There's a string on the board that has been nibbled on for the last month or so about the larger trucks. I noticed most of the posters with larger trucks have F-5 and F-6s, some F-7 and F-8s. I know there are a few guys out there who have F-4s but they seem to be a lot less than the bigger ones. Is this my imagination or did they make less F-4s than the other models? Even on uPay there seems to be more of the F-5 and F-6s. Does anyone have production numbers?

The one thing I find interesting is why aren't there more F-4s. They have a single wall frame while the larger trucks have double wall frames that like to collect rust and separate causing more unrepairable damage to the frame making me think they wouldn't last as long as a single wall framed F-4s. The only thing I can think of is the F-4 fell into a niche that made them too big for certain truck needs and too small for larger truck needs.

I wanted a F-4 because I wanted a lighter for better speed and mileage and bigger than a pickup to haul a somewhat heavier load.

Just wondering.

Bob Jones--Fat Fender Aficionado--
49 F-2 pickup
48 F-1 panel truck
49 8N tractor
48/51 F-4 flatbed
Click here to visit my web site

 

Bob,

What years were F-4's made? I don't recall seeing any newer than 1952, since the 100's and up were started in '53. The wrecker (See my gallery) my brother has could be an F-4.

Johnny

 

I've got a buddy here in La. who has a '50 model f-4. I agree that the single frame is better than that double frame crap. I've got a little rust damage on the pass. side of my frame, not enough to cause any serious poblems, but I,m looking for a spare. I noticed my friends f-4 does not have power brakes, Does yours and if not do you know if they were optional? Do you know the history of your F-4? I looked in your gallery and it looks like a really sweet score.

 

In 1953 the f350 replaced the f4.

 

Actually I think the F-3 and F-4 were merged into the F-350... or the F-2 and F-3 merged into the F-250.. either way, it disappeared.

I'm not sure how many years they were made, but I want to assume all the bonus built years (48-52)

 

Matt,

I am combining two F-4s, a '51 chassis with '48 sheet metal, into one. I don't know the history of either truck, I got both via non-sales on uPay. The guy I bought the '51 from told me he had it sitting for a few years because he couldn't get it to run. I put a new battery in it and filed the points and it popped right over. It is the nicest running engine I have ever heard, flathead or OHV. It still has the bad points, distributor cap and hard plug wires. It's going run even nicer once I put all new part on it. I have half of the body work done but have been busy at work and haven't been able to work on it for a couple of months. I really want to get it on the road so I can use it for deliveries for my business. I could have used it three time in the last month.

Both trucks had brake boosters on them. They each had different types of boosters so I think they might have been after market units. I want to get a new unit because both of the units I got off of the trucks are in rough shape and I doubt either work. In another post someone said they found a rebuilt unit at local big parts truck supplier.

Matt,

One more thing, I looked in your gallery and it looks like you did a lot of work on your trucks. It looks like a very solid truck. You stated you have new tires. Are you still using the "Widow Maker" wheels or did you find replacements. I am using 19.5" tubeless wheels on my F-4. I am always curious of the wheels guys use on the larger Fords. I know finding replacements are hard to find.

 

Of course, by my name, I have an F-4. It's a '52, dual rear wheel, 134" wheelbase, F-Head V-8, syncro-silent 4-speed with power takeoff to run the dump hoist cylinder, 5.14 rear end. The bad part: Those 18" wheels

My take on its rarity is its single gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 for the DRW, vs a wider variety on the F-5 and higher. The SRW F-4 (7,500 GVWR) would compete against the F-3, but without a truck bed.

Fran

 

Bob my wheels actually came off of an early 50's dodge. They are two peice wheels but instead of being a split rim they have a single lock ring on the front eadge of the rim. They measure 20". Most shops arn't to fusy about these kind. I too am looking forward to seeing your truck on the road. There's nothing like using these old trucks for what they were intended, working. Where did you find tubless wheels I looked all over before settling on the ones I have.

 

The wheels I have on my F-4 are from a early '70s to mid '80s RV with a Dodge chassis. I got them last fall from a guy parting out a damaged RV. The outer diameter of the 19.5" is about a 1/2" less than the 20" wheels that came on the '48 F-4 I bought so it shouldn't affect the performance or mileage too much. The '51 came with 22.5" tubeless but they looked way too big for the truck and came close to rubbing the front fenders with 8" tires and I am sure they would have rubbed with 9" tires, the only size I could easily find.

 

Acording to my Ford truck book.F-4 used the same frame as F-5. The only difference was most F-4 came with a six and 18 in. wheels. F-4 were made from 48 to 52. Total numbers I don't know. Dorsey

 

Ive Got a 52' f-5 parts truck and it has a double frame. As far as I know (which means nothing) all f-4's came with a single frame.

 

I always thought the F-5 and 6s were basically the same truck except for maybe the transmission and suspension. I have had both but mainly as parts trucks that I tore apart.

 

For you guys looking for a set of tubeless 19.5" Budds like Bob is running, they're probably a Budd #89340. Can you confirm that Bob, or give me the number off yours if different? I found a set at a yard in Arizona, but they were on a motor home that was impounded and they wouldn't sell them. There's a lot of Travco motor home guys looking for those wheels too since Travco's came with tube type 17" x 6" Budds (also 5 bolt on 8" circle). These Travco folks really put the miles on their rigs, so having the added diameter with tubeless radials is real popular with them.

 

I looked all around my spare and couldn't find a number. The wheels do have a layer of dirt and light surface rust, how deep do they stamp the number? Where should I look?

 

It'd be on the edge facing you on the rear dual mount, or on the inside (concave) edge of your spare, normally opposite the valve stem.