[QUOTE=Ceohunter]OK, so I finally found the project truck of my dreams and just picked it up today. It runs fine. I know it needs new brakes, so i'll probably start there.


As the owner of a '55 half ton, I would recommend that you convert it to
front disc brakes, unless you are a purist and you wish it to remain stock.

 

Ceohunter,
You've got a great looking truck there, and you're in the best place around for info on these old machines. I love using the search function on this site and reading up on threads from the past 3-4 years that cover just about every topic you can think of; everything from how parts go together to how to pipe a shop for compressed air. If you can't find it with search, then put up a post, ask the question, and you'll be amazed at the knowledge out there.

Welcome to FTE!

ROB

 

welcome virgin?
So you want to go all stock sugar & spice and everything nice?
I give it about 6 months you'll go to a couple of shows see some mag's
and soon enough it'l be slamed to the ground chopped with suicide doors!
so cool

 

Ceohunter: Very nice looking trick for the money ! And welcome to the forum !

Bigles: I believe that hood ornament you got there was indeed a stock option/accessory...I remember seeing those 'jet airplane' ornaments on mid fifty Ford cars and trucks as a kid.
Norb

 

CEOHUNTER,
Great looking truck. Sounds like you got a good deal. I am starting to restore my 55 also. Will be nice to compare notes as we go along. Guess I better get my Vin information posted.

 

Hey Effie,
It is the exact "jet" that was standard on the 55 cars. 56 cars had a different jet. I pulled a couple off of some junk cars, trying to find one in decent shape. Have not looked at it in years, but it had a B- part number under it. I know it was a Ford piece.
Thanks for the info.
Bigles

 

I think that the hood ornament is the same one pictured on the Blind Faith album cover from many years ago.

 

Welcome!!!!!!

 

Hi, I joined this forum after reading through this thread, so I could share pictures of what the hood ornament looks like if anybody would like that. I thought y'all might appreciate the pictures since these are rather scarce. However, I do not know how to do that. If you would like to see pictures of the hood ornament, send me an e-mail and I'll send them to you. I took pictures of all sides, top, front and back. I also have a clear photo of the bottom showing the part number exactly as listed in the post above from the For Truck Accessories Catalog.

 

WHAT HE SAID! .............(and welcome)

 

Go to Mid Fifty and price that hood ornament! If its the one you have they are around 500.00

 

In my hunble opinion if you plan on driving this truck much you should seriously consider both disc brakes and power steering,

T900

 

There is someone on this forum that has reproduced the Ford truck accessory "bird" hood ornament (the one pictured in the dealer installed accessory catalog for the Effies)
in cast and polished stainless steel rather than pot metal. Not cheap, but less than a good condition OEM one goes for on U-pay.

 

Welcome to the madness

My suggestions:
1. Set up an eBay search for “195* Ford Truck”. Most everything you’ll need will show up sooner or later
2. Get these reference books. Get original beer-stained, grease soaked manuals – they have history. DO NOT purchase reproduction/reprinted manuals. No karma and most of the photos are of such poor quality as to be worthless.

1954 - 1955 Ford Truck Shop Service Repair Manual Book
1954 - 1955 Ford Truck Shop Service Repair Manual Book:eBay Motors (item 270511943339 end time Jan-14-10 11:24:50 PST)

Chilton’s Repair Manual

1955 FORD TRUCK OWNERS MANUAL ORIGINAL
195 ford truck manual, great deals on eBay Motors, Collectibles on eBay!

There is also a 2-volume Ford factory parts guide, Vol 1 = diagrams for all systems; Vol 2 = OEM parts listing. This is a great visual reference for R&R and gives you the ’53-’55 parts interchange for both year of mfg and across the models.

3. Replace all the fluids
4. Safety check brakes, hoses, belts, shocks, etc. and fix/replace as needed
5. Send off for aftermarket parts catalogs – Dennis Carpenter, LHC Truck and others. Lots of ways to spend lots of bucks.

In December I purchased the ’66 F350 dually stake bed dump via Craig's List for $500. It took about 4 weeks of eBay lurking to assemble the above mentioned manuals and a collection of replacement parts (carb, shocks, west coast mirrors, interior **** for PTO, seat covers) awaiting warm weather for R&R.

DISCLAIMERS:
No affiliation with the eBay links.
Opinion on reprint manuals is based on personal experience - and - if anyone wants a POS reprint factory repair manual for a Ferguson TE-20 please email.

HTH, Tony

1947 Ferguson TE20
1950 Buick Riviera
1950 Buick/Flxible ambulance
1955 F350 I6 3.4L 4SPD dually dump
1966 F350 5.8L 4SPD dually stake bed dump
1986 Cosmosblau 635CSiA
1989 Lachssilber 635CSi 5-speed
1994 F150 5.8L 4X4
2000 SeaRay 185
2006 Tacoma 4.0L 4X4

 

the first old f100 i bought was just like yours, except no hood ornament, they didnt come with one. the only difference was mine had the rear heavy duty step bumper and was still 6 volt positive ground. all i did was convert to 12 volt neg ground and yes all the gauges worked perfect without modifying anything. in fact when my temp sensor went out they sold me a 12 sender and it didnt work, i ended up taking a sender out of a old flathead in the wrecking yard, worked perfect. a mech told me the gauges didnt know the difference, i did switch the wiper, heater, and all the lights to 12 volts, but left the starter, which worked perfect. i also bought a brand new set of stainless steel hub caps plus i replaced the cardboard headliner. mid fiftys sells brand new front steel fenders for f100s. looks like youve got yourself good project and appears to be, in the picture, really good shape. the pricee is good, if it isnt rusty, which it doesnt look like. i just sold my 55 f100 hotrod, no regrets but would still like to have my old stock 55.