advise
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advise
Hey all! I'm looking to get into a 48,49 or 50 F1. I've been searching threads, and would like some advise! Can these guys be a daily driver? Do I need to find one modified with a say a 302, disc brakes ect? I'm in the south. So I would love to install AC! I love these trucks and I'm not sure which way to go. Thanks in advance!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 815
Likes: 29
From: Richland, WA.
Well yes they can be DD but should have upgrades ie power steering, power brakes, freeway friendly axle ratio and ac would be nice, these trucks were meant for work not driving fast on freeway.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 6
From: Houston
Mine is going to be as are many on here. If all original they can still be drivers but top speed will be limited as will comfort and driving ease. I have a modern V8 with an overdrive transmission and a road friendly rear, disc brakes on all 4, and an MII front end. Power rack & pinion steering, new rear springs, and all new wiring. It is all up to you, there are many options with only money (and skills) being your limiter.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 372
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From: Visalia
With respect to Mr. Huell Howser - You Mean To Tell Me...
R.I.P.
...You honestly think I dunked hard earned cash into a bucket of blood, sweat & tears to park it in the driveway?
I drive mine as much as I possibly can and she's a beauty to drive too. Let it be known also that there are no upgrades whatsoever to my suspension, brakes or steering and I can't imagine (have never been in or driven) anything else.
Check it out
...You honestly think I dunked hard earned cash into a bucket of blood, sweat & tears to park it in the driveway?
I drive mine as much as I possibly can and she's a beauty to drive too. Let it be known also that there are no upgrades whatsoever to my suspension, brakes or steering and I can't imagine (have never been in or driven) anything else.
Check it out
Last edited by ImSoQuazy; Jul 17, 2013 at 10:55 AM. Reason: spelling error
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
krafjbo,
First welcome to the madness!
Second to answer your question as directly and honestly as possible: You first need to define your needs and desires in a daily driver, your financial means, your interest and abilities, and your time frame, not necessarily in this order, then see how well an old truck fits.
These trucks were built to be daily drivers in the era they were built, but the definition of what constituted a daily drive then was likely quite different than it is today: average distance < 15 miles, on roads that were poor to fair by today's standards, average speed 30 MPH or less. Dependability was fair, skilled local mechanics were plentiful, nearby, and basic maintenance/repairs were often done at home by the owner. Most small truck owners were self employed tradesmen or farmers with somewhat flexible schedules.
If you daily driver needs match this definition, then a well maintained, rebuilt stock truck could be considered a daily driver as is, especially if you have a second backup vehicle.
If your definition of a daily driver is closer to an average daily drive today: 40-100 miles,1/2 on interstates/expressways at speeds of >50 MPH, stop and go traffic. You work for someone else where you need to follow a strict schedule, in any weather, you require excellent dependability and desire creature comforts like power steering, AC, automatic transmission, quiet smooth ride on less than ideal pavement, good handling and economy, you are not a gearhead that enjoys getting greasy hands, don't have good mechanical skills, a well equipped workshop, and/or deep pockets, then unless heavily modified/updated an old truck is not a good daily driver candidate for you, especially if it is your only vehicle.
I'd suggest you sit down with paper and pencil (or word processor if you are of that era) and make a list of what your needs and expectations are in an old truck, what your mechanical skills are, what amount of money you can invest (DON'T think of this as a cheap vehicle, a safe, dependable, reasonable appearing stock or modified truck will cost $15-30K depending on how much work you can do yourself, and the maintenance costs will be 2-3X that of a late model vehicle.) and how much time you can/want to invest (again the time from purchase to daily drivable will depend on the original condition of the truck you purchase, from immediately for an already well built drivable licensed truck to 2-10 YEARS or more for an excellent condition but needs mechanical updating condition to a rusted hulk basket case project starter.
First welcome to the madness!
Second to answer your question as directly and honestly as possible: You first need to define your needs and desires in a daily driver, your financial means, your interest and abilities, and your time frame, not necessarily in this order, then see how well an old truck fits.
These trucks were built to be daily drivers in the era they were built, but the definition of what constituted a daily drive then was likely quite different than it is today: average distance < 15 miles, on roads that were poor to fair by today's standards, average speed 30 MPH or less. Dependability was fair, skilled local mechanics were plentiful, nearby, and basic maintenance/repairs were often done at home by the owner. Most small truck owners were self employed tradesmen or farmers with somewhat flexible schedules.
If you daily driver needs match this definition, then a well maintained, rebuilt stock truck could be considered a daily driver as is, especially if you have a second backup vehicle.
If your definition of a daily driver is closer to an average daily drive today: 40-100 miles,1/2 on interstates/expressways at speeds of >50 MPH, stop and go traffic. You work for someone else where you need to follow a strict schedule, in any weather, you require excellent dependability and desire creature comforts like power steering, AC, automatic transmission, quiet smooth ride on less than ideal pavement, good handling and economy, you are not a gearhead that enjoys getting greasy hands, don't have good mechanical skills, a well equipped workshop, and/or deep pockets, then unless heavily modified/updated an old truck is not a good daily driver candidate for you, especially if it is your only vehicle.
I'd suggest you sit down with paper and pencil (or word processor if you are of that era) and make a list of what your needs and expectations are in an old truck, what your mechanical skills are, what amount of money you can invest (DON'T think of this as a cheap vehicle, a safe, dependable, reasonable appearing stock or modified truck will cost $15-30K depending on how much work you can do yourself, and the maintenance costs will be 2-3X that of a late model vehicle.) and how much time you can/want to invest (again the time from purchase to daily drivable will depend on the original condition of the truck you purchase, from immediately for an already well built drivable licensed truck to 2-10 YEARS or more for an excellent condition but needs mechanical updating condition to a rusted hulk basket case project starter.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey Kraf,
Hmmm... Yes these trucks can be daily drivers. Ax, Topmoo, et al are correct it takes a lot of work to get from a 60 year old farm truck to something safe & dependable for today's highways & urban driving. I've attached a pic of our 1950 hauling some rain water tanks for motivation.
Your best bet is to buy one already cleaned up with a modern drive train & suspension. They are out there for around $10K to $15K if you are patient. If you start with a $2K barn find Ax's estimate of 2+ years & $15K - $30K is accurate.
If you start with a stock truck I'd make the following modifications to drive on modern highways:
o Change rear axle to get highway gearing. We went with a 2001 Explorer 8.8 in. axle from salvage for $125 plus another $200 or so in parts. This gives you rear disc brakes & 3.73 gears for comfortable 65mph cruising.
o Change the stock single chamber master cylinder to a dual master cylinder so your brakes don't go out all at once if you lose pressure.
(We used a '68 mustang master for around $150 plus some additional parts for $200).
o We swapped out the Engine/Trans to a Ford 351W with an AOD 3 speed plus Overdrive transmission. Nice cruising at 65mph 2200 RPM's. We stayed with a carb. set up as fuel injection was more complicated. $3K to $4k is what we spent but we have 400hp.
o Front Disc Brake Kit with power steering - There are kits & mods available for upgrading the front discs & adding power steering. We've got 4 wheel disc brakes - very nice for driving around Austin with 1.3M crazy drivers. $500 - $1200.
o A nice to have is to change out the front solid beam axle for a modern independent front suspension. This one is a lot of work & money as it requires frame welding & cutting & precision. $2500 - $4000 depending on how much work you farm out.
Personally I'd look for a truck that has already had a professional suspension & brake upgrade & is running with a modern drive train.
You'll be very happy driving your unique daily driver.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1 (351W/AOD)
Hmmm... Yes these trucks can be daily drivers. Ax, Topmoo, et al are correct it takes a lot of work to get from a 60 year old farm truck to something safe & dependable for today's highways & urban driving. I've attached a pic of our 1950 hauling some rain water tanks for motivation.
Your best bet is to buy one already cleaned up with a modern drive train & suspension. They are out there for around $10K to $15K if you are patient. If you start with a $2K barn find Ax's estimate of 2+ years & $15K - $30K is accurate.
If you start with a stock truck I'd make the following modifications to drive on modern highways:
o Change rear axle to get highway gearing. We went with a 2001 Explorer 8.8 in. axle from salvage for $125 plus another $200 or so in parts. This gives you rear disc brakes & 3.73 gears for comfortable 65mph cruising.
o Change the stock single chamber master cylinder to a dual master cylinder so your brakes don't go out all at once if you lose pressure.
(We used a '68 mustang master for around $150 plus some additional parts for $200).
o We swapped out the Engine/Trans to a Ford 351W with an AOD 3 speed plus Overdrive transmission. Nice cruising at 65mph 2200 RPM's. We stayed with a carb. set up as fuel injection was more complicated. $3K to $4k is what we spent but we have 400hp.
o Front Disc Brake Kit with power steering - There are kits & mods available for upgrading the front discs & adding power steering. We've got 4 wheel disc brakes - very nice for driving around Austin with 1.3M crazy drivers. $500 - $1200.
o A nice to have is to change out the front solid beam axle for a modern independent front suspension. This one is a lot of work & money as it requires frame welding & cutting & precision. $2500 - $4000 depending on how much work you farm out.
Personally I'd look for a truck that has already had a professional suspension & brake upgrade & is running with a modern drive train.
You'll be very happy driving your unique daily driver.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1 (351W/AOD)
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advice sp;-)
Thanks so much for all the info! Awesome trucks BTW! By no means do I want to be a ricky racer. I just love this era truck! I've seen some pretty good deals on a few nicely restored F1's. It appears a restored F1 seems to be a better deal than a modified F1. I've found a few restored for 12 to 16K. Modified 18 up to 50K. Any input would be great. Thanks again!
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