For those who aren't familiar with off-road racing, the term "prerunner" might not ring a bell, but it's a category of vehicle that has had a lot of influence on truck modifications over the last 60+ years. Prerunners are vehicles used by race teams to pre-run courses before an event starts, taking notes on terrain and getting a feel for obstacles. As a result, they need to be rugged and capable without being as extreme or high-maintenance as a full-blown race truck. This 1969 Ford F-100 was inspired by prerunner builds from the early 1970s, and it's loaded with old-school off-road style.
Anderson's 1969 F-100 Prerunner Build
This F-100 was built by Anderson House of Speed, the same builder whose '63 Ford Falcon we previously featured on this blog. As with the Falcon, it was documented by a video crew from the YouTube channel Autotopia LA.
Serge, the owner, restored the truck and added a variety of period correct mods. The front wheel openings on the front fenders were cut and raised for additional clearance, and the stepside bed and rear fenders were trimmed as well. A full cage is an essential safety modification for a vehicle that might roll over on a trail someday.
It rides on 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and 16x10-inch wheels for a timeless and functional look.
High-clearance bumpers and improved lighting are both hallmarks of the prerunner category, so of course this F-100 has them. The tubular front bumper was built from an Autofab kit reconstructed from bumper designs from the early 1970s. It features four high-output driving lights. The rear bumper was retrofitted from a Jeep CJ, and the tailgate was replaced by an old-school Pro Net.
The F-100 is powered by a lightly modified 390ci FE V8 engine with headers and an Edelbrock intake. Power steering and power brakes make it a little more livable for daily-driving. The V8 is paired with a C-6 automatic transmission. Serge says this setup feels "true to the roots" of the truck.
The interior also has an old-school feel, with simple and clear Auto Meter gauges and a custom center console with gated shifter. Mastercraft suspension seats and harnesses keep the driver and passenger securely in place as the truck flies over whoops on the trail.
This 1969 F-100 prerunner build takes us back to the '70s and '80s with its period-correct modifications. Check out the Autotopia LA video below for more details on this build:
Looking for Classic Ford F-Series Parts?
Classic Industries is your one-stop source for restoration and performance parts for any classic Ford truck, ranging from 1932 all the way through 2014. Our Ford Truck catalog features thousands of parts for the F-100, F-150, Bronco, and Ranger. Click the button below to browse classic Ford truck parts now:
