Gentlemen,
Brand new (to me) 1953 Ford F100 purchased just a few weeks ago out of a barn and in need of some work. I'm not positive what i want to do to it so you tell me. What would you do to it? I'd like to get some fresh ideas and if you'd like to make it a competition... the best idea gets done! Maybe some rules in this case...
1. Just don't even mention the words fresh, coat, or paint.
2. Budget? Well... keep it at least reasonable
3. If you're chiming in, at least know what you're talking about to an extent

Thanks guys!

 

I like it! I would just sell it to me if I were you. (that doesn't make sense if you read it aloud) but you know what I meant. DONT PAINT IT!

 

Now obviously this boils down to what YOU want to do, but here's where I'd start, and many here recommend along the same lines.
1. First and foremost, make sure she stops and steers good. Go through all the brakes, checking all four wheels for excessive wear/broken components, then the brake lines, making sure they aren't super rusty or thin. Also check for copper lines. If it was a farm truck and faced farm repairs, sometimes copper was more handy at the time. Copper cannot handle the pressures required of a good braking system. Also check the master cylinder, located under the floor on the driver's side. If it is in need of a rebuild, consider swapping to a modern dual chamber MC.
2. Next, run through the steering system, looking mostly for excess slop (very common.) AXracer has had some excellent posts on tracking down exactly where the slop is located in.
3. Now, try and get her running good, (if not already,) and tackle any problems possibly hiding in the drivetrain.
4. This next stop is very important. Drive her around for a while, see what you like, what you don't like, what you can't stand, before you make any big decisions like a newer drivetrain, IFS, etc.
I would try and keep with stock I-Beam axle and suspension, many on here will swear that a properly rebuilt setup is not a whole lot worse than an IFS. Here's a small list of upgrades and their importance to me.
Seatbelts: Absolute must. Even if legal in your state to go without, I cannot condone going without.
IFS: Lots of bells and whistles, but easy to live without, and lots of work to do right.
Front disk brakes: Nice to have, some relatively easy swaps out there, I'd probably do this if I was moving to a dual chamber MC, and boost 'em at the same time
Lowered: If you want this, the cheapest, easiest way to do this is to pull every other leaf. Some members here have had very good luck with this method. Other methods just get more fancy and therefore expensive. (taking out leafs will soften the ride, all while reducing the amount of weight you can put in it as well, again, depending on how important payload is to you)
Modern Drivetrain: Nice to have, I would go with a SBF and a transmission w/ OD
AXRacer also has a great build plan that I'd recommend you to read before you get started. Post #7 on this thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...1955-f250.html

 

Exactly what I am doing with my truck #2

Dont paint it
Modern suspension, drivetrain, wiring, fuel system, guages, all done low buck using mostly junkyard parts
Drive it everywhere with no worries of rock chips, door dings, etc.

 

Clean and coat (oops, there's that word) the tank; points, plugs, wires; go through the brakes; tires to taste; and vacuum out past rodent residents' belongings. You're done. Nice truck. Stu

 

Wow it looks great as is! Make it safe and reliable and drive the hell out of it! If down the road you want a restored truck or a street rod then tear it down and redo it, either way you have the truck ,very nice!

 

That's what I'm thinkin'. Yeah it does look good, from the standpoint some restorations are so nice nobody wants to drive the damn thing.

If it were me, would buy a Ford Truck Shop Manual, a Motor's Manual for 1950, and a parts manual.

Rebuild the entire braking system first, fresh tires, shocks and probably leaf springs. Ford made good brakes and they stop well enough but everything needs replaced by now. Replace wheel bearings all the way around, check/replace steering linkage etc. Basically start from the ground up if that makes sense.

272 Y block is a sweet, sweet sounding motor, here's where a set of Rams horns or headers to dual exhaust straight pipes would be nice, maybe porters or smithies.

 

I ABSOLUTELY will be doing all of the basic work like that... Brakes, steering, etc. What I'm looking for opinions on is things to do after the basic cosmetics: a lower stance, wheels, interior, engine, you know things like that. It's a beautiful truck and doesn't need to be customized a whole lot (I'm not one to dishonor a trucks heritage) but just some high quality, classic upgrades. You know?

 

First thing you need to do is decide what you want from this truck . You will build a truck totally different for different uses . A truck that will only be used for shows will get the full treatment , big motor , leather interior , $10.000 paint , $2000 wheels and tires . A every day driver needs a dependable motor , brakes, and steering . If you plan on long trips then a rear end upgrade is a must . You really need to sit down and work out a plan for what will make you happy, and one that is not so complicated that you lose interest and give up .

 

There a many ways to approach these trucks, as people have already said get it safe to drive and comfortable and drive it as it looks now.
You could go anywhere from purchasing a complete rolling frame with brake lines, brakes, complete modern suspension with IFS and even IRS, show quality paint and interior, go total complete restoration, go total restomod, go darkside, go ratrod, go as is, etc. etc.
It all depends on money, time, desire, and a plan.
You could easily spend 25 or 30 grand or as little as a couple of grand. Junk yard parts or brand new model specific parts. The possibilities are endless.
I suggest that you look at build threads here and check out what others have done to help determine what it is that you want to do. The entire spectrum of trucks is here if you look enough.
Good luck with it whatever you do, and take lots of pictures (and post them here).

 

That question has no end

For that reason I am out

 

What fladoodle says +
1) remove the visible rust thru but replace the finish with a perfect faux patina that looks exactly like the rest of the truck - I no idea how but I think it would be cool
2) posi rear end, like a 8.8 Explorer with disk brakes. With an open 9 inch my truck couldn't get out of it's own way when the pavement was wet but now it really scoots when I get on it.
3) electric windshield wipers

oh yea, very nice truck

 

More photos please. I want to see the inside of the bed, is it metal or wood? and engine area.

 

Sorry for the delay with photos. I will snap some when I get home Saturday but to answer your question it is a wood bed (what's left of one at least).

 

Hey Wrangler,
I'm going to make a wild guess & say you are on the younger side....
You've heard all the sensible stuff about brakes, steering etc..
Ok - I'd start with some really nice wheels/tires - more along the hotrod lines - Torquethrust's, half moons, something cool. Next I'd concentrate on putting in a 200 watt stereo system with speakers under the seats & in the doors.

Now that we've done the important stuff let's work on the stance. Stock is a little high so we need to lower it a bit - not in the weeds so it's useless but something with a bit of growl to it. I'd put a Jag front end in it to give you a 4 inch drop up front (plus good steering & brakes shh...). On the back end I'd put in a salvage yard Explorer 8.8 inch axle with the springs flipped - should give you a nice drop in back as well.

I have a 23 year old son - wheels, stereo, & an aggressive look....

Ben in Austin
1950 F1