Hey all!


I recently started a Youtube channel, BarnBuiltBeaters, to document my 1978 Ford F250 Build. I bought this truck around 2015 and have since been slowly progressing towards a finished build! My channel starts out with me first building my shop and then will switch over towards mainly only working on the truck. Although I have already done a lot of work, you haven't missed much. I decided to take it off the road and strip it down to the bare frame and am almost starting from scratch.

Here is a short introduction video.it essentially just shows my truck and the near finished shop, but doesn't go into much detail. If you like what you see and don't want to miss anything along the way, don't forget to hit subscribe!

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This is day one when I first drove the Truck home. I bought it from the original family which had been passed down of the generations. The old man selling it wanted his daughter to take it but, fortunately for me, she didn't want it.
I gave the man an offer and explained what I wanted to do with the truck but it happened to be lower than the highest offer.
He called me back and said I could purchase the truck since I wanted to fix it up rather than abuse it as a work truck like many other people wanted.
I signed the paper work and looked up, he was tearing up!

Truck came with all the paperwork from when they orginally bought it. How cool!
4000ci, C6, NP203(Full time T-Case), Dana 44 front and Dana 60 Rear 3.73gears

Although I loved driving this gas hog around, it was eventually time to pull the engine and start building it. I was a college student at the time with no garage, a bit difficult for an engine overhaul... Luckily my professors were amazing and also gear heads due to going to school for Automotive Engineering. I traded some work with him and he let me rip out and dig into my engine. Turns out he had the exact same truck in his barn...guess i talked to the right guy!

A bit about the newly built engine. My school had a machine shop so although I did not perform the machine work the engine had a full machine job including balancing. I was running a Holley 750CFM carb with vacuum secondaries, Weiand dual plane intake, Scorpion roller rockers, ported with larger valves stock heads, Tim Meyer's 9.3:1 CR hypereutectic pistons, a bigger Howards cam and, stock rds and crank.
Since I went to school for Automotive Engineering we had a few different dyno simulators. After entering my specs, they each estimated my build around 500hp/500lb/ft. With my tuning....much less haha, just being honest!

Here is a snap in metro Detroit outside the house I was living in at the time. Although it is not a scenic backdrop, I always thought this picture looked good. I love my wheel and tire setup since although modern wheels, it still keeps a relatively classic look,
For those wondering, 33 Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ wrapped on MT Classic III 16s

My Third big project. yes third! not shown is my auto to manual/ Full time to part time T-Case swap.
This is the bed I built from replacement panels. The bed that was on my truck could have been saved but also needed some serious work as well. I figured by building a brand new bed I could ensure it is rust free even in the nooks and crannies and, the amount of time spent fixing the other one I could have a brand new bed.
Luckily the kid I sat next to in school happened to have worked at his family's body shop for 14 years. His parents were extremely cool and let us tinker on things over the years. I am sure his dad being a gear head also helped!

Just before the paint got mixed up, any guesses?

"Boring" gray! This is Selenite Gray from Mercedes to be exact. I knew what color, shade and, size/amount of flake in the paint I wanted I just had to find the right vehicle that had it. Turns out to be an expensive Mercedes paint color code....yay. Turned out absolutely amazing and I seriously couldn't have done this without my buddy Justin and his family's shop.
I doubt I would ever go this route again since the panels lined up terrible and required a lot of working which is/was above my skill set. The nice thing is, they didn't require much filler work.
The bottom of this bed is also bedlined and I will be getting the innside Line-X'ed. Although the body shop sells bedliner and are happy to sell it, they all highly recommend people get their stuff Line-X'ed.

Here is my truck 2 days before I had to move to the East Coast! I made it in time, crazy to think!

My truck about ready for the long haul to the East Coast! I pulled my engine due to a starter/flywheel issue. While it was out, I ended up getting a good offer that I ended up taking and have since sold my engine. I am going a different route which I wanted to go before. I just didn't have the money, knowledge, or confidence to do it....well still dont have the money I suppose!

The new engine! This is a 12V Cummins non 53 block. I got a good deal on this as my friend was about to move out and didn't want to take this with him. He told me it had a rod knock and that the crank may not be able to be saved.
Originally I wanted to keep it a Ford diesel product but have since ditched that idea.

I have acquired a few parts. Here is a Hamilton Stage 3 head (CNC Ported, Thicker deck plate, larger valves, Better springs, O-ringed). I got a WICKED deal on this. I bought this brand new and got nearly 30% off.
I can't remember the specs anymore but this head flows nearly double what the stock head does. I believe the stock head flows something like 110CFM max at .3" valve lift....miniscule.
Then the big snail in the background. This is a Borg Warner S475 T6 1.32AR Turbo. This is the primary turbo as I will be doing a compound setup.
Everything is Cerakote'd in high temp "paint". These will be the colors of my build, black and tan with minimal Chrome (or none if possible)

Another wicked deal. This is a crew cab, long bed 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 Frame. I bought this for a few reasons.
Modern Suspension
Has to be better especially with coils in all four corners.
The Axles
"Linked" from the factory means none or minimal axle wrap.
"Beefy" and should be able to hold up much better from a HO cummins.
The Frame
Boxed leading to additional strength.
Transmission and transfercase should directly bolt in. a 12V is very similar to modern 6.7 Cummins and should require minimal fab work to make fit

This frame is longer than my truck so it will need to be shortened and welded back together. I will have to make body mounts. As far as the axles go, the stance is nearly identical. If I remember correctly it is only 1" wider.
Oh also, the bolt pattern is the same as our trucks...it was meant to be! not sure my wheels will clear the calipers though!

So yes this will be a Ford body on a Dodge Platform. I know some of the purists may not like this but this is why it is my build. I want to build a "perfect truck" and this is how I envision it with what my skill set provides and the parts I have.

I also know a cummins swap intrigues a lot of people with many questions. Many of those I have seen wonder if they can simply do a frame swap, I will be documenting and answering as many questions as I figure them out!


My last picture! I have also been experimenting with carbon fiber and plan on replacing many of the plastic interior parts and depending on the success of those, may make some body panels too. Have to remove some of that cummins weight somehow!
This was my 3rd attempt at carbon fiber. It turned out okay. It is the cover to the steering column that sits between your knees, obviously not trimmed yet. I had a small vacuum leak which ruined part of the part and not enough release agent so some of my mold came with the part.
After a two year break and loads of research, I just placed another order and will be attempting to make a few other things.

If you like what you see subscribe to my channel BarnBuiltBeaters so you don't end up missing anything!(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRe...yTi8qkVddUGBMQ)

Feel free to ask any questions. I LOVE talking trucks!