Tim Hulick’s F-250 Rises to the Top

Just because a truck is built to work doesn’t mean it can’t double as a show rig too. Most vehicles designed to spend all day in the trenches aren’t usually treated with the respect they deserve, but Tim Hulick was looking to change that. He planned to build a truck that he could thoroughly enjoy while knocking out the workweek. Tim is a remodeling contractor and carpenter, which means that he puts in long hours and expects a lot from the tools of his trade—especially his pickup. When the time came to pick a truck to build into an enjoyable workhorse, a 1976 Ford F-250 Camper Special was at the top of his list.

Tim is a member of the Bronco Club of America and Classic Bronco, as well as a devout follower of various truck Facebook pages. He pays close attention to the movers and shakers within the custom classic truck community, and that gave him the confidence to choose the exact builders and fabricators he wished to help with his F-250 project. “I have always admired Kincer Chassis’ products,” Tim admits. “Having the Kincer crew take the wheel of my Ford build was the easiest and most exciting decision I made during the process.”

Although Tim wanted to heavily alter the stance of his F-250, he wanted it to largely remain stock-looking. He relayed his wishes to the folks at Kincer, and they got straight to work. The first order of business was ripping out the original engine and finding a replacement that would offer far more reliability and horsepower. A 2021 Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 engine was the mill of choice for this project, and for good reason. Kincer produces specific engine conversion components that would make the transformation a breeze. A custom 3-inch exhaust system was assembled for the Godzilla, as was a Ford 6R140 transmission to assist in propelling the F-250 down the highway at terrorizing speeds.

The next big task was creating a suspension lift to elevate Tim’s Ford pickup higher into the atmosphere. While this would be an easy job for Team Kincer to handle, they first took things a step further by installing its 2WD to 4WD conversion system. This would give the F-250 the ability to overcome more obstacles in its way, while a 4-inch lift would increase its ground clearance. Factory Ford 16-inch wheels were wrapped in 36-inch Superlug tires for killer looks and traction. Kincer also included a custom 38-gallon fuel tank to ensure that Tim can grind harder throughout the week without having to gas up as frequently.

After Kincer finished up with a few more modifications to the F-250’s drivetrain, the truck was transported to Casey Dillard in Copper Hill, Tennessee, to spray it with a classic OEM paint scheme. The Ford’s surfaces, including the original bed topper, were treated to single-stage Wimbledon White and Mecca Gold hues—a truly unbeatable color combination. Once the paint dried, Casey then installed Holley RetroBright LED headlights and cab clearance lights to increase the F-250’s illumination power.

Overhauling the interior is usually saved for last with a build like this, but instead of ripping out and replacing everything, Tim decided the cab space would serve him better by only making a few key upgrades. A full climate control system was installed by Chad Larrance of Vintage Ventures to provide ideal cruising temps all throughout the year, which is truly invaluable for a hard-working guy like Tim. CarSounds, in Des Moines, Iowa, then installed a Retro Manufacturing stereo and audio components from Focal and Gladen to help keep Tim’s adrenaline level up.

TRUCK Specs

Tim Hulick

1976 Ford F-250 Camper Special
Bronco Club of America, Classic Bronco
Indianola, IA

Engine & Drivetrain

2021 Ford V8 7.3L Godzilla
Kincer Chassis conversion components
Kincer Chassis 3-inch exhaust
Ford 6R140 transmission
Kincer Chassis transmission cooler
3.54 gear ratio
Ford electronic transfer case
Ford 3/4-ton 9-44 hybrid front axle
Dana 60 rear axle

Chassis & Suspension

OEM 1976 Ford frame
Kincer Chassis 2WD to 4WD conversion
4-inch total suspension lift
Front coils, rear leaf springs
Rancho shocks
Kincer Chassis front extended radius arms and custom 38-gallon fuel tank

Wheels, Tires & Brakes

Factory 16-inch wheels
36×9 Specialty Tire of America Superlug tires
Kincer OEM-style front brakes, rear drums
Wilwood master cylinder

Body & Paint

Single-stage Wimbledon White and Mecca Gold paint
Paint by Casey Dillard, Copper Hill, TN
OEM Ford grille and bumpers
Holley RetroBright LED headlights
Cab clearance lights

Interior

OEM seats, upholstery, and steering wheel
Dakota Digital RTX gauges
Retro Manufacturing Motor 4HD stereo
Focal speakers and amp
Gladen subwoofer
Audio installation by CarSound, Des Moines, IA
A/C installed by Chad Larrance at Vintage Ventures