I have a 49 f-3 that i want to put on a 52 f-1 frame. The question i have is how many years is the frame the same on the f-1's? the 52 f-1 frame is available so i just wanted to make sure the 49 cab/ front sheetmetal would bolt up. i am looking pretty much for a direct match so if the 51 and up trucks are on a different chassis i will just hold off and find the 48-50 frame i need. thanks!

 

The '49 sheet metal should bolt on without a problem. There were very few differences in the frames until '52 when Ford came out with the OHV V8 then they changed the front motor frame mounts. I really can't think of any but I'm sure there might have be a few minor differences.

I installed the sheet metal from a '48 F-4 onto a '51 F-4 without a problem.

 

The motor mount problem that Bob mentioned above is not really a problem - you may need to remove two brackets.

 

cool, i was hoping it would work! i can get a good deal on this 52 f1 frame from a local yard. for some reason this junkyard owner wants the original rear out of my f3 for an old dirt track car?? am i missing something, i thought these rears werent worth much? I also have 1 more question if you dont mind, i can get the 52 short box on this deal also. will i be able to make this look right behind my 49 cab? i was hoping i could use the 49 rears that i will be getting to bolt up on this, but it does have pretty good rears on it already( just thought it would look funny being the different style).

 

sorry, when i said rears i meant fenders, im not so worried about the engine mount issue, i may install a newer v8 anyway.

 

Ford change box styles, along with using the column shifter, in the mid '50 model year. The '51 box won't look right behind the '49 cab. The only thing is you won't be able to bolt the '49 fenders to the '51 box. The pre mid '50 box has raised panels which means the fenders have a notch to follow the body line of the box. The later post mid '50 boxes have flat sides and their fenders don't have the notch.

Another thing, are the '49 fender for the F-3? If they are they won't work on your F-1 box no matter the year. F-2 and F-3 have their own rear fenders. Because the bigger trucks boxes are wider, and longer, and go further out over the rear wheels the fender are narrower. They also have larger wheel openings, like the F-2 and up front fenders, than the F-1. F-1s have their own front and rear fenders with smaller wheel openings.

The old time race car drivers use the one side of the F-2/F-3 axles, the used two of the same side, to make quick change rear ends for their race cars. They also like the larger brakes of the bigger truck axles. Do a search, there was just a lengthy discussion of this on the board.

 

yeah, the box on the 52 is flat side, i was just thinking i could bolt the 49 fenders on it and rework the metal a little with pieces of the scrap ones i got to get rid of the notch (i wouldnt be using the f3 ones) i just got a set of f1 fronts rears and boards for this project.