Just registered today and would like to express my appreciation for the forum and thank you guys for sharing your stories and your knowledge. Have been lurking for a while, reading and learning a lot. I´m currently looking for my first 53-56 F100 and have a question. Are there any differences between the frames on a I6 truck vs. a V8 truck?

Reason I´m asking is that there seems to be some fine I6 trucks at reasonable prices around. But we have some strict rules regarding frame modifications over here. Long term plan would be newer V8/trans and suspension.

Being from Norway I´m looking to import a truck from the US, seeing as there are very few over here. Looking for a rust free, nice driver at around $18k. Should be doable, right?

 

Welcome to FTE!
You might be our first member from Norway. I know we have Sweden, but I don't think Norway. That is fantastic.
$18k should get you a pretty nice driver. I'm not sure what shipping would be though.

I don't think there are any frame modifications needed between the I6 and V8, but our more knowledgeable members will be along shortly to confirm or set me straight.

My son is currently dating a gal from Norway. She is a foreign exchange student. There are going to be two heart broken kids when she has to go back home.

 

Welcome to the best site for old trucks. You may want to check out a thread from Wayne Waldrep called "just listed truck". He has a beautiful truck for sale. Have fun

 

Thanks for the welcome.
I do have a handle on shipping from the east coast, and i figure $1.5k should cover domestic shipping in the US. Taking into consideration that I will have to pay a 25% tax on purchase price plus shipping & handling cost, I have a budget of about $18k. (Wish I was kidding, but you did read that right... 25%.)

 

Welcome Rookie! The F100s in 53-56 all have the same frame regardless of the engine. As you identify trucks to consider, share pictures with this group, there are some very sharp eyed members and often someone close enough to physically inspect the truck.

 

I am watching Waynes truck on eBay. I cannot ask questions on the auction and the truck does not show up if I do a search on eBay. I guess this is because the ship to is set to US only. Only found the truck after the item number was posted on the forum here. I would have to know for sure that this truck was registered on the original VIN and what that VIN was even to consider placing a bid. Anyway, the 53-56 are really the trucks I`m after.

 

Thanks for the frame info. I was kind of hoping this was the case. It means that i have much more to choose from. Over here we are not allowed to alter frames like you guys can.

If members are inclined to offer inspections, that would be a great help. I will definitely post what I am considering.

 

Welcome to FTE!

I am certainly not an expert on the 53-56 trucks, but although the frames may be the same, the motor mounts will obviously be different for a 6 versus a V8.

 

Thanks, Joe.
Obviously the mounts are different. But the mounts are considered part of the engine swap. So if the swap is approved, I am allowed to change the mounts. What I was afraid of was that the V8 trucks had some sort of strengthening measures in the frame which the I6 trucks did not have. Looks like this is not the case here.

To illustrate how strict the rules are. If I were buy a truck in the US where the rear crossmember had been moved to allow for an under bed gas tank, the frame would be considered as an altered/not factory frame. And I could not register the truck over here.

 

Have a couple of questions on the current market if anyone would like to chime in. I have been watching a lot of eBay auctions and 90% of them seem to end without the trucks being sold.

Take this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NICELY-RESTORED-55-SWB-PICK-UP-AC-V8-3SPD-NICE-/351387409742?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=Y9sIbFkutS9wf2OW4ULIa0L%252B8aI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncListed with a "buy now" price of $39k, bids reach $15.5k, does not meet reserve and now the truck is listed again at $44.5k.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F-100-Short-Bed-Pi-/351359493351?forcerrptr=true&hash=item51cea864e7&item=351359493351
A nice truck, but obviously not priced to sell. In your experience how much leeway do these shops have in their prices?

Here is another one that did not sell:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Ford-F-100-/371323351044?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=Y9sIbFkutS9wf2OW4ULIa0L%252B8aI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Is the market down or are these prices just too high?

Here is an I6 truck that would fit my needs perfectly, but the seller does not answer e-mails, and I am very unsure about how to approach the issue of price. I do not want to make a lowball offer and have them write me of as a nut, but on the other hand I do not have $25.5k.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Ford-F100-Restored-Straight-Paint-is-a-10-/181738115269?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=Y9sIbFkutS9wf2OW4ULIa0L%252B8aI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncAnyone near this truck that could check it out for me and feel out the seller? Get me any indication on what they will actually sell this truck for. I´d gladly pay to have this checked out. And also, the shop would probably take my offer more seriously if someone had inspected the truck for me beforehand.

 

Welcome to FTE.

Too bad you're not in the States this weekend. We're having our F100 Super Nationals near Nashville, Tennessee. Several really nice Trcuks for sale as well as some Project trucks.








Just to expand on the Frame/Motor Mount discussion. The rear mounts are mounted from the Bell Housing to the a Frame Cross-member. The Transmission just hangs off the bellhousing with no tail shaft support. The front mount is riveted to the Radiator Support cross member and is very easy to swap V-8 to I-6.

If you want to change to a more modern Power Train you should be able to find bolt in Mounts for almost any American Engine. So you don't have to hack, cut or seriously alter the frame.

Piece of advise get a Mid Fifty F100 Parts catalog Catalog Request - Mid Fifty F-100 Parts Lots of good info and you should be able to find about anything you want/need.

 

Hey F100 Rookie,
Here is one for sale locally near Dallas on Craigslist - Appears to be in
nice shape & not too modified. Is this the type of truck you are looking for?

1951 Ford Pickup *Financing Available*

I'm about 4 hours away from this one but I'm sure we've got folks
closer.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1


(Sorry I just saw where you were looking for a later truck - never mind).

 

Thanks for posting the Supernats. pictures Mr. Mayberry. Mid Fifty parts catalog. Check.

@Ben
That F1 looks nice for the money. I´ll pass this info on to a friend looking for an F1.
Being in Austin, would you happen to be close to the yellow I6 truck on eBay that I posted earlier? It´s being sold by BZ Motors in Austin. Any way you could take a look at it if you´re close?

 

Hey F1 Rookie,
I live very close (5 miles) to the yellow '55 for sale - but his price is $25.5K. I doubt he'll take $18K but it never hurts to ask.

Most car lots are closed on Sunday here in the U.S. - I'll swing by there &
take a look for you & report back Monday.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

As with any other budget, mine is also meant to be stretched. $25.5k would break it, but if the truck is as good as it looks in the pictures I will stretch beyond my $18k. I'd appreciate your help on this very much.