I've had my 1955 F350 since the 12th of March, I have it down to the bare frame. Right now I'm in the process of cleaning, scraping, and grinding the frame. Next is to prime but I need some advice on whether to box the frame or not. What do you all think?

 

Congrats on joining the madness. To your question - Nope unless you are putting in a huge motor or swapping in a IFS setup. Otherwise these frames need to flex a bit.

 

Central Oregon? I'm in Central Oregon. I'm working on a '55 F-350, but mine's an express bed pick-up. I too have mine down to the frame now, and will be putting the stock motor on the engine stand tomorrow. So, where exactly are you, and why don't I know of your truck? Oh yeah, I agree with teardropty. There really isn't a need to box these frames, unless you're doing major mods on the suspension/engine end of things. Also, the F-350 frame is a little over 3/16th steel, so it's a bit thicker than most 1/2 ton frames of the day which is where most people do frame boxing for added strength.

 

WOW! What a quick response. Well, that settles it I won't box the frame. Good to know about the flexing. Thanks wmjoe and teardropty!

Wmjoe, I have the front suspension off and started cleaning the frame, which is going pretty fast. I figure when I get to the inside of the frame it will slow down a lot. Tomorrow, I'm planning on taking the rear suspension off so I can clean the frame all in one shot rather than doing half, putting the front suspension back on and then working on the back. I plan restoring my stock too. I have the 239 engine already on a stand and planned on taking it into Napa in Bend to have it boiled, cylinders checked, crank checked, cam checked, and have them do the heads. They did a real nice job on my 260 out of my 1964 Ranchero. I'll give you a call one of these days - thanks for the advise! Oh, my wife found the truck at a yard sale here in La Pine, I went over and bargained with the guy. I bought it for $500 plus an extra arc welder we had, and 10 foot ponderosa log (the guy is a wood carver). The cab does have a bad dent on the passenger side but found some replacement panels online. I do need a passenger door, if you know of anyone.

 

Where's the dent on the passenger side, and which panel are you ordering? I am going to go pick up a parts truck on Monday, and I know I'll have a passenger door. If you need a cowl repair section, don't order one yet, unless it's too late. I have a brand new right side cowl repair panel that I won't be using. NAPA in Bend does a good job, but they are a a bit pricey for my tastes. That's funny about your Ranchero, because my family has a '64 Falcon Sport Hard Top that will be getting restored after I'm done with this '55. Absolutely call me. I sent you my info in an email (I assume you know that already). I don't have a pickup anymore, since I sent mine to the crusher a few weeks ago, so if I end up with parts for you, you'll need to come to Madras. Mid-Fifty has the best deal for suspension bushings/pins. NAPA has the best price on king-pin kits. NAPA also has listings for the wheel cylinders, master cylinder, and a reman. water pump. My truck is going full resto, as close to concours as possible, since my dad bought it when I was about 7 months old. It's my personal photo album into my childhood.

 

Wow it sounds like you ended up with a great deal! Remember almost every part is available for these trucks in the used and aftermarket world. Get a couple of catalogs from LMC truck, Mid-50, Dennis Carpenter, etc. they are great for reference. Also get a shop manual. They are all over the net for $25-$35. Well worth it. Keep in mind too, that many parts interchange between the 100 and 350 but there are a couple of subtle differences too. And make sure you post pictures, we love pictures. Good luck!

 

Good points teardropty. He's local to me, so as I talk with him, I'll get him up to speed, along with the input from the global knowledge base here. Yeah, the front fenders are the only body parts different on the 350, from a 100. Then, it's the steering box, rear axle/suspension, and the frame itself. The front axle is different, but the springs have the same bushings/mounts. Pretty much everything is the same. There are so many places to find stuff, a person can get lost in the information.

 

Good to know. The Shop Manual was my first purchase, after the F350. I learned that after restoring my Dad's 64 Ranchero. I've also requested a catalog from LMC Truck, I'll get onto Dennis Carpenter's website and order one from them. My wife has been after me about pictures and keeping track of my time on the truck but I've been lacking in the pictures department - I'll get on it this weekend.

 

Joe, I'll be calling you in the next day or so. At first I was just going to replace the door skin, but when I got to looking at the door someone had tried to Beat the dent out by prying on the inside of the door with a 2x4 or something, so they really messed the door up. The dent is on the cab is on the passenger side just behind the door pillar, which is twisted. The replacement panel I found is pretty inexpensive. The floor pan at the door threshold is creased really bad and I didn't find a replacement panel for that so I'm planning on cutting that out and hammering it back out, I'll use the driver's side as a guide. The roof of the cab also took some abuse from the 2x4 but I think it will "oil-can" out. I'm very interested in the door and coming to Madras is no problem. I've noticed the F series are pretty much all the same, good to know about the fenders.

 

Great online recommendations!!! Dennis Carpenter's site also has parts from my 1954 National Jubliee Tractor and the 64 Ranchero. I LIKE, I LIKE!!!

 

Mid Fifty has all the repair panels for your cab Mid Fifty F-100 Parts - Home IMHO MF is the best supplier out there, the gals really know their stuff, and understand customer service. If they don't have what you need, they will get it for you, if they can't get it they will tell you where you might find it. If they can't help you it is extinct. The Mid Fifty catalog has a lot more info in it than just parts listings, it needs to be on every 53-56 owners reference shelf, or bathroom reading rack Remember the F350 and F100 cabs are exactly alike so panels for the 100 will fit your 350.

 

Thanks for the info. You guys are a wealth of information!