1961 Ford Unibody Pickup Build

Inspired by my friend, Larry Bothwell, who purchased a 1962 Unibody for his own patina "shop truck" build, I set out to find one for myself. I found this one for sale in Lubbock, Texas. My original thought was to build a 351 Windsor based small block 427 for this build, but it was Larry that said it should be an FE, and he was right. The aluminum block is from Robert Pond Racing with aluminum heads from BBM and a fuel injection system from Borla. The trans is a T-56 from Tremec and has a Curie 9" with 4.30 gears.
I hope you enjoy the video!

[@tylermartin2631]

Man that pickup is freaking cool!

[@kensutherland3322]

Thank you!

[@lawrencemick1665]

Absolutely fabulous. That will be 1 bad gm muncher

[@scraptoartmetalworks2494]

I wish UA-cam would suggest more videos like this.

[@bartonofarrell2693]

Great job on your beautiful, badass ride.

[@josephmartinez8849]

Love the video I'm working on a 62 f250 unibody with my dad and about to include my son love your suspension set up like to something similar

[@georgespangler1517]

Damn nice job on that frame and suspension,, l did a 45 dodge pickup last year the same way, lm building a 66 ford pickup now but decided to keep the lbeem but with lowering kit.. just for nastalsa . Have 7 classic cars to restore but I keep getting trucks and doing them first can't go wrong with old trucks

[@kensutherland3322]

Thanks for watching, George. Good luck with your projects!

[@yeboscrebo4451]

Very cool

[@cashmoney7660]

What a fantastic build! I just love the aluminum 427with the eight stack injection! I’m building at 66F 100 short bed with a supercharged coyote 6R 80 transmission and a 2017 mustang IRS. It has the Crown Vic suspension out front and coil overs all around. Hoping to get it on the road within the next year

[@kensutherland3322]

Wow, that's a great combo too. You won't regret going with a modern engine/fuel injection set up for drivability. It's taken a couple years and a few thousand in tuning to get mine running right. If you can tune yourself it would be easier, but I'm not. 🙂

[@sparkyguy277]

I don’t normally say this but that fake patina came out amazing!! Killer build love the bbw!!!

[@kensutherland3322]

I was looking for a truck with good patina that wasn't too far gone. When I found this one with the bbw I had to have it. The tailgate and hood were beyond saving. The LF fender was also damaged so had fake some parts of it. Thanks for watching!

[@phillippekarcik4296]

I loved everything about your build! I have a 1963 F100 Unibody longbed. Wish I had your drivetrain.

[@kensutherland3322]

Hi Phillip, thanks for watching! What motor you planning for your '63?

[@phillippekarcik4296]

​@@kensutherland3322 Well, I bought it with a Ford 302 already installed. They also cobbled together a junkyard Camaro subframe, so at least I have power steering and brakes, with front disks, but it kinda has the performance of a brick. I think the auto transmission does not go into high gear. Would like to convert it to a stick shift. The truck has a mild rat rod look. I did add a stainless dual exhaust, with electric cutouts midway, then exiting in front of the rear wheels and capped with SuperTrapp mufflers.

[@kensutherland3322]

Sounds pretty cool. Keep working at it. You don't see unibodys on the road too often so worth putting time in. Been thinking of adding cut-outs on mine but worried they would be unreliable after a couple years..

[@juniorcelestinonaranjoirau607]

Muy bonita

[@dylanpierce633]

Awesome build. Just what I was looking for! Your just the guy I'd love to talk to lol Hard to find much pictures of these unibody frame modifications that are also done well.

[@kensutherland3322]

Thanks for watching! That frame was a lot of work. I think there were something like 30 holes in each rail to fill. Weld, grind, weld, grind 🙂 I think half of it went in my lungs. I got a lot of ideas looking at a Morrison catalog. Good luck with your build!

[@dylanpierce633]

@@kensutherland3322 ah so thats what that front suspension is, I didn't recognize it. yes I am making lots of grindings as well! My dad is probably sick of listening to my grinder all weekend in his shop 😂

[@kensutherland3322]

Just to be clear, the front suspension and rear 4 link are from No Limit Engineering. It was the crossmembers and bracing i copied from Morrison. Thanks!

[@ericjones1572]

So cool!!!

[@DanielAlvarez-ew5fx]

Nice job man I have a 61 unibody just like yours thinking to do it coyote swap what kind of Front and rear suspension do you use

[@kensutherland3322]

Both are from No Limit Engineering.
Thanks!

[@joeschlotthauer840]

I guess I'll be #7....

[@samanthasingerhoff8332]

What drive train are you running? I have a 62 long bed unibody and wana do the same look

[@carriesutherland2333]

It's a 427 FE with a Tremic T56, 6 speed and a Ford 9" rear end. Good luck with your build!