1967 Ford Bumpside Custom Restomod

Slow and Steady Transformation of a ’67 Bumpside

Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, Brian Boone was always around pickup trucks. Ford trucks were in his blood, with his grandfather and dad both having 4×4 Dentside Fords. Brian was a little different, however, and his love was for the Bumpside variety of Fords. In 2007, Brian bought one of his employees’ ’68 Bumpside, and he remembered an old article from a classic truck magazine that featured a truck with a Fatman Fabrication shop truck with a custom suspension. After meeting with Brent Vandervort of Fatman Fabrication and getting a ride in his ’67, Brian was sold on the ride and feel. He purchased their Stage IV Mustang II kit with 2-inch drop spindles on the spot.

With everything ready to go, they stripped the truck down and sent the motor to the machine shop and frame to the sand blasters. Stewart Jefferies was tasked with the framework, and he boxed the frame from front to rear after welding in a C-notch. He then installed the Fatman Fabrication Stage IV Mustang II front clip with 2-inch drop spindles, along with a Ridetech air-ride system and an 8.8 Ford Explorer rear end. With all the framework complete, it was time to add color to the frame by way of some gunmetal gray paint with tons of clear. Finishing off the frame is a set of polished 18×8 and 20×10 Bonspeed Quasar wrapped in Toyo Proxes tires.

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The original 360 engine went to Fast Motions for a rebuild, which included the addition of a mild Comp Cams camshaft and a set of Hedman headers. A FiTech EFI fuel injection was also installed, while starting power comes from an MSD ignition. Other modifications include Edelbrock valve covers, an Edelbrock water pump and Edelbrock air cleaner. A CVF Racing accessory bracket and V-belt system with Saginaw power steering pump was added to clean things up further. Once back from the machine shop, the fresh engine was installed between the frame rails.

With the engine and frame all wrapped up, it was time to start on the body. Now back from the sandblaster, Brian started cleaning up the lines, and the bumpers were shortened and tucked up nicely to the body. The fuel tank was removed from the cab and hidden in a compartment made in front of the bed. In addition, the tailgate section was widened to match the front, and the filler neck was welded up. While the welding was taking place, the Ford’s body seams were welded and smoothed, along with all the badges. Brian decided he wasn’t going to be hauling much and decided to weld the tailgate shut as well! As the body was taking shape, he mocked up the front wheel wells and mounted the front fenders. Brian then sent the truck to After Hours Automotive, where they revamped the wheel wells and smoothed the body to perfection. Now that everything was smooth and straight, a fresh coat of Mitsubishi Dove White with pearl was sprayed and buffed to a mirror shine.

With the truck starting to come together, it was time for the finishing touches. For this step, Brian commissioned Upholstery Are Us to recover the Ford Taurus bucket seats in black leather, with door panels fabricated to match. They wrapped the custom center console, which houses the stereo and Ridetech suspension controller, and includes a large storage compartment. To make sure the truck is always running at top performance, a set of Ford Racing Series Auto Meter gauges were installed. Wrapping up the interior, a 14-inch Billet Specialties steering wheel was also installed. Unique Audio installed the 8-inch Kicker subs behind the passenger seat, as well as a set of Polk Audio speakers.

Brian wanted his truck as smooth as it could be, so he had the tailgate welded shut in addition to the rest of the sheetmetal work.

Brian summed up his truck with this: “So what if it took 11 years to build? It was worth the wait!”

Brian would like to thank his wife Dana for the support throughout the 11 years of the build, Danny Sisk of After Hours Automotive, Odell Jones of Fast Motions by Jones, Stewart Jefferies, Upholstery Are Us, and Unique Auto.