Looks like someone made a manure spreader out of a monkey face. Either way it's a nice looking truck!

 

Sorry greatnorthwoods, I don't get your reference

 

I don't know if it's only on this forum or not, but the 48-50 grille is sometimes referred to as a Monkey Face, and the 51-52 is called a Manure Spreader. It's not really a flame, just a friendly dig between the owners of the two "faces".

 

Well looks like all the serial numbers match, 97HC278xxx, so it's a 1950 with the six cylinder.

Thanks for the clarification on the front end terms, I like the manure spreader better anyways.

 

This is my first endeavor into this era truck and I'd love for it to handle/drive/stop better, I found this guy on Craig's list selling some parts but I'm not sure what I would need, or at least some recommendations, here is his ad http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/5163728489.html

 

The 53-56 trucks are different in a number of ways, and it looks like he has a hodge-podge of stuff. I'd pass on it, myself. Maybe the rearend is worth considering, if you are going to put front discs and power brakes on the truck.

 

Ya it seemed like he had some overlap on some of his stuff, I definitely want to end up with disc brakes but I'm going to be driving by there in about a week so I figured I'd see if it was worth a look.

 

I consider them "terms of endearment!"

 

It doesn't say what year Mustang it's out of, so the width may not be correct.

 

I definitely want to start acquiring some parts to do.the swap, what year mustangs work? I also see a lot of guys do the Jag IFS, is one considerably better or does it depend on price and availabilit?

 

As far as the rear's if you want Disc, the 95-2001 Explorer is the best fit. As for the Jag IFS you would want an XJ6 or XJ12 72-87 or an XJS 75-96.

 

So any explorer rear axle from that era will Work?

 

Hey 4x4,
Welcome Aboard! Nice to see another '50 getting saved.

We went with a salvage 2001 Ford Explorer 8.8 in. axle with 3.73 gearing,
disc brakes, & limited slip diff - $225. Not all Explorer 8.8's are created equal
so do your homework on which years have the gearing & brakes you want. Keep in
mind this changes your wheel stud set up to a "car" set up 4x4.5. ie. Your current
wheels won't fit. We did it because we went with a Mustang II style IFS that has
the same set up. You will also need to use rear spacers to get the wheels to set up in
the wheel well right. We used 1.5 in. spacers.

We took the emergency brake from the same salvage Explorer. This is a good option if you need an ebrake.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

What year mustang did you pull your IFS out of? I would like to keep the same bolt pattern all the way around.

 

Hi 4x4,
When we refer to a Mustang style IFs on here - we are talking about
after market IFS kits sold by multiple vendors. The actual Mustang II IFS don't work for us. If you want to go the salvage route - the
best solution going at the moment is a salvage Jag front end - they are the perfect width.
Some have used Crown Vics but they are too wide & need to be shortened - involving cutting & welding aluminum cross rack.

There are many vendors for the Mustang II after market front suspensions - Heidt's being one of the most common & reasonable. We used No Limit Engineering - Wide Ride Kit. Coming in at $2500 including some brake parts. There are also a lot of things that can be done to the original suspensions to make them more comfortable - Disc brake kits, Toyota power steering kits, Sid drop Axles, etc.

Keep asking questions. The rear suspension swap is pretty straight forward - a weekend or two. The front suspension swap is much more involved - including cutting & welding on your frame with some tricky geometry. Only for the hardy - takes 6 weeks at least IMHO.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1