Rusty the Michigan 1997 F-350
2021 hit and truck prices were through the roof, Covid didn’t help. Decided to get a project truck OBS ford and fix it up as I had grown up learning to drive on OBS fords and always wanted to restore a vehicle with my Dad. Well found a crew cab 7.3 diesel for my growing family and I don’t know if I’m a glutton for punishment or what but after buying I realized how rusty this thing was after years of Michigan winters. My Dad and I proceeded to take it apart, with the help of gallons of WD-40 and finding replacement parts all over the state that other people had purchased to restore their own project and just lost the patience or time to do themselves. With lots and lots of hours we took it all apart, made a homemade wet sand blaster and sandblasted the frame and started to restore it back to rust free state. It’s a great project that I will look back on for years with my Dad. With my son coming along in October of 2021 I expect this to be a fun thing for him and myself as he gets older. Fortunately, he loves everything about it especially pretending to drive. Hoping we make lots of memories together working on it and if he wants maybe even be the truck he learns to drive on like I did when I was a kid. Anyways attached are some pictures of the build process. Like I said still a work in progress and most likely won’t be done for many years to come if ever. Thanks for reading, the Walacavage Family. -Lansing, MI
Step 1
Let’s just say wowzers. Lots of rust and miles. The floor supports where the cab rests on the frame were so rusted out that the previous owner had 2x4’s resting between the cab and support to hold the cab up. I don’t know what I was thinking but I bought it, lol.
Step 2
Started disassembling it. Years of salt from Michigan roads rusted out maybe parts in this OBS Ford. Decided best course of action after looking into aftermarket parts was to find original prices to replace the rusted out parts. So the my Dad and friends started helping me disassemble. I don’t have a garage so we used the backyard and an old swing set to pull the big parts like bed, cab and engine. This was all in order to sandblast the rusted frame. Lots of wd-40 was used to break free rusted bolts during this process. Pictured is my Dad and myself next to our trailer after a late night of running around the state buying rust free parts.
Step 3
After my Dad and I sandblasted the frame and coated with a coal tar epoxy we moved on to re assembling. Tooks going back through lots of pictures and many many trips to the pets store but finally got it back together and road worthy. Still looks like a Frankentruck but at least it’s not Rusty, I promise you that!
Step 4
Just enjoying the journey now. Using it to tow when I need to and haul/ do stuff around the property. Hopefully getting ready to paint this summer but like any good journey, don’t rush it and enjoy the ride. My little man sure is, picture of my wife pregnant and then Walker (aka little man) sitting in the truck over the last couple years. Very thankful for all the family and friends that helped work on this beast over the last few years and all the new friends made along the way!
