Eric Bank’s ’66 F-100

From motorcycles to imports, Eric Banks out of Jenks, Oklahoma, has always built whatever he felt like without the need for outside approval. It’s not about breaking the internet, gaining followers or trying to be popular, it’s about building something that is an extension of himself. 

When Eric decided he wanted to build an old body Ford pickup, he hunted for months until the right one presented itself. Once he’d found it, he grabbed a friend and headed out to take a look. After some bargaining and exchanging a stack of Benjis for a piece of paper and keys, he white-knuckled the ratty F-100 home. Lucky even to reach 60 mph, the old F-100 with its original four-wheel drum brakes was all over the road.

Eric had the truck for about three weeks before he’d fully developed his plan for the build, but once he’d done that, he got right to work.

He started by building a full suspension setup from random parts he had laying around his garage, but once he sat back and examined his handiwork, he decided that the truck wasn’t sitting as low as he wanted. Without hesitation, he tore everything out and started cutting, beginning a full rebuild to achieve the body-laying stance he craved.

Starting in the back, he built the rear suspension with a parallel 4-link using Slam Specialties RE6 ’bags to support the weight of the truck. He also added a 10-inch frame notch to lay the truck flat effortlessly.

Next, Eric began building a custom Mustang II front end with a Full Tilt Street Rods Mustang II IFS, including upper and lower control arms. When the dust settled, Eric powder-coated the chassis himself. Eric and his friend, Arnoldo Flores, repaired all of the rust, along with the 50-plus-year-old floors, before the cab was sent off to James Inscoe. James got to work sandblasting the cab and engine bay to bare metal, straightening each piece and repainting the inner parts to factory spec, an aspect that was especially important to Eric. He was insistent that everything stay period and factory correct since he was going to keep the original factory paint on the body. Eric wanted to keep his truck classic and driveable, so he used OEM 15-inch wheels powder-coated white and wrapped in Coker 670 classic whitewalls.

As the interior came together, the white vinyl with blue, white and black plaid was laid across the bench seat by Scott’s Auto Trim in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Eric installed a B&M shifter with a modified Crafty B shift lever, topped by a custom meat cleaver handle built by 44 Build. He raised the factory bed floor for the additional clearance needed for rearend travel and the C-notch we mentioned earlier. Eric also built a unique bed area to display the custom-built World War II shark face bomb tank he designed for his Ford. Polished copper hard lines and an AccuAir e-Level management are on display, and two VIAIR 444 compressors with braided lines are hidden underneath the floor.

Eric had come so far that he couldn’t bear to forgo the opportunity to add one final touch of his own, an all-new power plant. He had Performance Auto and Diesel throw together the massive 408w with SCAT stroker kit. If that wasn’t enough, the crew topped it with JE flat-top pistons, Ford Racing rocker arms, aluminum heads and a set of vintage Weiand valve covers. The dipstick and all of the hardware were switched to stainless Allen-head bolts and the lake-style headers were custom routed out of the front fenders on both sides of the body.

Some people might have added a high-end stereo and speakers, but Eric explained his decision best, “Who needs a stereo when you have open headers?”

Keep an eye out for more builds by Eric Banks and his Game-Over-built shop truck, we definitely will be.

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TECH SPECS

Eric Banks
1966 Ford F-100
Jenks, OK

ENGINE 

• Work performed by Performance Auto, Catoosa, OK
• 351 Windsor stroked to 408
• JE pistons aluminum heads
• Ford Racing rockers
• Wieand intake and valve covers
• Black Diamond Quick Fuel carb
• Custom headers with fender exit
• Custom powder-coated and freshly rebuilt C6 transmission

Chassis & Suspension

• Four-wheel disc brake conversion
• AccuAir e-Level
• Two VIAIR 444 compressors
• Game-Over-built chassis
• Front: Full Tilt Street Rods Mustang II IFS with upper and lower control arms raised 3 inches to lay body, Slam Specialties RE6 ’bags
• Rear: 4-link with ’bag-over-bar setup and 10-inch C-notch

Wheels & Tires

• OEM 15×6-inch wheels, powder-coated white
• Coker 670 classic 2 ¾-inch whitewalls

Body & Paint 

• Raised factory bed floor with hidden trunk area
• World War II bomb converted into air-supply tank with copper hard lines
• Original paint buffed out

Interior & Accessories 

• Work performed by Scott’s Auto Trim and owner
• Freshly painted interior and doorjambs
• Custom rewrapped seat
• FoMoCo optional door
• B&M floor shift kit with a modified Crafty B custom shift lever
• One-off 44 Build meat cleaver shift handle

Special Thanks From the Owner: “First and foremost, my wife,Courtney Banks. Also, to my club and family Los Creepos CC and to Coulter Manard, Arnoldo Flores, James Inscoe, Will Meadors, Chris Prideaux, Steve and Tayna Mank, Denny Lloyd, Tyler Rochelle and anyone else who had a hand in building this truck or putting up with me along the way. Finally, to Cowskin Creek Clydesdales in Goddard, Kansas, for the use of the most perfect location this truck shoot could ask for.”

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