HOMETOWN HEROES | Daily Cruisers and Garage Builds Coast to Coast

Idaho Falls, ID
1974 Ford F-100

Devan is definitely what you would consider a “Ford fanatic,” and he has more F-100 projects going at once then he cares to admit. But one of his current favorites is this 1974 shortbed that he’s been tinkering with lately to make it a really fun shop truck/cruiser.

“It has a 390 with a four-speed and is a hoot to drive,” Devan says.

Future plans include a Crown Vic front swap, back half and air ride to get her a bit closer to the pavement. But as with all projects, he assures us that this one is never finished, and the ideas just keep getting thrown at it, but hopefully we’ll get to see this one in a future issue “completed.”

Tommy Whaley

Ranburne, AL
1969 Ford F-100

Tommy Whaley’s 1969 F-100 is powered by a 2006 Mustang 4.6L three-valve motor backed by a five-speed trans. The popular Crown Vic front and Ford Explorer rear made this truck easy to build as a fun cruiser out of his garage in Ranburne, Alabama. We received submissions from all over the country with all different styles and tastes proving that our readers are as mixed as our popular content. Thanks everyone for the support!

Frank McGinnis

Dillsboro, IN
1979 Ford F-100

At 81 years old, Frank McGinnis has seen his fair share of Fords through the years. Frank bought this 1979 F-100 new on Oct. 30, 1978. It originally had a 302 auto, but now has a 351W, five-speed OD (T5). It has many parts from L.M.C., Ford Racing and Summit, with all work done by Frank except for the paint, which was done by his son in law, Wayne House. Frank has driven his F-100 to several states, including Alaska, and regularly attends Grand National Reunion and F-100 Supernationals, supporting the classic Ford truck scene whenever possible.

Tadd Perkins

Lake Tahoe, CA 1970 Ford  F-250 4×4

Tadd’s 1970 Ford F-250 4×4 started its life as a Zillah, Washington, fire pumper, with white paint, lights and a siren over the original Holly Green color. Tadd purchased the F-250 and slowly brought it back to its original color, and he added “Mustang Cream” to the roof and steel wheels with snow tires in the winter. The truck continues to be a worker whether it’s in South Lake Tahoe snows, at a farm in Walnut Grove or towing a load up to Washington state. Besides the esthetic touches of matching the upholstery, he added front disc brakes and a limited slip Trutrac front Dana 44 differential to match the Power-loc rear Dana 60. It has a 500 cfm Edelbrock on top of an Offenhauser intake, with a DUI distributor and a mild RV cam. No rust because of its eastern Washington roots, Tadd really has a nice clean “worker” and we’re proud to call him one of our loyal readers!

Jake Kirkpatrick

1956 Ford F-100
Colorado Springs, CO

Jake Kirkpatrick submitted his 1956 Ford F-100 fat fender that he’s put a ton of blood and sweat into over the years. Work includes a TCI front end with Wilwood disc brakes up front and a four-link C-notch and custom watts link rear for a nice aggressive stance sitting on 20-inch US Mags. Moving inside, a TMI interior cleans up the cabin and a lot of metal fab round out the smooth modifications. The rumble you hear when Jake is out cruising comes from a 383 Corvette small block out of a 1964 Corvette. It’s definitely a local looker, and Jake said he can’t take it anywhere without drawing crowds. Thanks for the support, Jake!

Rick Pietila

Ann Arbor, MI
1965 Ford F-100

Rick’s 1965 F-100 is referred to as the F-ROD. It’s driven daily (except in bad winters), and it makes the drive on vacations from Michigan to Florida. With all work done by Rick and his wife in their home garage, it has a 351 Cleveland and C4 trans, ’03 Vic front with Fatman narrowed tubular A-arms, RideTech coilovers, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt column, rear frame kicked up 8 inches with 3-inch lowering springs, ’02 Vic axle with 3.08 gears, fuel cell moved to rear of the bed, rolled pans front and rear, and fully painted with $75 worth of Rustoleum rattle cans. Home built and put to use just the way we like them. Thanks for reading and following along, Rick!