First post, but I had to jump right in with some questions.

For the past couple of years, I've been wanting to get an older truck. I started by looking for a 77 f100 like I used to have when I was a teen. Then I kept going older and older. For the past year, I've kinda made my mind up that I want a 52-56 style. Have been searching craigslist and it's either garbage(imo) or too much. I can do engine work, but not interested in doing much body work, so I've been keeping that in mind while searching. Most I've seen around here seem to be rust buckets, that don't even run, going for 3000+. If I venture over to ebay, all of those are out of my price range. Perhaps, what I'm searching for is unrealistic.

However, I ran across one that interests me which I didn't expect. It's a '55 f250 with a flatbed. I hope to eventually own a f100, but I figure this could do for now. Didn't want to do much to this one. Just get it running, and take care of any minor things. If another truck comes along, I'll sell this one. That's the idea at least.

Anyway, here are some pictures.













I haven't seen it in person as it's hours away. Talking to the guy for a few minutes gives me a good feeling about it(you know how that goes sometimes..). I asked him to pick the worst part about the body of the truck and he says where the battery sits is rusted. The body isn't dented much and at least where I can see, doesn't look terribly rusted. He's had it about a year and it ran when he got it. It has since stopped running(he thinks it may be the fuel pump). He said he can spray starter fluid in the carb and it will run. The truck looks good to me but I wanted opinions worth something.

He's asking 2500 for it.

 

If he has a clear title, jump on it. You won't lose money. Under the hood looked rust free from the pics. I would grab it in a heartbeat.

 

The good: that truck looks pretty solid from the pictures. The F250 cab and hood is identical to the F100. If it is as solid as it looks 2500 may not be too bad a price if you will be satisfied with an F 250 flatbed. An F250 can be converted to an F100 relatively easily. The F250 flatbed is less often seen than the F100 and may be more desirable to someone actually wanting one for a working truck.
The bad: The wheelbase and frame is longer than the F100. The frame can be shortened to match theF100 WB and length but it must be cut and spliced twice. The F250 front fenders have larger wheel arches than the F100 to accommodate larger wheels The springs are heavier than the F100. The 250 springs can have enough leaves removed to soften them or swapped for F100 versions. The 250 uses 8 lug hubs and rear axle. Most 250s have a lower rear axle ratio, lowering the top speed. You would also need F100 running boards, rear fenders and bed to complete the conversion. The F250 did have a pickup bed but it was longer and wider than the F100 and is not being reproduced.
Whatever you do make sure the seller has a transferable (to you) title to the truck with the same serial number as the one stamped into the top of the passenger side frame rail just ahead of the firewall. It will start and end with a "star" symbol. If not, walk away!

Oh, and welcome to the insanity! Where in NC are you? I'm in Durham.

 

Thanks! I should have made clear I have no intentions on converting to an F100. If I did anything, I'd consider putting a f250 pickup bed on it(if that can be done easily). But I'm ok with leaving it a 250. This would just hold me over til I found a stock f100.

So that alleviates almost all of the bad you mentioned. A gear swap can fix the top speed issue. Not that I want to go 100, but I'll need more than 50.

What do you mean transferable (to me)?

I'm in New Bern.

 

Welcome to FTE!

The seller should have the title to the truck. If so, transferring to you will be a piece of cake. If not, getting the truck in your name can be difficult to impossible, depending on the circumstances and the state (looks like you're in North Carolina).

And the paperwork needs to match the truck serial number stamped in the frame, as AXracer mentioned.

 

Buy it. Get it running. Come to Truckstock in Sept in Tenn! Have fun.

 

That looks like a good solid, straight truck. Also looks like it has a Script bed, which may be original to the truck, that someone has added a diamond plate floor over the wood.

 

That means it's a current NC title in the sellers name that has not been previously transferred without registering and the serial # on the title matches the one stamped into the frame. The title is issued to the frame number, no other number matters (except possibly a new registration # plate issued by NC DMV). The number is not stamped in very deep with about 3/8" high letters/numbers so may be difficult to find, read if frame is rusty or painted over.

By the way I am giving a weekend hands on rust repair/body straightening workshop May 2,3. If interested send me a PM ASAP for details.

 

I like it and also would by it if it was closer.

 

Looks good, I noticed the speedo gauges, The 55's have an OIL and GEN light this has gauges. Only 53-54 had gauges. It does have a 55 grill so I don't know. The holes under the grill are from the braces for the cattle guard.
Looks like the tank filler is missing so I assume the tank has been pulled?
I would make triple sure the truck is a 55 by the frame number not just the tag number

 

Are you sure about that? My 55 F250 has gauges not lights. My manual also talks about the gauges.

I say buy it and have fun.

 

Well, Now I'm not sure. You know I was thinking F100 and this is a F250 so it could be correct as I'm no expert on the 53-55s LOL!

 

Well very interesting. I just did a quick search and found a 53-55 instrument cluster with just the lights instead of gauges. I also found ones with gauges. I wonder how that works out.....odd.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

 

OK guys, here is the poop. 1953 trucks of all sizes had gauges. In 54 (and 55) the F100's had idiot lights for oil and generator, while the F250's and up had gauges.

 

FBody,
Welcome to FTE, the best Ford truck forum on the World Wide Web. You will get your questions answered here and in a friendly manner.

I say buy the truck it looks good for the price. Does it run and stop? Go see it and take it for a drive.