I am beginning work on a '55 F100 pickup and could use some information to make this project run smoother. I would appreciate answers to any of the following questions or additional information. Thank you in advance.

Does anyone know where I can get hardware or tech information on using original sheet metal to convert the front of the truck to a tilt front. Also are there other companies other than Fairlane that offer complete fiberglass front ends?

Is there a complete rear end (from brake drum to brake drum) that is a bolt-in application that can be gotten from a salvage yard that does not need to be custom fabricated?

Where would someone suggest I go for a high quality cross member set to install a small block Chevrolet engine and transmission into the ’55?

Does anyone have information about a set of headers for this small block Chevy engine that fits this application. I am look for an information about something that would fit well.

 

...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!

Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.

Moved and member notified

 

Hi Paramour, Tim beat me to the welcome - he does that sometimes.

There are a great bunch of folks on the 1948-1960 Forum - helpful and friendly ... and a little crazy at times. We keep a family atmosphere going and have a lot of fun.

As far as your questions go, I am pretty much a stock guy but there are a number of members that have done both the fiberglass and steel tilt front ends. I suspect they'll be around soon to offer advice and tell you of their experiences.

There is a tech article on rear ends that are compatible with the effies of this era. Click on Articles/Specs and choose List Articles. Then choose Transmissions/Axles and you should find it at the top of the list.

On the Chevy engine and crossmember, strictly speaking the FTE charter doesn't allow discussion of non-Ford power plants in the forums. We get a little leeway in the older truck forums, but any discussion MUST stick to strictly the technical details. If the thread goes of on a Chevy vs. Ford direction, I will have to shut it down and remove it. That comment is not necessarily directed at Paramour but also at the rest of you cowboys as well.

 

Hi again!
I have a SBC in my 56, but I didn't do the original install so I don't know who's crossmembers were used. The front is a tubular one that looks like it was probably a universal crossmember since the end flanges slip over the main tube and the welds where they overlap aren't as clean as I'd expect a premanufactured one would have. Shouldn't be hard to find one that will work. You'll need a rear one as well, depending on which tranny you are using you could fab one out of square tubing and a couple pieces of plate. Sanderson's block hugger headers would fit and give plenty of steering box clearance. First thing you want to do is decide what front suspension you'll be using: stock type beam and leaf springs or one of the IFS setups (there's a good deal of info on front suspension in the tech articles), what steering box (Toyota PS boxes are very popular and easy install with a beam axle, IFS usually uses whatever box matches the donor parts) and what steering column (stock, aftermarket, junkyard donor) you will use. It's easier to start with the front suspension then install the engine/tranny.
Don't let the warnings above make you think you're unwelcome, all they don't want is a my brand X engine is better/bigger/can kick the *** of any Ford engine type pissing matches starting. There are a number of us deep darksiders around here, we just don't wear our bowties every visit if you get my drift. Questions like you've asked are OK and will be answered, though don't be surprised if someone suggests you paint your engine blue.
Post us more about yourself and your truck, as soon as you hit the magic # of posts (10?) all the hidden goodies will suddenly open up (search, picture gallery, etc) and you'll find a search will turn up a lot of discussions/answers to the common questions. Meanwhile scan back a few pages of recent topics there was a lot about flip front ends, FG and steel.

 

AX has it exactly right. I'd hate to have you feel unwelcome with any questions you may have. As long as you care about these old girls, you'll fit right in and have a great time. Let's all just stick to the technical issues and not the emotional ones.