On Page 62 of the March edition of the magazine you asked for opinions of whether or not you should consider a buildup of a '60s-'70s SWB pickup as a 'muscle-truck. Well, I think the picture shown of a '69 Ford Ranger SWB truck is the perfect candidate for such a project and I'd like to totally endorse the idea.

Other than the fact that these vehicles have a pickup box, they have all the elements of what enthusiasts look for:

1) They're very plentiful and cheap to buy. Finding a rust-free SWB might take a little looking, since they to tend to have rust issues in certain areas (like all vehicles do), but the aftermarket has it covered by providing patch panels, if needed.
2) Because they were available from the factory with big-block engines (in fact a good majority of them came with 360 or 390 V8s), there would be no problem with a straight bolt-in if using an FE 360/390/428). You could also go with a 429/460 by simply using mounts from the '73-'79 trucks, since there were a lot from this generation so equipped.
3) Even though a lot of these truck are bare-bones models, with manual steering and brakes, parts to upgrade them are very plentiful. The '73-'79 trucks came with power steering and brakes and the entire front suspension/steering assembly will literally bolt right into a '67-'72 truck.
4) IMO the Ford trucks from this generation are probably the most stylish of anything remotely comparable from other makes.

In fact, I'm about halfway  through a very similar buildup on a '67 SWB F100. Mine came as a bare-bones model...the only option it came with was an AM radio. I've powdercoated the frame and suspension, swapped in power disc brakes and power steering from a '78 F150, adding a factory air-conditioning setup (even though the first year for factory air was '68), will be bolting in a '79 F150 tilt column (only very minor wiring mods needed, otherwise it's a bolt-in), swapped in a 5-lug Dana 60 Sure-trac and will be getting started building up a 390/C6 combo to drop in. This truck will serve occasional duty as a tow vehicle for my '67 442, since I decided I needed something stylish to haul the Olds as needed, but it's mainly being built up to serve as a daily driver.

If you're needing any information on these trucks, I have a website devoted to them that you really need to spend some time at doing some poking around, at www.FORDification.com . This is also where I detail my build-up progress with the 1100+ forum members (many of whom are doing such a buildup or have already completed one, and have pictures of their trucks in the Photo Galleries). We could provide you with an information you'd need and probably parts as well, since many of us are in the middle of similar buildups and have parts trucks that we could scavenge from for you. (I've parted out nearly a dozen of these over the past few years, and I've got two more awaiting the same fate.)

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I really would like to see Car Craft do a build-up on one of these trucks. I'd be very interested in seeing what the magazine could do with one. I say GO FOR IT!!

I agree with 6T7 and also endorse the idea of a build-up of a 67-72 Ford pickup.
And I also agree that the Ford trucks from this era are probably the most stylish of anything remotely comparable from other makes.
And for Pete's sake! Most of these trucks already come with plenty of muscle. Who could say no to an FE powered hot rod? Yes, even a truck.

I say GO FOR IT! I too would love to see what Car Craft can do with a 67-72 Ford truck.

Sharkdance

I'd have to disagree, the chevys of that era are much better looking.  

Another thing going for this potential article is the fact that it's NOT a Ch*vy. Any time a feature or buildup on a classic truck is featured in a magazine it's almost always a Ch*vy....and quite frankly it's gotten really old. I think it's high time for some free-thinking magazine journalists to think outside the Ch*vy box for a change. Anything that can be done to those trucks has been beat to death, whereas the classic Fords are almost a clean slate with which to work. There has only been one or two articles written about these old Fords over the past year in all the magazines combined....and they were very lame articles about how to bolt on a complete aftermarket kit.

C'mon, Car Craft guys....give us Ford fans a break for a change. We're not talking about a complete format change, just  one good article (or...*gasp*....dare I say...a buildup series??) based on a vintage '67-'72 Ford? The sky's the limit, but your budget won't be, since these trucks are still as plentiful as they are. There is so much potential here.

I think a Ford project like this is just what Car Craft needs to generate some much needed Ford interest in the magazine. Unfortunately, Car craft comes across as a Chevy based magazine. Nothing wrong with that, just not as inviting to us Ford guys. Fords of this era are much better looking than the chevys. Go for it Car Craft, just don't un-Ford it. Use all Ford parts.

Ok, which really looks better? Its not a thing about Chevys should be used not Fords, but come one, the Chevys of this era are way better looking.  

If you want my honest opinion, I definitely think the Ford has better lines. Comparing the two soley from the images you posted isn't completely fair, since one's a 39-year-old advertisement graphic and the other's a recent color shot of a restored truck. Compare that with the one I've attached and you can begin to see the beauty of the Ford.

Does it catch your eye? No? Well, it doesn't really matter if it does or doesn't, since this thread isn't a debate about which is better looking. Everybody has their own opinions, and this isn't a beauty contest. This discussion is simply about whether or not they should do a build-up article on a classic Ford. A vintage F-100 build-up is something that is long overdue and would be very well-received. It would simply be a nice change of pace.

...and then everyone can go back to their previous Ch*vy-based programming.

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  They just DID a Chevy Buildup on that hideous orange thing of Jeff Smiths. Plus it isn't like your opinion is biased or anything, crap , you WANT to work for GM and are interning there this summer. So you are just a shill. Hence you have a credibility problem.    

Ch*vy trucks have been done to death.  Let the dead rest.  

now thats a modified ford. (roll pan and what not). both of the trucks i posted we in orginal trim  

Good eye! Hmmmm....well, isn't that exactly what we're trying to get the good folks at CC to do a write-up on...the modifying, that is? ;-) It was meant to be one example of what COULD be done, if someone were so inclined.  

I could be wrong but don't they have one of these as a tow rig? If so thats a perfect reason to do it right there.

I think it would be cool to build up an early 70's or late 60's Ford or chevy, but it needs to have a solid color paintjob and it needs to be a sleeper capable of 11 second ET.s. There are too many punks at my school with 80's graphics and smallblock trucks that they think are fast but really rn about 17's in the quarter. How can that be considered fast?  

yes, but to say it looks better in stock trim, but show a modified truck isn't what we were tryin to do. thats why the chevy trucks of that era looked so much better because the stock bumper fit up tight with the truck, and look damn good.  

yes, but the truck was a new model, different than what we are talkin about. we all have a credibility problem because if we were offered the same position, same salary, same distance from home, and same benifits from one of the big three automotive companies, we would pick one of them because we liked one of them better than the others. so if thats biased, then yes i am, and so is everyone else.