This is a long story but here it goes. My Dad gave me this 51 Ford when I was a teenager. Being stupid I sold it so I could buy a newer truck. That was 20 years ago. By a stroke of luck, I found the truck on Craigslist a few weeks ago. I took my Dad with me and told him that I'd found an old car to rebuild. It was awesome watching his face as he saw his old truck. I bought it back and now I'm looking to rebuild it. I'm not going back original but I'm not necessarily rodding it out either. I'm wanting to put a 302 with an overdrive transmission in it. I'm wanting the Mustang II IFS and I think I will lower it a few inches(maybe 2 in front and 2 in back). The running boards and floor pan have major rust and will be replaced. It has some surface rust and some rust around the bottom of the fenders. I think the rust around the fenders can be fixed.

I'm just looking for some advice on the build. I won't be doing it all at once and I plan on doing the majority of the work myself. That being said, I'm not at all a mechanic. I can do minor work to vehicles but I've never done anything major. I'm looking of any and all advice. I know there is an issue with the oil pan and the crossmember. Not really sure how to get around that but I have seen trucks in this range with 302s and 351s so I know there's a way.

I appreciate everything in advance.

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Welcome! Great story of the second chance - doesn't happen often. I would suggest you allow some 'just drive it' time to better understand the truck. You'll want to avoid any rush to disassemble everything right away. Get the running gear safe and functional so you have time to collect parts and find/develop the necessary skills for the work. Having the space, time, budget, and abilities are important to get going and finishing.

 

How cool, you are the second person in the last couple days to have a truck with family history, I just love it. You know with the help of the folks on this site you can do almost everything on yourself. I know this because when I bought my F1 I did not know anything about fixing cars or trucks. But to make a long story short, with the advice so kindly provided by the members of FTE I was able to do everything with the exception of king pins, and some structural welding. Any way You have a very special truck, and Im looking forward to watching as you bring her back to life. Welcome to FTE.

 

It doesn't have an engine or a transmission in it right now. It was originally a Flathead V8 but was later changed to a 283 Chevrolet which has been removed as well. With that being said, it seems the easiest thing to do is to start at the frame. I'm not an expert or even close so I'm looking for all advice.

 

That's awesome that you'll be building his old truck. By your screen name I take it you race mx? I raced for 20 years

 

Ok, I didn't get the lack of engine part. My error.

On the starting point, unless you have the skills/equipment to do the IFS, rehabbing the stock setup may serve you well: rebuild the drag link and replace the kingpins and related parts. Far less expensive and certainly usable for the finished product you indicated. If dropping the front end is important, I would suggest you consider using Nostalgia Sid for a dropped axle. He's also the go to guy for questions. Look at droppedaxles.com

 

Cool truck, were it mine though, I'd want a flathead or (maybe) a Y block. No chebby, FFS! It's a personal thing of course, but complicating these old trucks with P/S and power this and power that, sorta misses the point. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

In any case start with the brakes and steering, suspension and work up. Get a Ford Truck Shop Manual for that year, and a Motors Manual, and study them. They have all the info you'll need.

 

I used to race mx and hare scrambles. I raced until a few years ago when I realized I am getting too old to race all weekend and go to work the next week.

I guess building a truck will be my new hobby.