Dig's Projects
1960 F-100
Most builds start with a vision of the project and that usually starts when you are least expecting it. I ran across this 1960 F-100 at a swap meet during a Good-Guys event in Des Moines, IA in July 2020.
I purchased 2 of these trucks from the same guy, he had a long box and a short box for sale. After a little time of negotiating, I brought them both home. I sold the long and kept the short box.
As the months passed and walking by this little ford, I began to envision what modifications I would make and how I could change the look by customizing what was there but retain the classic look of the Ford F100.
As I began disassembling the truck, I started the modification process with the drive line. I chose a 4.6-liter 32 valve mod motor by ford that was backed up with a Whipple super charger knowing this would supply plenty of power to the ground. The transmission is a Tremec 5 speed that was built especially for the power this truck produces.
The rear suspension is a TCI 4 link with Viking coil overs and a custom quick performance 9” ford housing, that packs plenty of strength with the 9” Detroit locker center section with Yukon gears and 35 spline axles.
The chassis is the stock 1960 ford f-100 that has been boxed and set up with a TCI IFS and 4 link in the rear specifically for the 1960 ford f-100. As you look over the chassis you will notice the custom-built removeable center cross member that not only provides extra support but also acts as the transmission mount. Some of the other features for this truck are 4-wheel Wilwood disc brakes, e-stop electric emergency brakes, stainless steel brake lines, Fragola fuel lines and a universal tanks fuel tank to round out the underside of the truck that has been relocated from its stock location from behind the seat to the rear section of the frame rails.
Many of the fabrication modifications consist of adding an inch to the lower portion of the hood to close the gap from the old ford look. The front ford badge has been replaced with 16g sheet metal to give the truck a little flow to the hood. The front bumper had been narrowed and tucked several inches, and the front bolts have been shaved.
As you work your way down the side of the truck you notice the doors have been modified on the leading edge by removing the squared portion and a fabricated curved look to match the rest of the truck. Door handles have been removed and replaced with 1946 Lincoln mechanical push buttons along with the interior modified door handles powder coated black.
When looking inside the cab you see Dakota digital gauges, an IDIDIT column, cruise control, a/c, and power windows. All the interior controls are housed in a custom-built console by Dig himself. Bucket seats and a smooth dash finish the interior along with black, red, and charcoal upholstery.
Heading to the box of the truck you find most of it had been modified with fabrication that takes a keen eye to notice. Crafted into this 1960 Ford is a double wall interior with 18g cold rolled steel. The bed of this truck was hand bent right her at Digs Rod Shop on a sheet metal brake. Yes, it took 3 techs a couple of hours to bend this bed floor one bend at a time. The rest of the bed consists of 63 chevy truck wheel tubs and custom tailgate with electric latch and hidden hinges. The bed was raised 3” and the lower portion dropped, and exhaust cutouts added along with Cadillac taillights.
The finish on the truck was a combination of PPG coarse aluminum base with 5 coats of House of Color cherry candy and 8 coats of PPG glamour clear.
This 1960 F100 sports multiple custom metal fabrications under the hood and colored with charcoal grey satin finish. The wheels are American Racing torque thrust 18×8 painted to match the accent charcoal grey topped off with Nitto 555 series 18” tires all the way around.
Enjoy the pictures and we will see you on the road with the little candy ford.
