The Swiss Army Knife is a worldwide icon, known for its unique design, myriad-tool function, and symbol of Swiss ingenuity. It folds up like a closed fist and then opens with multiple blades and tools. That was the initial idea that John Lamar and his son Hunter from Statesboro, Georgia, had in mind when building their incredible '56 Ford F-100 pickup. Why build one like everyone else?
A boxed TCI frame is the foundation of this athletic hauler, with its stainless steel A-arm independent front suspension aided by a pair of Lecarra coilover shocks. The rear four-link locates the Currie Ford 9-inch differential that was stuffed with 3.55 gears and allows its vertical travel, while the diagonal bar eliminates any lateral movement. A set of four Wilwood disc brakes with 13-inch cross-drilled and ball-milled rotors are squeezed by a pair of four-piston calipers. The Wilwood master cylinder and calipers are linked by stainless steel hard lines with braided stainless steel end lines connecting to each wheel cylinder. The front suspension rolls on a pair of polished aluminum 17x8-inch American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels consumed with P235/55R17 Goodyear Eagle tires. Out back the 20x10-inch American Racing Torque Thrust II wheels were wrapped with P275/55R20 Goodyear Eagle rubber.
The team at Dingler Racing from Atlanta, Georgia, were responsible for machining and assembling the '78 Ford 528ci engine producing 625 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The Edelbrock Torquer II polished aluminum intake manifold was capped with a Holley 1080 four-barrel carburetor. An MSD Blaster 2 coil provides a mega electrical charge to the Mallory distributor that directs the electric current through the Ford Racing 8mm ignition wires. A pair of Sanderson ceramic coated headers direct the burnt gases from each cylinder into a pair of MagnaFlow mufflers. The stainless steel exhaust system was frenched into the TCI framerails then exits underneath each running board by way of four individual tips per side. A SPAL electric fan draws air through the Be Cool aluminum radiator that maintains a cool engine and Ford C6 automatic transmission with Moroso tranny cooler and a 2,500 stall converter. A March billet aluminum serpentine pulley system links the March power steering pump, crankshaft, alternator and air conditioning units together. An Optima battery was frenched into the front inner fender of the engine compartment for starting duties.