I'm a newbie... I just found this forum, because I just bought a 53 F100. I would greatly appreciate ANY and ALL suggestions about how to get started restoring my find.

Also, from what I've been able to research, this truck was built in Detroit and the unit number is 59192. Is this the consecutive number of 53 F100's built in Detriot, or in total? (The code says the "Plant" code of M stands for Detroit Truck. Was this the only place they built the F100?

Books, web sites, suggestions... all welcomed.


Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

Welcome aboard, Steve... and congrats on your project truck!

Before I/we start firing ideas, suggestions, comments, opinions, etc at you, let us know what direction you want to go with your truck: stock? street mod? pro street?

Are your intentions to strip it down to the frame and go thru everything, or just do the exterior "beautification". Whatever you choose is ok with us. It's your project; do it up how YOU want to.

What kind of shape is it in? What are you looking to do with it? daily driver? cruise nights only? trailer queen?

I think I can safely say that obtaining books about rebuilding your '53 is a good place to start. Set up an E-mail address on your "profile" so we can provide you with "other" places to get parts, etc. However, right here on FTE's "MotorHaven" is a good place to get parts too.

So, give us a bit more info on the truck and your plans/intentions/wishes for it and we'll see what we can do from there!

Congrats again and welcome!

 

Daryl,
THANKS for the reply. I "think" I've set up my profile.... ??

I'm thinking that I would like to restore the truck to original stock, and then use it for limited normal driving.
Not knowing how to proceed, I'm looking for advice. From pictures I've seen on the web, I'm assuming the best way to proceed is to take it down to the frame and then put it all back together. I have 5 sons and I hope this will become a father son, son, son, son, son project... :< )
I'm sorta anxious to focus on the flathead, but that's why I'm asking for pointers.

If there is something else I have to do to setup my email address let me know. I clicked on "PROFILE" at the bottom of my post and there was a place that said 'click here to email to ssj7kids...??

Is there a way to post a pix of my new toy?

Thanks again for the response.

Steve

 

Steve, where to start is always a problem. If I was in your situation, I would tear it all apart and start upwards, sandblast and paint everything. Take it nice and slow and you will only have to do it once. http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/Page14.html has good info. Another equally good site is http://www.business.uiuc.edu/mwc/53_ford_f100.htm

Hope this helps, I'm sure others will be along to help out too. -4speed

 

Your e-mail's there; I sent you one.

Again, depending on how detailed a rebuild to stock you want to do will determine if you need to dismantle the bed, frame, fenders, et al from the truck. For longevity's sake, it's always best to dismantle the whole truck and do a "frame-up" restoration.

Here's some advice as you begin the tear-down:
1. if you have a digital camera, go by a sleeve of at least 50 floppy's to document each section of the truck before, during and after the tear down of that section.
2. label each part. Put parts that get assembled together in a bag together or in a box together. Label the bag/box. Take the time to write out detailed directions of how things came apart (this will help you put them back together correctly).
3. WORK ON ONE PROJECT AT A TIME. DO NOT JUMP FROM WORKING ON THE MOTOR TO DOING ELECTRICAL, ETC.
4. Ask LOTS of questions BEFORE you re-assemble and refer to your photos/notes. GO SLOW.
5. the order in which you dismantle the truck is not as important as the order in which you re-assemble it. For obvious reasons, for example you wouldn't re-do the upholstery before wiring the cab or painting the truck.

Most guys/gals do the frame first, then the motor/trans/rear end, then the brakes, then the electrical. Most want to get the truck mechanically sound ("rolling chassis")... THEN worry about the beautification process. Beautifciation includes: body work, interior cab, glass/seals, paint, and upholstery.

If you intend to keep it 100% stock, then use the reference book you get for your '53 to figure out what options you have vs. what you might want to add, if any? Figure those into your rebuild at the point they apply to that particular project. (Ex: adding a cigarette lighter element for cig's and/or cell phone adapter). Figure out all the creature comforts you guys want vs. what the truck has and work them into each appropriate stage of the rebuild. If you don't want to add anything at all, then just rebuild it as you have it now.

You can never be too deliberate when labeling parts or writing down dismantiling/reassemblying clues for later on. I have misc. sheets of paper in folders and a dedicated notebook for parts and rebuilding different stages of my truck. They have saved my sanity NUMEROUS times!, so don't skimp on the notes/pix.

Good luck and keep the questions coming! Have a blast with your project, it's a GREAT way for dad's and their kids to share a lot of memories... and then you get to drive a classic!

Best,

 

Thanks to both,,,
I posted some pix on the gallery.... it ain't pretty....

We got it in the barn, and I told the crew that first step was to jack it up, get it on blocks and remove the tires...

I'm buying a LARGE notebook tomorrow!

 

You should also read this.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/2003/3.php

 

Welcome to the board Steve! Good luck on your project, and check back often for clues and answers.

 

What do you mean "it ain't pretty" ?? Did your wife tell you that? I dreamed of owning an early 50's truck for 15 years before I finally got mine. Just having one is beautiful.

Of course the only reason my wife hasn't sold mine out from under me is because it was her grandpa's. (And I would probably kill her if she did.)

 

Shoot, I fogot to say. Do searches on this forum for information. There is ton's of good stuff.
Get a shop manual as soon as possible.
Put more pictures in your gallery. We love pictures

 

Joe,
Thanks, I think it's really neat! Like you I've always wanted one, and about 20 years ago I got a 48 International that was in really rough shape. I parked it in my barn hoping to one day work on it with my boys... Then a job change, a move, and nowhere to keep it, I gave it away. I've had my eye out for one ever since. I still don't have a good place to work on this puppy, I've put it in my buddies shed for right now. I got laid off from work in April and am now "self" employed, I don't have any spare cash, but I couldn't let this truck get away. The guy said he had an offer before he got back from putting it out in front of his house. By the time I stopped he said he had had three offers, and I bought it on the spot. When I picked it up, he said one of the other guys had come back....
It will be awhile before I can start on it, but you can imagine how anxious I am to get going. I'm open for any books you guys would recomend, as all I can afford or do right now is read......

Thanks for looking, I'll post a couple more pix soon.

Steve

 

Might also want to subscribe to a old truck mag. www.classictrucksweb.com(although they are almost always modified, there's alot of good info and parts vendors. I wrote a letter to them a month or so back and they said they will have more restored trucks coming. "this old truck" is also a good one although its a little pricey, its always a good read. -4speed

 

Congradulations, Back in 66 I had a 54, now driving a 53 and love it. Here and the rest of the net (world) you can find all the info you'll want. , Bob

 

Welcome, I too have just started. Mine is a 52 F-1. Here are some sites you may wish to visit and or keep as a favorite.

1.
http://www.48f-1.com/parts_page.htm#paint

2. Http://home.earthlink.net/~threynold...specs5152.html

3.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/

4.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm

5.

http://www.fordbarn.com/earlyv8/forum03/

6.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ings_trans.htm

Best of luck and I have found the help from the others on this site great!

 

Hi Steve, welcome aboard! One book I would recommend is "How to Restore your Ford Pickup" by Tom Brownell. Lotsa good stuff there. I'll also take this opportunity to pimp my links page