FULL BUILD: Upgrading A 1974 Ford F-100 With Track Power

The Truck Tech team picks up a 1974 Ford F-100 and brings it back to the shop for a quick inspection. Then it's off to the dyno for a baseline before going to the road course for a thorough shakedown run.
The guys bolt on some budget suspension upgrades that will lower it 4 inches closer to the ground, then throw on some sway bars to reduce body roll. Next, it's time to tackle a rear end upgrade before the engine goes back together as the guys hope to improve power of this weak 351 Windsor. New rubber, rims and custom exhaust will wrap up Stage 1.
The measly 146 HP at the wheels will be a distant memory when the freshened-up Ford heads back on the chassis dyno. Finally, it's onto the race track to compare the newly modified truck against its own baseline!
#ford #f100 #fullbuild

[@Sabahes_ASMR]

This show is basically 90% commercial segments, and 10% actual show.

[@BBCMONTE34]

Crazy nice truck before getting touched.

[@Blando7887]

Id be happy with that truck the way they got it

[@stevenmyers2252]

Agreed, that's my dream truck.

[@j-r1277]

You don’t sound American with that attitude.

[@ronaldoandrade4259]

Kopp pppp

[@ronaldoandrade4259]

@@stevenmyers2252 e outros l

[@ronaldoandrade4259]

@@stevenmyers2252 o ppoplpppppllpp k

[@hunterdavis1663]

That truck was beautiful from the start

[@user-nq1sq6mx2x]

Old Fords never die - they just go faster :-)

[@TheJeracuda]

140 hp on a stock 1974 engine is actually pretty impressive

[@nathanmcdonald610]

Yeah especially considering that was ''wheel HP'', it was probably laying down close to 200hp at the crank with those numbers which is laughable for any modern V8 but something made in the 1970's smog era, that's not bad at all.

[@coache1nine]

I agree. Emissions killed power on more than a few vehicles in the '70's. Truck ran strong before they put a wrench on it

[@alpercagangunes]

my 2009 peugeot is 75hp :')

[@TheChaztor]

@@alpercagangunes Not at the wheels Im guessing.

[@joumasepoes88]

Wasn't a stock 74 engine. It had a small cam and intake, but no telling what year the old boat anchor engine actually was, as no dentside truck 73-79 EVER came stock with a 351w. Besides, the 351w was NEVER meant to be a performance engine. Kind proves that here........ If I'm going to take the time to swap a small block for a small block it will be a Cleveland for me. They actually make power.

[@strongocho]

I remember in the golden age of TV obsessing over these type of shows. I am so glad I found this channel. Stuff like this is what got me into working on cars/trucks/motorcycles at a young age. Awesome truck btw. I am currently working on planning out a 1991 ford ranger build. The 30 year old 4.0 is kind of shot, but the body and frame are rust free and interior is mint. Perfect project truck. If I can get my money straight, I am putting a 302 in it.

[@chappeah]

i've seen rangers with 302s rip down the road like a bat out of hell. fun little trucks

[@iambiggus]

Good luck with that.

[@antoniovarenas8269]

@@chappeah ííííiíí

[@drewdoestrucks]

“Love working on these old engines because they don’t require any special tools.” Multiple times throughout the build “make sure you use the special tool”

[@MaffettMotorwerks]

This was an awesome project and glad to be a small part of it. Thanks y’all!

[@DDay-zm7bc]

I I grew up with 75 Ford F100 with a 351 in it. Truck was in the family for 30 years

[@Motorhead-y3]

As a 1985 grad, nothing better than a 429CJ Shorty F with widetracs a a Pioneer Silver with Cricket 6x9s

[@westtexan2263]

You guys brought back an old memory while driving the stock truck around the track. When I was in high school I had a 69 f100. We had just finished up baseball practice and I was going to take a friend home. I had the whole school parking lot to myself and floored it towards the exit on the far side. I was making a gentle arc while pouring the coals to it and she came up on two wheels with the passenger side up in the air. My friend was about to poop his britches as I just took my foot off the gas and straightened her out a little and she came back down. He thought I did it on purpose and I never told him any different. But the truth is it scared the crap out of me too. Good Times!!!

[@joeythebeau2316]

Like that comment

[@davidlewis3169]

I had a white '74 F-100, with a 302, 3 speed manual W a granny gear and the Blue-Bird bus shifter...Long Bed, and 2 30 Gallon tanks from the Factory. I LOVED that Truck!

[@ChuckCanada1]

Removing the bolts under the truck bed where the leaf spring was, adjusting the leaf spring to make room. That right there is the definition of work smarter not harder. Well done.

[@stevenwdoolittle1195]

You say it dont sound fair about selling cheap but remember you are doing them a favor when they need money! They could be feeding there baby so you are a good man theo

[@landrelarose745]

Hey guys. I saw that truck before the two of you started modifying it. Thanks for choosing a Ford because it's my favorite auto company. As you probably know, it's not the brakes that are the problem. It's the tires. When they don't have any grip, they will constantly squeal. You know that's not acceptable. It's time to continue watching you build it.

[@finnthehuman5260]

Thank god carcass didn't touch this beautiful truck

[@mattschaffer7451]

Glad the video's title doesn't read,"Today on Carcass, we destroy a perfectly nice F-100 by turning it into a drift car." Lol

[@Timman57]

Atleast it didn't make its way to Whistlin Diesel lol

[@CJColvin]

Same here brother.

[@nasilemak868]

@@Timman57 that poor Hilux tho

[@Timman57]

@@nasilemak868 I agree, a damn shame, my buddy has been looking for a mint one for about 5 years now lol but then again he just doesn't wanna pay the money.

[@jaggeh3340]

I am glad this stuff is moved onto youtube. trying to fit it all into a 30 minute episode spread among odd time slots on tv sucked compared to this

[@marlobreding7402]

400 horsepower with dished pistons? Somebody's Dreamin.

[@marlobreding7402]

@@michaelbrinks8089 I thought I heard the degrees at .050" lift from base on both lobes to determine it's center line and lobes separation.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Prolly 425-435 flywheel HP @ 6,000 RPMs with headers and better pistons...

[@carlwray4627]

Such a nice truck,i d be satisfied with it stock

[@mickeythompson1562]

The First generation Lightning F150 was twin I beam and handled pretty dam good

[@El_Chompo]

The quality and length of these videos is top notch guys. Keep it up.

[@offroadastroothervans.4685]

Did not know LT WAS ON HERE FIRST

[@backyardbuilttrucks1]

Best thing all older Ford's are know for , are the front cab mounts , I still have templates I made to do rust repair from back in the 90's. Love bump and dent sides . Don't knock carbs guys . I kick a lot of butts with a blow thru setup.

[@kermitsuicide4369]

I’m gonna say I flinched when you almost dropped that oil filter 😂 I know the pain

[@edwardprzydzial]

i love this truck... great job guys what you did for this '74 is awesome. she looks better and is faster and tougher. nice job! also, glad you guys left the look alone. kudos!

[@richardcarr6493]

THIS IS EXACTLY what l want for a FORD F100 simple and fast enough but reliable to be used every day .This to me is better than anything NEW . FYI a Bluetooth speaker is all l need for tunes but if the stereo has it that s all good too !! But l would like some cup holds for coffee ;)

[@mrmike115]

we used to use a flat sander for bodywork to re scuff the heads and block when doing rebuilds it worked amazing, saved lots of time! cool truck cool rebuild you guys have done!!!

[@joshuakruty6967]

You guys are the only people I would ever trust to touch my 87 F-150. Please she needs help and I have limited means and resources. I need the power nation rescue van ❤️

[@AndrewOtwellMusic]

Great job guys. I did the same type of build on my 1969 F-100 and it is a people pleaser.

[@drewsinger6570]

Yes. Yes, And more yes.

[@bradyarebalo9342]

Yesss I’ve been looking for tips and tricks for my truck and engine I have a 73 f250 highboy

[@robertfogarty3253]

i hope to fix up my 77 2wd f250 Mom & Dad put camper on top,105 thousand later its mine

[@bobhilly546312156332]

360 or 300?

[@bradyarebalo9342]

@@bobhilly546312156332 390 FE

[@carguy3028]

That track run looked fun when the truck was stock lol.

[@jbone9900]

Sadly rice tech got her

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! A TOTALLY AWSOME BUILD!!!! THIS IS SOMETHING ANYBODY CAN BUILD!!! A GREAT DAILY DRIVER AND GREAT FOR AUTOCROSSING EVENTS!!! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT!!!! SHE CAME OUT TOTALLY AWSOME!!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING!!! GREAT VIDEO AND A GREAT BUILD!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@pointreyes4272]

I bought a brand new midnight blue metallic 74 F100 when I was 19 years old. I traded it in on a 78 F150 same color. I should have kept both of them:)

[@petersimpson1734]

Wonder how much more power it would have made with quality headers and a decent exhaust.

[@martinian0340]

Love this channel and these long videos!

[@jamesmcnamara7484]

I lowered mine for about $100. I flipped the spring perch, made a longer shackle, cut, and rotated the spring pads to correct the pinion angle. Up front I used (I think) 93-95 Ford Explorer progressive coil springs.

[@bmh67wa]

Ford didn't put a 351W in pickups in 1974. They had 240, 300, 302, 360, 390, and 460. No 352, 351W, or 351M.

[@izzynutz2000]

Unless it was specially ordered

[@donreinke5863]

@@izzynutz2000 Couldnt do that. Each engine installed in a vehicl,, even light trucks had to be EPA certified for the vehicle, even back then.

[@donreinke5863]

If that was a 4 barrel Windsor it came out of a 1969 Ford, likely a Mustang but possibly a Torino.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@donreinke5863 - Car 351W's got 2 bbl. carb.s after 1970, but trucks got 4 bbl. carb.s... but compression ratio dropped into 7's... those piston dishes look like ashtrays! Engine in my '78 F150 is 351M and sticker says "emissions exempt" because it's a truck... Those 351W heads had rocker studs with 5/16" threads on top, 1/4" base circle, and they broke off above 5,000 RPMs... those cast iron rocker arms also break in half above 5,000 RPMs... don't ask how I know that... LOL!

[@briansearles4473]

@@BuzzLOLOL I have never seen or heard of any Ford pickup that came with a 351 4bbl. They all had 2bbl's.

[@frankcherry3810]

This was so funny! Reminds me of ‘Smoky and the Bandit’

[@crazyhorse8508]

Another low rider classic American truck..But I grew up watching these guys back before it was horsepower tv ..think it was hot rod tv an trucks came later..stacey David's an the blonde guy ..dam I'm getting old

[@whoahthere]

Thank you for all the good info and ideas for building my 72' f100 302.

[@tudrow6087]

Oh man I love that truck! I had a 75 baby blue with a 428 cj in it. I'm still kicking my butt for trading it.

[@coling6103]

Baby blue you say!!!! Kinda like mine

[@tudrow6087]

@@coling6103 Yes Sr.

[@johnvineyard67]

pat engine power , be lost,, if lost a pen,, he has in a pocket .. lol,, love this guy ,, he loves his job... knows his stuff ...

[@rickitynick4463]

I'm jealous of a small guy that can fit into an engine bay. My big ass has to get bent up to fit into anything.

[@MackHeath-ns7ly]

thank you for showing Fords are not as badas some might have people think and they do have some good trucks and cars out there my Dad worked for Ford's for 19 yrs got hit and killed by a Chevy but I do not blame the Car I blame the driver of the car that hit my Dad that said keep up the good work and God Bless both of you

[@jacobsills8257]

That color is BEAUTIFUL

[@davidhyde4997]

This is going to be good. I got a 1977 f100 that I would love to get it to handle better

[@IanPaiceMetalArt]

Great vid. I wish I could make full sized cars like you. I only have a small shed, so I'm limited to fabricating small ones. But still its fun

[@magnumcipher4971]

The architecture of the LS engine family is strikingly close to the venerable old 351 Windsor.

[@branon6565]

Yeah but only a real a**hole installs a Garbage Motors manufactured junk chevy engine in such a nice Ford....

[@renripari5514]

With the track time ! One of you is much Lighter than the other . No disrespect 😤 Kind Regards REN

[@johnhoward5348]

I need that 351 for my old Ford . Love that truck .mines been sitting in the woods here in Missouri for 15 years

[@jasongilbert2379]

Had 1 identical to it in Light Grabber Blue with a 390 … beautiful trucks:)

[@johnvineyard67]

omg... you guys are... really givn the guys that built this truck .. a ear to ear smile .. i think it kicked ass .. for what it is ,, it didnt break down, or complain,, props to guys built it,,, bet your ass a guy could improve it... guess will see .. be nice see you upgrade whats there,, and not,, molest it....

[@josephatkins6581]

Thank you for caring enough to reply to this old man

[@bigblockford3059]

Ohhhh HELL YES! Thats a badass truck!!

[@lincolnstovall9471]

It may not have started out, she looks great!!! Trucks are my fav.!!!

[@B1Springfield]

I might be mistaken, but I didn’t know they came with 351 Windsor’s. I had one, same year, a Ranger, with the 360, 4speed. Miss that truck lol. I have a 73 that is in need of major work, but I’ll get to it I’m glad they mounted the white letters out, looks way better.

[@bmh67wa]

They didn't come with a 351W in 1974. If these guys knew their stuff they would know that.

[@B1Springfield]

@@bmh67wa I figured that. Initially when I saw the 351 4v on the air cleaner I was thinking, oh man, they swapped in a 4v Cleveland in the restoration. Must’ve been a 302 truck originally

[@jdpinbaytown]

Yep, No 351W in Trucks till 1983

[@frankgrimes6047]

@@jdpinbaytown nope, had a 77 f-100 with a 351w, truck would pass anything but a gas station. my bad, had a 351m.

[@lestedabahia6121]

Great Project. Watching Here In Brazil.

[@gushaman]

Truck: do not heat Truck Tech: ehhhhhhhhh 😁🔥

[@deanwharepapa8561]

Very cool truck, awesome upgrades, I love it

[@vorhese]

My first vehicle, in 1990, bought when I was 14 :D

[@ajpasa]

Great show!

[@pangaute]

Really enjoyed this, thanks

[@marlobreding7402]

I'm surprised you didn't go with a Crown Vic front suspension since it pretty much fits without much modification. Way more options.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Use whole Crown Vic frame and drivetrain... or maybe Lincoln to get the correct wheelbase... and handling...

[@josereyes4586]

When he said "ouch" I felt that

[@eaglethehulk8539]

"I ain't seen anything yet but I am changing my guess to 75" had me rolling.

[@bnmartell]

“Put it on the dyno and got an unimpressive 146hp at the rear wheels”. A stock engine was 156 at 4000. That’s not bad

[@juhomaki-petaja]

Remember that those are from rear wheel. Engine power is about 175Hp

[@chrismelcher9482]

@@juhomaki-petaja they put $7,000 ( about$4,500 in the engine ). and only gained 17 lb ft !!! And it falls on its face after 4grand!! I don't see anything worth bragging about.

[@juhomaki-petaja]

@@chrismelcher9482 I was talking about that ”baseline” engine

[@chrismelcher9482]

@@juhomaki-petaja yeah Ford definitely has more to reason brag than they do. PN usually does pretty good, not sure what happened on this one LMAO 😂.

[@ShaunHensley]

2.3 ecoboost has more power

[@ricardokim4870]

WONDER Designer

[@ronniejohnson317]

Pat, you need a Guyabera shirt. And I have built trucks from the ground and didn’t spend close to that. I built a 64 f100 cheap. The paint was the big expense (Imron uraflow). I took the arch springs out and flipped the them under. Stiff shocks. A junkyard 390 c6.

[@opwarriorxp1863]

Finally someone used the track here

[@gnfnrs1186]

My favorite body ever. My first vehicle was a 78 f150 ranger

[@backcountryme]

My first vehicle was a 74 F100 with a 390 and the XLT Ranger package. Man I loved that truck.

[@backcountryme]

@jamesbell7949 yeah, mine was a short bed too. It had the tow package with the low gearing. It wasn’t fast, but it would pull a house down. Ha. I painted it midnight blue.

[@JoeRocket-sf6qs]

The parts ur taking off are like new and I need some of em ,send em my way😆I must say I would have removed the engine.that truck was rebuilt in the mid 90s so that bolt ceased in the bush in less than 25-26 years.no L.S have an original idea instead of doing what everyone else is.

[@johnathonmcgee1123]

they are throwing away gold :}

[@JoeRocket-sf6qs]

@@johnathonmcgee1123 that they are ,but my trucks almost done ,I bet swap meet is where those parts are headed.

[@schwanzmunster2503]

Awesome truck! I am subscribed to LTs' channel that he has now. Also good stuff.

[@chaleowin7732]

I had a 74 Bronco, that F-100 is sexy too.

[@ChiefRickyRC]

I'd give anything for this 1974 red F100 😍👨‍🔧🏁🏆💘

[@movaughn20]

Definatly looking up a sway bar set up. Curious whats out there to utilize stock cast I-beams on 70 stepside

[@JimBascombe]

I have a 68 short box. And there aŕe are sway bar kits for the I-beams out there. Can't remember the company name that had the ones I got But they helped a lot with body roll.

[@JoeZelensky]

Excellent choice of rockers. For the same price should have done ARP studs for the heads, a roller cam, and timing gears.

[@chrissartain4430]

Good Job Guys!

[@Slammy555]

My uncle had a truck just like that. I think it was '72 and it was red+white but looked just like that. He loved that truck.EDIT: Looking at the pics it was a '74 Ranger.

[@AirohThird]

I loved how you guys improved the truck and keept the clean original looks. She is a beauty.

[@slimbo9744]

A clean all original truck will be a thing of the past in some years to come. I like to see them modified but when there that nice i would leave them that way.

[@CJColvin]

You guys could've done the crownvic swap as well.

[@jackofalltrades4904]

Yes! please do a crown vic swap including engine and trans!

[@chrismelcher9482]

Have you seen what Tony and Lucky built on HotRod Garage?? I think it's called the Crown Hick lol. Pretty cool build.

[@jaywill4395]

The dyno guy really cares about sleeping well😁

[@Ironwind1972]

What happened to 4 to 5 times the hp of the original engine? Forced induction? The combo you did use having an estimated 400hp?

[@imranabbasi7871]

Good luck 👍this is my favorite classic pickup truck 🛻

[@chestercallahan8856]

Best build show!

[@ironhead2008]

We had a blue and white '75 (I think) F100 when I was little. I still remember that truck. One of these days I'd like to hunt one down and hop it up (and I mean REALLY hop it up, with say a 460).

[@BuzzLOLOL]

A stock Ford 400 will make good low budget power with TMI pistons and a mild Jegs cam...

[@ironhead2008]

I figured as much. I think it actually had a 400M now that you mention it. Either that or a 360FE.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Nice truck!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍

[@agaragar21]

Nice JOB !

[@alk3myst]

not crazy about the color they used on that I beam setup. glad it performed well. Truck looks good.

[@markdubois4882]

The 351 was NOT available in the F-series til 1977. the F series from 73 to 76 were using FE engines larger than the 302 and smaller than the 460 (360, 390).

[@mohrass1]

You are correct!!

[@dbeasleyphx]

I don’t remember them saying it was the original engine. The truck was modified/updated when they bought it.

[@motormatt302]

Awesome, gave me some great ideas for my 74 f100!

[@solanaceae2069]

Sweet truck.

[@ruffcutford]

This was great!

[@shannonfamily]

I feel bad saying it, I rarely feel this way BUT, I had a 75 in rougher shape and loved it dearly so seeing this in this condition makes my heart flutter and I would not change it. I am a restomod l9ver but this truck is too gorgeous to change. Except the Windsor but since that is rebuilt original I'd leave that too. Sorry guys, love power Nation and you still get thumbs up but I'm sad.

[@willemp6432]

How cool is that...Nice and slammed. Now Jeremy can also get in and out.....😈

[@olveramelinda]

Big gains

[@dimascuwk9071]

I love the dwarf he's genius

[@michaelzimmerman635]

Hillbilly Tyrion Lannister.