I've spent a number of hours combing through truckdogs old posts, it appears that I need the diff from a 67-72 F250 and four 16 inch F2/F250 rims to suit with the hubcap lugs on the inside to allow me to run original style caps. The search begins.

 

I really feel for you on this. Back in my Brit days I ordered parts a number of times from England, but never such big items. And here there are aftermarket companies that support the hobby which makes finding the big stuff much easier. Especially with the Mini Coopers, you could buy a complete replacement shell from one of these importers if so needed. Are there no similar companies in Australia that cater to the American car/truck hobby and regularly ship bulk items into your country? Stu

 

There are a couple of companies importing parts for F series truckdog but they have a monopoly on the market and they know it. They could get me this gear no worries if I was willing to pay 3 or 4 thousand dollars for it. I just can't afford do do that. I'll find a way eventually though. I think it is an important swap, I will be driving this truck a lot and over quite long distances so even if the rims weren't an issue the improved gearing alone would make it worth while. It is all made a bit more complicated by the fact that I am currently on an oil rig off the coast of India, will hit the phone hard when I get home and talk to clubs etc.

Funny story, the old guy I bought the truck from had been searching for a long time for a spare wheel for it and was eventually given one for free by another owner. He couldn't work out why such a rare rim was free, nor could I until I got on this forum. I'll let him know next time I see him. When I found the truck the tyres were flat, I pumped them up while kneeling in front of them, makes my blood run cold now......

 

Thankyou truckdog by the way for all the excellent information you have posted on this subject, my task would have been a lot more difficult without your expertise.

 

Short update here. Project was delayed a little by some engine dramas in my 29 Pontiac and by the acquisition of a 48 Pontiac.

I've been hard at work stripping the truck. Every bolt holding the front panels on was rusted solid. Some worked loose, some sheared, some I cut. Two full days to get the front apart. Blasting in a few weeks. Panels are pretty good for the most part, not a lot of rust or repair to do.

I got the flathead running sweet with the help of a pertronix kit but she only has 60-70 lb of compression so it looks like a set of rings at least, maybe a bore. Strange noise in the clutch when the pedal is depressed, drops a lot of revs when clutch is pressed too so a new clutch is likely or at least a throw out bearing.

Still searching for a diff and wheels.

 

Finally got some time to work on the F3. Got it stripped right down and blasted. Painted the chassis in KBS Rust Seal and started work on the cab. After blasting, the panels weren't anywhere near as good as I thought, you could see the different generations of repairs coming out during blasting, lots of lead wiping. Cut a heap of steel out and welded new steel in, still have to do the rear corners but otherwise the cab is done. Have started work on the doors also.

 

Hey, not sure if you saw this, but your steering box is on the wrong side.

Nice progress.

 

Oh no! Better get the welder back out.....

 

Still searching in vain for a diff and wheels, getting frustrated now.

 

I have a 1956 f100 dana 44 diff , gears are i think 3.92 .
Is that any good to you ?
I'm down in Geelong Vic .

 

I appreciate the offer mate but that diff won't work for me. I need a dana 60 8 stud for the big F3, to be a bolt in fit it needs to be between 1967 and 72.

 

Your truck looks to be f100 wheelbase ?
Why not change it to f100 diff , and change front hubs/brakes to suit ?
It would be much easier to find suitable wheels also .

 

There's a place in Lilydale (Brock's ??).

There's "West Coast" a couple of hours out of Geelong that advertise in Parts Peddler????

Eagle spares might even have one.

Also try "johnnykallista" on ebay au


Ironically, most places don't have many popular diffs around, but have lots of oddball crap that they got cheap when loading their container as filler...

 

I'm kinda keen to keep the 8 stud Scott, I'm changing the wheels to make it safe and the diff to make ite useable, other than that it will be a faithfull restoration.

Cheers OZ52F1, I'll chase those leads down.

 

I read on one of the Aussie threads I think of a shipping company in Washington state that ships out of Portland. They claim to have the best rates to Aus than anyone. Wish I would have bookmarked a link to it. It's only been like a week or two that I saw it.