1. Where can you get replacement trim for '51's. i'm missing the the middle spears and one lower 5* molding.

2. would you be able to make a drivers sun visor fit the passenger side?

3. I want to put in a front clip in my '51 but what one should I use?
I want the truck to be 100 % ford. I'm talking about a junkyard clip. I've read a little about the Aerostar.

4. Is there any rear junkyard clips like a 4-link?

5. What is the best way to remove rust bumps on emblems and trim?

I really like working on my '51 Ford F-1 that I got for $50. It is really amazing what you can find in the cab. When I got the truck It only had the windshield. In the 3" dirt I found a toilet seat. I'm only 15 so this is going to be a big project.

Nathan

 

I forgot to mention what is the best way to remove dirt and mud from the cab corners. I'm amazed how good some of the sheetmetal is good on this truck. The cab corners are excellent. What do you recomend for removing bondo and paint.



Nathan

 

Hi Nathan,
For one thing, plan on working on this project for a long time. It will be worth it the first time you drive it down the road!

I'll try to answer some of your questions:

Hood trim - check places online like Bob Drake, Sacramento Vintage Ford, Mac's, Dennis Carpenter, Joblot Automotive, etc. Otherwise you'll have to attend swap meets or check online classified ads on dozens of sites.

Visors are the same for passenger and driver - just turn it over.

Front clips that others have used include Aerostar, Dodge Volare, and Mustang II - which is the most popular and easiest.

Rear? Don't have a clue, but changing to a 9" from a 57-72 F100 will give you bolt-in swap.

Rust on emblems - some guys have talked about replating, but most of the trim on these is stainless steel and isn't plated in the first place. Easiest to replace it.

Cab corners - I used a long screw driver to dig and a shop vac with a long snout to keep it out of my way.

Removing paint and bondo - several choices depending on cash and time and includes chemical dips for the whole cab at once, sand blasting, soda blasting, paint-on chemical remover such as sold at Napa, and of course sanding. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

Hang in there and don't loose hope. I liked the story about the toilet seat - I found a packrat nest under my seat.
Tim

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Aug-02 AT 07:49 PM (EST)]Welcome Nathan,
You might try using the search feature on this site for a thread about plating pot metal. That is what your front "V8" and "Ford" emblems are. There is also an outfit called Advanced Plating in Nashville, TN. that does the work.
As far as your "Five Star" hood trim, John's F-Funhundreds (www.f100.com) in Anaheim, CA. has it in their catolog.
Rust on the trim? Buffing, if it's stainless. Polish, elbow grease and rubbing with some aluminum foil if it's chrome

Enjoy and good-luck!

 

Nathan My first truck was a 1951 Chevy that I had big plans for and took apart to restore when I was 15. It was a suprise gift from my father on my 15th birthday.It died the death of dissassembly. I feel sick and discusted every time I see it. It sits behind my parents barn, a memorial to a lost teenage dream. I regret those bad decisions to this day. Plan your project. Realize that the fancy trucks you see in magizines were built by people with exprience and in most cases a lot of money.Some of these trucks were built by people that have their own shops or garages. Take a long hard look at your truck and decide if its woth fixing or would it be better to use its good parts on a better truck of the same type. Its cheaper to fix the stock frame componets than to subframe them. The engine bay of the F-1 will acomidate almost any engine. Smallblock fords and 223 type sixes being the best. Of coarse theres always the flathead V8 or 6.Dont try to do too much at once . Get it driving first then worry about paint and chrome and stuff like that. Remember my ole blue 51 Chevy, Dont let that happen to your 51 Ford