Anyone know what the difference is between this:
1948-1952 Ford Pickup Truck Front Emergency Brake Cable - 110-1/2" Long - F2 & F3 - MAC's Antique Auto Parts

and this?:
1948-1952 Ford Pickup Truck Front Emergency Brake Cable - 110-1/2" Long - F1 - MAC's Antique Auto Parts

The first is almost 30 bucks cheaper than the second, but I guess won't work on my F-1?

 

According to the old, original Ford parts catalog, the F1 part, 2C 2853-A is 102 1/2" long and fits 48-52 F1. The 7RD 2853 is for 48-51 F2-3, which also used the F1 style under dash handle before the running change to the trans brake and floor lever some time in '51. It is 110 1/2" long. That extra 8" makes up for the longer wheel base. It's very likely they're functionally the same on the ends. And if the part they're selling for the F1 is actually too long, you'd still have to figure out what to do with the extra length to make it work. Looking at Mac's pictures, it seems the F1 part is rubber coated, which would certainly cost more to make. Or, they're just charging extra for the more popular model and both parts are the same.

 

I wonder if the difference is really between the type that ran across to the far side of the trans cover, then thru a hole in the firewall, as used on 48 - 50 (?), vs the later style that goes thru the steering column floor plates? Although the other day I noticed that BobbyT's '49 goes thru the column plates...

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I'd wager that Mac's has mislabeled the F-1 cable length then.

 

My catalog is from 1954, and shows the currently (at that time) available service replacement parts. My thinking is the later part superceded the early style since the application was 48-52 in the listing. It would be up to the farmer/buyer to figure out how to run it.

I had an early '50 way back in the old days. It had the right side exit. Both cables would be about the same length, just that one is a bit more inside and the other more outside the cab. It follows approximately the same path, iirc.

 

I think the later style would be noticeably shorter, it drops right down onto the BH. Have we ever identified when the switch was made? Bobby's truck is the first 48-50 I've seen with the later style, and it isn't a late '50.