Sportruk

As some of you had seen before, I'm changing out the frontend for the '92-'96 F150 style. Due to the already sectioned front fenders, I can not simply swap the entire clip. I'm modifying the fenders, rad support and hood to fit the lights, grill and bumper. I'm deleting the trim around the lights and making a new filler panel. I've been at it for a couple months now and i'm learning a lot about forming sheet metal and even building a couple pieces of equipment to help.
Here's the Photoshop of what it should look like.

















Before and after of straightening out the hood.






This is for the underside of the hood.





This is also what I built.
A 32" sheet metal brake.


Planishing hammer.


I made this shrinking disc from 14 gauge stainless steel.

lightning_2000

you need your own custom shop.

i really liked the truck as is. but now its just over the top. looks great and great work

madramper

I'm digging the new look!

JAMES HESTER

WOW,if that's not dedication i don't know what is!i think it's gonna look great!

currituckF150

HOOLLEEECRAPPPP!!!! You are the man. Your truck looked great before I can't wait to see the finished product! Your fabricating skills are simply awesome. I would love just to learn to weld let alone be able to tackle something like this.

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Brett Laws
95 F150 Lightning, Lowered 3/4
93 F150 XLT LB- gone but not forgotten!

jonwoos

Thanks for the link over to this thread.

Awesome work as usual, I love the new design, and can not wait to see the finished product!

carls jr

Way cool up Dated Look

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The Future is Uncertain The end is Always Near

blkdvL

Damn Shawn

Amazing work.

86f150302

Wow amazing work. Cant wait to see it done.

bumperquip

That's gonna be totally sweet but I have a Q.

I need to qualify this Q first by saying that I am, by no stretch of anyone's imagination, even the most unimaginative, a sheet metal or paint and body man.

But, I'm wondering if it would not have been a lot less laborious to have modified the the hood, fenders, grille and bumper assemblies from a '92.5 - '97.5 F150/F250 than to modify the pre-'92 stuff.

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Sportruk

Thanks everyone. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I need to get it outside to see it from a distance, but the battery and wiring is messed up right now. I've been staring at it up close all this time. I only have a 1 1/2 car garage.
As for the reason of not swapping on the newer clip is, it would take just as much, if not more work to modify the clip to fit the cab. I would need to make a new cowl to fit the concealed wipers, modify the the fenders to meet the doors/A pillar and redo the hood for the Shaker. I like the sectioned fenders, as they suit the choptop profile. It would be 3 times the work to section the newer fenders to suit the style I want. At a quick glance, it will look like a '92-'96, but will have a unique look.
The hood has been the real challenge. Trying to get it smoothed out without it oil canning is the biggest problem. It's just about there and now I can finish up the underside of the hood.

89notchcrustang

truly amazing shawn!! I thought your truck was sexy before, now it's even better!

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ninty4lite

Amazing. I have always loved the look of your truck, but always felt that it needed the front end swap. Cant wait to see it done.

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[SIZE="6"]Owner of one of the first flareside conversions./SIZE]
Stolen May 1998 Colorado Springs Co.
Gone but not forgotten

SVT150TIM

Holy CXXxhit Shawn...this is absolutely the sweetest front end...ever!

Sportruk

It's coming along, slow but sure.
I finally got the hood done. I don't think it would have turned out as well as it did, if I didn't have a TIG welder. I've had it for years, but never tried sheet metal with it. I've only used it for stainless steel. Problem is now, I have to buy a bottle for argon. My "borrowed" bottle is almost empty and I can't return it or get it refilled.
Once I got the hood together, I mocked up some mounting points for gas struts. I now have to make up the brackets for the hood.
I got a couple pieces made up for the filler panel. It's shaping up nicely, so hopefully it shouldn't take to long.
Brushed on some epoxy primer before assembly.


Inner reinforments welded up for install.


I used polyurethane adhesive for the front pinch seam and welded the inner joint.


I already made the piece that is under the grill.
This is the driverside piece. Now I just have to make a reversed copy for the other side.