1951 Ford F2
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1951 Ford F2
I have a 1951 Ford F2 3/4 ton pickup that I want to update the suspension and axles. Most of the catalogs show parts for F1's. Are the frames from an F1 and an F2 the same?? If not, what is different? I want to strip off all the springs, hangers etc & start from scratch. Thanks, Dave
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by panningbros
I have a 1951 Ford F2 3/4 ton pickup that I want to update the suspension and axles. Most of the catalogs show parts for F1's. Are the frames from an F1 and an F2 the same?? If not, what is different? I want to strip off all the springs, hangers etc & start from scratch. Thanks,
Dave
Dave
I went through the same thing with my 48 F-3. I did not know the differences in the 'F' series trucks when I bought it. After I realized that parts are much harder to come by for F-2/F-3 trucks and decided that what I really wanted was an F-1, I made the decision to convert it. It was not a difficult conversion. The F-2/F-3 trucks have a 122 inch wheelbase and the F-1 is 114. I wanted to use an F-1 bed and get rid of the 8 lug wheels too. I replaced the front axle with an 87 Chrysler T-bar suspension which gave me a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern, disc brakes, and PS. Next, I cut 8 inches out of the frame just behind the cab to reduce the wheelbase to 114 inches and then I cut an additional 12 inches off the rearmost portion of the frame. I used the 87 Chrysler rear end and springs in the rear so I have a 5 on 4.5 pattern there too. I bought fiberglass F-1 fenders and running boards from Bebops and an F-1 bed from ProsPick. See my gallery for pictures of the frame shortening.
Vern
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Dave,
Welcome to the best site on the internet.
I think that the front axle and spindles are the same between the F1's and the F2's and F3's. That means if you wanted to keep drum brakes you could just find a set of hubs, drums, and backing plates from an F1. Another alternative is to go with one of the disc brake conversion kits. I used the basic kit from Engineered Components Inc (ECI). It came with the bearing adapters, caliper brackets, and hardware. You use late model Ford rotors, GM calipers, and a mishmash of bearings. Master Power Brakes as well as several others sell the kit.
Its easy enough to find a 9" rearend that will bolt right in. I used one from a 1960 Ford F100 that was a direct bolt in.
The biggest issue by far is your fenders. The F1 fenders are unique to the F1's, they have a smaller wheel opening radius.
You could always upgrade your truck and retain the larger 8 lug wheels. These trucks look great wether they are the little half tons or the beefier big brothers.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Welcome to the best site on the internet.
I think that the front axle and spindles are the same between the F1's and the F2's and F3's. That means if you wanted to keep drum brakes you could just find a set of hubs, drums, and backing plates from an F1. Another alternative is to go with one of the disc brake conversion kits. I used the basic kit from Engineered Components Inc (ECI). It came with the bearing adapters, caliper brackets, and hardware. You use late model Ford rotors, GM calipers, and a mishmash of bearings. Master Power Brakes as well as several others sell the kit.
Its easy enough to find a 9" rearend that will bolt right in. I used one from a 1960 Ford F100 that was a direct bolt in.
The biggest issue by far is your fenders. The F1 fenders are unique to the F1's, they have a smaller wheel opening radius.
You could always upgrade your truck and retain the larger 8 lug wheels. These trucks look great wether they are the little half tons or the beefier big brothers.
Good luck with it
Bobby
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
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From: NM
Welcome! I'm curious, have you driven your truck much? Why do you want to upgrade, are you going to be using it as a daily driver? You'd be going to a lot of trouble to do all you say you want to. Are you planning on an engine and tranny transplant, too?
You might be better off with a total frame transplant, including the new engine, trans, etc.
You might be better off with a total frame transplant, including the new engine, trans, etc.
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F1 versus F2
No, I haven't driven it at all. I am planning on replacing the engine & trans as well. I am after a daily driver for a work truck. As it is right now it has 16 leafs on each rear spring & 4:86 rear gears. All I'm going to have in the bed is a spare tire, so I think I can get by with a little smoother faster ride than that. It seem's to me that using the old frame and putting on newer suspension with available kits is a lot easier than trying to mount the cab, box and front end onto a newer frame. The fitting problems appear to be a lot more complicated with that route. (Allthough I've never tried it) All I'm really concerned with is that all the catalogs list numerous parts and kits for F-1's & mine is an F-2. Some (expert) tried to tell me the F1 had a narrower cab & therefore a narrower lighter frame than the F2-F3 trucks. I guess I'll have to find a similar truck in an F1 version and do some measuring. Thanks, Dave
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by panningbros
Some (expert) tried to tell me the F1 had a narrower cab & therefore a narrower lighter frame than the F2-F3 trucks. I guess I'll have to find a similar truck in an F1 version and do some measuring. Thanks, Dave
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Originally Posted by 51PanelMan
Who ever that "expert" is, they're wrong. Cabs are the same from an F1 - F8. Frames are the same except the length/wheelbase.
Dave/Panning, It sounds like you're thinking the IFS and engine/tranny sway is a bolt-in or simple swap. Nothing could be further from the truth! Do you have experience with frame fabrication?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Saskatoon SK Canada
If you do go to a later frame. I've written a HUGE article of putting a '51 M-3 on a '78 F-250 frame. You can read it here:
http://www.old-fords.com/frameswap/frame1.htm
Doesn't look to bad does it?
http://www.old-fords.com/frameswap/frame1.htm
Doesn't look to bad does it?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Originally Posted by 51dueller
If you do go to a later frame. I've written a HUGE article of putting a '51 M-3 on a '78 F-250 frame. You can read it here:
http://www.old-fords.com/frameswap/frame1.htm
Doesn't look to bad does it?
http://www.old-fords.com/frameswap/frame1.htm
Doesn't look to bad does it?
Besides everyone else has a little bed. 
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,997
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Originally Posted by 51dueller
Doesn't look to bad does it?
Have you considered finding a set of the factory Ford Aluminum wheels that came on the trucks in the mid 90's. They wouls look pretty sharp on your truck.
Bobby