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1979 Ford F150 Craftsman Truck TributeStreet legal in Minnesota
Have you ever wanted to drive a race (truck) on the street? Now you can. This truck was built by a professional race team using racing equipment. The few exceptions will be detailed below. All race components were either new (when the truck was built) or professionally rebuilt from components handed down from the Cup Series. Many of these components were originally raced by Dale Ehrnhardt Sr. These items will also be detailed below.
This truck has over $100,000 worth of racing equipment used in its construction in addition to the time and effort of the construction. All components are readily available from many sources and the truck is very easy to maintain.Since the construction, the truck has been in many local car shows where it gets a great deal of attention. The truck has fewer than 500 miles since construction.Fame:Race car (truck construction begins with a frame. This is a new frame professionally built specifically for the street legal truck. It is designed exactly the same as a race frame with the following exception. All streel tubing used was of a heavier (thicker wall). This truck was intended to be driven on the street.
Body:The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series began in 1995. The first race in Phoenix at PIR was won by Mike Skinner. This trick is a tribute to Craftsman Truck racing. It was designed to represent what a Crafstman Truck would have looked like if the series had been running in 1979. The body is a 1979 Ford F150. Race car (truck) bodies are built differently than street car bodies. Race bodies are fastened to the frame as individual panels. This truck uses only "A" surface panels from the original donor truck. The entire body can be removed in about a half hour and the chassis is still capable of being driven.
Racing Seat and Belts:A Richardson Racing Products, Inc. aluminum bucket seat and padding is used along with Simpson Platinum Series 3 inch wide shoulder and lap belts. The 5thcrotch belt can be added but not used on this street truck.
Suspension:Race car suspensions are highly tunable. A knowledgeable person can get his vehicle to do anything desired by making adjustments. This truck is no different. Much can be done to alter the trucks handling, however, this is how it was set up for street driving.
Shock Absorbers: Penske rebuild ale Base Valve. These shocks were originally raced by Dale Earnhardt Sr. These are the shock absorbers of choice for the Cup Series. They were modified in the following ways for this street legal truck.New valving and shims replaced race valves and shims. The new package was built with the same valving and shims currently being used in the new Chevy Corvette Z06's.The shocks were also modified for coil over springs.Springs:4 new Hypercoil springs were used -- 400 pounds in front and 250 pounds in the rear.Control Arms:All front control arms are from Lefthander Chassis.Spindles: All front spindles are from Lefthander Chassis.
Hubs:Performance Products 5 x 5 front and rear hubs and Performance Products rear drive places. Aluminum hubs front and rear, 5/8- inch coarse lug nuts, with Tiimken bearing seats. Performance Products dust caps.Brakes:Wilwood clutch and brake pedal mounts. Wilwood master cylinders front and rear Wilwood calipers.Wheels:Lightweight steel race rims 5 x 5 bolt pattern.Tires: Mikey Thompson P325/50R15 front and rear.Steering:Sweet Manufacturing slotted power steering rack with integrated servo. Collapsible steering column and removable steering wheel. Wired for radio with pits and spotters. (radio not included)
Electrical Systems:This truck has two electrical systems. A race engine ignition system and a street legal electrical systems for lights, horn, turn signals and brake lights.The Race Electrical System:MSD Pro Billet distributor and tow MSD 6ALN ignition control boxes. Two Coils. Race car control panel allows drivers to switch ignition control in case of failure of one side. Wiring also allows driver to turn the engine over with the ignition control shut off in order to build up oil pressure in a cold engine. This panel also controls engine cooling fans.The Street Legal Electrical System:A Ron Francis panel is used to fuse and control all street requirements such as headlights, parking lights, brake lights, turn signals and horn. Auto Meter engine water temperature, oil pressure and Pro Comp Memory Tachometer complete the dash.Note: This truck does not have air condition, radios, power seats ect.Battery:A single Optima (red) dry dell battery powers both electrical systems. The batter is charged while driving by a single wire alternator and while in the shop a battery tender plug in.Fuel Cell:A 20-gallon Fuel Safe Pro Fuel Cell is mounted in the rear as specified by NASCAR. A deck lid must be removed in order to fuel the truck. This always gets lots of attention at the gas station. A Holly mechanical fuel pump feeds the engine.Engine:The engine is a departure from pure racing (2016) equipment. Although in 1979 big block engines were allowed. For this truck we wanted lots of horsepower and torque in a long lasting dependable engine. So this truck has a big block 454 Chevy engine. (The reason for the Chevy engine will be explained shortly, so stick with me here). The engine was built by Merlin withtoo many components to list here. It has been engine dynode producing between 500 and 600 horsepower. The exhaust system is tubular headers and single 4 inch tube to the right side exit just before the right rear tire. NASCAR style. There is a muffler (small) in the system but the truck makes alot of noise.Radiator:Fluidyne racing 4 inch core aluminum radiator that at one time belonged to Dale Earnhardt Sr. Cup car.Clutch and Starter:Quarter Master reverse mount high torque starter (moves weight to the rear) bell housing. Quarter Master 5-1/2 inch 3 plate clutch. This is a racing clutch. Fast engagement with little slipping. May be difficult for some less experienced drivers.Transmission:Another one of Dale Earnhardt's components. This transmission is a 4 speed Jerico with straight cut gears. Makes a lot of noise but shifts very nicely. This Chevy Transmission is the reason that a Chevy engine is in the truck. We wanted this transmission and only had the Chevy bell housing.A Quick Note:How did these components that once belonged to Dale Earnhardt's Cup car end up on this truck??Our race team was running the ASA National Touring Series in 2005. We purchased an ASA car from Indiana's State Highway patrol man Russ Tuttle. Russ was a body guard for ASA Dale on the weekends but wanted to get involved in racing himself. Dale provided Russ with many good race car components. The Cup teams often pass components down to the lower classes after a single race.This transmission is very special. Dale rebuilt the transmission for Russ's ASA car. The last hands that worked on this transmission belonged to Dale Earnhardt Sr. In the pictures you can still see DEI marking numbers for this transmission.The shocks, radiator and transmission in this truck were all part of Dale's Cup Car.Rear End:Winters aluminum Quick Change with heavy duty center sections. 4.86 gear ratio, locking spool and 8 ribs bells. Gear ratios are available for 2.77 -- 8.50 final drive. Gun drilled lighter weight axles. Low drag ratchet action when off the gas. This truck is currently running a 5.35 rear axle ratio. Not a good highway gear. 4,000 RPM at 70 MPH but it is a lot of fun in town and parking lots.
This truck is a single seat vehicle with no room for passengers. It was designed to provide a race truck appearance and driving experience while driving on the street. This truck is not for an inexperienced driver.If you have access to YouTube, check out this out. "Roadkill Episode #46". In this episode a Late Model race car was converted into a street legal 1970 Chevy Monte Carlo. Although fun to watch, keep in mind that this was a low budged project. The 1979 Craftsman Truck being offered here is a high end version of what you see in the video