1955 F250
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
1955 F250
Hello. I bought this 55 a while ago for 200 bucks. The previous owner was planning on sending the truck to the crusher since nobody wanted it. So I stepped in and saved it. The truck is a factory Custom Cab with 239 Y block, 4 speed and Dana 60 rear with 4.88s. The cab corners have very little cancer, but is very solid.
I have a couple questions. Since I am planning on using the truck as a daily driver all year round, should I box the original frame to handle 4wd and maybe tow a heavy trailer occasionally? Second, will the original 239 be enough engine for this or do I need to go bigger? Thanks, Chris.
I have a couple questions. Since I am planning on using the truck as a daily driver all year round, should I box the original frame to handle 4wd and maybe tow a heavy trailer occasionally? Second, will the original 239 be enough engine for this or do I need to go bigger? Thanks, Chris.
Last edited by OlFords; Sep 14, 2016 at 09:07 PM. Reason: Add more pictures
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 4
From: Southern SC.
Welcome to the crazy world of old trucks. I don't have answers for you but the guys/gals on this forum will come along with the answers. The truck looks good but you should post more pics and you will get answers quicker. Have fun and welcome again.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,385
From: Central PA
Welcome to FTE! Thank you for saving another Ford truck! It doesn't look too bad.
Is it running? Can you stop it? Did it sit for a long time?
Before you go boxing the frame, get it running and stopping well and drive it first.
Is it running? Can you stop it? Did it sit for a long time?
Before you go boxing the frame, get it running and stopping well and drive it first.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,679
Likes: 1,251
From: Jefferson City, MO
Welcome to FTE!
That's a nice looking truck. Since the engine turns over freely, I would think it would be very easy to start. I had acorns in my cylinders, so it might be worth your while to remove the heads and check first. Mine had been sitting since 1972.
The 239 is the smallest of the Y-blocks. Depending on the loads, you might want to consider something different. I would get that engine up and drive the truck a bit before making any decisions though.(After you get the brakes functioning properly) Don't scrap the engine if you do decide to change it. There will be folk that would like it or parts off of it.
Your combo currently will give you a top cruising speed of 45-50 mph.
There are articles here on good rear end swaps and you can also buy new ring and pinion to get a more friendly ratio for that Dana 60.
We need more pictures! I would love to see the engine.
Where are you located?
That's a nice looking truck. Since the engine turns over freely, I would think it would be very easy to start. I had acorns in my cylinders, so it might be worth your while to remove the heads and check first. Mine had been sitting since 1972.
The 239 is the smallest of the Y-blocks. Depending on the loads, you might want to consider something different. I would get that engine up and drive the truck a bit before making any decisions though.(After you get the brakes functioning properly) Don't scrap the engine if you do decide to change it. There will be folk that would like it or parts off of it.
Your combo currently will give you a top cruising speed of 45-50 mph.
There are articles here on good rear end swaps and you can also buy new ring and pinion to get a more friendly ratio for that Dana 60.
We need more pictures! I would love to see the engine.
Where are you located?
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
Add my welcome. What a bargain. Agree with the others, you'll be pulling your trailer slowly with the 4.88/1 gear. I don't see need to box the frame unless you go to a bigger torquier engine. As for the 4x4 aspect, none of the Marmon-Herrington or Napco conversions got any special stiffening, nor did the early factory 4x4s.
Now to your wheels. Some prior owner did you a HUGE favor by bolting on a set of tubeless 17.5s. They are rare and will attract offers if you decide to modify the truck. Stu
Now to your wheels. Some prior owner did you a HUGE favor by bolting on a set of tubeless 17.5s. They are rare and will attract offers if you decide to modify the truck. Stu
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,717
Likes: 823
From: Wentzville, MO
Welcome to FTE Chris
Remember these vehicles were built to be work trucks, not many folks bought these for comfort or to be cool. Like Harrier said they weren't fast (most had 3.90 and higher rearends). The 239 was the first of the Y Blocks, the largest Y Block for our trucks F100s was a 272. Many Hot Rodders traded them for the larger 292s & 312s. Here's a little info About The Ford Y-Block V8
I'm not sure you would or should box the frame. Pretty sure even the MH conversions weren't boxed.
Remember these vehicles were built to be work trucks, not many folks bought these for comfort or to be cool. Like Harrier said they weren't fast (most had 3.90 and higher rearends). The 239 was the first of the Y Blocks, the largest Y Block for our trucks F100s was a 272. Many Hot Rodders traded them for the larger 292s & 312s. Here's a little info About The Ford Y-Block V8
I'm not sure you would or should box the frame. Pretty sure even the MH conversions weren't boxed.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Miles City, Mt
55 F250
I think you should scrap that idea and get something newer, bigger ,faster. Oh by the way, I will take that truck off your hands no problem. If the licence plate is any indication , I aint to far from you.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
Joe, thank you. I'll get some more pics. I live in Eastern Montana in the country. The engine is original to the truck so I'm not scrapping it or selling parts off it.
Stu, thank you. Actually, I put those rims on recently. They are 16 inch pickup rims, not 17.5s. It had two of the original 17 inch widow maker rims so I swapped them out as soon as I brought it home. Sorry to mislead you.
BJ, thank you. I'll check that out.
Stu, thank you. Actually, I put those rims on recently. They are 16 inch pickup rims, not 17.5s. It had two of the original 17 inch widow maker rims so I swapped them out as soon as I brought it home. Sorry to mislead you.
BJ, thank you. I'll check that out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 123
From: Nebraska
Welcome Chris! Ditto on all the comments so far. Looks like you have a straight and solid Truck. I'd like to suggest that you start a Build Tread when you decide to start your
project.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-threads.html
This thread will give you one place where you can post all your pictures/comments and it will allow all your FTE friends to follow your progress.
I like your Truck and look forward to its resurrection!
project.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-threads.html
This thread will give you one place where you can post all your pictures/comments and it will allow all your FTE friends to follow your progress.
I like your Truck and look forward to its resurrection!
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,679
Likes: 1,251
From: Jefferson City, MO
I'm a stock guy myself. Your water pump is rare as hens teeth, but it can easily be rebuilt if needed.
I look forward to your progress.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
Thanks, Dave. I really like your F350 a lot.
Stu, got it. In that case, I got a set of 5 factory 92-97 F250 Alcoa rims to replace those. Paid 100 bucks.
Thanks, Joe. If the water pump is that rare, I should save it and put it somewhere safe. I was going to try and find a 292 to replace the 239 should I have issues with it.
Stu, got it. In that case, I got a set of 5 factory 92-97 F250 Alcoa rims to replace those. Paid 100 bucks.
Thanks, Joe. If the water pump is that rare, I should save it and put it somewhere safe. I was going to try and find a 292 to replace the 239 should I have issues with it.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
As you can see, the interior needs alot of help but those floors are 100% solid.
Original 239 Y block. The exhaust will be replaced with either headers or ram horns.
Other side of 239 Y block. Note the pinched off end of what was the cross over exhaust and the original water pump which is quite rare.
Glove box door data tag.
Stu, this is one of the rims we were discussing.
Stu, if you are worried about the steel rims, I will replace them with these. I paid 100 bucks for the full set of 5.