My uncle just gave my son a 49 F3 for Christmas. We want to redo it together, but in the past (like my 66 Mustang) I got a Chilton and Haynes manual first thing. But there doesn't seem to be a manual that I can find. Where should I start to learn about this truck?

 

Ebay yourself a factory service manual for 48 thru 51 that includes F2,F3. Wait for the specific one that has the larger models included. about 30.00 bucks.
It has everything you need.

 

Welcome to the forum. The factory service manual is what you want. They're available in reprint if you like a paper copy or on CD from about any of the many truck resto parts vendors around, or ebay and the like.

 

your in the right place !! and congratulations on your project ..so .. does it run ?? is it complete ??what do you want to have when your done ??make it run .. make it stop .. play with it then decide !! at least that's what I have done ..well I got to the play part .. and stopped there ..still playing ..!!

 

Oh, Welcome to FTE.
Posts as many pics as you have and the membership will tell you all about it.

 

Welcome to the forum. Get a parts manual, CD, in addition to what has already been said about the shop manual. Get a clear title in your name. Tell us about the truck, what you would like to do with it.

 

Welcome to FTE! We love pictures!

Posting pics can be a little confusing. The pics have to first be somewhere on the Internet. I use Photobucket, but there are other ways.

Here's one way to post pics...

Go to http://photobucket.com/ and sign up for a free account. Then create an album for your truck. Upload any pics you want to post on FTE to that album. Have this album open on your computer when you want to post pics on FTE.

While you're making a post on FTE, select the pic you want to post from your Photobucket album. When the large version of the pic is open, right mouse click on it and select "View Image Info". The image info will be highlighted and will look something like this:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ghtsafter1.jpg

Copy that highlighted info (right click / copy).

When you have the spot in your post where you want the pic to be placed, select the "Insert Image" icon at the top of the post (looks like a mountain) and paste (right click / paste) the image info you copied in the highlighted box (just shows "http://" when it opens).

Your pic will be placed in the post.

Hope that helps.

 

Welcome aboard! Are you going stock, or are you modding it? I have very few items on my truck that are stock and thus a factory manual would do me little good. Mid-Fifty and other's catalogues are good sources as to where things fit. If all else fails, do a search here and finally post up your question.

 

It is amazing what you could probably find on here doing searches too. I hope you and your son have a great time restoring that ol girl. Good luck!

 

Welcome! Like the others said, you are in the right place. Most of the help you need can be found right here, just ask. And include pictures, we have an addiction. I'd suggest having both the shop manual and the parts CD that Ray referred to. The parts manual can be purchased at 1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage

 

Wow what a great group! I'll get some pics, but my son has just really wanted an old truck like this, he wants it to drive actually- although if it turns out well enough we might put it in a few shows. I'm just looking forward to working on it with him.

As far as does it run and such- it seems to be in fairly good condition, although my uncle says it needs new brakes. It's been sitting for over a decade, so I assume it has a lot of varnish, so blow out the line and check the tank. I'm also going to get a rebuild kit for the carb. It does need a battery, the seat recovered, and there's some rust in the bed, as well as a lot of rotted wood. I'll get pics soon.

 

Don't worry about building a museum piece. Do the bare essentials to get it in safe driving condition and get it on the road. It will keep his interest and it can be a rolling work in progress. Good luck and kudos to your dad for thinking of such a great gift.

 

Welcome aboard to both of you, and congrats on the new truck.

 

Howdy Welcome to FTE

Congrats on the project, I'm looking forward to doing this with my son someday.

I'm only about a year ahead of you, i started my first build and have loved every busted knuckle

Here are a few other sites and links from my truck bookmarks tab to help get you started,

8 Lug front disc brake kit
1849

F-2/F-3 Front Disc Brake Conversion

1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps .: Articles

Toyota Steering Box Swap For 1948-1960 Trucks .: Articles

Ford Door Sticker Decoder .: Articles

Parts:
http://macsautoparts.com

Disc Brake, Steering and Suspension Products for classic Chevy and Ford cars and trucks

NPD - Restoring American History | Mustang Parts | Camaro Parts | Chevelle Parts | Ford Truck Parts | T-Bird Parts | Firebird Parts

Truck Parts and Truck Accessories for Chevy, GMC, Ford and Dodge Trucks from LMCTruck.com

Mid Fifty F-100 Parts - Home