51 F1 project
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
51 F1 project
First time in this section. I have a possible trade in the works. Trading for a 51 F1 project. Fairly solid truck. It comes with (not installed) lots of parts from a 52 F5 including Flat head V8 radiator seat and glass. The glass is bubbled. If this deal goes through I’ll be looking for a 4 speed for this and who knows what else. I’m wanting to keep it close to original or maybe a 50’s era hot rod. What do I need to look for in a 4 speed? Any guesses on rear gear ratio? I’m sure I’ll have many questions in the future.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,173
Likes: 4,780
From: Burbank, WA
The original 4 speed transmission that came in a 51 F1 is a non-syncro trans, which means double clutching and kind of a pain in the leg. There were two 3 speed transmissions, a light duty and a heavy duty. Both are syncro'd on 2nd and 3rd gears and are much easier to drive than the 4 speed. The only thing you'd be giving up is the granny low 1st gear, which you'd probably never use, anyway. There is a rare T98 that was used in F6 trucks that would fit behind the flathead, but they were never installed in the F1 and the mount is totally different, which means the trans crossmember would need to be removed/modified for it to fit. That would not exactly fit into the 'keeping it stock' thing.
Welcome to the forum!
Welcome to the forum!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,911
Likes: 1,192
From: Deerbrook, WI
I have a 52 F1 with the optional 4 speed transmission. I'm not positive what came standard in 51. My 4 speed is non-synchro, with a 3.92 rear axle ratio. It has a "granny" low first gear, so I usually start off in second. I'm able to go 55-60 mph on the highway. Top speed is probably in the low 70's. Double clutching is required, but the distinctive whine that indicates you're driving a real truck comes as an added benefit.
Jim
Edit: Darn if Wayne didn't beat me and with better information, too.
Jim
Edit: Darn if Wayne didn't beat me and with better information, too.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
Thanks for the replies. I might be hunting a 3 speed instead it looks like. Just curious what years I might be after? Not really interested in modifying anything to fit the 4 speed truck transmission. I’d like to stay close to stock. I need to give the column a better look to see if it has a shifter. How hard would linkage be to find. I’m assuming this would shift like a later Ford 3 speed???
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,173
Likes: 4,780
From: Burbank, WA
48-52 is the interchange years you'll be looking for. However, there is a couple details to keep in mind. All of the HD 3 speeds were floor shifters, so that part is easy. It's the same looking shifter as the 4 speeds used, so at a casual look inside the cab no one would know the difference.
The light duty 3 speeds is where things take a turn. Part way through the 1950 model year Ford made a running change to go with a column shifter instead of floor shifter. If you don't have those parts you'd need to find them. That could get interesting making sure you have all the little linkage bits, and that they work right. If you found someone parting one out, that would be the best bet. Good luck with your mission.
The light duty 3 speeds is where things take a turn. Part way through the 1950 model year Ford made a running change to go with a column shifter instead of floor shifter. If you don't have those parts you'd need to find them. That could get interesting making sure you have all the little linkage bits, and that they work right. If you found someone parting one out, that would be the best bet. Good luck with your mission.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
48-52 is the interchange years you'll be looking for. However, there is a couple details to keep in mind. All of the HD 3 speeds were floor shifters, so that part is easy. It's the same looking shifter as the 4 speeds used, so at a casual look inside the cab no one would know the difference.
The light duty 3 speeds is where things take a turn. Part way through the 1950 model year Ford made a running change to go with a column shifter instead of floor shifter. If you don't have those parts you'd need to find them. That could get interesting making sure you have all the little linkage bits, and that they work right. If you found someone parting one out, that would be the best bet. Good luck with your mission.
The light duty 3 speeds is where things take a turn. Part way through the 1950 model year Ford made a running change to go with a column shifter instead of floor shifter. If you don't have those parts you'd need to find them. That could get interesting making sure you have all the little linkage bits, and that they work right. If you found someone parting one out, that would be the best bet. Good luck with your mission.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,173
Likes: 4,780
From: Burbank, WA
Yes. The HD 3 speed was optional for all years 48-52, and any of those should fit your truck, afaik. Be sure it is for an F1 as the mount is different from the larger series.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 77
From: Eureka Springs Arkansas
We have a verbal agreement on this trade but it’s been hard to get a weekend off the same weekend as he. Hoping weekend after next to get it done. We live a few hrs apart.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 416
From: Monmouth County, NJ
The original 4 speed transmission that came in a 51 F1 is a non-syncro trans, which means double clutching and kind of a pain in the leg. There were two 3 speed transmissions, a light duty and a heavy duty. Both are syncro'd on 2nd and 3rd gears and are much easier to drive than the 4 speed. The only thing you'd be giving up is the granny low 1st gear, which you'd probably never use, anyway. There is a rare T98 that was used in F6 trucks that would fit behind the flathead, but they were never installed in the F1 and the mount is totally different, which means the trans crossmember would need to be removed/modified for it to fit. That would not exactly fit into the 'keeping it stock' thing.
Welcome to the forum!
Welcome to the forum!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dixon1948
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Apr 16, 2019 11:52 AM
farmall_7
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Apr 25, 2016 05:59 PM
Robhudson
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 8, 2015 08:04 PM
jpyles
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Oct 15, 2015 05:29 PM
NEWT92
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Jan 6, 2008 10:15 PM