Custom 1953 Ford F-100 Truck With a Coyote Bite

The 1953 Ford F-100 pickup, packed with a Ford Coyote engine that we are gonna present today started as a mild driver, plans changed after the showing up of Hurricane Charley.

JT Young has a family trucking company located in Punta Gorda, Florida. 

The 200 cars in the heavy duty fleet are construction related, with flat beds, tankers and dump trucks.

Jt got the love for classic antique cars from his dad so during the day he works with trucks and cool custom trucks after hours. Multiple customs have enjoyed time in his family garage. This ’53 Ford F-100 is his latest effort, but this one took quite a bit longer to complete than his previous rides.

The truck was found at the Daytona Turkey Run in 2003. It was equipped with a 351 Cleveland and an automatic transmission and was in good shape. 

Initially the plan was to drive it for sometime and then rebuild it into a good driver.

When the work started Hurricane Charley hit Florida in 2004, and the category 4 hurricane’s 150-mph winds had a devastating effect on the area that changed everyone’s priorities. 

The work done on this classic happened almost 10 years later, once the decision was made the vehicle was transformed.

The chassis details were being financed and several body mods were also in the works. Customizing an iconic F-100 means coming up with something new, but also not too new.

The plan initially was to reinstall the 351 Cleveland engine, but since many years passed lots of exciting new powerplants were now available.

Ford was making that easy, all thanks to their complete crate motor packages. The 5.0L Coyote Modular V-8 is a high-tech bullet featuring 32 valves and twin independent variable camshaft timing. That gets matched with a 4R70E automatic overdrive from Ford Performance Parts.

Since everything needed was already in the crate, the swap got accomplished by Steve Ehrie at Saints & Sinners in Punta Gorda.

Pumping out 420 hp, the new powerplant is more than fast in stock form to motivate the vintage truck with all the added benefit that got carefully designed factory package and looked just as good as it performs.

A Mustang radiator and AC keep temps in the green.

The Airaid filter helps the engine breathe more efficiently, and headers from Ford Performance lowers backpressure and increase scavenging.

We all known that looks and performance go hand in hand together it was important to showcase the new V-8 in the proper way.

The custom inner fender panels, smooth firewall, the tilt-forward hood, and the engine cover all were painted so they can match the exterior.

A smooth 1953 front bumper and a stainless steel rear bumper, both tucked in close, add protection and style. The gas tank filler cap was replaced with a modern touch latch, and a smooth tailgate dresses up the rear. Continuing the same theme, that smooth custom tonneau covering the bed raises and lowers at the touch of a button, thanks to a pair of leather-wrapped linear actuators. 

Natural oak planks separated by stainless steel strips give a traditional look in the bed. 

The final move inside the vehicle was a set of tubs added to the inner walls to accommodate the wider rear wheels.

This truck’s most intriguing highlight is the elegant interior, beginning with the dash, which was stretched, smoothed, and painted to match the exterior. 

What’s your thoughts ?