I've been talking to my wife for years about getting an old truck to work on when I retire. Well, I'm not retired yet...

My son was looking for a daily driver to get him to and from the train station near his office. His wife found this '51 F4 on Craigslist in San Bernardino, and he went to check it out. The battery was dead, and it ran out of gas after it was jumped, so he couldn't drive it.

I went back with him the next day to see it. If it drove ok, he was going to take it home. It wouldn't idle, didn't have brake lights, is sitting on 6 widow makers... so he decided it needs too much work, as he needed the daily driver immediately.

Next morning, my wife said, "If you want that truck, we can get it". That afternoon, we had it towed home, and it'll sit in the driveway until I can get it running right, redo the rotted wiring, and put some good wheels and tires on it.

It's a CA truck, built in Richmond, and I have old registrations for it in Folsom, Apple Valley, Hesperia and San Bernardino. It may have had other owners in 60 years, but I don't think it's been out of state. Not much rust to worry with.

It's got a flathead 6 cyl. and a 6 volt positive ground system. I don't plan to change engine or switch to 12 volt. I got it two weeks ago, and so far, have replaced the plugs (old ones were rusted in) and switched it back to positive ground. It runs rough, but needs new plug wires (these are falling apart), new choke and throttle cables... well the list is way too long to cover here.

I've gotten loads of help from the 1948 - 1960 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks forum with my rookie questions. The truck is old, but runs better than I do.

 

She's a keeper!

 

No doubt about it. She's been my first wife for 38 years and we're going strong!

 

That's a cool rig, Joe. What kind of bed do you have in mind? Flat bed I suppose?

 

Glad to have you in the chapter Joe


We love pics...post 'em if you've got 'em

 

Thanks. Yes, I'm going to put a flatbed on it. Either make one of wood or find a steel bed and make the stakes.

 

Looks like a great project truck, Joe!

I checked out your Garage pics, that's an interesting tachometer.

Please post more pics when you get a chance.... we love pictures!

 

Thanks. It should be a lot of fun completing this project.

I put several of those pictures in my garage so I could show them in a thread I started named Box O Parts. I was asking for help identifying some of the items included in a box I got with the truck. I learned that is a Ford tractor dash, leading me to believe this truck spent time on a farm, which makes perfect sense.

 

Welcome to the SoCal Chapter.

Mystery lamp: 1946/48 Chevrolet Passenger Car taillamp.

The "horn" relay appears to be an Overdrive relay.

Gypo (aftermarket, prolly JC Whitney or Western Auto) taillamp attached to license plate bracket. If it includes a clear lens, also license plate lamp.

1955/60 Ford truck taillamps have FORD moulded into the lenses. The same lamps were used thru 1966, but after 1960, do not say FORD.

These lamps are "not original" to 1953/54's. These trucks used round taillamps as did 1948/52's.

 

Thanks Bill. Yes there were several unidentified objects in the box o parts.

But there were some nice surprises too; like most of the hood side molding pieces, wipers, a usable taillight, an original license plate bracket, etc...

The truck has had some work done by a PO, so it looks pretty good for 60 years old. Here's some more more pics taken by my son in the PO's driveway before I got it. Nice Chevy truck front bumper, huh?

 

Great lookin truck!

I think you should put a tow body on the back

Functional? Not for much.
Cool? Heck yes.

But thats just me! I think an old restored tow truck would be awesome

 

Thanks Trey. I actually considered a tow body... I agree it would be cool. But then folks would expect me to tow their cars, and I have no intention of ever "working" this truck again. It's almost as old as I am, and time for it to retire peacefully. Maybe the occasional hayride or classic car show, but no work.

 

Couldnt agree more. Once you pour money into restoring a classic, its a show truck

 

Oh yeah, great idea.

 

See how awesome it is!