68 mercury build

[hfdco4]

You have a good base to start with. Have fun with it and make it so you enjoy it.

[Mercury100]

Sometime you have to go backwards to move forward.
Bad news from my body guy Glen.
He will have lots of time into the frame. In order to do it right the cab and box should come off and it has multiple bends and twists to it as well as the front frame horns have been rewelded on.
I knew where there is a mercury swb frame.
4 hours drive one way and I have the whole parts truck here.
Ready to strip this one down to the frame

[hfdco4]

I would go with the other frame if its in better shape.

[Manny]

I would go with the other frame if its in better shape.

you can cut a long bed down and have a better quality build than patched up improper repairs in my opinion.

[Mercury100]

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Here’s the mercury parts truck with the decent frame. I will probably use other bits and pieces off it as needed.
No evidence of crash damage that I can see.

[Mercury100]

[image]467[image]468[/image][/image]
Hood still has all the letters. One small crease in front angle.
Grill really straight. One dent in the top rail. Bumper usable. I may use it yet.

[Mercury100]

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Good hood

[Mercury100]

[image]470[/image]
After 5 hours in -15C weather I have a bare frame.
Looks like a lot of wire brush time ahead for me.
I didn’t plan on a frame off restoration but here I am. I’ll just do it then it’s done.
The frame in in the garage now. Will do a quick corner to corner measurement and check wheel centres and see how straight it is.

[hfdco4]

Awesome amount of work in a short time. Having the bare frame will allow you to clean paint and redo the suspension and have a better truck when you are done!

[popeyes71]

Wow, great progress especially since it is -15 degrees! At least the frame is in the garage now. Hopefully it is a little warmer in there.

[Mercury100]

Frame is wire brushed. Debating to borrow a buds sandblasted and spray the corners where I can’t get to.
Checked the frame for square and it’s within 1/16 inch with my measurements. Pretty good for 50 year old frame.
Even checked the front wheel centres across the front wheel and it looks pretty close.

[cdnwillyg]

I would say that your frame is square with that measurement! If you Por 15 the frame all you need to do is get the flaky rust off and make sure there is no dust it will cover very well.

[popeyes71]

Good news on the frame! Sounds like she will be a good candidate for your project!

[WhitsEnd]

For reference, if your frame has the same holes as an F100, the center hole on each side is centerline of the front axles.

reference from my build: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 2&start=45

[Bullitt74]

Wow, I’m amazed you found another Mercury SWB truck...I have yet to see one in person. I see from the front plate it was registered previously in Alberta, which should help when you go to register and plate that VIN.