Hello guys, I am new to the site. I have what was believed to be a 1946 F5 ratrod truck. I recently wanted to convert to disc brakes but after further review im learning the F5 didn't come out till 48. the front half of the truck is stock framed other than being air bagged. it is a 6 lug which leads to believe it really is an F5. i cant find a disc brake conversion kit for the F5 so i was wondering if the spindles are the same from an F3 (5 LUG) so i can go that route? any help in identifying?

 

 

You've got a cab from a '48-'50 F-5 plopped on - who knows what! The frame and front axle didn't come from a '48-'50 Ford. If it had, it would have 5 lugs instead of 6 on the wheels and the frame wouldn't have that pronounced sag to the ground forward of the firewall. The front frame section would be essentially straight.

 

I figured that's what was going to be the outcome. I bought this as a project and am trying to figure out what the heck is going on here. im lost now.

 

The number stamped on the back of the backing plate looks like a Bendix number format. That may be your key to figuring out the origin of the brakes and front axle. Research that number and you should be able to come up with an original application.

 

I commented on this guy's posting on the 47 and under forum. Here's my comments. Stu

Trucks like this are hard to sort out. I see an F-5 badge on the door hinge panel, and, unless I'm seeing wrong, the cab looks to have a big back window signifying a 51/52 cab donor. (Edit - maybe it is 48-50, I'm changing my mind.). You might post more pics. The frame is anybody's guess. There is nothing I see that is Ford F-3. That would have 8 lug hubs rather than 5 lug.

What I am comfortable saying is that the 6 lug x 7.25" pattern tubeless wheels came from either a Ford F-350, 1956 to 1966, or similar Dodge or Studebaker. The fronts having six hand holes are Budd 71320s while the rears having three hand holes are Budd 79120s. They are 17.5" x 5.25", and appear to have metric radial tires that look too wide for the rims. The truck that donated the wheels probably also donated the front axle and hub components. I see a number on the backing plate in one picture that follows no Ford numbering sequence, and no Studebaker sequence that I've encountered. Might it be Dodge? I know that a member of the Studebaker Truck Talk forum has been attempting to engineer a disc brake system for their 6 x 7.25" bolt pattern hubs, but have seen nothing recently to show he's making progress on that. Stu

 

Welcome to the forum! You have your work cut out for you!

I see a couple of things that seem to be worth investigating.

Is this rod end really seated fully?





This is not what I'd expect for a kingpin locking pin. It could be like this on the bigger trucks, but I doubt it.





This kingpin is way down in the spindle, that doesn't look right... Maybe the spindles were adapted to a bigger axle? Both brake hoses appear to have almost no slack to accommodate turns.

 

To help you learn which truck brand donated its suspension you might post a pic of the rear axle as well. A Timken B150 would easily identify it as Ford, and I suspect we could sort out which of the other manufacturers by the axle type and coding found on the axle. Stu

 

Upper passenger side firewall may also have a VIN stamped on it. That would at least identify the cab.

 

1948/52 F4/F5/F6 have 5 lug wheels on a 8.00" bolt circle, as do 1953 F600's and 1953/56 F500's.

Some 1954/56 F600's have 5 lug wheels on 8.00" bolt circle, some have 6 lug wheels on a 8.75" bolt circle.

1953/66 F350 & P350 (P Series Parcel Delivery) have 6 lug wheels on a 7.25" bolt circle.

1953/66 F350 & P350 have 13" x 2 1/2" rear brakes. 1956/66 F350 & P350 have 12 1/8" x 2" front brakes.