Hello all,
My name is Tony and I am just beggining My first Hot rod project.
Its a 1950 F1 .
Id like to get a little advice and some opinions from those of you who Know.
I want to drop the body onto a 99 ranger shortbed chasis,and drop in a 302 or 351.
My question is is this chasis going to work well, and what are the pros and cons of this all the way around.

Thanks in advance for all your help.
Tony

 

Hey Tony, welcome to FTE. There are a great bunch of folks here who can help you with just about anything you'll need to find or know. Don't be afraid to ask questions or post pictures. We'll all join in to give you a laugh and provide whatever support we can.

The subject of migrating effie bodies to newer chassis has been discussed recently in several threads. The forum search function may be helpful for you to look back at what has already been said. I believe the consensus is that very few folks have successfully completed this type of surgery, but almost everybody is interested in it. Several folks have advised that it is a fairly ambitious undertaking, but I certainly don't want to scare you off. Your success will depend on your skills, experience, persistence, tools, and available help.

I enjoy long-term projects. The biggest mistake I see folks make is shortening a long-term project by using four-letter words. "just", "only", and "drop" are three of the most common four-letter words used - as in "Just drop the cab on, and there are only four bolts to tighten." Using those four letter words, it sounds like a half-hour job, eh? While it certainly can be done, there is a large amount of work and time embedded in the three four-letter words in that sentence.

Enough rambling on my part. Do a search and read other posts that are sure to follow. Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks George.
I appreciate your input and will surely ask more questions than Im worth <G>This is My first project and I am only researching.
I did <JUST today>track down THE Hot Rod Man in My neck of the woods <SO told Im>It is His opinion that the original Chasis will be the most efficiant and economical Course of action .
He will be by to look at My truck later this week .

Tony

 

As stated above this topic has been discussed atleast a few times. I have never attpemted a frame swap, although I have found the idea interesting. I've talked to several people, and read several post and internet pages and the reoccuring answer I recieve is its easier to clip the frame with a different suspension. Many Independent front suspensions are avaible and you have the advantage of all your body mounts lining up. Id suggest you read the sticky about suspension alternatives and decided if your frame is worth clipping ( assuming you have a frame) then consider the frame swap. But remember neither one is actually easy.

 

Tony

I agree with your local guy. Change the front end to a Mustang II and keep the original frame. You can use a Ford 9" in the rear. I have a 302 and it will do everything you want it to do. Hoping to see highway mailes about 20mpg. I also used an AOD for the highway trips.
Its a great body style you can get anything under the hood that you want. We modified the firewall and added some more interior room, as well as moving the gas tank under the bed.

Good luck with your project! You will find a lot of guys willing to help here.

Bill

 

Hiya Bill Thanks for the input.Id Really like to take a look at your truck.I see you are in Kingsport Im right next door in JC. Maybe we can get together? Drop Me a PM if yould like .
Thx
Tony

 

Hey Tony -

When you do come up with how many questions you are worth, let us know the number. Some of us probably asked too many questions a long time ago. Maybe others have a credit coming. Inquiring minds want to know.

BTW, stupid questions are more valuable than intelligent ones. That's because more people can answer them.

Also, I agree with your Hot Rod guy's assessment. The idea of a frame swap is intriguing and there are a few folks on the forum who are trying it. We are all interested in their results.

 

LMAO Ill try to get the question calculator running later tonight.
Ill figure everyones Question " worth" for a few bucks each "gotta get the cash for this project somewhere"

 

That great, you are welcome to look all you want. Currently some of the work is being finished at Affordable Weld & Rod shop in Kingsport. 423-647-6441

Bill

 

Hey Thanks alot Bill.Ill definatly Be giving you a call .Ive been brainstorming all evening and have some Ideas id like to run by you "since your truck is the same as mine" but always willing to ramble on to anyone wholl listen ...LOL .. let me know when the best time to catch you is .

Tony

 

Tony

Most any reasonable hour. The shop will be open Saturday if you want to look at it. If you are not doing the cut and weld yourself and haven't already settled in on a cut and weld guy, I will introduce you to Johnny.


Bill

 

"BTW, stupid questions are more valuable than intelligent ones. That's because more people can answer them."

Your killin' me RJ.

You forgot to tell him we only like questions that require our opinion, that way all our answers can be right.

Troy,

Welcome to the forum. We need more pictures of your truck. It looks real promising so far. Lot's of guys here started with something much rougher.

Can you make it to the Supernats in May? We'd love to meet you at one of our forum get-togethers. Or even just hang out by Jet Jocks ride.

 

Ok troy There ya go I just uploaded a dozen pics of the truck taken just moments ago as she sits.All your input and Ideas are greatly apreciated EVERYONE keep em coming.
Tony


BTW. My chasis guy came to look at the truck today.
He tells Me this is Not a 50 ford ." I KNEW the front clip was not"
But he tells Me the cab isnt either .
It IS titled as a 1950 F1.

Any Ideas comments or info you can give Me from pics would be great.

 

Hi Tony,
I just took a look thru your pictures and I agree with your chassis guy. Odds are it's a '52.

The hood and grill is '52. The front fenders are '51/'52. The cab interior is also '51/'52 and someone has done about a 4" chop across the wide rear window. The box is late-'50 thru '52.

I'd bet the previous owner bought a '50 title somewhere to register it. If you tell us the truck's vin we can nail it down for sure. It should be something like F1R1MP123456.

Your 50 title probably reads *98RC 123456*

 

your guy is right. Its not a 50 but either a 51 or 52. The cab has been chopped severly it looks but that look is incrediable if done correctly. Dont know about the frame but I can tell you that 48-52 were very similiar. if you like you could swap the front on that truck to a 48-50 version which is very common. Most questions about 51 and 52 trucks can be answered by an owner of a 48-50 truck. Thats just how similiar these trucks are.