John’s 1968 F100 4×4 Truck

After seeing his truck in the lead photo in our 67-72 Ford 4×4 Truck Photos article, he sent in some photos and a great writeup on his truck. In fact, I will let him tell his story…

John DeKeersgieter, 42yo, Yorktown VA, computer programmer. I’ve been into cars and truck since I was little. I also own a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner 383 4-speed, and my daily driver is a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 4×4.

1968 F100 4×4 details and photos:

The F100 is a western truck. It came out of Northern California and I learned about it while I was living out there 1998-2003. The previous owner was my wife’s boss. It had been in his family as a daily driver 1992-1996. Starting in 1997, they restored the truck, rebuilding the engine, repairing bodywork, repainting the truck to a 1990s turquoise color, etc. I did some of the suspension and brake work for the previous owner, in 2001 and 2002, which is how I first came to know of the truck. I moved to Virginia in 2003 and the previous owner retired and moved to Oregon in 2004. By 2007 he wasn’t driving the truck much. He knew I wanted the truck if he ever decided to sell, so we agreed on $7500 and I had it shipped to Virginia.

The truck’s data tag is still present, and it decodes as:
– 68 F100 4wd
– 360″ 2v 179hp
– San Jose assembly plant
– 131″ (long) wheelbase
– U color code, Lunar Green
– 5600lb GVW (heavy weight rating option)
– New Process NP435 granny 4-speed
– 3.50:1 axle ratio (Ford 9″ rear, Dana 44 front)

The transfer case is not called out on the data tag. It is a Dana 21 single speed model. With the low-gear 4-speed and light use, you can get by with the single-speed transfer case, but it’s not a good, strong unit for serious four-wheeling.

The truck had 15×6 steel wheels and mid-70s truck wheel covers on it when I got it.

The 5600lb weight rating includes heavy duty 9-leaf rear springs which give the truck a pretty good rake. I wanted to level the truck, so I installed a set of Skyjacker +2″ front coil springs. A set of Skyjacker shocks were added as well.

To fill the wheelwells better, I mounted 31×10.5 BFG All-Terrain TAs on a set of 1990’s F100/Bronco 15×7.5″ polished wheels.


The engine is the original FE-series 360″ 2-barrel.

Bedliner is by Line-X, in a light gray color. I think the light gray color works much better than plain black would be with this truck.

The interior is standard bench seat, but it has been recovered with new vinyl and cloth inserts. I upgraded the seatbelts with a set of shoulder harnesses from RetroBelt (not shown in photos below). The rubber mat is a reproduction and I really like the truck that way, I wouldn’t want to install carpet instead.

This truck is a true beauty! Great job!

18 comments… add one
  • onscreencars.com Jan 18, 2010 @ 10:14

    That is a beauty.

  • offroadaction Jan 18, 2010 @ 10:26

    It sure is! As soon as I saw the the first picture, I knew I had to get more information!

  • Then it was onto the rear-end, rebuilding it with the stock 4:10 ratio. John replaced the original OEM Spindles with stock OEM Spindles from a later model 1974 F150 so that he could convert to front disc brakes. During the front end work, all the tie-rods and bushings where replaced and power steering was added in to balance it all out.

    • bill Feb 29, 2012 @ 13:56

      Would john sell the truck ?I would love to buy it

  • Jeff Jan 10, 2012 @ 5:59

    I love the truck & am curently working on a similar project. I am very interested in the steering wheel & column. I also want the white finish & would like to know if yours was refinished or how it came to be so pristine. Any info you can give me would be great. Thank You.

    • Wes Kibble Jan 10, 2012 @ 18:49

      Good questions Jeff. I will try to get a hold of the owner for you.

      • jeff Mar 3, 2012 @ 5:28

        Did you have any luck reaching John reguarding my question?

  • bill Feb 29, 2012 @ 8:13

    John I absolutely love your 68′ F100 would you ever consider selling it.

  • Levi Mar 14, 2013 @ 16:03

    Nice truck what color is this this is the color I want for my 1968 F-100 please and thank you if you would please

    • Steve Feb 2, 2017 @ 8:29

      Could someone please
      Tell me the paint color on the truck?
      I’m restoring the same model and would like
      To use the same.

  • james Sep 7, 2013 @ 11:53

    I have a 68f100 for sale complete restoration and many upgrades

    • Curtis Guise Sep 9, 2013 @ 8:44

      James, Keep checking back. We are going to launch our classifieds section in the next few weeks.

    • Scott Stegall Feb 4, 2014 @ 20:29

      :I may have an interest in the truck…. please contact me if still available… thanks

    • Georgia Prestmo Jan 11, 2020 @ 15:50

      how much can i see pictures of it?

  • Scott Nov 27, 2015 @ 16:21

    Does anyone know what brand these mirrors are? I have a ’68 F100 but I’m looking to get new mirrors. I like these, but this is the only place I’ve seen them. Thanks.

  • Lyndsey Oct 22, 2019 @ 19:08

    Will you ever consider selling? Very interested

  • Dave Jan 26, 2021 @ 11:33

    What size of tires?

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