Merle Ward  is  from Strasburg, Ohio, a little town of 4000 people.  His '66 Ford F-100  truck was just  finished this Spring and  has already  taken 16 first place trophies, 4 best of shows, 1 best of paint, and the Editors choice 1st place at Summit Racing's Truck Fest in Sept.  It will be in Sport Truck Magazine's January 2001 issue and will be the centerfold of Summit's catalog in the near future.  Merle is an analyst for Timken Research, (was a machinist).   The truck was built in his Son-in-laws and his garage.  He did not do the painting or the interior.  The paint was done at Cua Auto Body of Dover, Ohio.  Merle says he has rebuilt several wrecked cars over the years &  several rods over the years. 

It has an 85 Lincoln A O D transmission with a B & M Shift kit and a B & M Shifter.  A 9" Ford rear-end with full floating 31 splined axles, A 3.89 Richmond ring and pinion with a Detroit Locker attached to ladder bars and Alden Eagle coil overs.  The truck is lowered 5" total.  I filled all seams and took all emblems off.  The engine compartment is clean and all stainless and billet.

We Filled the front wheel opening 3 inches, Reversed the tailgate latch to the bedside and reskinned a new tailgate then put a rear roll pan on.  The paint is Dupont Chroma Base and Clear in Ford "Grabber Blue".  Weld drag-lite wheels with Mickey Thompson 18.5" X 29" on the Rear.  Brakes are Wilwood 12" rotors and 4 piston calipers.

The interior has a  custom billet dash, knobs, bezels, pedals, door pulls, console, etc. which I made myself.  The seats are 88 T-bird Super Coupe recovered in gray leather and cloth.  Tilt column is 78 Ford Crown Vic with a new tube, also  made by myself.  It has all Auto Meter Pro Comp gauges and tach.  J V C CD player and Rockfort Fosgate speakers.  Griffen aluminum radiator.  Billet master cylinder cover and FORD MOTOR SPORT GOODIES GALORE !

Looks like a truck that will be winning again next summer !   We're glad that Merle sent in these pictures for all of us to look at.  It's great to see what guys are doing around the country with their trucks.

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