blackwellwa1

Hi all, thanks for having me. My dad owned a 97 F150 extended cab step side. He paid $1,000 for it a few years ago, and, though it needed some work, he loved that truck. He passed away in February, and I want to restore it for my mom - and as a project to "talk" with my dad. The dashboard is cracked has seen better days, so that needs to be replaced. The seats currently have some cheap covers over them to hide the torn OEM seats, and the paint is chipping in multiple places, and the fender flares over the passenger side rear wheel is broken and cracked.

I'm beginning to plan out the restoration of the truck, and have a couple of questions:

1. Would it be worth trying to order a second-hand dash from somewhere on the 'net, or should I scour the junkyards in search of one.
2. Can the fiberglass over the passenger wheel be repaired with new fiberglass (or body filler) or do I need to find a replacement body panel? Here is a link to a pic of the damage, if it helps: https://imgur.com/gallery/6ZYEApa
3. Any places y'all can recommend to get the parts I'll need?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Andy

aforddriver

Sorry to hear about your father. If you head down to the local scrappy you might be able to pick up a whole bed for cheap. As far as the dash goes I just did a evap coil on one and well there’s a LOT of screws involved so take plenty pictures. Lots of videos on YouTube though. I would suggest replacing the door flap inside the plenum at the same time as they are a common failure. Check the heater core and evap coil for corrosion too. Oh there’s a little white thing on the end of the gear selector display you should try to protect if possible. I broke mine, but they’re like 11 dollars on Amazon. Mine is an automatic.

raysorenson

The dash would be a junkyard thing. A large part of what looks like the dash in the 10th gen isn't technically the dash assembly and is much less involved to replace.

Big Ed 1

For your dash you might be interested in this,

Look around I picked the first one I saw.
There are some that just glue over your dash.

Johnny Paycheck

OP, how about an update on how the truck is coming along?

As for the dash, well, mine got its first crack near the a defrost vent in the last year or so. Hopefully, the sunscreen keeps it from spreading when I’m not driving it. Our company ‘04 heritage truck also has a similar crack by a defroster vent.

https://www.carid.com/2002-ford-f-15...218560153.html

I’m not sure what something like this will do for you. I know those 2G Rams had terrible issues with the dashes crumbling to hell and they had overlays for them, but that really didn’t help, because there was no support underneath. Just a thought.

blackwellwa1

The truck restoration has come along nicely. I was able to find some dash pieces from a local junkyard, and I sanded them down and repainted them. I had some seat covers made to cover the torn leather inside. Outside, I replaced the headlights, fixed the cracked fiberglass over the rear fender flair, had it painted Race Red, and threw some new wheels on it.
https://imgur.com/a/HHO5BKc

Frank_Ford

This is what it looked like before the restoration

This is what it looks like now
I bought most of the parts for this restoration at Rock Auto. I bought a new bed with no rust or needed repairs for $420. Purchased new rocker panel and cab corner. I just cut out the rusted area and welded in the new panel and corner. You can also buy new fenders at Rock Auto instead of trying to fix a damaged or rusted fender. I did a lot of mechanical work that included new shocks, new gas tank and fuel pump, new A/C system, changed the intake manifold gasket, new radiator and water pump, starter, alternator, clutch, flywheel and a lot of other things too numerous to mention. I had a guy paint the truck and he did an outstanding job. I also had to have someone else do work that I wasn't about to do myself like the clutch, overhauling the transfer case, reupholstering the seats and headliner, and changing the fuel tank, Bought most of the parts at Rock Auto. The truck runs, rides, and handles a lot better than it did when I bought it in 2007. Furthermore, I have enjoyed working on it and getting it where it is today. I only have a few more things that need to get fixed but I am still working on these. In the end, I spent a little less than $10,000 which is a lot of money for an old truck but still a lot less than buying a new truck. Not a day goes by that I don't think about how muck I enjoy driving this truck.

blackwellwa1

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Looks fantastic! What front bumper is that?

BillSF9c

Make a list from yourself and these guys, then order it logically. You might add a USB receptacle or 2..Some want under dash leds. If I did it, they'd trigger to the door opening ir the glove box. Daytime running lights are easy. All these can be done later. Nice job! Sorry dad can't enjoy the process, but I admire your efforts for mom. Maybe avoid 10 ply sidewalls for her. Steps, good?