CTP Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
BY Rob Fortier PHOTOGRAPHY BY John Jackson
Article title
F

or those who know, the infamous Unibody Ford F-100 is quite the hot commodity—equally as much for its unique integrated body styling as it is for its rare breed aspect. A unicorn of sorts, as owner and co-builder Michael Porter admits, when he first stumbled across his 1961 edition he was embarrassed to admit he had no idea what a Unibody was prior to that!

The Porter Family’s 1961 Ford F-100
Top view of Ford F100
Read bed of truck
exhaust system
After spotting this particular gem on Craigslist, and after some Internet research, Michael and his son, Riley, wasted no time acquiring their forthcoming father-and-son project.

Together, the Porters embarked on their five-year project by completely tearing the truck down to its bare frame in preparation for a full suspension and drivetrain upgrade. First order of business was to swap out the twin I-beams and parallel leaves for a Total Cost Involved IFS with complementing four-link (each end outfitted with RideTech coilovers) and John’s Industries 4.11-geared 9-inch nestled beneath a Switch Suspension frame notch kit. Once the front suspension was in place, Michael ordered up and subsequently installed a new Ford Performance Gen 3 Coyote with accompanying TREMEC Magnum XL six-speed.

At this point, both Porters realized the next steps—that being the exhaust and fuel/brake plumbing—might be a bit out of their “comfort zone,” as Michael put it, so they turned the project over to Seth McAtee at Switch Suspension to wrap up what was left.

After spotting this particular gem on Craigslist, and after some Internet research, Michael and his son, Riley, wasted no time acquiring their forthcoming father-and-son project.

Together, the Porters embarked on their five-year project by completely tearing the truck down to its bare frame in preparation for a full suspension and drivetrain upgrade. First order of business was to swap out the twin I-beams and parallel leaves for a Total Cost Involved IFS with complementing four-link (each end outfitted with RideTech coilovers) and John’s Industries 4.11-geared 9-inch nestled beneath a Switch Suspension frame notch kit. Once the front suspension was in place, Michael ordered up and subsequently installed a new Ford Performance Gen 3 Coyote with accompanying TREMEC Magnum XL six-speed.

At this point, both Porters realized the next steps—that being the exhaust and fuel/brake plumbing—might be a bit out of their “comfort zone,” as Michael put it, so they turned the project over to Seth McAtee at Switch Suspension to wrap up what was left.

Pick-up in front of old Hotel
Rim and Tires
The body required and, as you can see, received very little attention other than having a new tailgate properly patina’d and a rear bumper-delete roll pan added to accommodate the new center-dump titanium exhaust tip (fed by 3-inch stainless exhaust through stainless Borla mufflers and Ultimate headers). Even without airbag assist, the Unibody sits oh-so right over those 22-inch Raceline two-piece Commotion wheels mounted with 30-series Toyo Proxes! Along with the tailgate retro, Kandy Shop Creations did do some updated gloss black paintwork underhood and inside the cab.
Truck and Hotel sign
Driving wheel
Finally, after McAtee had installed a Dakota Digital HDX system, Vintage Air A/C (and Front Runner serpentine), and wired the F-100 with an American Autowire harness, Unique Upholstery put together a complete JL Audio Media Master sound system before redoing the interior using distressed brown leather and square-weave carpet. The steering column used is an ididit topped with a Sparco Competition wheel; Crow Enterprises Pro Kam Lock lapbelts were also used.

With less than a year since its completion—and despite the lack of events to attend—Michael and Riley Porter have still managed to log over 5,000 miles on the odometer of their revamped Unibody … and have no plans on capping it off there, not by a long shot!

Firearm
Engine
Leather seats
Side of view of Pick-Up