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Unlike the documentation for cars by groups like the Early Ford V8 Club, there isn't anywhere near the same reference docs for the trucks. Nothing that captures the year-to-year differences in the same level of detail as the various V8 publications seems to exist, in my experience. There is some worhwhile info in the first few pages of the LMC Truck on-line catalog that may be of interest.
From '48 to '50 most of the changes were cosmetic having to do with variations in the paint color or plating of the grill and other trim pieces. In late '50 the pickup bed floor changed from metal to wood and the embossing on the bed sides was removed. Major changes came in '51 when rear window was enlarged, the front grill and dashboard were redesigned and the trim on the side of the hood was changed. There were subtle changes in the hood trim again in '52 and a new six cylinder engine was introduced.
If you can find a copy, "Classic Ford F-Series Pickup Trucks" by Don Bunn has a chapter for each year from '48 to '56 describing all of the changes that were made each year. I searched online but couldn't find any for sale but it looks like the have a copy at The Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village if you happen to live nearby.
I'm thinking of getting a '51 or '52 hood to put onto my '48 panel truck. I'll remove all the spears and front opening trim from it. I like the rounded look of the 51-52 hoods as opposed to the flat panel on the sides of the '48 - '50 hoods. Ill probably fill in the 3 holes in the hood sides and fill the front holes also. So specifically I need to know the differences between a '51 hood and a '52 hood so I can decide which to look for. I sure hope that this doesn't offend any dyed in the wool purist restorers out there.
Originally Posted by ct50f1
From '48 to '50 most of the changes were cosmetic having to do with variations in the paint color or plating of the grill and other trim pieces. In late '50 the pickup bed floor changed from metal to wood and the embossing on the bed sides was removed. Major changes came in '51 when rear window was enlarged, the front grill and dashboard were redesigned and the trim on the side of the hood was changed. There were subtle changes in the hood trim again in '52 and a new six cylinder engine was introduced.
If you can find a copy, "Classic Ford F-Series Pickup Trucks" by Don Bunn has a chapter for each year from '48 to '56 describing all of the changes that were made each year. I searched online but couldn't find any for sale but it looks like the have a copy at The Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village if you happen to live nearby.
Thanx. I'll start looking on flea-bay and Amazon and similar places for this.
The 48-52 cabs are largely the same, so the hoods will interchange for the F1-6s. The real issue is the hood latching mechanism. As you know, the 48-50s use the snout chrome trim feature unlike the 51-52s.
The 48-52 cabs are largely the same, so the hoods will interchange for the F1-6s. The real issue is the hood latching mechanism. As you know, the 48-50s use the snout chrome trim feature unlike the 51-52s.
Also the upper shrouds mounted to the underside of the hood are different 6 to V8.
The 1948-1956 Ford Parts and Accessories Illustration Catalogue is a good reference for differences:
Thanx everyone for your replies. I'm familiar with everything said so far. What I'm specifically looking for is what differences are there between the '51 and '52 hoods?
And does anyone have pix of how a '51 or '52 latches. I'm guessing it's not the same as my '48.
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