Finally got her home

Chaosracing · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 11:15 PM

I finally got my 47 Ford Truck 1 ton home this past weekend. I got it from my father-in-law. She is a little rough, but with some time and TLC, I think she will make one heck of a decent street rod. Some of the things I want to do is to put a 9" rear and IFS under it, probably a 302 HO and a 4 or 5 speed tranny. Sheet metal wise its gonna stay pretty much original, with a few minor tweeks to streamline her and really make it flow.
One question I had though is can I find a decent IFS to put under it out of a junkyard and if so, what years/models should I look for? I want to try and keep the original frame since it is nearly perfect yet (amazingly for NE Pa and where she sat for the last few years) I will probably wind up boxing the frame out for added strength.

As soon as I figure it out I will try to post some pics.

Chaosracing · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 11:24 PM

3Mike6 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 12:34 PM

If you're going to try to keep the cost down on an IFS, I'd still go with an aftermarket front crossmember, the scavenge cntrol arms/etc.

You might jump over to the '48-60 forum and look at the Jag IFS, they're a perfect fit in the '48-52's...might slide right under the '42-47's as well?

EricJ · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 09:08 AM

Just curious, but what is the ultimate use of the truck when it's finished?
I'm going to use mine as my dailey driver to replace my 65, and I'm keeping the straight axle. I will fab up a sway bar and shocks, but other than that it will be stock up front.

Chaosracing · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 10:30 PM

Basically I want a street rod looking vehicle that I am not afraid to drive anytime or anywhere I want. She will be in no way a trailer queen.

EricJ · #6 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaosracing

Basically I want a street rod looking vehicle that I am not afraid to drive anytime or anywhere I want. She will be in no way a trailer queen.

You'd be surprised how streetable a straight axle is, despite all the bad press it gets, every 4wd ford pickup threw the 70's was in essence a straight front axle. The thing that made these trucks bad drivers was the fact they had crappy shocks and NO sway bar. Add those and they drive pretty nice. And alot cheaper and easier than an IFS system.

Bob at warsaw · #7 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 10:43 PM

Chaose
Have you considered about restoreing your truck
Do you still have it?

Chaosracing · #8 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 02:34 PM

Yes I still have it. It is gonna be restored, but modernized a little. It only has a flat head 6 in it (if it was an 8 I would have considered keeping it in place. Sheet metal wise its pretty much gonna stay stock. I'm either gonna put a 302 HO or a 351M/400 in it with a manual trans (not sure on that yet) 9 inch rear and IFS up front.

Bob at warsaw · #9 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 08:29 PM

You sure have a prize there, best of
luck on your restoring project

ceetwarrior · #10 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 10:51 AM

Looks sweet, is it a 1/2 ton?

Chaosracing · #11 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 10:32 PM

Its a 1 ton which will make for finding bed parts very interesting.

ceetwarrior · #12 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 10:38 PM

I hear ya, I have a tonner with a pickup bed.... in need of a tailgate (missing) and 3 fenders for the truck..... don't see much of them around. When I find them in junkyards its usually just the cab...