Hey Guys

As my 50 F3 is being wrapped up (will be painted in December) I am looking for a new project and I found a perfect 1948 F6 near me. What I am envisioning is a 4x4 (shortened frame) with a custom made steel pickup box with rear F3 fenders. Where I am going with this is I would like to keep the truck BONE STOCK but bolt a manual transmission along with a transfer case to a 239. I know a T5 will bolt to a 239 (w/adapter kit) but I am not sure about what transfer case would. Could someone point me in the right direction to a transmission and transfer case that would bolt up to a 239 with an adapter kit? Oh I would also like to keep this all ford....

I apologize if this has been discussed before and I hope you don't think I am crazy, I like to dream

Sam

 

Stu McMillan (truckdog62563) is one of our experts on 4x4 fatfenders. Marmon-Harrington did the conversions of regular 4x2 Ford trucks to 4x4. I think that there were a couple others too. The point is that these were not built in a Ford factory they were sent out for conversion. MH also converted Dodges, Chevys & GMCs too and I think that the T-cases were the same. The reason this is important is that these trucks are very rare and finding the right T-case will be difficult. Stu or others on here might be able to help you more.

I say might because there are some people that are building 4x4 fatfenders then trying to pass them off as MH originals . . . heresy !!!

My F2 has a shortened frame with an F1 box on it. It fits fine with some minor mods to the cross bracing.

I'm not sure of your purpose for staying "BONE STOCK" when you are thinking of shortening the frame and installing a T5 trans. You may want to upgrade the braking system too. So if you can't find the right era transfer case you may want to think of something more modern which would fit with no problem.

I threw away a couple of Jeep T-Cases from J20 pickups a few years ago that I had stored in my barn for 20 years. I cringed when I did it. They mated to a BW T98 that was synchronized in all but granny low gear. Ford trucks used that trans too 1948-1964.

 

Thank you for your response! I am not trying to replicate a MH at all! And me saying bone stock means I am not going to chop up the cab and make it into a rat rod type deal haha But you are right it will not be bone stock but sheet metal whys excluding the box it is. I don't care for that I am going to do some research and think about my options here

Sam

 

Get a T98 transmission from the flathead era. Then, locate a Dana 24 divorce mount transfer case. You'd have to build mount to locate the T/C.

 

More issues, imho, than just the transfer case and transmission selection. Choice of a front axle for a truck as large as an F-6 will require compatible steering geometry, front/rear final drive ratios, and bolt patterns. Left or right differential offset will influence transfer case selection. Agree with Owen that a T98 would be sized right for the F-6.

Rather than try to engineer something yourself to work around all the design challenges, why not start with a M-H that's had it all done professionally. A M-H big truck isn't real hard to find, and would easily donate its compatible components to your nicer project truck.

Here's one on CL in CA for cheap. Stu

1951 Ford F-5 Marmon-Herrington

 

Wow! What a great find at a good price Stu. I have been to Lone Pine. It is where they make all the movies, westerns from the 1950s, Gunga Din, The Island, Gone in 60 Seconds & many more even today. It is just west of Death Valley so if that truck has been there for a while it should be in pretty good shape.

Sam, This is a great suggestion.

 

If you get the bellhousing-transmission-trasfer case out of an early ****** Jeep/Wagon/pickup (Dana 18?), Offy still makes an adapter, I think. If not, they're commonly available on eBay.

You can, of course, use the S10 4x4 T5 adapted to the flathead - it would use a Dana 300 transfer case, I think - I know the Jeep T5 does, but while Jeep T5 is shorter than S10, the front is the Ford pattern, so not as common a swap.

 

Good find Stu. Decent price. Take Stus advice and jump on this if you want a 4wd.