Many people talk about daily-driving a hot rod, but how many people really do it? A very tiny margin, that’s how many. There are a decent number of fair-weather drivers, and you have the summer-only types, but finding the one person who will daily-drive their hot rod every day of the year, weather be damned, is like digging through the hayloft for a needle. But the 1951 Ford F-1 that belongs to Greg Boger is one such vehicle. Rain, snow, work and otherwise, this classic truck will do it all.
Greg’s original plan for the F-1 was to make it into a Modular-motored hot rod by putting a 5.4L V8 sporting a KarKraft tunnel ram intake (courtesy of Scott Minch) and a 4R70W overdrive automatic into the truck’s stock frame. This turned out to be a bad idea, as Scott says, “I found that it had way too much flex with the big mod motor. It would almost lift a wheel under torque.” Plan A looked shot, so Boger started looking for Plan B, which ended up taking the form of a 1999 Mercury Mountaineer V8’s chassis.
An Explorer transfer case handles the all-wheel-drive duties, MSD handles the spark and a Baumannator controller keeps the transmission in check. Custom mounts had to be fabricated to hold everything in place and a hydro-boost brake system routed to make sure that the F-1 could stop. Both axles house 3.73 gears with the rear axle sporting a Trac-Lok.
Outside, the F-1 comes across as a work-in-progress vehicle. With foglight integrated into the front bumper, LED taillights, a fully diamond-plated bed and a solid tow hitch setup, the F1 is less show and go and more about functionality. The same tune carries over into the interior: updated gauges to keep track of function, an Explorer floor shifter, and plenty of the classic feel of the F-1 left over to enjoy.
With well over 20,000 miles put on the Ford last year alone, including time in the snow and ice, not one accusation of “trailer queen” can be hurled at the truck. It’s purpose is pure: to be fully functional at all times. This is how a restomod should work: upgrading classic iron to be fully functional for daily living. In that regard, Boger has succeeded. But is the truck done? Will the Explorer wheels be changed out? Will the interior be finished, or the truck painted later on down the road? He didn’t say. He did, however, mention something about an Australia-sourced 5.4 and a single turbo…
What a great ride. The engine choice is awesome, and the whole thing is just right. I wouldn’t change a thing (I might satin clear the parts that are rusting away tho).
Congrats for a very unique and functional ride … I bet it scoots!