Opinions wanted
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Cherryville, NC
Opinions wanted
Hi, Im still kinda new to this forum, spent more time in the 67-72 forum but have recently purchased a new project and wanted some advice. I now have a 49 f3, pretty decent shape with a 226 and a 4 speed. It is all original and seems to run ok (not roadworthy though). I am kind of on the fence with this one, i guess my question is, would you leave this truck alone, put it back together stock or change the drivetrain? I have it all torn apart right now and can pretty much obtain a mid 90's truck drivetrain for next to nothing. I always liked more of a streetrod sound/style but will definately leave the look of this truck stock. just seems a little embarrassing when im talking about it and have to say it has a 6cyl. thanks for the help!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 3
well personally im always one to say that if its all their and origanal leave it alone but its your truck do what you want but hey there aint anything wrong with driving a six cylinder at the very least it would be something different. that and it would sound neater than something new.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 3
From: Sandy Run SC
I made my F3 into an F1 because i did not like the long trucks. I also put all new drive train so I could drive it somewhere faster than 48 MPH. I wanted one I could drive instead of hauling it to a car show. Lot of work but well worth it in my opinion.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Cherryville, NC
Yeah, I been thinking kind of the same thing. I like the f1 a little better but got a steal on this f3. Debated converting to f1 but the bed cost seemed a little high and the body on mine is "decent". I would like to ditch the 3/4 susp. in favor of better wheel options The 302 option seems to be a simple upgrade with an automatic trans but i kinda would like to keep the manual. Dunno, theres a million options when you have a new project..
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Cherryville, NC
thinking i would drive it occasionally on the weekends and to local car shows and. events, i dont want to build something that is so nice that i have to be paranoid all the time about it but i still want a nice truck that will turn heads.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 3
From: Sandy Run SC
The seats are from the T-bird and I made the console. Used the shifter from the bird because I used the transmission also. The brake pedal, master cylinder, emergency brake assy and gas pedal are from bird also.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Well Ithink those decisions are up to you. It all depends on what you want the truck for - a daily driver, freeway speeds, towing, OR taking out for the sunday drive, taking it to shows etc. If you want freeway speeds - like Old mentioned you will have to change your rear end gearing. Otherwise about 50 is all you are going to get.
On my truck, I tried to do the best of BOTH worlds - I left anything visible stock, but the drivetrain is all new, built to drive daily at freeway speeds (when I'm behaving more if not) and strengthened in a few spots for reliability.
I'd look at what folks have done to their trucks, borrow th eideas yo like and put it back together incorporating all the stuff YOU like.
On my truck, I tried to do the best of BOTH worlds - I left anything visible stock, but the drivetrain is all new, built to drive daily at freeway speeds (when I'm behaving more if not) and strengthened in a few spots for reliability.
I'd look at what folks have done to their trucks, borrow th eideas yo like and put it back together incorporating all the stuff YOU like.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 6
From: Moore (or less), OK.
IMHO, if you don't plan to take it on the highway and don't mind driving slower speeds, just make it roadworthy. If the truck is original, you might have more fun with it being unique in that respect.
Drive it that way until you decide to go to the darkside. Patina is hard to come by and if you leave the finish that way it is now, you won't have to worry about parking lot dings.
They'll be afraid to hit your door 'cuz it might damage theirs!!
You did ask for opinions and we sure have plenty of those around here!!
Drive it that way until you decide to go to the darkside. Patina is hard to come by and if you leave the finish that way it is now, you won't have to worry about parking lot dings.
They'll be afraid to hit your door 'cuz it might damage theirs!!
You did ask for opinions and we sure have plenty of those around here!!
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
Two issues that you'll face with a 49 F-3. First, it has 14" rear drums, and second, it came with 17" widow maker rims that were needed to clear those drums. You'll absolutely need to get rid of the 17s. Dangerous as heck, and reputable tire shops won't touch them. We've had mixed reports of whether newer style 8 lug x 16" rims will fit over the rear drums. Some have found 16s to fit, others haven't. This is why most guys swap out the whole rear end for a 67 - 72 F-250/350 Dana 60 if keeping 8 lugs is your plan. If not, a Ford 9" from a half ton of the same years is an answer. If you are intent on keeping the stock rear end, you could swap out the brakes for the F-2 style that were 12", or swap in a whole rear from a late 51 or 52 F-2/F-3 since in those trucks the factory standardized on 12" rear drums. Stu
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 789
Likes: 2
From: MI..."near" Dearborn...
Howdy Tex...
OK...that was bad...
....you got any pic's of that fine-49???
How long you had this project???
Just figure out how far you want to cruize in this one...
...and THEN...how fast you want it to get you there...
...and you'll be ALL set...
Seriously tho...a Ford-in-a-Ford would be a great idea...
Just depends on time & budget...
-
....you got any pic's of that fine-49???How long you had this project???
Just figure out how far you want to cruize in this one...
...and THEN...how fast you want it to get you there...
...and you'll be ALL set...
Seriously tho...a Ford-in-a-Ford would be a great idea...
Just depends on time & budget...
-
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Cherryville, NC
i pretty much have an engine from a 95 f150 i was thinking of putting in. thought it would be cool to have a totally original looking 49 with a fuel injected 5.0 "hidden" under the hood (beefed up a bit of course). dont really care for the 3/4 ton hardware so i will probably ditch it too in favor of more options (5 lug wheels and discs). would love to keep it manual trans but it looks to be so much simpler to go auto. just wanna cruise this truck around and look/sound cool doing it. the v8 debate for me doesnt seem to be too hard of a decision, i guess in the back of my mind thats what i was gonna do anyway.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Cherryville, NC
got this project about 2 months ago, already got it completely dissasembled down to the frame(in like 2days) and am getting ready to decide where to go with the suspension. it doesnt have those 17in rims, got 16's on it so someone has already changed that.
i probably will eventually end up on the dark side, not totally but i will teeter on the edge. I would never put anything but a ford drivetrain in a ford truck seems like a sin to me, but hey i also respect all hot rods and the craftmanship that goes into them, to each his own.
i probably will eventually end up on the dark side, not totally but i will teeter on the edge. I would never put anything but a ford drivetrain in a ford truck seems like a sin to me, but hey i also respect all hot rods and the craftmanship that goes into them, to each his own.