51 fe on a 48 cab?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Section 8
51 fe on a 48 cab?
looking to swap the front end from a 51 (hood, fenders, grill) to a 48 chassis.
Is this a direct swap or does one need to do some fudging in order to make it work?
Rex
Is this a direct swap or does one need to do some fudging in order to make it work?
Rex
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Michigan
I think any modifications would be minor if needed at all. I believe it should be pretty much a bolt on swap as long as you have the complete front end.
I know that bobj49f2 , just recently put a 49 body on a 51 frame, hopefully he or someoen else with chime in soon to confirm any differances
I know that bobj49f2 , just recently put a 49 body on a 51 frame, hopefully he or someoen else with chime in soon to confirm any differances
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I am changing all of the sheet metal on my '51 F-4 to '48, I like the design better, so I really can't say for certain that bolting '51-2 front sheet metal to a '48-50 is a completely effortless bolt up but I can't see why not. The only thing I have heard metioned on this board it that the inner fender panels on the '51-2s have one less mounting point somewhere but that shouldn't really matter. Ford probably found they didn't need it and stopped using it to save 5 cents a truck.
Every time some one mentions they like one design over the other it starts a little "back and forth" about which is better. I just happen to like the '48-50 better. I might be a little bias, my original truck is a '49, my dad bought it back in the later '60s when I was around 7 years old and it's been my truck every since.
Every time some one mentions they like one design over the other it starts a little "back and forth" about which is better. I just happen to like the '48-50 better. I might be a little bias, my original truck is a '49, my dad bought it back in the later '60s when I was around 7 years old and it's been my truck every since.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
The mounting point Bob was refering to is at the lower rear of the inner fenders. On the 48-50 trucks there is a stud on the frame that a tab on the inner fender mounts to. This causes problems as the rest of the front clip is mounted on rubber and can move with the cab and it eventually tears the tabs off as they are solid mounted.
On my 49 I am eliminating this mounting point and securing the lower part of the inner fenders to the flange on the cab mount strut.
Bolt that sucker together!!
Bobby
On my 49 I am eliminating this mounting point and securing the lower part of the inner fenders to the flange on the cab mount strut.
Bolt that sucker together!!
Bobby
