Just wanted to say hello as I am new to this forum.

I will be posting questions from time to time and hope everyone will be patient with me.

I have recently lost my Dad on April 1st. He had a 1955 Ford F100 that he loved and that I bought from my Mom so no one else could get it. He didn't drive it much. It is all original except upholstery that he had redone and a few of the bed slats had to be replaced. All metal, glass, most paint and even the radio are all original. There was only one small dent that was in a fender when he got it which he patiently pounded out by hand over a two week period.

I would like to drive this more than he did. In fact probably a lot more. But knowing the setup with drivers today i feel I need to upgrade to power brakes and power steering while leaving the tree shift, (which i really like). I just couldn't take someone pulling out in front of me and I not being able to stop in time hurting the truck.

So again please be patient with me. I am a fairly decent mechanically. I do all my own work but have not attempted this before. Last time I even drove something without power brakes and power steering was 30 years ago.


Also, I am on other forums for other topics so I am aware how to use a forum and will do research through threads before I ask a question.

 

Welcome to FTE the best Ford Truck Forum on the world wide Web! Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. We have a lot of talented and knowledgeable guys here. But before we answer any questions you have to post pictures of your truck, both outside and interior.

Sorry about the passing of your father. It's great that you kept the truck in the family.

My opinion is to drive it a lot and get used to it. My trucks do not have any upgrades and I consider them safe. Power steering or power brakes aren't really needed but that is something you'll have to decide. It may depend where you live e and where you plan to drive it, rush hour urban freeway driving versus more rural or small City driving. Instead of power brakes a conversion to disc brakes might be simpler.....

Don't forget the pics

 

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!


Very sorry to hear about your dad! We've all been there. it's never easy.

Nothing like a 55 Ford truck!! We do have one of many un-written rules though! You have to post pictures of your 55 F-100!

We love pictures!


Cheers,


Rick

 

I'm very sorry to hear that you lost your Dad. Saying goodbye is never easy. When my Dad passed away, no one in my family was really ready to step up and take responsibility for his truck. So, I did. It's been a great privilege to honor my Dad by doing right by his truck. I'm trying to keep it as original as possible. It's my opinion that manual brakes and steering are all part of the experience of driving your Dad's old truck. Try it as others have advised. You may just like it.

Welcome to FTE. You've come to the right place for advice and support for your Fat Fender Ford.

 

Welcome to FTE
Sorry about the passing of your Father. It's always tough even if you know it's coming. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy yourself and remember him every time you take a cruise in his ole 55.
There are kits to complete both the brake & power steering upgrades you are thinking about doing. If you haven't already request a catalog from MidFifty. Home - Mid Fifty F-100 Parts Lots of good stuff and information. Also you ought to try to go to the F-100 Super Nationals in Lebanon, TN May 19 & 20. You'll see lots of trucks and folks to answer your questions.

 

Welcome fellow 55 Owner.
Being somewhat of a purist I restored mine to all original keeping no power steering or brakes.
Don't hesitate to ask as most of us were in your situation at one time.

 

If the brakes are in good condition and adjusted right they work just fine also the steering no need for power.

 

Thanks guys I appreciate it. I will be posting pictures as soon as possible. The truck is still in my Dad's garage. It just didn't feel right bringing it home yet. Besides it is a fully equipped garage and of course Mom says it is my (and my brother's) garage now. I will be back there tomorrow. This is the first day I haven't been there since he passed. And yes it is hard. We ended on a good note though.

Jut for info, I have been doing nothing but research since the first post. I believe I am going to leave it as is and just fix little things that need a little tweaking. Watched a video on the disc brake conversion and all I could do is picture my Dad and his disapproval of me doing that. So I am not doing that. I know the brakes are as right as they will ever be or ever have been. Dad worked in the service station with my grandfather and knew just about about everything on a vehicle back then.


Again thank you and pictures are coming late tomorrow.

 

"Your" truck will always be a tangible connection to your Dad, and to the memories you have of him. Wherever you go with your Dad's truck, it will generate attention and maybe give you an opportunity to share a story or a special remembrance you have of him. Remembering and sharing play a role in filling the emptiness we feel when we lose someone we love.

 

...And speaking of the emptiness. Christians around the world just finished celebrating another Good Friday and Easter. The empty tomb of Easter is a reminder that although our stay on this earth is necessarily brief; heaven is our real home.

 

I'll add my welcome and condolances. From your profile, I noted that you are in Kentucky. We have a number of active FTE members from there. Adding info on your location in your User CP tab will allow is a good plan.

 

OK guys here are two pics. I Planned on pulling it out into the sun but the battery was dead. Couldn't get a good side pic because Dad's F250 was in the next bay and a trailer was in front of that door and I didn't have my truck to pull it away. This is what I have for now.

 

Very Nice! Custom Cab to boot. Get another battery and drive it. Is it still 6 volts (positive ground)?

 

Yes! VERY nice!!

 

truthfully I do not know if it is 6volt+ or not. I haven't got that far into it. I do know it is a Duracell battery. I never saw a Duracel battery before so I will be checking before I do anything.