Classic Ford F-100 pickups have to be one of the most popular classic pickups to build. The character these trucks feature at every angle and on every surface of their exterior is what lures many enthusiasts to select an Effie as their project of choice. Most classic truck builders choose the popular '56 big window Ford F-100 as the basis for fulfilling their classic dreams, but once in a while, a '53-'55 will surface and knock the socks off of custom truck enthusiasts.
Picture an F-100 with all the attitude and style of a classic fat-fendered hot rod, combined with the big wheels and hammered suspension look ever present in the custom truck scene, and you are sure to arrive at a vision of Mike & Linda Chaffer's '54 F-100. This two-toned and flame-licked cruiser buries 18- and 20-inch hoops in the fenders with the best of them, and it is detailed to kill. With a detailed small-block Bow Tie motor between the framerails, a fabric masterpiece between the doors, and a trick paint scheme adorning the heavily massaged sheetmetal, there are not many custom trucks around that spin onlooker's craniums as much as this fabulous Ford does.
Mike purchased the truck about 15 years ago from a nursery in Garden Grove, California, where it had been used to haul trees and shrubbery. The truck had seen a lot of hard labor, but Mike wasn't about to let such a prized automotive gem be subjected to more abuse and forked over $800 to relieve the Effie of its duties at the nursery. After being purchased, the F-100 sat dormant for a few years, until Mike set aside some time to work on it, with the help of his son, Craig Chaffers.
Like so many haulers on today's show circuit, this truck was built once before. The first time around, a '50s-style build gave the Effie distinction, and Mike and Linda enjoyed driving and showing the truck for a number of years until it was time for a fresh facelift. Influenced by today's trends of adjustable suspension and big wheels, the Chaffers felt that modernizing their classic was a must. Starting in February of 2001, this retro-styled '50s hauler was torn down, and the outline for the project began.
The foundation of any successful custom-truck project is quality chassis and suspension work to facilitate superb handling and performance, along with a slam-dunk stance. To get this bright-yellow and orange cruiser down low, a complete independent front suspension system from Total Cost Involved, with Air Ride Technologies 3.0 Shockwave air springs did the trick. A No Limit Engineering custom four-bar setup was built for the rear around the existing Ford 9-inch and was finished off with an Air Ride Technologies airbag kit to sink the tail end. Plumbing for the system was handled by 3/8-inch air lines and Air Ride Technologies Ride Pro valves. An Air Ride Technologies remote key fob programmed the truck's ride height and could be adjusted as easy as setting a clock. This new product from Air Ride Technologies would allow Mike to program the suspension to cruise the truck low at shows and reprogram it for street driving.
Wilwood disc brakes, front and rear, bring this heavenly Effie to a halt, while a TCI steering rack with Borgeson U-joints and an ididit steering column help Mike navigate the beast. Before the powerplant and body were addressed, the frame was smoothed, fitted with a C-section in the rear, and powdercoated for detail. Capping off the stance in superb billet style was an 18x8-inch front and a 20x8.5-inch rear one-off Budnik billet wheels. These wheels were custom-made especially for this project and perfectly capture the classy look Mike and Craig were going for. Wrapping the gleaming front billets were P225/40ZR18 Falken GRBFK451 tires and P245/40ZR20s in the rear. With the chassis and suspension in check, it was time to address the power supply for this classic hauler.