here are the shots of it installed. I think it does give the truck a more muscular look, which is something a Lunar Green truck needs all the help it can get with.

[69bumptruck]

Very nice thread here dcbullet! I just read it all from start to finsih and I'm impressed. You make it look easy. Looks like a brand new truck from where it started from, good job. Great pictures too, saved alot of them for future reference!

[dcbullet]

Thanks 69bumptruck!

[69CSF250]

Just like others have said you are making this look easy and what has made this a funner read was viewing all the before and after photos. you are having some great results with all your effort. First thing I thought after reading all the pages was I need to let my wife read this so she understands what I mean when I say its a diamond inthe rough about old trucks we see around town. Cant wait to see whats next great work!

[dcbullet]

Well just a grab bag of things I've done on my truck lately.

1. The front driver side wheel well trim was damaged when I bought the truck. I got a replacement from the pick-n-pull for $3.

BEFORE



AFTER



I noticed there was a ton of dirt under the trim so you guys might want to pull them off every now and again to clean under there and prevent rust.

2. My battery tray was trashed and I got this nice replacement. Looks like I need to get a set of new bolt when I get around to redoing the font end sheet metal.





3. I replaced the tail gate handle. The mechanism operates by two rods which are attached to the "latches" on each end of the tailgate. The handle twists a bracket and pulls the rods, thereby retracting the latches. To replace the handle, you need to preload the rods by twisting the bracket counterclockwise (looking from above) to line up the male end of the bolt with the female hole in the handle. Therefore, you need to attach the handle while the backing plate is not attached to the tailgate so you can twist the bracket while lining up the handle. It was pretty tricky, actually.

Here's a before shot



Here is the mechanism you need to line up with the handle while twisting.





Looks much better now.





4. Finally, I installed a tachometer. I used a Sunpro Super Tach II. When I ordered it I didn't realize it was 100% plastic, which I would rather not have in a 1968 vehicle. I guess I shouldn't have expected much for $35. All in all, I think it looks pretty good, though. I don't really like how the steering column bracket works, however. There are a couple of tabs that bend up just slightly. Because of that, the hose clamp can't sit flush. Looks a little hokey.

To install the tach, there are four wires.

One goes to the coil's negative post.



One goes to this handy blade in the fuse box.



Another is the ground which I attached to the dash. Finally, I wired the light for the gauge to the cigar lighter light since it was right nearby and also is subject to the dimmer control.

Here's the install.



This is what you see from the driver's position. I like how it doesn't block the rest of the gauges. That's why I got a really small tach.



The gauge lighting for this tach is a dead on match for our dash lighting.

[mljjones67]

lookin good dc

[tuff4rd]

Good job Im looking to get the same tach for my truck, do you think it would be possible to drill a pilot hole in the column and a use a small screw to mount the tach to the steering column ? I just dont like the look of the hose clamp.

[rjewkes]

hey dc looks like you need a new dome,cigar fuse.

[dcbullet]

Good job Im looking to get the same tach for my truck, do you think it would be possible to drill a pilot hole in the column and a use a small screw to mount the tach to the steering column ? I just dont like the look of the hose clamp.

Absolutely. There is a hole already in the mounting base for that. Iguess you'd need to use a pretty shallow sheet metal screw though.

hey dc looks like you need a new dome,cigar fuse.

Haha, yeah. I've got a problem with my gargo light wiring.

[Clarko]

Lookin great! That's the same tach I have. I just have it mounted to the left while you have it to the right.

[dcbullet]

Lookin great! That's the same tach I have. I just have it mounted to the left while you have it to the right.

I see you have the same issue with the bent up ends of the mounting bracket. I know they must have done that for some reason?

[1971ford]

nice rear bumper and tailgate latch!
dont you just hate how there is that ugly gap between the bumper and the tailgate on our trucks?

i just got a new handle and backing plate but dont know how to install it. i might be able to do it from what you said. right now they are taped in so rain wont get in the tailgate.

how do you adjust the headlights? mine could use some adjusting. and i should get those lights you got, with mine you might as well point a flashlight out the window just kidding, there not that bad.

your truck is coming along so nicely!!

[ezernut9mm]

lookin real good dc! do you have the original battery hold down to go with that new battery tray? i found them over at mustangs unlimited for 5 bux. should work as they are for 24f batteries

http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy ... &dep_key1=

[seattle67]

Excellent post DC, good pics and good information. Your truck is really coming together!