This is great info, fellas. Thanks a ton. In Alabama, thankfully, anything over 30 years doesn't require a title, so a BOS is sufficient.

Where can I search for a solid, original frame at?

 

So long as you never intend to resell the truck out of state. I'm in Tennessee and have had to pass on pretty much any vehicle deals from AL as TN won't accept AL BOS.

 

Do a search on Craigslist in your surrounding metro area, and/or put a wanted ad in the same. Check area salvage yards, especially the backwoods and out of the way areas. Ask the older repair shops, especially in smaller towns, for leads. That's part of the "fun" of this hobby, searching out parts. A F250 350 or 450 frame can be used, but needs to be shortened in 2 places to fit the shorter wheelbase of the F100. For that much money, the cab, front fenders, bed, inner fenders, radiator support, radiator wind deflectors, hood, instrument cluster, doors, floorboards, grill and headlight buckets, all needs to be present rust free and unmodified.
Before buying a basket case project, be sure to honestly assess your abilities and available funds. A truth is that a safe running driving truck is going to cost a minimum of 12-15K no matter the cost of the original starter. Your 1K starter is going to need 11-14K in additional parts and outside labor IF you can do most all the work, Ben's 10K starter needs a couple K to finish. The big difference is that your project is going to take 5-10 yrs to complete, the other one would take a couple months.
If you are not an experienced fabricator, have a shop about the size of a 2 car garage that can be dedicated to and tied up the entire time of the build, have a large mechanic's and power tool collection including at least a MIG welder, large compressor, Oxy- acet torch set, metal working tools and the abilities to use them all, then you can expect to double to triple the construction cost if you need to hire out the major work. Your asking where to find a chassis leads me to believe you are likely to be in over your head with the basket case and would be much better off buying a project closer to completed.

 

Thanks Ax. This is all great information.

This is why I wanted to come into this site and ask the questions. I love asking questions and learning. We have our own restoration shop, just haven't done an early model f100 like this. So we're actually the "outside labor" guys.

Buying a more complete vehicle would just be too boring. I definitely know I can check Craig's and ask junk yards. Being you guys are the old F pro's, I wasn't sure if there was a particular site or place you guys knew about in that world.

Thanks!

 

Ford Truck Parts for Sale - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

That's one place. You might actually be better off buying a junky complete truck, one with a body that is rusty or damaged, but the frame and interior, etc. is solid. Make two from one. There are so many little pieces that you'd have to buy if you just get a frame, and you might not even know you're missing them.

 

True. Very true.

 

Sorry, wasn't aware of your background, we get a lot of clueless novices thinking you can put these things together like a plastic kit that need to be brought down to earth. AFAIK there isn't a dealer specializing in old Ford F100 chassis, they just aren't valuable or in demand enough to dedicate the space to. The F100 is as basic and straight forwards a truck that there is. The major thing to know is that the entire front doghouse is supported and aligned off the front radiator support. If you are looking for a good parts source, it would be hard to beat the gals at Mid Fifty Mid Fifty F-100 Parts - Home. It's all female owned and operated, and you won't find anyone more familiar with our trucks anywhere. Anyone working on a 53-56 needs to have one of their free catalogs on hand, it is full of drawings and extra information that makes it a greatly useful reference. If they don't have any part you need, they will help you find it if it's available.

 

Ax, thanks! I'll do some more checking for a frame. Or maybe I'll end up passing and getting a more complete truck down the road. This truck, would end up being our shop truck to take to shows. It'd just be a shame to let that truck sit there and waste away. But for $1500 without a usable chassis, no interior, motor or trans, may just be a little too much overhead to start with.

 

Hey Will,
A quick search around - didn't find you anything close.
If you want to bring a frame out of Texas - several to choose from.
It might be worthwhile to double check on here what years will work for
your '55 - that frame didn't change appreciably for several years.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

1954 Ford F100 plus extra parts

1954 Ford f100

1955 Ford F100 Truck chassis V8 engine and more

1956 ford f-100

55 Ford Frame

 

Ben,

This is awesome! Thanks!

Oddly enough, a 55 JUST showed up on eBay, in KILLER shape with most everything to go with it, on its original chassis with a clean title. Best yet, its in north Alabama, only 3 hours from me! I've reached out to them. Maybe it will be a good lead.

-Wes

 

If the body's in good shape then buy it and make it all Ford. You'll be a lot happier.

 

How about this one... https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-for-sale.html