After a lot of deliberation, I broke down and bought another project this last week. A 1951 F-1 I had been considering one for a while, and found this one that the person had started on. The body needs work, but mostly the fenders. Someone put filler on the fronts and luckily didn't weld anything in there so I might be able to save them. It also has a 302 with a C4 mounted in there, and a Mustang II front with Air Ride.

The PO never finished the engine installation so getting that plumbed and running will be the first order of business, along with steering, exhaust, and brakes.

Any and all good advice will be appreciated. Things to do first - come up with a steering column that will work with the IFS, find a good brake master with booster (the PO gave me one, I just need to identify it) and a hanging brake, figure out where all the wires go.

Thanks in advance,

Stu

Here is a link to the Album: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10256

 

What kind of tailights are they?

 

Welcome to Looks like you have a good start.

 

You bought yourself the best styled truck out of the 48-52 model years. Stick around and you'll know why.

It's a nice looking truck. Most of the hard work has been done for you already, as long is it was done correctly. Otherwise, you'll be hard at work correcting the problems.

The front fenders should be in two pieces. Larger upper and smaller lower fenders. Looks like the PO might have filled the seams.

I have stock and original bumpers for your truck if yours are missing. The current rear bumper is from a newer truck or aftermarket.

Good luck with your project.

 

Looks like a solid old truck. Rear bumper looks like it came from an 80s Ford Ranger.

 

Welcome to FTE!



Aren't those big-truck fronts? They kind of have the tucked-under look at the front of the wheel well

 

Looks good,...That truck is so happy to be a 51 it just cant stop grinnin with them awesome toothers. Nice start and .....WELCOME. This place is the best

 

I feel I'm being out numbered here by the 3 toothers, but welcome to FTE just the same.

 

Welcome to F.T.E it is a great site with good folks. Nice truck. Too bad its not a GOOD looking 48- 50. There you go Havi. Bob

 

Darn I feel so bad. Guess I'll sell the Uni and buy a manure spreader so's I can be cool like every one else. There must have been more 51's sold than any other Ford truck year. I thought having 2 jail bar fire trucks in my little town was bad. Welcome and good luck. Ya came to the right place.

 

Welcome aboard. Looks like you have yourself a nice truck. I couldn't make up my mind on the grills so I now have one of each.

 

Welcome to the party, Stu! That looks like a nice solid project. I see from the license plate the truck was/is from Washington. Where abouts are you?

 

They look like they might be, but it's hard to tell. I think that it's just bad body work.

Actually, I think that 1950 was the most sold for the 48-52 period. I know that production dwindled down after the 1950 model year. There are even less 1952s around than 1951s.

Profile shows Idaho.

 

Congratulations on your new ride, and welcome to FTE!

 

Welcome to another bucktooth. Great site, lots of experienced people eager to help. I agree with Panelman, the fenders look like F1 but the body work around the front wheel wells looks very lumpy. The seam between the upper and lower front fender has been filled which I suspect was filled because of rust. This is one of the first places to get rusty. The lower panel below the seam(that has been covered on yours) are available from aftermarket suppliers. As far as an sterring column to fit an IFS, there are many aftermarket products, but for a swap, I used a 1977 Ford truck column. You will need a square 1" shaft to hook that up. I would highly recomend a Mustang II kit. I have one on mine and it handles like a sports car. I don't recomend a Camero or Volare graft, although I'm sure someone will disagree. The Mustang kit's finished product is so much cleaner and stable. I also wonder what tail lights those are. Maybe a Merc or Plymouth. They are cool. It's hard to see from the pics,but unless you're going all stock look, I'd keep them.