New member and project
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 28
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New member and project
So my 16 year old son and I purchased this '51 F-1 last weekend, we're both pretty excited about transforming it. It's about 99% original as far as my untrained eye can tell so far, flathead v-8, 3 on the tree, 6volt, original chassis. Radio is missing but otherwise the dash is complete and all the gauges work including the illumination. The cab is very solid, the fenders need some work or replacement. I have spent hours reading posts on this forum this week but still can't decide whether we should keep it original or update/rod it.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Kalamazoo MI
Welcome to the madness! Wow, personally, if it is as clean as it appears, make road safe and drive it. It is getting harder to find good complete trucks that haven't been chopped into or restored. Of course someone will come along and say "it's your truck, do as you please". But I say save the good ones when you can. Keep us updated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Welcome! That looks like a pretty solid truck for New Hampshire. First thing I'd do is get rid of those awful wheels and get with some original 15" or 16" wheels with hubcaps.
Keep in mind that the "darkside" is a slippery slope. Once you start on one modification, you'll find yourself wanting to do more mods. The sky is the limit with these trucks.
You should decide now what kind of build you want and make a plan. Divide your plan into tasks or small projects and check each project off the list when you're done. I don't recommend jumping from one unfinished project to another. Otherwise, it'll take you twice as long to finish.
I vote for keeping it original and just rebuilding/refurbishing what is needed.
Keep in mind that the "darkside" is a slippery slope. Once you start on one modification, you'll find yourself wanting to do more mods. The sky is the limit with these trucks.
You should decide now what kind of build you want and make a plan. Divide your plan into tasks or small projects and check each project off the list when you're done. I don't recommend jumping from one unfinished project to another. Otherwise, it'll take you twice as long to finish.
I vote for keeping it original and just rebuilding/refurbishing what is needed.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 261
From: East KY
Welcome to the madness! Wow, personally, if it is as clean as it appears, make road safe and drive it. It is getting harder to find good complete trucks that haven't been chopped into or restored. Of course someone will come along and say "it's your truck, do as you please". But I say save the good ones when you can. Keep us updated.
Do you have any closeup pics of that front fender? Is that paint, bondo, wrinkled metal, etc.?
WELCOME to the madness!
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
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If we leave it stock it seems like top speed is about 50mph without really winding it up, partly due to the short tires I'm sure. 50mph is not really practical for where we live, it's a 5 mile trip to town on a main road and if you're not going 55-60mph you are getting run over. I'd like a way to keep it as stock as I can and get to roll down the highway a little quicker.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
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That front fender has a few patches welded in and the PO didn't even grind the beads of weld down before they hit it with the red primer. The running boards have some holes in them and the rear fenders have a rotten gap in the back where they attach to the bed sides. I could add some more pics later when I get home from work.
I had a '59 Chevy 1/2 ton, wrap around back window, step side with a 350/350 in it when I was in high school so I know exactly what you mean about my son's visions for it.
I had a '59 Chevy 1/2 ton, wrap around back window, step side with a 350/350 in it when I was in high school so I know exactly what you mean about my son's visions for it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 330
From: Waterford, VA. USA
Yes, it is your truck and you will build it your way, but I agree that it would be a shame to dismantle another solid somewhat original truck....My brother has my Grand dad's 67'F100 that he ordred new from the dealer...he has plans to pull the original drivetrain and hot rod it, makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I'm not against him hot rodding a truck, just taking an original piece of Ford history (with the original order form in the glove box) and turning it into something it's not.
Either way, enjoy the ride!
w
Either way, enjoy the ride!
w
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Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Welcome to the forum. Good looking old truck. It is your truck, do as you please. OK, Ty?
Seriously, if safe, drive it and figure out what you want it to be. I have always been one to keep a vehicle stock and improve the condition thereof. My latest project is getting later running gear so the truck is more road able, able to run with traffic. It will appear stock.
Whatever you do, please avoid the term "Rat"
Again, welcome.
Seriously, if safe, drive it and figure out what you want it to be. I have always been one to keep a vehicle stock and improve the condition thereof. My latest project is getting later running gear so the truck is more road able, able to run with traffic. It will appear stock.
Whatever you do, please avoid the term "Rat"
Again, welcome.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
If you just want to putt-putt around town, then fine tune the flathead, fix the brakes, replace the original rear with a 9" rear out of a 57-72 F100 and you'll be fine. This can be done in a short amount of time.
If you want to go hundreds of miles without worrying or drive 80 mph, then replace the engine, front/rear suspensions, brakes, convert to 12v, etc. This will take the longest amount of time.
You'll have to make a decision about how much time and money you have to invest in the truck.
I agree with most on here about keeping the truck as stock as possible.
I have a 51 Panel in similar condition as yours with probably similar idea to what you want. Check out my build thread for more info/plan: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ld-thread.html
EDIT: I also have solid running boards and other parts should you find yourself wanting to replace your existing running boards or need any other parts.
If you want to go hundreds of miles without worrying or drive 80 mph, then replace the engine, front/rear suspensions, brakes, convert to 12v, etc. This will take the longest amount of time.
You'll have to make a decision about how much time and money you have to invest in the truck.
I agree with most on here about keeping the truck as stock as possible.
I have a 51 Panel in similar condition as yours with probably similar idea to what you want. Check out my build thread for more info/plan: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ld-thread.html
EDIT: I also have solid running boards and other parts should you find yourself wanting to replace your existing running boards or need any other parts.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 7
From: Sweden (Fagersta)
This is how i did to decide
DinnerHill SpeedShop: Truck history
It feels great and I am really glad I didn´t rush in the begining and shoped everything up with my original plans.
As a matteri of fact I had very big planes with 3d model in the CAD system at owrk for IFS and Rear solid axel with mumford links and the hole package but it just didin´t feel right to a close to stock truck.
It´s all up to you how you want the truck my suggestion, as a lot of others on here, is to get it road worthy and keep a slow pace in the begining and let it grow on you what you would like to do.
A big welcome to a really good forum and Good luck.
DinnerHill SpeedShop: Truck history
It feels great and I am really glad I didn´t rush in the begining and shoped everything up with my original plans.
As a matteri of fact I had very big planes with 3d model in the CAD system at owrk for IFS and Rear solid axel with mumford links and the hole package but it just didin´t feel right to a close to stock truck.
It´s all up to you how you want the truck my suggestion, as a lot of others on here, is to get it road worthy and keep a slow pace in the begining and let it grow on you what you would like to do.
A big welcome to a really good forum and Good luck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 21
From: HUDSON, FL
welcome to fte & congratulations to you & your son for finding such a nice truck
as the others have said i would keep it original (but it is your truck ,so build it your way)
i think that if you wanted more power there is a lot of things that you can do to that flathead & still keep it original,also i would look for a 3 speed with overdrive trans from
maybe a 51 ford car & check out your gear ratio,my 51 f1 came with a 373
as the others have said i would keep it original (but it is your truck ,so build it your way)
i think that if you wanted more power there is a lot of things that you can do to that flathead & still keep it original,also i would look for a 3 speed with overdrive trans from
maybe a 51 ford car & check out your gear ratio,my 51 f1 came with a 373
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Welcome! I posted my recommendation for my way of making a build plan in this topic:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...1955-f250.html
You can improve the top speed by changing the rear gear ratio, but if you do change them and will be driving it much you are going to get tired in a big hurry of constantly having to downshift that non syncro 3 speed to go around a corner or up even a moderate size hill. The only replacement fenders available for the F1s are fiberglass, and no one makes patch panels, so unless you can find a good set of used or NOS steel ones (very rare, highly sought after, and $$$$) have mad skills, or want to learn metal shaping and body work, (or have very deep pockets to hire a skilled old world style body man), you will already be looking at a modified vehicle. If the fenders etc are in that poor of shape, then it's very likely there is a lot of other rust and/or patches lurking in the cab corners, door bottoms and floor pan, so look very carefully and/or strip the paint off those areas and be prepared for surprises.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...1955-f250.html
You can improve the top speed by changing the rear gear ratio, but if you do change them and will be driving it much you are going to get tired in a big hurry of constantly having to downshift that non syncro 3 speed to go around a corner or up even a moderate size hill. The only replacement fenders available for the F1s are fiberglass, and no one makes patch panels, so unless you can find a good set of used or NOS steel ones (very rare, highly sought after, and $$$$) have mad skills, or want to learn metal shaping and body work, (or have very deep pockets to hire a skilled old world style body man), you will already be looking at a modified vehicle. If the fenders etc are in that poor of shape, then it's very likely there is a lot of other rust and/or patches lurking in the cab corners, door bottoms and floor pan, so look very carefully and/or strip the paint off those areas and be prepared for surprises.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
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Here's a few more pictures. I was considering the S-10 5 speed update but the 3speed with OD sounds like it retains more of the nostalgia. Also have an opportunity to buy a rolling frame that is in great shape which already has a 9" ford rear in it for $400, close to home.
