The Daily Driven Street Crusher
JACI PIATT IS A STUDENT FROM FORT Loramie, Ohio. Like many students, Jaci needed a new set of wheels—but unlike other students, she has Joe Henke for a stepdad.
Joe, who has been a member of the Negative Camber Truck Club for many years, has built lowered customs. In order to complete this special project he reversed the suspension. Jaci had the opportunity to work alongside Joe, and express her unique style with her 1978 Ford F-250. The family’s 1978 Ford F-250 single-cab was screaming for some monster-truck style, and they happily obliged.
The 1978 F-250 1/2-ton pickup was a big truck in its own rights. The sixth-generation Ford F-series trucks carried a lot of changes with them; major updates in the front fascia and accessory styling mark the ’72-’79 years. But the sixth generation F-250 4x4s in particular garner enthusiast attention because they were made notorious by Bob Chandler’s “Bigfoot,” the original monster truck. Much of that rebel spirit is present in Jaci’s monster. The massive stance of the monster is due to a combination between suspension mods, and a rowdy set up of wheels and tire.
In total, this ’78 boasts 9 inches in lift over its factory form. The party begins with a Skyjacker 6-inch kit, which uses Rancho Shocks on each corner. Jaci, Joe, and Tom’s son then designed a set of custom body mounts that would provide the final 3 inches of lift. There is also a Rancho dual steering stabilizer in the front. Blue Top’s steering box has a custom ratio. The ride height is then further pushed thanks to a set of Toyo Open Country 40×15.5×22 tires. The massive rubbers are wrapped around a set of Fuel two-piece “Crush” wheels. The forged rollers measure 22×14 inches, the largest size offered in the model. The combined ride-height boost creates an impressive stance. The F-250’s road presence is undeniable.
The 7.5L Ford large block is responsible for all that rubber. The 460cu V-8 was built in 1972, in Jaci’s home state of Ohio. L&L produces the custom mounts and headers needed for the ’78 F-250 application. The headers are connected to a 2.5-inch custom bent stainless exhaust. The motor features an Edelbrock Intake system and FiTech GoEFI system. It also has MSD ignition, a roller rocker, and a roller time chain. It’s mated to the ’78s original C6 AOD transmission. Purk Automotive of Piqua, Ohio, has installed a TransGo Shift Kit on the C6. The transmission was also fitted with a billet auxiliary cooling unit, hidden behind the bumper. Power is transferred from the legendary NP205 to the C6. This case can also be found in the AMC Jeep Wrangler YJ, TJ, and ultra-stout YJ generation. The NP205 drives a Dana44 axle up front and a Dana60 outback. Both are equipped with 4.10 gears that suit the rolling ’40s well. All four corners are equipped with brake discs.
The F-250’s mug is one of its most striking features. The ’78 model came with the largest update to the front fascia in the sixth generation. A single-piece grille was introduced. The grille is significantly larger than previous grilles. It also disintegrated both the headlights as well as headlight buckets. Jaci and Joe took advantage of the ’78’s massive grille to put together a custom centerpiece for the truck’s front end. Joe made a custom Ford Raptor-style grille that has become iconic for its integrated “FORD” lettering. Front and rear bumpers also feature the aggressive styling of the grille. Joe made a custom headache-bar behind the cab. Their off-road style is carried over by the Bushwacker “Extenda” fender flares, doing their best to cover the rolling 40s. Custom bumpers on the front and back of the vehicle also feature 12 LED light units.
While the ’78 that Jaci and Joe began with was indeed a fantastic example, there was a serious roadblock to overcome. The F-250’s bed floor was damn-near rusted through. Joe decided to perform a surgical procedure rather than try and remove the rusty remnants. They used reproduction bedsides to finish the fabrication and grafted a newer, updated floor of a 1996 F-150. After the custom pieces were finished and the bed floor was sealed, the truck received its signature finish. Matte Dark Aluminium vinyl is used to wrap the truck from top to bottom. The color matches the gloss-black accessories and wheels perfectly.
The gray/black color scheme continues in the beautifully updated truck cabin. The original bench seats have been swapped out for an XLT Armrest Bench Seat from a donor 1991. It’s finished in factory gray cloth to keep to the look consistent. Dash-mounted Jegs custom gauges. A Wet Sounds BlueTooth Head Unit is also present. The system consists of twin amps, a subwoofer 10 inches in diameter and twin amplifiers. A backup camera, hat holder and integrated backup camera are included for additional creature comfort.
Jaci’s cruiser is the envy of her class, since not many people can boast of such a cool vehicle so young.
A custom truck can be about much more than driving. The build should certainly not neglect the driving aspect. The process of building can be as much fun as the final result. If you drive a badass pickup, the journey is more valuable than the destination. It was an amazing experience to build a truck with Jaci and Joe. The experience of passing on the love for custom trucks to future generations is unique. The result is a collection of memories that includes a rock crawler and mudslinging. With a presence like this, it will take decades to create more.
JACI PIATT JOE HENKE
1978 Ford F-250
Fort Loramie, Ohio
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION
- Skyjacker 6-inch lift kit
- Rancho shocks
- Rancho dual steering stabilizer
- Custom 3-inch Body Lift
- Blue Top steering box
POWERTRAIN
- Ford 7.5L Big Block
- MSD Ignition
- FiTech 600 GoEfi
- Edelbrock Intake
- Roller rockers with timing chains
- L&L motor mounts
- L&L headers
- Custom 2.5-inch exhaust
- C6 Transmission
- TransGo Shift Kit
- NP205 Transfer Case
- Dana 44 front axle with 4.10 gears
- Dana 60 rear axle with 4.10 ratios
- Billet trans cooler
WHEELS/BRAKES
- Fuel two-piece “Crush” wheels, 22×14 inches -78mm
- Toyo Tire Open Country 40/15/22”
- Disc brakes with stainless steel lines
BODY/PAINT
- Custom front and rear bumpers
- 12 LED bumper lights
- Custom headache bar
- Bushwacker fender flares
- Matte Dark Aluminium Vinyl Wrap by 3M
- Rebuild bed with F-150 F-150 F-150 F-150 F-150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150 F150
ACCESSORIES/INTERIOR
- Late model F-150 bench seat, XLT armrest model
- Jegs gauges
- Wet Sounds BlueTooth Head Unit
- Twin amps, 10-inch subwoofer
- Backup camera
- Hat holder with integrated hat holder
Beast on Wheels! Jaci Piatt’s Monster Ford F-250 Build appeared first on Street Trucks.
