So I have used this site for a lot of information before starting my restoration. This is site and the people are awesome! So here is the story; I bought a 51 Ford F2 not knowing jack about ford trucks only cars. Come to find out this thing is all original (minus a bumper they installed ) It runs like a champ need just a little tuning and off that 239 went. I love this truck so I have finally decided to restore it to original condition instead of rat rodding like I originally intended. This thing is just to cool!!!!! I may need some help along the way but I want to keep a journal and post it where I could get feedback. So this is my start. Here is the plan currently.
1. Tear it down to the frame.
- Paint Frame and interior engine and compartment raven black
- Paint engine original color
2. Dont replace the bed just fix the cancer with new metal and then add new wood floor with possible purple heart design in the middle.
3. So far almost everything is original minus the alternator (12V), two new water pumps, a start solenoid that is still ford script, new 1948 Passenger car drum brake pads in the front, new master OEM master cylinder and rebuilt wheel cylinders. I have also added new aluminum rims but have the original steel rims that will go back on it.
4. Paint truck original Sheridan Blue or a very close derivative.
Love to know everyone's thoughts and critics thanks in advance.

Ron

See pictures at this link hopefully it works

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=b0e4f2eaef

 

Welcome looks like a great truck. Be careful of original rims if they are widow makers. Keep posting pics and everyone here will be happy.

 

Thanks Dave! So what exactly are the widow makers? Were they split rims?

 

Welcome. Glad to see another F-2/F-3 being saved. And done near original. Stock F-2 wheels are 16" x 6" one piece and are highly prized. Don't let go of them. Stu

Edit - widow makers are the 17" F-3 two piece wheels. You shouldn't have them. You might Google Firestone RH-5° to learn about them though. Yours should be one piece. Stu

 

Mine are one piece. Just looked at the RH-5 that's crazy. Split rims on our helicopters are bad enough those just don't look well engineered. I actually still have the original tires but they are dry rotted so I'm hoping to find some to replace them. Does anyone know the original color of the rims?

 

Welcome! Looks like a solid truck to start with. I'm glad to hear of a near-stock restoration, you won't be disappointed!

Confused about "1948 Car disc brakes" tho?! Which trans do you have?

 

That will be a nice truck...it has the five-star extra trim too.

Another word of caution...don't drive that truck too far like that - it is missing more than a few lug nuts.


Tom

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Sorry meant drum brakes not disk

 

all lug nuts are on now

 

Wow - that was quick.

The wheels are usually painted body color.

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So the 48 Car brakes swapped onto the F-2 backing plates and drums? These early truck drums are very pricey, that would potentially be a good way around them.

BTW the wheels were originally body color. I think.

 

Tom love your truck that's how I want this one. It has an extra bumper that someone welded on a long time ago it's going to be painful to work with. The whole bed is going to be a pain. Also thanks for the info on the wheel color. I am a one man show, minus my buddy who occasionally on a Friday comes and helps me. Ross, I am not certain of the tranny currently it is caked in 40 years of red dirt. I am about to drop it and clean it to get the numbers. However it is 4 on the floor.

 

If it's a 4-sp then it's the crashbox non-synchro 59T trans.

 

Ross yea so the brake problem was a fiasco. I looked and looked at forums and online. So I went to Napa and they had them or I thought nope wrong ones. They say for a 51 but its more like a 52. So I went to obsolete (classic auto parts) Thankfully I live in oklahoma and have this store right down the road. Same thing I didn't look at the box brought them home and again wrong shoes. Took them back with the old ones and a guy behind the counter said heck yea we got those lucky you those are a 48 passenger car and there a dime a dozen unlike the shoes i was returning. So this is where i discovered the differences between a early 51 and a late 51. For the most part the brake system is the only difference between any F1 and F2s that i have found thus far. I would love any other knowledge someone may have.

 

Half ton wheels are body color, F-2/F-3 are black. Stu