Front Axle help
Front Axle help
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces
Front Axle help
I just brought home my first ford truck. Always worked with chevys and could use a little help
from you ford experts. The truck is a 1949 F-1 with a factory flat bed. Dr Frankenstein has
certainly been at work. I took a look at the front end. Besides being terminally worn, it has the
wrong brake drums. Only 2/3 or so of the brake shoes are covered. Looks like everything on the
front end gets replaced and I have noticed that parts are hard to find and expensive. ($90 for
drums). I got to thinking that I might find a straight axle off of a later ford truck out at the bone
yard that might swap in and be easier on parts. Question, Are there some later ford trucks with
straight axles that might be a bolt in swap? Thanks.
from you ford experts. The truck is a 1949 F-1 with a factory flat bed. Dr Frankenstein has
certainly been at work. I took a look at the front end. Besides being terminally worn, it has the
wrong brake drums. Only 2/3 or so of the brake shoes are covered. Looks like everything on the
front end gets replaced and I have noticed that parts are hard to find and expensive. ($90 for
drums). I got to thinking that I might find a straight axle off of a later ford truck out at the bone
yard that might swap in and be easier on parts. Question, Are there some later ford trucks with
straight axles that might be a bolt in swap? Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,765
Likes: 547
From: Kalispell, MT
Front Axle help
Hi,
Welcome to Ford trucks! That's a good question that I don't have an answer to and haven't seen it addressed in the past. Most guys who go to the bother of removing the front end just drop in an IFS unit. I like the idea tho, but you'll probably have to hit the junk yards with a tape measure. Check for hub to hub measurements, drag link/pitman arm/tie rod hookups, etc.
I rebuilt my 48 to stock config and about the only thing I couldn't get at NAPA were the front drums (unique to 48-52) which I got at Sacramento Vintage Ford. The price you were quoted sounds about right. Good news is the rear brake parts are the same up thru about 67 or so. Also, the stock braking system works very well - completely rebuilt - just don't cut corners.
Good luck with your project.
tim
Welcome to Ford trucks! That's a good question that I don't have an answer to and haven't seen it addressed in the past. Most guys who go to the bother of removing the front end just drop in an IFS unit. I like the idea tho, but you'll probably have to hit the junk yards with a tape measure. Check for hub to hub measurements, drag link/pitman arm/tie rod hookups, etc.
I rebuilt my 48 to stock config and about the only thing I couldn't get at NAPA were the front drums (unique to 48-52) which I got at Sacramento Vintage Ford. The price you were quoted sounds about right. Good news is the rear brake parts are the same up thru about 67 or so. Also, the stock braking system works very well - completely rebuilt - just don't cut corners.
Good luck with your project.
tim
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces
Front Axle help
When did Ford start using the "twin I beam"? Are there any straight axles on 1/2 ton trucks after 1952 and before the "twin I beam", or did they start with the "twin I beam" in 1953. If there are straight axles and parts other then 1948-52 that I could look for, it would increase my bone yard options and odds. Are there a group of post 52, pre "twin I beam" that might work?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Lake Jackson, Texas
Front Axle help
The Twin I-beam came out in mid 60s, I'm thinking 65 so anything older than that is straight axle. Maybe you could get one from someone doing a front end swap to IFS. I got a steering box by putting an ad on this site. I had several replies in just afew days.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ
Front Axle help
Sorry I can't tell you what years may work for you. But if you do find out I have a complete front suspension off my 1960 F100.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 1
From: Rural Florida Panhandle
Front Axle help
I would either buy the new drums for the 49, and keep it all original, or change to an IFS. I have owned and changed king-pins in a straight axle E100 (64) and an early twin I beam (72 F100), and they were both really tough jobs. There are several options within the Ford line, and more non-Ford. I prefer to keep it Ford. I have heard that the Aerostar is an almost direct bolt in front end. If I do another one, I will certainly check that out first. My 54 has a FatMan cross member, with stock Mustang II control arms, etc. Works and drives great. Whatever you decide - good luck.
Winford
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Front Axle help
DonF,
I am getting ready to do a Volare IFS swap into my 54. The original straight axle and steering parts are all there and in good shape. Let me know if you're interested and I'll save it when I do the swap. As far as I know, it should be the same width, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
I am getting ready to do a Volare IFS swap into my 54. The original straight axle and steering parts are all there and in good shape. Let me know if you're interested and I'll save it when I do the swap. As far as I know, it should be the same width, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee, GA
Front Axle help
I have a '62 and a '53 sitting next to each other in my shop and if I remember right the front axles are pretty much the same... The shock mounts are different as are the pitman arm and drag link... It would be possible to swap in a straight axle from anything up to a '64 ('65 is the first year of the twin i beam - except f350, but they are different) I am thinking about doing this to my '53: putting the column, steering box, and all of the steering out of a '63 donor to get a bigger box and a column with turn signals...
Tyson
Tyson
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: in a house, near sherwood
Front Axle help
hey i got a 1950 f1, and i am doing a ifs swap now, got the orginal axle gear box, and all associated parts laying here....
Interested? contact me at wvillecab1(No Email Addresses In Posts!) ... i am near tualatin oregon
robert
Interested? contact me at wvillecab1(No Email Addresses In Posts!) ... i am near tualatin oregon
robert
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