Questions on Ordering Options for 35 Build

[DonImbimbo]

New to the forum and getting ready for a 35 Order. But I have some questions on the ordering options for those that have built the 35 Truck.

My Wife and I will be working on the build together. And She is looking forward to driving the 35 as much as I am.

But that leads to my first question. She is barely 5 foot and I'm 5-6. So I'm exploring how we might be able to put seat tracks on either the bench seat (possible?) or the driver's bucket. This will determine which seat we'll order. Personally I kind of like the cross stitched leather. Are seat tracks possible with the bench?

Next Question: The exhaust. Is there or was there a tail pipe option for rear exit, instead of dumping under the cab rear? Or do we have to take the 35 to a muffler shop?

Third question; The Aluminum Bed option. I like the look. Is it real wood or is this just a wood look on aluminum?

Next: Wheel Choices: I bought the build PDF. The Appendix has suggested wheel / tire sizes. What wheel offset is appropriate? We're interested in a solid steel wheel with center cap. Are there pictures of the "Bonneville" wheels?

Last questions for now: Shorty Headers. We're considering using Blueprint Engines for the Engine / Trans. (although I have a 302 doing nothing in the corner of my garage). Do we need to buy the Headers to fit the FFR down pipes?

thanks in advance for your comments.

Don
North Central PA.

[edwardb]

Can't respond to all your questions. But a couple.

I'm not aware the bench seat can go on tracks. My understanding after seeing in build threads and in person (although without actual experience, to be clear) is that it sits down into the cockpit floor and back and wraps around the driveshaft tunnel in such a way that it wouldn't be easily moveable. It also puts your head right against the back wall, which I personally don't like for safety reasons. I put bucket seats in mine with headrests. Cut into our legroom slightly but for me a reasonable trade-off. On tracks but typically will be all the way back. Both my wife and I are average height, although slightly taller than you describe. It's tight but workable. Having said all that, at the Factory Five open house several weeks ago, they discussed and showed the prototype chassis for an updated 35 Hot Rod Truck that will have the cab extended 4 inches. Game changer! The bed apparently will remain the same length and the wheelbase extended. No announcements of release date yet. But seems with their current leadtime, if you haven't ordered yet you should be able to get the new version. Then you have many more options (and room).

The stock exhaust exits just in front of the rear axle. It's not under the cab rear. Small difference maybe. But a difference. I only have a few miles on mine (not titled or legal yet) and zero exhaust smell or otherwise. But I understand many would want the exhaust further back, and there are multiple builds that do it. The challenge is getting up and over the rear axle. Haven't pursued what that might mean. The exhaust parts do include parts to exit out the sides. I didn't purse that either. But another option that doesn't collide with the rear axle.

The optional aluminum bed is vinyl woodgrain over aluminum. They offered it to me when they were unable to supply the actual wood bed option I selected when I ordered. I like it a lot. Looks great, nothing to finish, and betting it will hold up just fine. It's from this company, made to fit the Factory Five bed. https://smokeyroadrodshop.com/

I put an LS3 with automatic in mine. Factory Five supported that combination with the proper motor mounts, headers, etc. Can't help you with yours.

My build thread is in my sig line below if you're interested. Good luck. It's a fun project and with the updated version I expect will be even more popular.

[DonImbimbo]

Edward

Thanks very much for your response and your link to aluminum bed supplier.
Also the information on the extended cab is very helpful. Sounds like it could supply some in-cab storage options.

Regards, Don

[DonImbimbo]

Just wanted to follow-up and let readers of this thread know that my order is in. Here is the order list:


35 Truck Kit, Extended Cab
Powder coat frame
Small Block Ford engine
4R70W (AOD) Trans
28 Spline Driveshaft
3 Link Rear
Truck Grill
Standard Platinum gauge set
Battery cut-off switch
in tank EFI
Tilt / Chrome steering column
Power steering
A/C components
Engine hood and cover
Full Fenders
Stake pockets
Standard vinyl buckets



NOTE that the Heat and Sound insulation is no longer available.

I'm picking up the 8.8 rear from a local salvage yard.
I'm also going to shop for my own wheels and tires.

I'll be adding some other items to the build. But I'll document that stuff in a separate build thread.

Oh, estimated ship in late January. Good thing the garage is heated! (North Central PA)

Don

[mkassab]

Don, you mentioned late Jan for your ship date.... Is that Jan 2023? The reason I ask is I ordered my '35 Truck a month ago (July 25th) and they said my ship date is Apr 1, 2023.

BTW, where in PA do you live?.... I'm from Clearfield PA. Now live in Brevard, NC (below Asheville, NC)

Thx Mark

[DonImbimbo]

Mark,
The cover letter for the Sales Order referred to a "Completion Date". The actual Sales Order seems to call it a "Date Required". I assumed these are one in the same, and as stated Jan 2023. The difference between our orders may have something to do with the ordered configuration. But I was also told in an earlier email that Trucks were now being scheduled for late December pickup. Although the Extended Cab might be later. I was expecting an April pickup date.

Perhaps I have misunderstood the confirming Sales Order.

I'm located just east of Wellsboro, PA and the PA Grand Canyon.

Don

[mkassab]

Thanks Don... my Sales order states Order Date: 7/25/22 and Date Required: 4/1/23 And litem one states: 50029 35 Truck Gen 2 Kit. I'll follow-up with F5.

Thx Mark

[chuck35truck]

Don,

When did they start offering an extended cab?? I am 5'-11" and it is tight. Another 2 inches would make long drives more tolerable. I learned so much that I might want to go build another with the extended cab.

My 35 has the exhaust exiting just in front of the rear tires on each side. I needed my local muffler shop to adjust the location of passenger side header as it was pointing a little too much up to not allow the exhaust piping to be connected to it. Actually they put a bend in the exhaust piping.

I am running skinny tires on bonneville wheels. Much the one shown in earlier promotional literature.

[edwardb]

...When did they start offering an extended cab?? I am 5'-11" and it is tight. Another 2 inches would make long drives more tolerable. I learned so much that I might want to go build another with the extended cab...

My post #2 above explains what we learned at the open house in June. Several have posted about new orders since then and confirmed they will be the extended cab version. One is being built right now for SEMA. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?43789-quot-Voodoo-Magic-quot-SEMA-Build

[Prslegmaker]

I joined the forum back when the 35 truck was first offered. I was in the planning stages of a new shop and it took me a couple years to excavate the mountains and get my shop built. I went 50’ x 70’ with a couple rolling four post lifts for my cars.
I’m 6’ tall and my left leg is a prosthesis so leg room was a concern. My delivery date is 3/18/23
I also ordered a blueprint 347 ci with an automatic. We live in Franklin, NC up in the mountains so AC was not a concern.
I know I’ll be asking questions and I look forward to many responses.
Thanks,
Ronnie

[DonImbimbo]

Ronnie,

Did you go with Carb or Fuel Injection?
Franklin area looks pretty nice, quite similar to our area near Wellsboro, PA, which has about 5,000 people and our elevation is almost 1800 feet.
I'm currently rebuilding an 8.8 rear for use in the truck. We have two separate build areas. Detached garage which is 24 x 30 and attached heated garage 26 x 28. I setup the detached for parts storage where I hope to start assembly in the heated.
I think I would get lost in your 50 x 70, requiring a GPS to find my way back to the house for dinner.

Don