So, I have come to this forum to seek expert or "expert" advice. I am seeking to get an older Ford truck and I am torn... I love the 1948 ford f-2 and larger because you can have an 8' bed, I don’t have a problem with the f-1 I just think that proportionately the 8' bed looks better. But I also am a fan of the 1959 f-100 or 200. I am not specifically set on whether it is a 1/2 ton or larger. It doesn’t matter to me if it needs work. Not that I want to pull something out of a mud hole that has been there since 71 and is all rotted away, but I am willing to have a project to make it my everyday driver. Now one thing that you should want to know is that I have a 428 that I would like to transplant into the truck that is whichever of them that I end up getting. Granted if the engine is running/near running when I get it, I will most likely drive it as it is and do what body work is needed. So what I am doing is asking you truck guru's out there to help me decide which truck I should get, granted I know that there will be some bias as to which truck I should get but I would like to get as much information from you as I can as to why you think I should go one way or another. I am a new member on here but I have been "poking" around the site for quite a few years and now that I am out of college and working full time as an aircraft mechanic I can finally fund (not without a little "work" on my part to convince the fiancé that I "need" an old truck as a daily driver(which I could use advice from those of you that have convinced your significant other that old vehicles are worth having.)) So I leave it in your hands to help decide which route I should take and then hopefully assist me in my "virtual restoration" by answering questions and the like. I look forward to any and all responses, and thank you again in advance for any of your "expertise".

 

Welcome to FTE! 6 of one, half a dozen of another, lol. Really, you can't go wrong with either one. The '59 would probably be more street worthy out of the box.

I can't help but notice the AMC in yer name. I've been searching for a Marlin off and on for the last couple years, myself.

 

If you plan on doing what ever it takes, get what you really like since you will end up knowing it very well. Big trucks often have less milage but not as prctical to drive around as the half tons. They sure are cool though!

Welcome to FTE!

 

[quote=havi;10135452]Welcome to FTE! 6 of one, half a dozen of another, lol. Really, you can't go wrong with either one. The '59 would probably be more street worthy out of the box.

I can't help but notice the AMC in yer name. I've been searching for a Marlin off and on for the last couple years, myself.[/quote]

Maybe he's just a fan of Jay and the Americans!

 

To make the F2 useable you will have to change the differential, they are geared too low for today’s highways speeds unless you are going to use it exclusively on back roads, the 59 F100 (half ton) should have the 9 inch ford diff already in it, and there are many ratio’s available.

Unless you need a ¾ ton or bigger for a good reason a half ton is easier to get parts for (and cheaper) and here is the bias, better looking too. The 428 will go into both. (but nobody said easily)

You are on your own in regards to the woman thing.

 

[quote=spurredon;10135507]Wow, good call!

 

The appeal to me of the "refrigerators" ('57-60) is stuff like better door latches, window and door seals, quieter interiors, bigger interiors, and a drivetrain that is just enough more modern to make it more roadworthy out of the box (like Havi said). The later models still have a lot of charm, even without the fat-fendered body. Just make sure you get a stick-shift, and a step-side bed.

 

That 428 FE engine of yours will be a really tight, shoe-horn fit in the 48-52, requiring a lot of potentially ugly modifications, while it will drop right in, snug as a bug in a rug, to the 57-60. So if the long term goal is a big engine, go with the bigger truck. I would also echo Ross' thoughts on the newer truck being more 'civilized'. A lot of improvements were made in Ford trucks in just a few short years, back then.

About your woman question, I would look at this as the perfect opportunity to 'test the waters' and see if she's really going to be the right woman for you. Plenty of guys have fallen into the trap and were sorry later. A wise man once told me that if a woman ever says "it's that truck, or me!", choose the truck. Chances are, if you sell the truck to save the woman, she likely won't be there much longer anyway, and then you'll have neither. If she embraces the idea as well as she does you, she's a keeper.

Best of luck, with both of your decisions.

 

Welcome to FTE, Very good advice given above.

The only thing I can add at this point is RUN ! you can never just have one Truck, After that its only a matter of time.... go ahead and ask any one of us how many trucks we have

for those of us that are married, At least our Wifes know where they can usually find us; either working on the old truck- trucks or out finding new old trucks.


Cheers

Josh

 

Man-o-man! You've got that right. I'm almost embarrassed to admit, I'm up to 5 old ones, and one '85 'late model' F250 workhorse. Someone needs to get busy and get the shop cleaned out.

 

For those that were wondering why amc happens to be in my name is because I own a 1966 rambler american 4 dr sedan. My plan is to make it either a 2-dr hardtop or convert. But im leaning towards the hardtop. I understand that some of you may not be the biggest fan of AMC's but it was my first car, I had bought it when I was 16 with 7 cans of PBR. I can get into that story later and probably need to put it in a different thread. I hear what you are saying about the 59 being quite a bit easier. I dont have to put my 428 f.e. in to the truck its just that I had a 68 LTD for a few years until I was rearended and had to say good bye (a garbage truck doesnt exactly lose the battle to a car even if the car is a boat.) I would like to own at least one truck that is completely stock but I am kind of leaning towards the stock truck to be the 48, granted I cannot exactly fit 2 trucks into my current budget (have to afford a wedding) I like the suggestions about both models. Have you come across a '48 with a 428? I know it would be quite a bit easier in the '59, and it probably wouldnt do the '48 justice. Something about those trucks just needs the sound of their flatheads.

 

OK, I have to agree with 52 Merc on the woman issue, however it is a give an take relationship. You need to find the balance and try to get her motivated about the truck. If she likes one year over the other, you might want to go that route. If you just start collecting projects make sure you can store them at your mom's, as she will always love you. Always remember a happy wife is a happy home, just ask my husband. I have also never told my husband that he couldn't have a project, only on an occassion what needed to happen first (ie. new 3 car garage was followed by pool for the backyard; another 2 potential car projects a new kitchen). Now he is helping me with my '57 Styleside. Acutally, I believe he wants to hone his skills on my project, before he undertakes his next one. ;-)

So congrats on both the wedding and finding the right truck project. Neither one goes smoothly 100% of the time, and sometimes you just have to admit somethings not working right, backup and fix the issue (trucks and relationships). Enjoy both.

 

IMHO, the 48-50 is a more stylish truck and worth the extra effort to put the 428 in. If Bobby can squeeze a 500 Caddy in his then the 428 should not be that big of a problem. The engine compartment in these old trucks can accomodate just about any engine. I prefer the looks of the F-1 and the six foot bed to the larger trucks and the longer bed but either would make a great project. As previously stated, parts for the larger trucks are harder to come by so if you go that route be sure you don't need a bed or running boards which are very scarce. There are a lot of reproduction parts available for the F-1 but very little for the larger trucks...

 

Welcome to the FTE! You will be hard pressed to find such a good group of folks in any forums, as you will in FTE.

Truck preference will come down to what you like PLUS whats available. I personally have seen a bunch of 57-60s for sale but only 2 53-56's and no f1's.

But i am also geographically challenged! Its taken hundreds of hours lying on a couch examining my childhood to be able to say that out loud.

 

Welcome to the site! I am partial to the fat fenders...so my answer is biased...but either would be cool. The FE into a fat fender...yeah, they fit. It is tight, and depending on the alternator/generator setup you run, you may run into some problems. The steering box and column is a whole other box of worms, but it can and has been done, and it can be made to look proper as well. I would stick with a F-1 or F-2 to be a stock~ish street machine, use the fridge for a workhorse...personally.

My wife is reluctant to let me drag home another project when my first one just got up and on the road...so I am stuck with one at a time...for now...