I have, what I assume, is a Dana 60 rear from a '55 Ford 3/4 ton in my '49 F2. Since the Dana seems to be somewhat popular with those who upgrade/rod their trucks, I was wondering if anyone wanted to trade their '48-52 split rear axle for the axle I have.

Am wanting to bring Gertie back to original, and the Dana don't cut it. Would prefer to have the 4.11 ratio over the 4.86.

Dave

 

I have heard rumor that a f2 f3 rear axle may have existed with 4.11's but I'm not sure anyone on this site has ever seen one to confirm???

I would also assume you don't want an earlier rear end 48 49 and maybe 50?? with the 14" rear drums/ I would bet you want one with 12" drums from a 51 52.

Unfortunatly I just sent one to china (minus the backing plates of course)

I know where an early one is. (maybe a couple) but have yet to get them.

getting one from Utah to Indiana could prove costly though.

I'm sure someone alot closer to you would love to trade you for your dana 60 in a heartbeat.

good luck

josh

 

The 4.11 was an option on the earlier tonner models. The ring/pinion sets are listed in the Green Bible under part #81Y 4203-A for the '38-'39 model year tonners, and #01Y 4203-A for the '40-'47 tonner models. This gear set is not listed in the '48-'52 catalog, but is listed in the '49-'51 Service Manual (and perhaps '52 Supplement but I'd have to check that) as an optional ratio on F-2s/3s.

I recall hearing of one 1950 F-2 having been found with this axle. It was found by a Studebaker owner who rescued the axle for use in his truck. Studebaker used the same Timken model 51524 axle as Ford and, according to Bill (ND), Studebaker stocked many more spare parts for their vehicles than did Ford. I visit the Studebaker Truck Talk forum and know that several 4.11 sets have been found by their members through their traditional parts sources. When one original set shows up they jump on it. The only viable current source for a 4.11 is Chuck Mantiglia's custom set. Below is a link to Chuck's site. Finding a Timken 4.86/1 axle in or around Indiana should be no problem, but I wouldn't expect anyone to trade a 4.11 Timken for your Dana or any other axle. Stu

Chucks Trucks LLC., Chuck's Trucks, Chucks Trucks

 

Although I can't confirm as there has been too many intervening years, I strongly suspect Gertie had a 4.11 originally. The story/facts are thus:

In 1969, my uncle (Dad's little brother) bought Gertie for a song from his brothers-in-law, who had purchased the vehicle from a mortuary/cemetary firm. Since new, or nearly new, the truck had been used soley for setting up tombstones in and around the Linton, IN area. The in-laws were at the time big into the local racing scene, and had purchased the truck specifically for cabbaging the rear end. After driving the truck from Linton to Bloomington, IN with low coolant and as fast as the old 239 would spin, they parked it alongside their father's barn outside the city (they cracked the block during their joy ride). At the time we got the truck from the in-laws, it had about 40K on the odometer.

Not knowing about the busted engine, my uncle purchased the truck with the intent of putting another rear into it, and using it for hauling. After much fruitless searching of several weeks (Dad and his brother, with me in tow, scoured numerous junkyards in the south of the state looking for the correct axle), we gave up on locating and exact replacement. Not finding the correct axle, they settled on the 60 out of a '55 Ford 3/4 ton. I remember well riding in the back of Dad's '55 half ton Ford P.U. holding onto that axle as we drove to the farm to put it into Gertie (this was in the spring of '70, and I was around 12).

Anyways, Gertie has not had emergency brakes since then, as the cables and linkages would not fit. Uncle lost interest when we found out about the crack, and sold the truck to Dad. My father eventually found a good block out of a '51, and we have used the truck off and on since then.

That all said, if a 4.86 is all I can get, so be it. At least it would be correct, and for the first time in over 40 years, I would have emergency brakes, and the same brake cylinders and shoes at all four corners.

Lastly, I would also like to have the leaf springs too if at all possible. Dad did not like the concrete ride the truck had, and removed a leaf from each side in the rear to soften the jarring. Didn't help much, it still rides like a log wagon, although the truck sits level now instead of with its rump higher than the nose, as is normal. Kind on a lowering job on the cheap.

Dave

 

To have the correct parking brake set up you would want, contrary to Josh's assumption, the 1948 to early 1951 axle having the 14" rear drums. The late '51 and '52 axle with 12" drums has no parking brake hardware. Those trucks have the parking brake on the back of the transmission. The 14" rear drums then present you the problem we've discussed here many times in finding replacements for the stock 17" widow maker wheels. The 14" drums prevent the easy substitution of later F-250 16" wheels because those wheels hang up on the drums. You'd need to find a set of the 17.5s or 19.5s that were first available in 1956. If you need to read about wheel options we can link in old threads on the subject. Stu

 

FoMoCo changed some basic part numbers in the 1950's.

Green Bible: 01Y-4203-A

1948/56 truck catalog: 01Y-4209-A.

O-S-I catalog: 01Y-4209-A replaced 01Y-4203-A.

You've been in the hobby a looong time, when you refer to the 1928/47 Ford Truck & 1928/48 Ford Passenger Car Chassis & Accessories Parts Catalog as the 'Green Bible.'

Most peeps in today's wouldn't know what the Green Bible is, even if you bopped them over the head with it.

Green front and back is missing from my catalog as are the first 16 pages. Green Bible now available on a CD as is the 1948/56 Ford Truck Parts Catalog from hipoparts.com.

Ed Faxon (faxonautolit.com) has reprinted the 1944/52 Car & Truck Body Parts Catalog, but it's 1/2 size and he wants 75 bucks for it. And while it should, it doesn't come w/a magnifying glass.

 

Once again Bill you've sent me back to school. I see that while the 4.11/1 wasn't shown in the sales literature of the era it is reflected in the chassis parts catalogs for '48 to '52. In the Jan. '52 catalog it is shown under #01Y 4203-A, but (as you said) in the Jan. '54 and 1964 reprint edition it is shown under the 01Y 4209-A number. Thanks. Stu

 

Yes I probably tend to assumes too much from time to time. lol I guess i did not know the early f2's had a brake cable ebrake vs trans brake or i just forgot.

only reason i assumed he wouldnt want the 14" drums is as you mentioned having the wheel issue, but wheels can be found, like that 8lug 19.5 i found a week or so ago.

 

Another one found, good goin'. I found a set of four recently also to go with the one I've had. The set has nice traction tires that I don't need, so Mark (thundersnow70) and I will work a swap for his set since he needs tires.

Walking around Iola this weekend with Mark and his son Ryan I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this trailer with four 19.5s on it. What a waste putting them on a trailer!! Talking to the guy he knows a lot about them and has several sets. Said he'd be willing to sell some if anybody wants contact info. Stu

 

Have a good one,73,000 miles showing,but i am in arkansas.

 

I could fix you up with a rear axle out of either an F2 or F3 (1952), as well as rear springs. However, shipping from California would kill the deal.

 

1948-51 F-2's had 12" drums all the way around, and the rears had parking brakes. The 14" rears were F-3 only.
I recently needed one of these rears for a customer in Hawaii. I found one in a '50 F-2. I had planned to set it up with new 4.11 gears, but when I cracked it open, they were already in there! That was the first original set I ever owned.
Chuck

 

Hawaii is a loooooooooong way from Connecticut.

 

Stu,

Congratulations on your 19.5s! Looks like you also found several more and this guy actually will let them go. You are doing everyone a big favor by sharing this source. These 19.5s are extremely hard to find and are the ultimate fix to the 14" drums.

Doug

 

I have two I would gladly swap, one 12" brakes the other (still attached to the truck) with 14" brakes. Are you planning any trips towards Central New York?
One is from a 1952 F-250
The other a 1950 F-3