Well, I pulled the trigger, I've always wanted one, in the past I've made the mistake of getting a different truck thinking it would scratch the itch..Here are a few pics of the 52 I'll be getting at the end of this week or early next week. I found it locally it was restored about 20 years ago. It's very solid although used, owner states it only has 70K on the flathead v8.

It's very dusty, It's been in his tractor bard for a few years. I wish I took some more pics of his other restored cars/trucks... unbelievable, packard, 55 t-bird,63 lincoln, hudson pickup, 3-4 1940's chevy pickups, a 48 dodge pickup, 2 mid 40's lincoln convertibles, model T and an A , 2 mustangs 66's, 67 jag, MGA, 40's harley, hawk, and more I didn;t see..

 

Nice-looking old Ford. (Course, their ALL "nice--looking old Fords, Lol)
Love that orange racing stripe...slim

 

Very nice! It even has the "Extra Cab" windshield trim! I'll keep an eye out fo rany more options, but for now that's the only one I can see! Chrome wings maybe?!?

 

It has a heater, and radio. both may need work.


My first project will be upgrading the brakes. I've had drum/drum before but from my reading these early fords are not the best factory setups. I've had mostly mid to late 60's drum-drum systems foreign and ford. It will get a dual master regardless.

I can decide what to do. I don't need a booster, but I've never driven a non boosted disc/drum vehicle. Any thoughts? I'm fairly cheap and do not do much city driving.

bob

 

If there is one thing Ford has done consistantly, is had notoriously weak brakes - even ito the early 70s. I have mine stock and they seem to work fine (on a 51) but most of the folk shere push toward front discs. I'm thinking about it.

I have a link to a front disc conversion thread but it's for "Effies."

I would love to find out some info on swapping out for discs on the stock 51/2 front axel!

 

This is the kit I was looking at. I'm just not sure if I need to with a booster if I do discs??? I had a 65 F250 drum/drum with a booster from a 72 and it worked great. I really didn't need the booster... I never installed the discs I have here...But those drums were very large and I used it as 1/2 TON not 3/4. I've never driven a non boosted disc/ drum vehicle only drum/drum...

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Deluxe...-Ton,4621.html

there seems to be some controversy on the booster systems some work with manual trans some don't?

bob

 

A proportioning valve will be needed more than a booster, IMO.

Oh, and I can't just stick to one, lol.

 

I have disk-drum with no booster on my 49. MC is under the floor. I got everything from ECI. They work great. No problems with the install. You notice the lack of power when you switch from the daily driver to the truck, but after a couple of stops you don't notice it anymore. Stops just fine. I have a residual valve in the front brake line. The master cyl. that I got from ECI has a residual valve built in for the drums. I put a proportioning valve in the rear line too. Turned it down a little. I have a 72 9" rearend and brakes on the rear.

 

thanks Don, I'm sold. what ratio rear are you using?

bob