I'm looking for anyone who may be able to identify the rears on my 55 truck.I need wheel cylinders and new dust boots.I don't know where to begin to look because I cannot ID the rears.I looked all over the truck and see no tags. I bought it off of a guy right off a military base and it does not look anything like a homade job. Surely looks to be an original conversion as the guy told me it was.
Thx

 

Welcome.

Pics would be a great help.

 

First, welcome to the group. A 1955 Ford 4x4 of which model? A half ton could have different axles and manufacturers, perhaps Dana or Coleman, than will a 3/4 or larger model that could have axles made by Timken, Coleman, Eaton, or Dana. If you’ve looked and found no tags do you see holes where tags were previously mounted inside or outside? If no holes or tags it would probably rule out the truck being a Marmon-Herrington conversion. But it could still be a Coleman, Fabco, Napco, or since it’s a 1955, one of a small group we’ve seen that have WWII military surplus running gear but were pretty clearly professionally converted as a group by an unknown company back then. As said, pictures and more description will help us help you. Stu

 

Thanx for the welcome.
It's an f 350. I have pics but I'm new to the site. You'll have to tell me if I have to upgrade or send pics to your email or how to post pics.
Thx

 

hope I did it right. I think I figured it out.

 

This is a cool Truck. Sorry I can't help you with your questions but I'm trying to learn too! One way to follow is to post a comment on your thread, get notification, and hang on for the ride. Now that you posted pictures there should be lot's of reactions. Good luck with you project. Looks fun.....and $$$$$.

 

Your truck is one of the military surplus conversions and has been discussed either here in the forum or in my email exchanges with the prior owner. Forget which. I’ll dig back and find the discussion and see what I can tell you. Stu

 

you have Eaton axles from a WW2 IHC M-1-4 or M-2-4. The rear was a standard rearend from the prewar IHC K3 tonner. The front was cast special for the war. It was made to accept the rear third member. The cylinders are wagner lockheed. You can or could get kits from napa. The rear is stepped so you have to get two kits. See if they have a parts BOOK that covers K3s or K3. The transfer case looks to be a single speed NP from a WW2 Dodge. The IHC case was large and mounted with two large flat steel plates.

The M-1-4 was a 1/2 ton and tbe M-2-4 was a tonner. Only difference was 12" longer wb a d extra leaves in spring pack.

 

Here’s the prior discussion about your truck. The one I had the email exchange about is a different truck. Your axles look to me to be Eatons, but I’ll defer to others who may be better at identifying military stuff. Your wheels are clearly combat rims, military only, and are mounted to military spec hubs having a 5 x 6 7/8” bolt pattern. Here’s the old discussion. Edit - 1952henry and I were typing at the same time.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-for-sale.html

On the other truck in the email chain I recall referring the owner to Vintage Power Wagons in Fairfield, IA, for parts and help nailing down the donor vehicle. They are the primary supplier of new and used Power Wagon parts. Stu

https://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/online-parts-catalog

 

That is an interesting truck but I would get rid of the odd winch. As abe noted previously it is probably pretty heavy. But I wonder if it was the purpose for the truck? Maybe used for erecting electric hi-power transmission lines in rough terrain?

 

I don't think I can rebuild the wheel cylinders. They are rusted solid and pitted horribly. The boots in front need to be replaced and I would love tomake a spare tire if possible. Also worrying about what I'll do if one day I need brake drums. Who would I deal with for parts for something like this?

 

I agree
The winch is already off. It sticks way out and the hood blocks drivers view. You'd have to put plow markers so you don't hit things

 

The link that Stu sent has parts. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxz...FtbWR1TjA/view

Will none of those work? If not I would give them a call. The Dodge military vehicles are a favorite with many collectors. They have a place to request rare or hard to find parts on that website.

Also eBay has a selector and seems to have a lot of wheel cylinders. eBay wheel cylinders for 1943 Dodge Truck axles

 

It is hung by 2 plates maybe it is ihc. I'd like to change the gear oil how do I know what type to use?

 

Thx I'll call them monday,I hope they can help.hopefully they can help with the dust boots too.