I just bought a 50 F1, my dad had one back when I was a kid and I learned to drive in it.
The truck I bought is a project and I am just starting to plan it, it will be finished to look like dad's the old green stock color not lowered much, stock interior, ect.
Front end will be converted to IFS and I'm looking for advise on which way to go.
Power plant is wide open, I have a 90 Ranger with a 92 Mustang and AOD4 in it, I like fuel injection and overdrive but I'd like a bit more torque as I think I'll use this little truck to pull a car trailer and haul my 32 roadster, mabe a 351 winsor with EFI would be enough, comments please.
Ben

 

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cangrads now lest see some pictures.

 

Take a look at the Jaguar XJ IRS. It fits beautifully in the 48-52 chassis. Search on Jaguar.

 

welcome, my story is about the same,the pic in top left corner of my post was my dad's 50 f1. i am doing my 49 with minor mod's and painting it the same color. going with a 302 and c4 trans. power brake's and disc up frt. good luck on your's

 

Hi! If you don't want to lower it much, then the very easiest and best solution would be to rebuild the stock front axle and suspension remove some leaves or replace the springs with new ones, add power steering to it, and it would then drive and handle as well as your Ranger. You'll find that any of the popular IFS conversions will drop it quite a bit. If you don't mind a fair lowering then 49 Willard has the answer, the Jag fits like it was made for it and you can't beat the price, plus it's a better IFS for our trucks than any aftermarket one based on the MII. You planning an open or enclosed trailer for the 32? How far you planning on towing, over what kind of terrain? Just checked you're in CO, the 351 will be lacking in torque for pulling over the mountains and at high elevations, especially with an automatic and an enclosed trailer IMHO.
a good 460 with a C6 would be cheaper and make you a lot happier. My other suggestion if you want to go with the 351 (a good engine, and normally would be my choice) would be to forget the automatic and pop for a T56 6 speed and a 4.10 rear gear. The two overdrives will give you the ability to pull a low rear gear for towing without eating you alive at the gas pump. but would mean shifting yourself. That's basically the setup I'm using for towing an enclosed trailer but our mountains aren't near the challenge.

 

Welcome to FTE, Congrats on the new baby! You will get lots of good insight from all here. Lets see some pics.

Kyle

 

Welcome Capt'n. Where in co do you live? Danny in CO is in Larkspur, RHW lives in co springs, and I'm in Peyton. I'm doing a similar project with a 48 f-1, and I've done lots of research on the questions you're asking. PM me and I'll share.-Rusty

 

If I were the aggressive, argumentive type I'd challenge that statement. But, since I'm not, I'll just say that in my own opinion regardless of what you do to that straight axle it is highly unlikely to drive and handle like your Ranger...

Vern

 

Capt'nben Welcome to the forum

 

I live in Brighton, just northeast of Denver.
Thanks for the reply

 

Welcome! We're not too far apart. As Rusty said, I'm in Larkspur just off I25. My almost 16 year old son (and I) have a 49 F-3 that we are restoring. We have the stock 6 cylinder about ready to put back together. We still have a lot of body work and brake work to go. We also have a 51/52 frame and cab that has supplied some parts.

Danny

 

Welcome to the forum. You've met some of the folks and the rest are just as helpful and nice. When you get a chance, set up your gallery so we can see your project.