I have already looked at thousands of posts and have decided to start my own build thread. I am certainly not knowledgeable, but I hope someone can see just a regular guy, with the right start, and lots of help, can make something fun. I will be asking a lot of questions, and I appreciate any and all help. I saw this truck sitting in a yard and immediately wanted to have it. The owner had passed away, but the neighbor said his sons visit every once in awhile from California. I diligently drove by the house twice a week for over 2 months until low and behold I saw a car parked out front. I spoke with the son who is now 75 ish and said he would sell it to me. I got the truck for $1100. It was missing the original grill, and the bed was rather toasty, but I decided to give this thing a go. I have a 3 car garage and at no time will my wife allow her car to be outside overnight! lol so I am trying to work clean, and in stages. My only purchase so far has been a torch, and I will tell you it would have been impossible so far to do this without it. My brother has lent me an air compressor, and a jack. And I borrowed an engine stand to get the cab off. So far I haven't had any help, and not sure where to go from here. I plan on keeping it an original patina, but updating all the wiring. The engine spins, but that is all I know so far. If I change out the engine, then the front suspension, transmission, driveline, and rearend will be done as well. So...here we go.

 

trying to post pics, but no luck.

 

here are pics of when I found it.

 

here are a few others

 

finally was able to get it home. thankfully he was able to find the tailgate for it.

 

this thing was pretty darn original. it had a makeshift grill, a busted drivers window, and a farm made rear bumper. The only rust on the body was in the bed.

 

and it me with a few things like funky window rollers, an old fire extinguisher, and a pretty neat heating unit. I am only the 3rd owner.

 

I am working in a 2 car garage basically but, I am making due. I started with the theory of getting everything off and working my way back slowly. as you can see, space is tight.

 

and here is where it sits as of this weekend. needing a pressure washing, and some final analysis to determine where do I go from here. I am hoping to get it started just to see what is shaking. I have never done anything like this before, and frankly am not qualified but that is when it is the funnest! lol I will do my best to keep everyone updated. I hope the engine is somewhat fine, I would love an automatic transmission, my wife is making me move the gas tank from the cab, and hope to hell I can get it to stop! other than that I hope it looks just like it does when I am finished, but mechanically stable and rust free bolts!

 

That looks like a very nice solid and straight truck. You have the same heater that I have in my '49 F4.
A word of caution, You need to get a tank cart for you torch set or tie the bottles to something solid when you have the caps off of them. If you accidently knock the oxygen bottle over and break the valve off it WILL go thru your house and several of your neighbors houses, and could kill you or someone else.

 

I actually went to walmart and bought a hand truck that they are now chained to, and when I rolled them to a corner, I built a little chain in area. That first day, I damn near knocked them over while backing up to a take a picture.

 

Good start love pic

 

Looks like a super solid truck to start with, you NW guys are spoiled!

 

I love your truck and glad that you chose FTE as a place to share your build. You will find the folks here very friendly and glad to a answer any ?s that you may. When I bought my truck all I had was the will to learn (no tools, not an ounce of knowledge)and the members here have guided me step by step question by question thru everything. I had to do my part and research things where I could of course but have never have been turned down when I needed help. You did a great job on the picture posting thing, and it looks like your well on your way. The only thing I would suggest at this time is if you don't already, is have the truck put in your name at your local DMV. We have seen people put a ton of $ and work into a truck only to find that the title had problems, and could not get it registered. Any how, welcome to the family, your in for a lot of enjoyment.

 

Looks like a solid F1 to build. They're still out here! Look forward to following your progress.