I have a 1952 F-1 that I bought several years ago. I drove it home and began taking apart, now I have the time and funds to actually work on it. When you got your trucks where did you start: Frame, body? Been reading a lot of post on here and lots of great info for someone new to this.

 

i started on the frame, then springs, axels, and brakes. That took several months to complete.

 

I started on a piece of paper...make a list...check it twice...if your project is a driving project, do bits at a time to keep it rolling, if your going to really go for it...take it down to the frame an build it back up...

 

Already down to the frame, starting with the frame sounds like a good idea. Still not sure if I am going to go with straight axle or get aftermarket IFS.

 

I like the list idea,..I started my 55 project as a stock rolling cab/ chassis with the cab bolts seized to the frame and lots of rust repairs to be made to the body..and another truck load of used parts.I started repairing the cab 1st, then started mocking up the frame for a V8 ..I worked on that untill I ran out of cash..;or came to a stumbling block/discision point,..then I'd go back to the cab..all the while going back and forth to the frame looking at it,measuring,pondering.,. Save Sandblasting and repairing fenders and stuff when the creative energy is low..or empty.(labor only stuff).
Some folks recommend stay on one thing at a time until that portion is done...If workspace is tight,spend some time making hangers to store your finished/primered body panels on out of the way,keep notes,make a list of needed hardware(nuts/bolts/sizes),another of the progress/parts needed/ordered..check items off as you complete them and add new things you think of so you don't forget,review and update the list on a regular basis..if you don't like the result mid-stream..don't be afraid to toss that idea out and try another..that way it's more fun building your truck ,because it takes longer and you can spread the fun over several more years..LoL!

 

Get a notebook and keep ALL your contact info and numbers and your build ideas in 1 place.
Trucks come in 4 ways .....frame/driveline/cab/bed.

If you build stock....then research a little and decide how stock.
If you are going to hot-rod it....decide and almost always decide on a budget...OR get a marriage counselor...LOL

The frame can be torn down and blasted,or however you want...and the cab can be done at the same time.......or that is how I do it.....I blast and then prime....test fit parts....and maybe a better part comes along....then swap out the old part.

Keep the faith,because most guys loose interest after a long time or bad times set in....so persevere......and GOOD LUCK!!
Bill

 

like cmoritz said, TAKE NOTES, you may think, 'oh i'll remember where that bolt goes' but two years down the road, you'll be lucky if you know where the bolt even is. bag up every thing small in ziploc bags and mark with a sharpy what they go to.

changing the front end really depends on how you want to build the truck, others will have their opinions on this, but i say change the front to IFS. but it depends on how "stock" you want to stay.
how low do you want your truck to sit?
do you still have the flathead?
have you thought about getting a donor car for parts? (drive train, IFS, steering colomn, etc...)

 

Ah ha! Here is the first and biggest issue...where do you want to be when you're done? Is it a 100 point concours restoration or is it a "rat rod"? Is it a show "trailer queen" or is it a daily driver? Do you want a truck that has the power and handling needed for today's highways or is a stock chassis good enough?
It has been my experience that most truck owners want a modern drivetrain and chassis, a truck that will handle today's road condiitions. The body/interior should remain "as Henry J built it" with the exception of some enhanced body panel fitting, better paint, and some pizzazz in the upholstery. low54 makes a good point about the "list"...when you have decided what you want the truck to look like when it's finished, make a list of what things/actions are needed to get it there. The list will change, but at least it's a roadmap of where you are going. Start with the frame making sure you weld in all the engine and suspension mounts first. Paint or powdercoat the frame and assemble the suspension and drivetrain on the chassis. Fit the cab and sheetmetal to the chassis making sure all your panels have the correct gaps. Diassemble the body/sheetmetal and paint. Reassemble and drive! Good luck....
btw - add a few months to your completion date, things never go as smoothly as they seem thay should when you are in the planning stage.

 

When I got my '55 it was a running truck. It needed bodywork and I wanted to drive it so we did the bodywork first. Then we wanted a better way to steer than the armstrong so we tried the power-assist. Could never stop the leaking so made a custom bolt-on power rack. Worked great, in town. On the highway was scary. So we went to the Camaro. It was heaven from that day forward. So I guess what I would say, is stick with the basics. Frame upward. Do it right the first time. Know where you want to end-up before you begin. It will save you lots of time and money in the long run.

Welcome to the club.

bc

 

Great concept on ( #1 = keep notes on every thing you do, and having a plan of attack before you start ) but with me, If I would have torn mine down to the frame, it probubly would still be, ( down to the frame )
I went with a different plan of attack, #1= drive train and all safety items (make a driver to keep me interested) #2= take the frame from my parts rig
and build it while I'm still driveing my truck,( power rac, disk brakes, 9", ect.)
when I'm done w/ the frame, then I'll do the floors and move the body, bed and engine over to my finished frame. That way I'm not getting tied up w/ the "0" budget thing and standard hold ups that happens,I'm still motivated and still injoying driving the old truck,
Now my parts rig is a roller w/ the right engine and tranny mounts and I can start on project #2 and didn't have 2.5 years of not injoying the ride and wondering if and when I ever will. But then again, nobody has ever said that I was normal. lol. what ever way you do it, injoy it.
RICH......

 

Not only take notes and make a complete list but also pictures, alot of pictures before you tear it down, while you work on her and the finished area/ parts that are done.

John

 

When I bought the truck it already had a 302 in it. The previous owner had put it in, which is ok because thats what I would have put in anyway. When I took the truck apart I labeled all the bolts and everything else and put them in baggies. Hopefully since its been numerous years the marker has'nt wore off. As far as the stance I want it to look good but not to low. Its going to be a daily driver so I want a good ride. I have been looking at the idea of the Gibbons if I can find a donor car near where I live. Have'nt called any junkyards to ask if they have one but i'm keeping my fingers crossed. The Gibbons seems like the best bet because the ease of installing it, the price and heard some good things about it also.

 

Im restoring a 54 and I wanted to do the Gibbons thing but could find noone who still sells the kit. I tracked down the last place that was selling them and the guy told me it was "obsolete" which I thought was very stupid of him to say since it would be an upgrade for a truck of this age. But anyway he tried to sell me an M2 kit and I declined. I just decided to keep the straight axle. I wish someone would let me drive theirs with a straight axle and help me decide. Right now I just finished my frame and am working on my cab. Having to do cab corners and rockers and floor pan right now. Good luck on getting back to work on your project truck

 

If you replace all the wear parts and the steering gearbox, remove every other spring leaf and put slider strips between the remaining ones, the straight axle will drive quite well, about 85% as well as an IFS. A no brainer IFS swap on an F1 is the Jag swap. It is practically a bolt in swap, an excellent driving and riding design and 1/2 the price of a decent aftermarket IFS. IMHO I would avoid any aftermarket unit that uses any salvage yard parts of the MII variety.
Gibbons went out of business several years ago, and the donor Chrysler parts for completing it are getting scarce should you find one of their crossmembers.