4-Gen '48 Ford Truck Part I

(ANNOUNCER)>> ON THIS EDITION OF SEARCH AND RESTORE, WE'RE IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE TO SPREAD A LITTLE OURSELVES. HERE TRADITION RUNS DEEP AND FOR THIS PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY AN OLD FORD THAT'S UNDONE IS THE NEEDED INSPIRATION FOR THIS GRANDSON. WE'LL RESCUE A CLASSIC AND MAKE SURE MEMORIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ARE FOREVER PART OF THIS BOY'S FUTURE.

(TIM)>> I THINK IT'S REALLY COOL WE GET TO TRAVEL THE COUNTRY FROM ONE COAST TO THE OTHER, MEET THESE POWERBLOCK VIEWERS. EVERYBODY'S A CAR GUY, EVERYBODY COMES FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, DIFFERENT JOBS, DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS, DIFFERENT PROJECTS, BUT THEY'RE ALL STILL CAR GUYS. IT'S REALLY PRETTY COOL. SO LAST BUILD ME AND TOMMY WENT ALL THE WAY TO TACOMA, WASHINGTON. NOW WE'RE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY ALL THE WAY TO PHILADELPHIA TO SURPRISE SHANE THIS MORNING WITH HIS '48 FORD TRUCK.

(SHANE)>> THERE IT IS. SEE SHE'S KINDA REDONE BUT NOT REALLY FINISHED. THIS WAS A PAINT SCHEME THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR. I'LL HAVE TO YANK IT OUT OF THE TRUCK SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE ALL OF IT.

(ANNOUNCER)>> SHANE SKENNONTO LIVES IN DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND AND THEIR TWO YEAR OLD SON XAVIER.

(SHANE)>> HE'S GOT ALL HIS LITTLE TRUCKS AND BIG TRUCKS.

(ANNOUNCER)>> BUT JUST SOUTH OF HARRISBURG, PA, IS THE SKENNONTO FAMILY HEIRLOOM ON WHEELS.

(SHANE)>> SO HERE IT IS, A 1948 FORD FTWO THAT WAS MY GRANDFATHER'S, AND MY FATHER STARTED RESTORING IT. DIDN'T FINISH WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE HAD CANCER AND THEN HE DIDN'T MAKE IT. SEE MY SON GOOFIN' AROUND IN THERE.

(ANNOUNCER)>> PHILLY IS A BLUE COLLAR TOWN AND SHANE A BLUE COLLAR GUY. HE WORKED CONCRETE FOR YEARS AND IS NOW A SAFETY MANAGER FOR A LARGE CONSTRUCTION FIRM IN THE CITY.

(SHANE)>> THE HARDEST PART OF MY JOB, REALLY, IS SOMETIMES DEALING WITH PEOPLE'S PERSONALITIES. YOU KNOW, SOME DAYS PEOPLE HAVE BAD DAYS AT HOME, SOMETIMES THEY BRING IT TO WORK, AND WHEN YOU CAN ASK SOMEBODY VERY SIMPLY HEY, COME DOWN SO YOU DON'T GET HURT. AND THEY HAVE A LESS THAN NICE REACTION SOMETIMES.

(ANNOUNCER)>> HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE EVERYBODY ON SITE FOLLOWS PROCEDURES SO THEY GO HOME SAFE TO THEIR FAMILIES AT THE END OF THE DAY. SHANE'S EXTENDED FAMILY IS A BIG ONE WITH DOZENS OF AUNTS, UNCLES, AND COUSINS. A LOT OF THE GUYS WERE GEARHEADS, INCLUDING HIS GRAND DAD AND FATHER JOHN, WHO RAN A SMALL AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS FOR YEARS.

(SUZANNE)>> HI, MY NAME IS SUZANNE SKENNONTO, AND I AM SHANE SKENNONTO'S STEP MOTHER. I WAS MARRIED TO JOHN. HIS FAMILY MEANT A LOT TO HIM. HIS FAMILY HISTORY MEANT A LOT TO HIM. HE'S HALF MOHAWK INDIAN AND BLACK. HIS DAD TOLD ME THAT TRUCKS WERE LIKE HORSES TO NATIVE AMERICANS. THE MORE VEHICLES YOU HAD THE MORE WEALTH YOU HAD.

(ANNOUNCER)>> THIS PARTICULAR HORSE WAS MORE OF A COMPANION. ORIGINALLY BOUGHT OUT OF A JUNKYARD, GRAMPS DROPPED IN FLATHEAD STRAIGHT SIX, FOUND A DODGE BED, AND TURNED IT INTO A HAULER. WHEN HE DIED IN '05, JOHN, OR DOC AS THEY CALLED HIM, TOOK OVER THE RESTORATION RESEARCHING PARTS ALONG WITH DOING SOME COSMETIC REPAIR TO THE FRONT FENDERS WITH THE HELP OF HIS BROTHER FLETCHER. EVEN AFTER DOC WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, THE MEN CONTINUED WORKING ON THE TRUCK UNTIL HIS PASSING THREE YEARS AGO.

(SHANE)>> YOU KNOW, I TOLD MY FATHER WHEN HE WAS DYING, THAT HE SAID HE REALLY WANTED ME TO FINISH IT AND I PROMISED THAT I'D FINISH IT. NOW THAT I STARTED TO ACTUALLY DO THE WORK MYSELF I'M STARTING TO REALIZE THAT I DON'T HAVE THE SKILLS TO FIX IT. AND I FEEL LIKE I'M LETTING HIM DOWN. IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT I REALLY WANT TO HAVE IT RESTORED BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SKILLS NUMBER ONE, AND THE TIME TO FIX IT. MY FATHER WAS AN EXCELLENT MECHANIC, SO WAS MY GRANDFATHER, AND IT SEEMS THAT IT MAY HAVE SKIPPED A GENERATION WITH ME.

(AMY)>> FOR SHANE IT'S MORE OF A, IT'S WHAT HIM AND HIS DAD USED TO DRIVE IN, AND I THINK HE SEES IT AS HIM AND XAVIER WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THE CAR SHOWS, AND GO TO CARLYLE, AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT HE'S MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO. LIKE TAKING THAT TRUCK AND YOU KNOW, CREATING MEMORIES WITH XAVIER LIKE HE HAD WITH HIS FATHER.

(SHANE)>> MY FATHER AND MY GRANDFATHER BOTH PASSED BEFORE MY SON WAS BORN. SO HE DOESN'T REALLY KNOW THEM. HE KNOWS AMY'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY, HER GRANDFATHER. HER GRANDFATHER IS HER FATHER, HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER, IT'S IMPORTANT. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT MY FATHER AND MY GRANDFATHER HAD WITH MY SON.

(SUZANNE)>> HIS SPIRIT LIVES WITHIN SHANE AND I KNOW HIS SPIRIT LIVES WITHIN XAVIER, AND IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING IF YOU COULD HELP US RESTORE AND KEEP THAT MEMORY GOING, THANK YOU!

(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP, TIM AND THE TEAM MAKE THEIR WAY TO PENNSYLVANIA, TO SURPRISE A FAMILY AND OFFER UP A HELPING HAND.

(TIM)>> YEAH, IT WAS REALLY COOL YESTERDAY. WE TOOK A LITTLE SIDE TRACK, STOPPED OFF AT WASHINGTON, DC. SEEN THE WHITE HOUSE, YEP, WHITE HOUSE, SEEN ALL THE TOURIST STUFF. WALKED AROUND A LITTLE BIT. YEP, WASHINGTON MONUMENT. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD.

(STEVE)>> IT'D BE A GREAT PLACE TO COME BACK AND VISIT IF WE HAD MORE TIME.

(TIM)>> IT WOULD, BRING THE FAMILY.

(ANNOUNCER)>> ACROSS THE POTOMAC AND UP I-95 THE BOYS PULL INTO PHILADELPHIA WITH A LITTLE TIME TO KILL.

(TIM)>> SO I JUST GOT MEAT WITH CHEESE WIZZ. JUST ORDERED THE WIZZ, REALLY GOOD.

(ANNOUNCER)>> OHHH YEEAHH! 100 MILES TO THE WEST IS YORK, PA, WHERE BEHIND THIS BROWNSTONE ON A SNOWY FEBRUARY MORNING, SHANE AND HIS STEP MOTHER MET OUR PRODUCER FOR WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

(SHANE)>> THERE SHE IS. I DON'T THINK HE BOUGHT IT NEW. ONLY MY DAD EVER HAD A NEW CAR, I NEVER HAVE.

(TIM)>> THAT'S HIM STANDING RIGHT THERE.

(SHANE)>> WHY IS THE TRUCK HERE.

(SUZANNE)>> OH MY GOD!

(TOM)>> YOUR LUCKY DAY MY FRIEND.

(SHANE)>> I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT.

(TIM)>> HEY SHANE, HEY MAN, WE'RE COMING TO GET YOUR TRUCK.

(SHANE)>> THANKS!

(TIM)>> DON'T I GET ANY HUGS HERE, COME ON! HOW ARE YOU DOING? HEY LITTLE MAN! WE HAD TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE HERE, SO WE SENT A "SCOUT" TEAM. AND WE WERE WAITING DOWN THE STREET, AND SO HERE WE ARE.

(SHANE)>> THE WHOLE TIME I'VE BEEN GOING, I'M NOT GONNA GET MY HOPES UP.

(SUZANNE)>> AND I JUST KEPT SAYING, PLEASE, LET THIS HAPPEN FOR JOHN. HE WOULD BE TOTALLY THRILLED.

(SHANE)>> THAT'S TRUE!

(SUZANNE)>> TOTALLY THRILLED!

(SHANE)>> SO HOW MUCH INPUT DO I HAVE? DO I HAVE ANY INPUT?

(TIM)>> I'VE GOT A PLAN IN MY HEAD, BUT I'M NOT GONNA TELL YOU SO YOU CAN BE SURPRISED AT THE END. BUT I'D LIKE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE.

(SHANE)>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE RED WHEELS.

(TIM)>> ON A GREEN TRUCK? THAT'D LOOK LIKE A CHRISTMAS DECORATION. (UNCLE FLETCHER)>> WHAT'S THIS, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED?

(SHANE)>> HI AUNT NINA.

(TIM)>> WE'RE ACTUALLY HERE TO TAKE IT. WE'RE GONNA TAKE IT AND FIX IT UP, IT'S GONNA BE ON THE SHOW.

(TOM)>> YOU THINK HE'D BE HAPPY WITH?

(NINA)>> OH ABSOLUTELY, BUT HE'D PROBABLY WOULD BE IN THE WAY TELLING YOU WHAT TO DO.

(SHANE)>> HE WOULD DEFINITELY BE TALKING TO YOU MORE. LET ME TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT, COME OVER HERE! HERE'S WHAT I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO HERE! (UNCLE FLETCHER)>> OH, I CAN SEE MY DAD SMILING AND MY BROTHER SMILING ABOUT THE TRUCK BEING HOOKED UP, FINISHED YOU KNOW!

(TIM)>> READY TO GET THIS THING LOADED UP?

(STEVE)>> I'M READY!

(NINA)>> IT'S KINDA SAD TO SEE IT GO.

(SHANE)>> ONE DAY IT'S GONNA BE XAVIER'S TRUCK, AND HE WASN'T HERE WHEN MY DAD WAS HERE. AND THE TRUTH IS, PICTURES AND EVERYTHING, HE'LL HAVE THE TRUCK TOO, SORTA TIE THEM TOGETHER.

(XAVIER)>> BYE TRUCK!

(SHANE)>> SEE YOU LATER!

(ANNOUNCER)>> NEXT, VOLUNTEERS AND AN EAGER CANADIAN AWAIT THE ARRIVAL.

(IAN)>> I'M HERE TO HELP!

(ANNOUNCER)>> BEFORE TEARING INTO THE FOUR GEN FORD, STAY TUNED!

(ANNOUNCER)>> OUR VOLUNTEER BUILD TEAM IS READY AND WAITING WHEN THE SEARCH AND RESTORE RIG PULLS IN WITH SHANE'S PHILADELPHIA FORD. WHEN TIM OPENS THE TRAILER DOOR, THE CREW WILL GET THEIR CRUCIAL FIRST IMPRESSION OF JUST HOW MUCH WORK THIS 64 YEAR OLD PICK UP IS GONNA NEED.

(IAN)>> I BROUGHT THE FORKLIFT, I BROUGHT THE FORKLIFT. HEY TIM, I'M HERE TO HELP. HEY TIM, LOOK OUT!

(TIM)>> I INVITED ALL YOU GUYS, BUT WHO INVITED HIM.

(IAN)>> YOU OWN ME FOR FOUR WEEKS. I'LL THROW IN TWO FOR FREE.

(TIM)>> MAN, I HOPE I KEPT MY RECEIPT. YOU GUYS READY TO SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT IN HERE?

THERE IT IS! ( )>> I THINK IT'LL BUFF. ( )>> IT'S GONNA BE SOME WORK.

(ANNOUNCER)>> THE HARD LIGHT OF DAY REVEALS A FEW RUST SPOTS BUT NOT MUCH MORE. ANYTHING COULD BE LURKING UNDER THIS TRUCK'S AGING LAYERS OF PAINT. ( )>> IT LOOKS PRETTY INTERESTING. ( )>> I WAS EXPECTING IT TO LOOK A LITTLE WORSE THAN IT DOES, I THINK. THE CAB DOESN'T LOOK TOO BAD.

(JOHN)>> IT'S DEFINITELY NOT GONNA BE A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, SO DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP.

(IAN)>> THESE BOYS DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE MISSING.

( )>> FASTER, FASTER! ( )>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GONNA BE UNDER THAT PAINT WORK, OR WHAT IT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE ONCE YOU START TEARING INTO IT. SO THERE COULD BE SOME SURPRISES.

(TIM)>> HERE IT IS GUYS. WE'VE GOT ALL AFTERMARKET BED FROM LMC, SO WE DON'T NEED THIS STUFF. SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO TODAY IS GET EVERYTHING OFF THE BACK END. WE'LL PULL THE HOOD OFF, FRONT FENDERS CAN BE COMING, ALL THE GLASS CAN BE TAKEN OUT. IF THERE'S TOO MANY PEOPLE WORKING AND IN EVERYBODY'S WAY, THE NEW CHASSIS CAN BE ROLLED IN, ORDERED TRANNY CAN BE PUT TOGETHER AND PUT IN THE NEW CHASSIS TODAY TOO IF THEY WANT TO BREAK UP INTO TEAMS. THAT'S WHAT WE GOT. ( )>> HE GET ON THAT SIDE.

(TIM)>> IT LOOKS TO BE OUT NUMBERED, THERE'S FOUR OVER THERE. ( )>> WE AIN'T NO DUMMIES.

(SWEETS)>> BODY'S ROTTED OUT PRETTY GOOD, BED'S ROTTED OUT, BUT IT'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN'T TACKLE. SO WE'RE GONNA KNOCK IT OUT THE BOX.

(TIM)>> UM, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH GARBAGE. WE'VE GOT NEW ONES OF THOSE. YEAH, THOSE ARE NASTY.

(JOHN)>> DESTROYING THIS DOOR! I THINK WE'RE ALL PRETTY GOOD AT THAT PART OF IT. ( )>> THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO COME APART FAIRLY GOOD, BUT REMEMBERING HOW THEY GO BACK TOGETHER CAN BE DIFFICULT.

(TIM)>> ORDER A MANUAL, ORDER A MANUAL, SWEETS, DID YOU ORDER A MANUAL?

(SWEETS)>> WHAT'S A MANUAL?

( )>> I DON'T KNOW IF I EVEN HAVE FEELING IN MY HANDS ANYMORE.

(IAN)>> I GOT TIM'S PERMISSION TO USE THE SAWZALL ON THIS TRUCK.

(TIM)>> I GAVE YOU PERMISSION, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS GONNA BE QUITE THAT BIG OF A BLADE.

(IAN)>> SO YOU SAID THREE INCH CHOP RIGHT?

(TIM)>> IT WOULD BE COOL BUT NOT ON THIS. MAYBE THE NEXT ONE.

(IAN)>> THAT'S DONE!

(ANNOUNCER)>> MANY EYES WOULD ONLY SEE A COLLECTION OF WORN OUT PARTS, BUT SHANE KNOWS BETTER. HE'S PLACED PART OF HIS FAMILY'S HISTORY INTO THE CAREFUL HANDS OF TIM AND THE BUILD TEAM. OF COURSE HE NEVER SUSPECTED SOMEONE WOULD PUT A TORCH AND A HAMMER IN IAN'S HANDS.

(IAN)>> THIS HAMMER'S FLAMMABLE!

(TIM)>> COME ON GUYS, LETS GET THE BODY OFF. I LEARNED THAT TOO LATE IN MY SHOP THAT IT WAS CHEAPER TO BUY THE LIFT THAN IT WAS TO BUY PIZZA FOR ALL YOUR BUDDIES EVERY TIME YOU NEEDED TO LIFT THE BODY ON OR OFF.

(JOHN)>> YEAH I LOVE THE PROJECT, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IT FOR. THE FAMILY ASPECT, BEING THAT ME AND MY DAD ARE SO CLOSE AND WORK ON STUFF TOGETHER, AND THEN MY SON HAS NOW STARTED HELPING WITH STUFF, BUT THE PROJECT MEANS A LOT TO ME. THERE'S A LOT OF LOVE GOING INTO THIS TRUCK.

(ANNOUNCER)>> NEXT, PARTS, PARTS, AND MORE PARTS FLY INTO THE TECH CENTER.

(TIM)>> THE COOL THING ABOUT DEALING WITH HUGE COMPANIES LIKE LMC AROUND HERE, THEY'VE GOT A CATALOG THAT'S LIKE THIS THICK! IT'S LIKE A NEW YORK CITY PHONE BOOK. I JUST SAT THERE ONE DAY, '48 FORD TRUCK, YES PLEASE! '48 FORD TRUCK, YES PLEASE. ( )>> IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS.

(TIM)>> I THINK WE GOT A LITTLE OVER 200 ITEMS SHIPPED TO US FROM LMC. WOW, THAT'S A LOT, AND THEY EVEN SENT A GUY TO HELP US PUT IT ALL TOGETHER. THAT'S EVEN BETTER!

(ANNOUNCER)>> WITH LMC SUPPLYING BRAND NEW SKIN, YOU CAN'T PUT THAT ON A 64 YEAR OLD SKELETON.

(TIM)>> SO HERE'S THE NEW CHASSIS WE GOT, COMPLETE ROLLER FROM FAT MAN FABRICATIONS. IT'S GOT THEIR INDEPENDENT BASED ON A MUSTANG TWO FRONT SUSPENSION. QA ONE SUPPLIED THE COIL OVERS. IT'S EVEN GOT A SWAY BAR AND A POWER RACK AND PINION. IN THE BACK WE'VE GOT A CURRIE NINE INCH FORD ALONG WITH AGAIN, ANOTHER PAIR OF QA ONE COIL OVERS. FAT MAN EVEN RAN THE BRAKE LINES FOR US. ALL NEW, ALL FRESH, ALL AWESOME, AND ALL DONATED.

(ANNOUNCER)>> NOW THAT THE CAB IS SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS, THE TEAM CAN TEAR INTO SIX DECADES OF RUST AND CORROSION.

(JOHN)>> WE'RE GONNA TAKE WHERE THIS BODY SEAM'S IN THE TRUCK, GRIND IT ALL OUT AND CLEAN IT.

(TIM)>> WE'VE GOT JOHN KEITH HERE. HE DOES A LOT OF CUSTOM TRUCK PROJECTS IN HIS SHOP.

(JOHN)>> I STARTED OUT DOING COLLISION WORK AND MOVED MORE INTO THE CUSTOM SIDE NOW. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL WE DO.

(ANNOUNCER)>> KEEF'S ROD AND CUSTOMS HAS HAD SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS THAT WERE IN NATIONAL MAGAZINES, BUT HIS FAVORITE PROJECT IS AN F-150 NAMED "NUFF SAID" THAT WAS FEATURED ON THE COVER OF STREET TRUCKS MAGAZINE. AS FOR JOHN, HE FEELS HIS TIME IS WELL SPENT ON THE PROJECT.

(JOHN)>> IT'S WORTH EVERY DIME I'VE MISSED BEING CLOSED FOR A WEEK. MAKES ME FEEL REAL GOOD TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT. GOT A LITTLE RUST IN IT BUT IT'S CLEANING UP GOOD. IT'S GONNA BE FINE. WELD IT IN AND MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A FACTORY BODY LINE ACROSS HERE. IT'LL MAKE THE CAB MORE STRUCTURALLY SOUND PLUS LOOK A LOT BETTER.

(ANNOUNCER)>> THE POWERPLANT FOR THIS PROJECT NEEDED AN UPGRADE AS WELL AS THE OLD BUT CLASSIC SIX CYLINDER FLAT HEAD. SO FORD RACING PONY'ED UP A 306 INCH VEIGHT PUSHING 340 HORSES TO TURN THIS OLD CLYDESDALE INTO A YOUNG THOROUGHBRED.

(IAN)>> HEY, LOOK WHAT I FOUND.

(JOHN)>> GOOD OLE FASHIONED GRAPE DRINK. IT'S AMAZING THE STUFF YOU FIND IN OLD VEHICLES. ( )>> THERE WAS ABOUT 75 UNNEEDED HOLES ON THE FIREWALL. I KINDA VOLUNTEERED MYSELF. I SAW NOBODY ELSE REALLY WANTED TO DO IT. SO IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I'LL WELD ALL THESE HOLES. AND IT TOOK A LONG TIME BUT IN THE END WHEN IT WAS DONE AND I STOOD BACK AND LOOKED, AND IT'S GONNA MAKE IT THAT MUCH NICER, IT WAS WORTH IT. YOU KNOW IT'S REALLY CUSTOM, THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL OPEN UP THAT HOOD, LOOK IN THERE, NEVER KNOW WHY IT LOOKS SO GOOD. BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE LITTLE THINGS THAT WAS DONE THAT MAKES THE WHOLE PACKAGE LOOK GOOD. ( )>> WE'RE MOCKING UP SOME FLOOR PANS RIGHT NOW. I THINK IT'LL FIT ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO A LITTLE CUTTING. ONE OF THE WORST FLOORS I'VE SEEN. SO DEFINITELY NEEDS SOME NEW FLOOR PANS.

A LITTLE OFF!

(TIM)>> DAY TWO I HOPE TO GET ANOTHER GOOD, STRONG DAY IN. GET THE BED ALL TOGETHER, FLOOR PAN IN, GONNA PUT THE BODY ON THE NEW CHASSIS, MOTOR AND TRANNY IN THE CHASSIS. SOUNDS LIKE WE'LL TAKE A VACATION ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE DAY ON FRIDAY, YEAH RIGHT!