I wanted to join FTE as I am a long time Ford truck owner and a former Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant employee. I have been utilizing this site for some time as a resource for info on a truck that came into my life.
It is a 1951 F-3 that is about as solid and complete as anything I have seen without a resto. It is as I have learned: A flat 6 with four speed and 5 star cab. The only things that have been replaced up to this point are the voltage regulator (still 6 volt), battery, fuel pump and flexible line, and carb rebuild kit. I think everything else is original. The only things wrong with the truck are that some of the glass is cracked. It is in unbelievably good condition retaining even the oem wood floor in the bed.
While I think the truck is cool and would make an awesome weekend cruiser, I really have no use for it as my summer hot rod is a warmed up 2000 Lightning that has 450 rwhp.
So after reading a number of posts from members who have F-2s and F-3s, I am seeking a little guidance as to what kind of a price I should put on it when I clean it up and ready it for sale.
Thanks to members for providing info on these old trucks. I agree they should stay on the road and be enjoyed, I'm just limited on space and have two other projects that I already have funds invested in.

 

Welcome to FTE, if as you say, you have followed this site for some time, you would know that you will not get any idea of price/value based on a description. Post as many pictures as possible of this truck.
Do you have a current valid title? (lack of a valid title makes the truck normally not worth more than a parts truck)
Does the truck currently run and drive?
If it does, how often have you run it, and how much have you driven it?
If it does not run, does the engine turn free?
Do the brakes work?
If so, have you removed the drums and inspected the drums, shoes and wheel cylinders?
What is the condition of the frame and suspension?
These questions may sound demeaning, but they are not meant to be, they are serious question needing answered to give you a fair and honest base for value.

 

Ditto the above, and since it's an F-3 it came with 17" widow maker wheels. Does it still have them? And since it's a '51, remedying the wheels problem on an early '51 is harder than on a late year '51. Early '51s have 14" rear drums that require some specific wheels to remedy. Late '51s have 12" drums that any 16" F-250 salvage yard wheel (97HD and earlier) remedies. Stu

 

5 Star cab was how Ford advertised it. I think you mean that your truck is a 5 Star "Extra" cab; having more options than a regular 5 Star.

Also, I believe that 51 F3 had widowmaker rims. That would bring the value of the truck down as replacement wheels could be costly, if found.

EDIT: Stu beat me to the WM issue.

Another way of remedying the WM issue is to replace the rear axle with a newer one from an F250 or finding someone who's parting out a late 51-52 F2/3 truck and buying the complete rear brake assemblies.

 

harleymsn; I am unable to post pics yet per forum. Titled and currently licensed. Starts right up and runs what seems to be very well. I personally have not driven it except on/off trailer for transport. MN winter was brutal and truck buried in garage. Previous owner drove as summer/weekend toy periodically. Under carriage has rust scale, but no rot. I really mean everything else is original including rims/tires. It is pretty unmolested.

I thought I read somewhere that a four speed dictated the 'better" rear brake size for wheel swaps. Will check it out when I get a chance.

 

The four speed is non-synchro and is an acquired taste all to itself, no matter what wheels and rear axle the truck has. One fix for the early 14" drums and widow makers is a swap to a later Dana 60 out of a 1972 or earlier F-250. These have 12" drums. But this isn't normally something a guy undertakes on a truck he's looking to flip. Stu

 

truckdog62563; that is my point. I am unable to keep it, so I am not going to spend $ on it. It is really a fantastic starting point for someone who wants one of these trucks. Unmolested = no surprises and no 'backyard engineering' to deal with. Any and all improvements would be the choice of future owner. Leave it, update it, rod it,..

 

Right. This is where a lot of detailed pics will help you get an answer. I use Photobucket as my remote storage site. Others exist. One of the other guys has a detailed posting on how to use these sites. Probably can figure it out yourself with some experimentation. Stu

 

If it is truly as original as you describe, don't do anything to it except clean and be darn careful what and how you clean. That little improvement you think it needs may devalue the truck to someone looking for an original. Detail pictures are essential.

Edit: And to someone who has only four posts, welcome to the forum.

 

PICTURES!!!!

 

Welcome to the group, these guys are the best!!

 

How to now post pic's on FTE

New Photo Uploader : A Picture Guide.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ure-guide.html

 

Welcome to the forum. Regulars here will give you the best advice you can get for these trucks. Unmolested and original are two magic words indeed, but without pictures it will be really difficult to come up with a fair market price.
My advice is to spend the time posting the pictures. The advice you get here can help you stick to a fair price by giving you the confidence to not get run over by a lowballer who wants to flip your truck for a profit. Make sense?

 

I appreciate the advice and 'tutoring' I will try to post pics soon. I looked at the album area, but found I could only put one pic up and it wouldn't let me add, so I deleted until I can get the truck uncluttered and unloaded to take some decent pics.

 

If you choose to go with the Photobucket option, you can post easily from there. Upload your pics to Photobucket and go to the photo you want to post from your PB library.
Follow the steps outlined below, and your pic should pop up in the text box. If you then click on the picture, little squares should pop up at the corners. You can drag the boxes around to resize the photo.