M-3 Questions
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
M-3 Questions
1. Would the original brakes be able to stop the truck? I want to keep the original wheels. I would not be using it to haul loads.
2. Would the pacer suspension fit the M-3 frame?
3. Could the rotors on the pacer suspension be redrilled for the wheels?
4. What rear end can I use to lower the ratio? I read somewhere a later F-250 would work. Would I be able to use one out of a 73-79 Ford F-250? The one in our '78 has a 3.54.1.
Thanks
Nathan
2. Would the pacer suspension fit the M-3 frame?
3. Could the rotors on the pacer suspension be redrilled for the wheels?
4. What rear end can I use to lower the ratio? I read somewhere a later F-250 would work. Would I be able to use one out of a 73-79 Ford F-250? The one in our '78 has a 3.54.1.
Thanks
Nathan 
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,782
Likes: 558
From: Kalispell, MT
M-3 Questions
I'm not likely much help, but here's what I know.
1. Yeah, it'll stop - back in the old days they didn't drag their feet to stop - he he. Rebuild the stock brakes so everything is new and it'll do the job. I'm running a stock setup on my '48 F1 and it stops just fine, in spite of all the horror stories. I've made panic stops for deer at night and haven't hit one yet. Make sure your E brake is working too, especially if you stay with the single reservoir master cylinder!
2 and 3. I don't have a clue about the Pacer suspension system and how it might work on your 3/4 ton.
4. Here's where you'll just have to get out a tape measure and check track widths, spring perches and shock mounts. All the posted stuff I've seen is for 1/2 tons, so you're on the cutting edge. Makes sense that something out there will fit, and YES, a lower ratio will make it much more drivable. I put 3.50:1 in mine and I like it - If you can steal the 3.54, I'd say use it if you can. Probably even a 9" rear end would work and give you an easy swap.
Good luck with it and let us know what you figure out.
Tim
1. Yeah, it'll stop - back in the old days they didn't drag their feet to stop - he he. Rebuild the stock brakes so everything is new and it'll do the job. I'm running a stock setup on my '48 F1 and it stops just fine, in spite of all the horror stories. I've made panic stops for deer at night and haven't hit one yet. Make sure your E brake is working too, especially if you stay with the single reservoir master cylinder!
2 and 3. I don't have a clue about the Pacer suspension system and how it might work on your 3/4 ton.
4. Here's where you'll just have to get out a tape measure and check track widths, spring perches and shock mounts. All the posted stuff I've seen is for 1/2 tons, so you're on the cutting edge. Makes sense that something out there will fit, and YES, a lower ratio will make it much more drivable. I put 3.50:1 in mine and I like it - If you can steal the 3.54, I'd say use it if you can. Probably even a 9" rear end would work and give you an easy swap.
Good luck with it and let us know what you figure out.
Tim
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
M-3 Questions
Id stay far away from the Pacer clip. Very hard to find one without rot at critical places plus darn impossible to get parts for. This was in a discussion recently on another forum with former Pacer clip users.
If you plan to stay with the original how would you adapt them to an updated front and rear? Arent they 8 lug 17"?
I have a similar dilema with my 54 F350 and the wide 6 lug 17". When the 292 goes in I want to go to a 9" with 3.70 gears or even lower since I'll probably have to use 16" radials and the main idea is to keep the revs down on the highway.
The front end will remain stock but with all new parts. Even as is it is now it handles well, stops quickly and steers easy once Im rolling.
Hopefully radials wont hurt stopped wheel turning too much and I can get 16" wheels made to fit the hubs.
I do use mine as a truck, it hauls engines, trannies, gravel, etc plus tows a car trailer when Im out boneyard pickin'.
And thats with the original 239, 4sp and 5.14 rear. And the 9' bed has a dump hoist; originally a landscapers truck.
If you plan to stay with the original how would you adapt them to an updated front and rear? Arent they 8 lug 17"?
I have a similar dilema with my 54 F350 and the wide 6 lug 17". When the 292 goes in I want to go to a 9" with 3.70 gears or even lower since I'll probably have to use 16" radials and the main idea is to keep the revs down on the highway.
The front end will remain stock but with all new parts. Even as is it is now it handles well, stops quickly and steers easy once Im rolling.
Hopefully radials wont hurt stopped wheel turning too much and I can get 16" wheels made to fit the hubs.
I do use mine as a truck, it hauls engines, trannies, gravel, etc plus tows a car trailer when Im out boneyard pickin'.
And thats with the original 239, 4sp and 5.14 rear. And the 9' bed has a dump hoist; originally a landscapers truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
M-3 Questions
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Sep-02 AT 02:05 PM (EST)]On the weekend we plan on getting the Mercury home. I'm going to see if the spare off our '78 F-250 will fit. If it does I know where I could get a rearend from with a lower ratio.
Nathan
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,900
Likes: 3,140
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
M-3 Questions
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I have the stock setup in my F-2 and it stops fine. My dad told me way back the circle track racers loved the F-2 rear ends for their cars because of the large brakes. The only problem I encounter is when some guy in a car with less metal than my front fender pulls in front of me on the two lane highway and I have to slam on the brakes to avoid killing him.)
I sure would hate to scratch my truck on his car. The brakes work fine but the weight of the truck keeps the mometum going. There is a lot of howling but I haven't hit anyone-yet. If I didn't want to keep it stock I sure would look into power brakes and newer axles.
I keep the truck on back roads as much as possible and close to home and avoid the expressways all together.
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[td align="center"]'49 F-2 pickup[/center]
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[td align="center"]'48 panel[/center]
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[tr][td colspan="2"][FONT FACE="ARIAL" SIZE="4" COLOR="RED"][B][/FONT][link:www.specialtycontrolpanels.com/trucksindex.html|Click Here To Visit My Truck Page][/td][/tr][/TABLE]
[tr][td colspan="2"][FONT FACE="ARIAL" SIZE="3"]
I have the stock setup in my F-2 and it stops fine. My dad told me way back the circle track racers loved the F-2 rear ends for their cars because of the large brakes. The only problem I encounter is when some guy in a car with less metal than my front fender pulls in front of me on the two lane highway and I have to slam on the brakes to avoid killing him.)
I sure would hate to scratch my truck on his car. The brakes work fine but the weight of the truck keeps the mometum going. There is a lot of howling but I haven't hit anyone-yet. If I didn't want to keep it stock I sure would look into power brakes and newer axles. I keep the truck on back roads as much as possible and close to home and avoid the expressways all together.
[/TD][/TR]
[tr]
[td align="center"]'49 F-2 pickup[/center]
[/td]
[td align="center"]'48 panel[/center]
[/td][/tr]
[tr][td align="center"]
http://www.specialtycontrolpanels.com/truck/trk-restored.jpg
[/TD]
[td align="center"]
http://www.specialtycontrolpanels.com/truck/pnl-frontrightsmall.jpg
[/TD][/TR]
[tr][td colspan="2"][FONT FACE="ARIAL" SIZE="4" COLOR="RED"][B][/FONT][link:www.specialtycontrolpanels.com/trucksindex.html|Click Here To Visit My Truck Page][/td][/tr][/TABLE]
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