We're Here to Help
In 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 |