Lonnie Ford’s 1975 F-100 “Shlong” Bed

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX IS PART AND PARCEL OF THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD. Without inventive builders and automotive enthusiasts we would be living in a bland, generic world. Lonnie Ford is one enthusiast who’s glad that we don’t live in a beige reality. Having always been a fan of Fords, Lonnie was determined that his next project be an F-100. He wanted to take the road less traveled, so he searched for a 1973-79 dent-side body. Inspired by a truck built by his friend Harold Pourciau, he was bound and determined to reach his goal. Soon after he began his search, another friend of Lonnie’s offered up a ’75 long-bed dent-side for sale. Unsurprisingly, Lonnie jumped at the chance and bought it immediately.

Having never been a big fan of long- bed trucks, Lonnie planned to cut down the bed to the factory short-bed length, which is common practice. All that changed in an instant, though, after he spoke to his friend Todd “Radar” Hendrex, who suggested that he cut the bed somewhere in between. In that moment, the F-100’s future was decided. The new plan allowed for 9 inches to be cut out of the factory long bed, creating a “Shlong” bed: It’s not short and it’s not long.

Once the 9 inches were removed, the bed was pieced back to together. The result was great, the truck had a timeless look, it was the perfect length, and because it was never offered as an option, the revised F-100 was truly unique. It’s the little things that make all the difference. After that the truck sat at a shop for far too long, and Lonnie started to give up hope that it would ever be finished.

Fortunately, Lonnie rallied and brought the Ford to Chassis Fab where the crew knocked out the framework in six weeks.

Lonnie is glad to have the ball rolling on this F-100, and he has very big plans for finishing the one-of-a-kind build. Plans to carry the body line into the firewall, add Wilwood brakes front and rear and dozens of other details will all be tackled ASAP. Lonnie also has plans to add a built small-block Dart 440-ci Ford Motor by Custom Automotive Machining’s Jeff Walburg with a custom C6 Transmission by Circle D transmissions, so there will be no lack of power in this dent-side.

LONNIE’S GOAL IS TO HAVE THE TRUCK RUNNING AND DRIVEABLE BY LONE STAR THROWDOWN 2017. AS PART OF THE CREW THAT RUNS THE EVENT, LONNIE WON’T HAVE MUCH TIME TO ENJOY THE SHOW AS A SPECTATOR OR COMPETITOR, BUT HE’S NOT WORRIED.”

Lonnie’s goal is to have the truck running and driveable by Lone Star Throwdown 2017. As part of the crew that runs the event, Lonnie won’t have much time to enjoy the show as a spectator or competitor, but he’s not worried. A large part of his motivation to finish the F-100 in time is to celebrate with his club, Negative Camber, as they commemorate their 25th anniversary at the show.

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TRUCK SPECS                          

OWNER                                       

Lonnie Ford
1975 Ford F-100
Friendswood, TX
Negative Camber                                           

ENGINE

• Mock-up in place for Dart 440 V-8 small-block by Custom Automotive Machining and Jeff Walberg
• Circle D C6 transmission with Houston driveshaft
• Fully built Ford 9-inch narrowed
• 4.30 gear ratio
• Custom-built fuel cell
• Optima battery

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

• Shop: Jonathan Juarez and Justin Brill of Chasis Fab
• Airbags with Accuair e-Level Management
• 2000 Ford Expedition spindles
• Chasis Fab front control arms
• Custom rear 2-link suspension
• Wilwood brakes, master cylinder and booster

WHEELS & TIRES

• 24×9 & 24×15 Raceline Explosion
• 285/30ZR24 & 405/25ZR24 Pirelli Pzero

BODY & PAINT

• Stock long bed shortened 9 inches
• Ford Factory Yellow paint

INTERIOR & STEREO

• Billet Specialties steering wheel
• Vintage Air AC
• Accuair e-Level touch pad
• Factory dash and seats

SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE OWNER: “First and foremost I want to thank my wife, Christel, for understanding my passion for custom vehicles, and also my OCD to Todd “Radar” Hendrex for always being there with a trailer every time I needed to move the F 100, Jonathan Juarez and Justin Brill with Chassis Fab for getting this build back on track and knocked out for me, and also to my Negative Camber family and anyone else who helped along the way.”

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