Hello everyone! Im a vetran to this forum, just new to this particular part of the forum. I grew up driving, repairing, and loving the 73-79 ford trucks, and the 80-96 ford trucks, and to this day, i still have many of them around. However, the idea of an old fat fendered ford has always been in the back of my mind.

I was in the market for an older truck for a new project that has already been started (custom frame, FE big block, and some other things i will delve into at a later date) when the deal presented itself.







what i have is a 1950 Ford F7, it was originally a fire truck, in the late 80's, early 90's era, someone bought it, put the dump bed on it, swapped in a 390/4 speed combo, and did things that 90's hot rodder types would do ( put motorcycle lights on for turn signals, swap in a guady maza radio, etc ) and then the truck got quickly abandoned with 23,000 miles on it. i bought it, brakes are non existent (master cylinder is missing, etc) and here i am.

I have decided that i dont need another big truck. i dont need another flatbed. i have too many as it is. I have someone who is interested in buying the chassis and flatbed, so really, im down to the engine/tranny and cab/front clip. which is fine, thats what i was after. It's nothern iowa, you dont find rust free 66 year old cabs here.

so, my question is this. i would like to transplant this cab onto my hot rod chassis ( measurements lined up ) but i obviously dont want the massive fenders and such on a small frame hot rod. i would like to run F1 fenders and a standard stepside bed, is it essentailly a bolt on deal, or will my cab not interchange? what will and wont work??

 

Our very own Bob J has put together the info you need: Body Part Interchange Guide

In short, the cabs were all the same for the F1-F8, only the COE were unique. Mating the F1 front clip and a 48-50 or 51-52 bed with your cab is certainly possible. As you found, the cabs of old fire trucks are generally in very good shape.

 

Thank you so much, for the quick and informative answer!

yes, i have known fire trucks have been the secret all along. my pops has a 1946 IH fire truck, while im a ford guy, i was kinda looking for an IH cab for my frame to match his fire truck, but im very, very happy i found this instead.

my plan is to get all new bed parts from LMC, because i dont think there is any chance that there will be any bed worth saving around here anymore.

 

You may also want to check Northern Classic Truck for your bed: Ford Truck Parts and Repair Panels for your classic truck at Northern Classic Trucks

 

I have a rust free cab on my F-2 from a F-7/8. Only difference is the transmission cover, holes will have to patched and repunched but since you're doing a hot rod you will probably be doing a lot of that any ways.

Save the big fenders, someone is looking for them.

 

yeah, i figured someone would need the fenders. i wont sit on them for 20 years in hopes of someone buying them, but i wont be immediately scrapping them either. if someone here needs them, they will be first to hear about it