We're Here To HelpIn the middle of George's project, he just couldn't seem to come up with the right idea for the front of his new truck, but when he saw a drawing in the August 2004 issue of Mustang & Fords by Jarious Watson, he knew he had found the exact look for his truck. Using the drawing from that issue, he fabricated the grille and bumper (which took 80 of the 2,500-plus hours in total build time) and was able to finish off his project just in time to submit photos to the Carlisle staff for placement in Carlisle's Building T inside display. George's "2066 Lightning" was accepted, and when we arrived at the Carlisle fairgrounds, George was all setup in Building T with a big smile. George even thanked us for the idea and inspiration for the grille and details of his project on his signage. -Mark Houlahan
The Details
1966 Ford F-150 "Lightning"
Owner: George Bickel, Apex, NC
Engine
5.4L Triton V-8
Forged Steel Crank
Forged I-Beam Connecting Rods
Forged Pistons
Aluminum Heads
Eaton Supercharger
Transmission
Ford 4R100(Four-Speed Automatic Overdrive)
Rearend
9.75 inch
3.55 Gears
Exhaust
Flowmaster Cat-Back System for F-150 Lightning
Suspension
Front: Stock Lightning Short and Long Arm Style with coil springs, 31mm sway bar
Rear: Stock Lightning five-leaf solid axle, staggered shocks, 23mm sway bar
Brakes
Front: Stock Lightning (12.1-inch vented disc, twin-piston caliper)
Rear: Stock Lightning (13.1-inch vented disc, single-piston caliper)
Factory Three-channel antilock brakes
Wheels
Front: Lightning Five-Spoke, 18x9.5
Rear: Lightning Five-Spoke, 18x9.5
Tires
Front: Goodyear Eagle F1-GS, P295/45ZR18
Rear: Goodyear Eagle F1-GS, P295/45ZR18
Interior
Stock F-150 Lightning Interior
Custom headliner
Custom door panels with Lightning inserts
Custom work by Jerry Hobgood, Hobgood's Upholstery, Spring Hope, NC
Exterior
Radiant Fire Red PPG basecoat/clearcoat
'66 Ford F-100 Outer Body
'97-'03 F-150 Door Handles and mirrors
GM CHMSL (Center High-Mount Stop Lamp)
Dodge Ram rear bumper
Ford Ranger taillights
Gaylord bedcover, sectioned to fit the bed width
See More Online
To see more photos of George's project, including build details in his own words, check out our Web site, www.mustangandfords.com.