AS SEEN IN OUR F-Series Builders Guide Summer 2026 ISSUE – Buy Now!
The Candy Man’s F-350
The OBS body style is an epidemic of the technology age that set the standard after the final years of the beloved squarebody styles and loved options for Ford trucks across the United States, from new axle types to motor types and body and interior styles. Meet Brent Willsey, an Idaho Falls local with his tastefully built 1997 Ford F-350. When it comes to this rig, Brent says there’s nothing better than an older-style truck, and we couldn’t agree more! With the candy red and white paint job, this truck is mostly original and worthy of classic Ford OBS fame from the grille to the headlights to the front bumper wrapping around the sides to the mirrors. Stretching to the back bumper, the exterior of this truck is stuck in 1997—just the way we like it!
Powering this beast is, in my opinion, the holy motor of all diesels that Ford has come out with in its many years of production—the 7.3L Power Stroke, which is known for being a reliable, million-mile workhorse! Even though these diesels aren’t the fastest, they will tow anything, anywhere, anytime, without an ounce of trouble. These motors are notorious for seeing high mileage and even outliving multiple generations of other motors, like the 6.0 and 6.4 early models that we have all heard about. Don’t be mistaken, these 7.3 motors can get down with the fast guys when they’re built, but why build reliability? Who am I kidding? It’s a ton of fun, but keeping this dragon’s breath on fire is a Banks intercooler and cold air intake, a stage 5 chip, a full exhaust, and an array of Amsoil products to keep the engine well lubricated. The good people over at PowerTech Diesel are responsible for the engine build.
Did I mention this truck is still rocking the original paint from 1997? Oh yes, this truck hasn’t been repainted or touched up—this is the color off the showroom floor from 28+ years ago! Paired with the 7.3 is an E40D automatic transmission, an earlier stage of the electronic transmission age, and something that has progressed and given us some of the transmissions that are produced to this day. 1997 was the golden age for Dana 60 axles. In the front, it’s running the Kingpin Dana 60 axle equipped with Yukon locking hubs. In the rear, this rig is running the Sterling 10.25 axle. These axles can be found in built rock crawlers and off-road racers! Bringing these heavy-duty axles and this big rig to a stop is a set of disc brakes in the front and traditional drum brakes in the rear. With many options to convert to disc, sometimes it is not needed when you can make your rig work with them on. Connecting man and earth and laying the rubber down on the road is a set of Mickey Thompson Baja Boss Mud Terrain Tires in a 35-inch diameter size and 12.50 inches wide on staggering 20-inch American Force wheels.
Jumping up into the cab, you will find yourself back in ‘97 with the original seats, original dash and gauges, and the true feeling of what it was like driving these rigs off the showroom floor brand-new. Cruising after high school with your buddies to the football game and reliving the youthful days is what we all chase in our lives. That is what a truck of this vintage brings to you when you get behind the wheel. There aren’t many things on the road matching the classic nature and feeling this truck brings, whether it’s working hard towing, cruising down the road, or attending all its local car shows. This truck is what really makes a pickup lover stop and stare.
We thank Brent and his family for sharing with us his family cruiser and classic. That OBS body style, classic original features, small details that allow it to stand out, and the history these trucks have are what we strive for at F-Series Builder’s Guide. We are excited for what may come in the future from Brent and hope to get more updates on this beauty! Until the next one, tread on!