| Merle Ward is from Stratsburg, Ohia, a little town of 4000 people. His ’66 Ford F-100 truck was just finished this Spring and has already taken 16 first place trophies, 4 best of shows, 1 best of paint and the Editors choice 1st place at Summit Racing’s Truck Fest in September. It will be in Sport Truck Magazine’s January 2001 issue and will be the centerfold of Summit’s catalog in the near futur. Merle is an analyst for Timken Research, (was a machinist). The truck was built in his son-in-laws and his garage. He did not do the painting or the interior. The paint was done at Cua Auto Body of Dover, Ohio. Merle says he has rebuilt several wrecked cars over the years and several rods over the years. | |
| This is what Merle told us about the project…In his own words… | |
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This is the ’66 Ford F-100 this I have built into a Pro-Street truck. It took me 2 1/2 years to complete and it is ALL FORD! It has a 351 Cleveland bored .030″ over with T.R.W. forged pistons and rods. It has an Edelbrock intake with a 750 Holley. Accel ignition. Comp Cam and lifters. The headers are custom make and Jet-Hot ceramic coated along with the 3″ exhaust and Super Trapps on billet hangers. |
| It has an ’85 Lincoln AOD transmission with a B&M shift kit and a B&M shifter. A 9″ Ford rear end with full floating splined axles, A 3.89 Richmond ring and pinion with a Detroit Locker attached to ladder bars and Alden Eagle coil overs. The truck is lowers 5″ total. I willed all seams and took all emblems off. The engine compartment is clean and all stainless and billet. |  |
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We filled the front wheel opening 3 inches, reversed the tailgate latch to the bedside and reskinned the new tailgate when put a rear roll pan on. The paint is Dupont Chroma Base and Clear in Ford “Grabber Blue”. Weld grad-lite wheels with Mickey Thompson 18.5″X 29″ on the rear. Brakes are wilwood 12″ rotors and 4 piston calipers. |
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The interior has a custom billet dash, knobs, bezels, pedals, door pulls, console, etc. which I made myself. The seats are 88 T-bird Super Coupe recovered in gray leather and cloth. Tilt column is 78 Ford Crown Vic with a new tube, also made myself. It has all Auto Meter Pro Comp guages and tach, JVC CD player and Rockfort Fosgate speakers. Billet mast cylinder cover and FORD MOTOR SPORT GOODIES GALORE! |
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Looks like a truck that will be winning again next summer! We’re glad that Merle sent in these pictures for all of us to look at. It;s great to see what guys are going around the country in their trucks. We’d like to see your Garage Shots.. You can reach us at: [email protected] Toll Free ar 877-700-2468 or locally at 208-562-0470 |
