I have heard that the 58' F100 did not come with factory 4wd. Is this true.

When someone says the axles should have a closed knuckle are they talking about the u - joints are enclosed?

I am looking at a 58' The u-joints in the front axle are not enclosed, does this mean it is a newer chassis or atleast a newer front axle?

The rear end also looks newer. I thought those old Fords used the 9" This truck has a rear end with a removable back plate with about 10 bolts. Does that sound right.

I do have pictures of the truck, but don't know how to post them?

Thanks for the help.

 

59 was the first year they offered 4-wheel from factory, i think they were fitted with spicer rear ends and should have a dana 24 transfer case

 

Any 1958 Ford 4x4 was either a conversion by an outfit like Marmon Herrington or a home made conversion.

Rear axle could be original, if the original was a limited slip axle, as Ford used Spicer limited slip rear axles. All Ford 9" were open (not limited slip).

On the front axle, closed knuckle was predominate in that era. Open knuckle tells me that a later model axle was put in at some point - either as a part of a conversion or to replace a bad front axle.

If the truck is a 4x4 conversion by Marmon Herrington, or some other outfit, there should be a plate or other identification thing somewhere on the truck - most likely on a door, door post, or firewall.

 

Thanks, the seller found a number on the chassis, then I assume googled it and it came up with a 89 F350. Not sure, but am all most certain this is a newer chassis and someone along the way was going to put the 58' body on it as neither the box or cab have been bolted down.

 

Did you buy it? I've been wanting to set a cab on a newer chassis, an F350 is an option, wondering how the wheels and tires fit under the front fenders. Where's the pics???

 

1981 thru today trucks have a 17 digit VIN that will be stamped on the frame rail. 1987 thru today VIN's may appear on other parts as well using a sticker that cannot be peeled off.

In the late 1980's, the NHTSA mandated that automakers apply VIN's on multiple parts in an effort to reduce auto thefts.

1957/67 F100's came with 9 inchers, except when Limited Slip was ordered. With Limited Slip, introduced in 1959, a Spicer(Dana) rear axle was used.

1968 was the first year that F100's were available with 9's with Limited Slip.

Some people do dumb things without measuring beforehand. 1989 F350 will have, at minimum, a 133" wheelbase. 1957/60 F100's have either a 110" or 118" wheelbase.

Now you know why the 1958 body and bed aren't bolted to the '89 F350 frame.