As usual, we flamed through four digital-camera batteries and filled a flash card taking photos of No Limit Engineering's crew building the 2006 F-100 Super- Nationals '56 Ford F-100 giveaway truck. After a day's work, we had enough notes and photographs to write several more tech articles. If we could only figure out a way to work as fast and as meticulously as the No Limit fabricators!
This time, we primarily watched Tim, No Limit's parts production manager, put together the front sheetmetal from Mid Fifty F-100 Parts and install the body panels on the custom No Limit tubular chassis. In Tim's illustrious career, he has built over 200 F-100s. By following his progress, and that of other No Limit craftsmen, you'll see firsthand how the pros put together a very custom classic pickup. Apply what you learn here in your garage and you'll be building like the pros in no time. Perhaps you're already a master fabricator-if so, there may be a trick or two you haven't learned yet. Enjoy.
Mid Fifty F-100 parts contributed...
Mid Fifty F-100 parts contributed all the front sheetmetal for the '56 Ford F-100 giveaway truck: gravel pan, radiator saddle, upper radiator valance, inner fender left, inner fender right, front fender left, front fender right, air deflector left, and air deflector right. The panels are of the same gauge the Ford Motor Company produced, typically 18-gauge. To prevent any rust, Mid Fifty coats the sheetmetal components with black Electraplate.
Reproduction panels always...
Reproduction panels always require a bit of finesse for them to fit perfectly. Tim used his air sander to elongate the bolt-holes of both the left and right air-deflector panels. He'll be using 5/16-inch stainless steel buttonhead Allen fasteners upon final assembly.
By giving each attachment...
By giving each attachment hole in the air-deflector panels more room with the trusty air sander, Tim ensured that his job would be easier when he's ready to assemble the various body panels.
Once he'd opened up all the...
Once he'd opened up all the holes,...
Tim used the die grinder and...
Tim used the die grinder and the belt sander on the air-deflector panels to deburr the enlarged openings.
No Limit's talented technician...
No Limit's talented technician bolted the passenger-side fender to the right air-deflector panel.