Was yours originally 4x4 or converted?

 

John,

I converted mine to 4x4. I did it to get away from the 6 on 7.25" x 17.5" wheels that my truck came with. I also fell into a deal on the donor truck and couldn't pass it up! I have always really liked the 50s 4x trucks but honestly didn't really want an original for fear of messing up something that was rare and hard to find parts for. My truck is not in that great of shape, and I put the combo together that's in there so I can always change it and not hurt a thing! I say do what you want to do! As long as another old truck is on the road and not the scrap pile, what the heck.

 

So did you do a complete frame swap or just the suspension components ?
It looks good the way it sits.

 

Thanks! I like the way it sets as well. My truck is all original ford from the leaf springs up and the transmission forward! All I did was replace axels and install a divorced transfer case, then hook up all the pieces! I had a complete donor truck so it really was pretty simple. I started a thread on my truck the other day, I could get more in depth over there if people want to see what I did.

 

I'd like that and take a look. I wouldn't mind doing a 4x4 someday .

 

Stu, I checked both the MH's tonight and they both have the rivits removed in the rear t-case mount, on both sides. The odd thing was that the F2 mh has the nuts on the outside of the frame and the F3 has the bolt heads on the outside of the frame. It must have just been determined by the guy bolting it together. I also came up with a theory about the rivits in the pic you posted on the F5/F6. If you look at your rear x member you will notice its 3 pieces. The center section and then each side has an L bracket thats bolted to the frame and then welded to the center section. What if they set the t-case in, bolted on the center section to the rear of the t-case, knocked out the rivits and bolted on the L brackets to the frame. Finished lowering the t-case to line up the center section with the L brackets, clamped it and welded the 3 pieces together while in the chassis. That way the frame would not have to be spread and it would always insure a correct fit as each was welded while in the frame? Hope thats not way to inside baseball for those who dont own a MH.

 

Well, this is gonna be an "inside baseball" thread if jafo56 goes forward with this. From his PMs I know Chuck has dropped by to look at what is being said here. Hope he has some insights to share.

Edit - here's another theory. Our F-2/3s have much shorter frames than the F-4/5/6s. I might have had to nudge that cross member back a little when I was installing the case, then realigned it and bolted it up. Might be enough room on the 134" and longer frames that that wouldn't be necessary. Stu

 

When the F2 Mh gets "reframed" I'm sure I will get a crash course on what works and what doesnt. We will see if the frame needs to be spread. I will likely try to find the easiest way, and I assume Mh would have done the same. They probably had a jig or template for the holes which I will have to figure out on the fly. Should be able to make a template off the old frame.

 

Yes, save your frame rail sections to use as templates. I have mine from the ND truck to do the same down the road. Stu