Hey all, its been a while since I've been on here (even longer since I gotten to work on the F-3), but finally have the snow disappearing and warm enough to work. Managed to get my new driveline set into the frame (have a good running late 70's 351M, NP435 4spd tranny, and a NP205 t-case. Now just getting the permanent mounts fabbed up. Then I get to work on the front suspension and axle.

For those of you who aren't familiar with my project. I am building a 1952 F-3, extended cab, with late 70's 3/4 ton 4x4 driveline (pre 1972 rear dana 60, and a custom narrowed early 70's dana 44hd)

 

Looking good. Keep moving forward.

 

Good to see you. I've been seeing your.posts on Facebook.

 

Glad to see that your kickin' and doin' some work on the truck

 

Yeah Bob, for the lack of anything better to say, "life happened" and the truck and a lot of things took a back burner. Being a single daddy takes a lot.

But yeah, actually started on the truck out of sheer practicallity. Was trying to clean and make more room in the garage and realized it would be easier to store the parts if I actually installed them.. Go figure.

Also may have shifted gears with the project too, instead of using the utility bed, I think I may go back to plan of using the 8ft express bed. Not sure if I will keep the bell utility bed for another project, or try to sell it.

 

Welcome back!

Glad to see you working on your truck again. Keep at it.



Your truck was one of the trucks that inspired me to start my 54 project. I also decided to go back to a stock type box instead of the utility box.

 

There seems to be a market for the old telephone boxes so you shouldn't have trouble getting rid of it, you just have to find someone willing to cough up the money for it. One thing to consider if you are thinking of selling it is that most of the interested people are going to be retired phone company workers. They have a link to that kind of box, which probably hasn't been used since the early-mid '70s. Not to sound callous but their numbers are dwindling so you niche market might be drying up. There is a cool factor in them so there are some younger guys wanting them.

Like any vintage vehicle the demand is contingent on the people who have a nostalgic connection to them. If they had a vehicle, or some one had one like it when they were a kid, they have a connection with it. I think if you asked the average 20 year old what they thought about our trucks most would say they're cool but that's about it. Now if you asked them about a '90 F-250 4X4 they'd probably show a lot more interest because someone they knew had one when they were a kid.

 

Yeah Bob, I figure if I do try to sell the utility box, it shouldn't too hard. I know the one I have is in nice shape compared to the handful of others I have seen. Again I'm not to the point of actively selling it, but would be upset if it found a new home.

The big thing for me now is that I want to be able to use my F-3 as a working truck, and I do haul around trailers on a regular basis. I figure the 8ft bed could be easily set up with a gooseneck plate/5th wheel.

I've also discovered I've accumulated a large volume of parts, now the fun of picking out the best, fixing them up and put the old girl together.

 

Welcome back! I've been looking at a bell bed for my plow truck... the one in GA was too far away.

 

Well I've already hauled this bed from eastern NY state to Michigan, still a ways from MN.

 

Jon,

Remember this? Maybe it'll inspire you to keep the untility box.

 

Well, please keep me in mind if you decide to sell it. I like the look of the express bed on yours, too!

 

haha, yes Bob, certainly remember your fun with photoshopping =)

and Havi, consider yourself first on the notification list if I do sell it, have lots of pictures of it/condition in my galleries.

But yeah. think I am definately going back to the express bed for this project, although even that will be slightly modified (am still looking for a better tailgate though)

 

He's back! Bob is slipping, he didn't account for the front locking hubs with those hubcaps.

I've always wondered how trailer weight rating work with our old trucks. Only the F-5/8 had a factory trailer rating. A bumper trailer is fairly standard affair while a goose/fifth wheel might attract attention.

I know the F-3 springs can handle more than the Dana 60 is rated for so that really isn't a problem. A 1978 F-250 Supercab 4x4 with 351M/C6 was only rated for 6000 lbs.

 

Yeah Nathan, I'm not worries about my rear springs and trailer weight. Especially when I also have the original factory overloads on it as well. I know I'll be turning some heads hauling a gooseneck or 5th wheel. Shouldn't be an issue either with the drivetrain I'm using, plus dual piston disc brakes on all 4 corners. Even have plans to build a custom modified "stock" tailgate with the notch for trailer clearance