I'm going to ask the previous owner about the rear end. I haven't gotten it towed yet. I have a buddy who tows for a living and so I have to want until he's not busy. Another question I have is about the rims. I've read a few things about "widow makers." How do you tell if you have them or not?

 

Those aluminum wheels shown on the truck are not widowmakers.

 

I hadn't heard of these until yesterday, wasn't sure how to check. Thanks!

 

If you don't want to keep them, any F-250 wheel up to the 1997HD model, or E250/350 up to the present will fit. If you want to use the stock hub caps the F-2/250 wheels 1948 up to the mid 1960s iirc will work. The below set of these wheels is now on eBay. The hub caps are being reproduced and are available from Dennis Carpenter and others. Stu

1948 - 1965 Ford truck pickup wheels F2 F-250 3/4 ton 16 inch original antique | eBay

 

I definitely want to go back to stock someday. Thanks!

 

Here's a few more pics of the truck

 

So after talking to the p.o. He said that he bought it with the 390 in it already. The rear end is stock.

 

Wow, you have the stock spare tire carrier in place! I'm still looking for the frame to bracket bolts. That looks like a really solid truck.

 

Nice looking project. I have a tailgate that might fit. Shipping might be an issue, and it's Canadian (meaning "FORD" is written in bloc letters rather than script), but it is for sale.

 

It has almost everything I for it. Didn't know that the spare tire carrier is hard to come by. Still doing my research on the truck.

 

So I'm looking the gauges for the truck since mine are missing. I've seen a few on eBay, can any tell me what is the piece attached to the bottom of it.

 

Those are circuit breakers for the electricial system. Dennis

 

I've got the bolts (a bit bent but you can have them after I remove them) for cost of shipping.

 

Thanks for the generous offer, PM sent.

 

Hello. Great that you got into this project. Reading your initial post it reminded me my initial feelings the day I decided to deconstruct my F3 1952 truck to fix everything I did not like.
Going thru this process you will think and rethink every time which direction you will head with your project.
In any case, the only good advice I can give you is to set the amount of time and money you are willing to spend. I mean how far are you planning to go with all the things you will feel comfortable with your truck.
This year is the second year since I bought my truck, but right now I am really pushing it to finish it.
The other advice is to look really good on internet for the parts you will need because prices are some times really wild. So, patience and no rush.
Regards!