I am about 30 miles east of Des Moines, outside of Newton. Will probably start working on redoing the seat during this cold. And trying to locate parts.

 

Re-doing the seats is a good thing to do indoors during the winter. I did mine last winter with a kit from LeBaron-Bonney. Came out nice.

This winter will be spent cleaning up and repainting lots of small sub-systems...hand brake spider, clutch and brake pedals, air cleaner, etc. One of the disadvantages of living in a northern state without extra garage space.

CarlH
1997 F150
1949 F3

 

Carl - Did you ever check with that yard operator I posted? I know you worked out the deal with DagoF2, but I might in the future want to add a couple or three to make a full set for myself. Just was wondering if you turned up any at that yard. For one of those "maybe someday" projects. Stu

 

Stu,
I spoke with Marty at the yard, but did not have time to visit the place. At first he said he probably had what I was looking for and would send someone out to check the inventory. It turned out he misunderstood what I was looking for, thought I was looking for dual wheels. When I corrected him, and supplied the Budd numbers you gave me, he said he would look some more and would contact his Budd vendor. However, he never called back and I had too many family events to attend before flying back East.
That's when DagoF2 responded and I dropped further searching. I look forward to receiving the set of wheels from him...supposed to be sometime later this week, pending weather related delays in the Midwest blizzards!

I would say without having visited the yard, it sounds like a large operation and would have a good selection of vintage wheels. I did have time to investigate a number of wrecking yards in Fontana, but none of them had anything older than 2000, and few of them had any trucks.

CarlH
1997 F150
1949 F3

 

Thanks. It's like you said on an earlier posting, western wheels will be less rust prone than our salt soaked iron around here. The two I've got are in good shape, so I'll keep my eyes open. Stu

 

Carl,
This post has been great, learning lots. LeBarron Bonney is who I was planning on ordering the upholstery from. Do you think the Calif connection would have the 19.5 in wheels, brake shoes and/or tailgate I am looking for? By the way it's 13 degrees and snowing.
sland
97 F250
49F3

 

You could give it a try. Southern California Auto and Truck Wrecking, 8229 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles. Tel. 323-587-3144. Ask for Marty.
He seemed to be very knowledgable and helpful on the phone. I did not visit the place, but if you take a look on Google Earth or Google Maps Satellite view, you will see that it is an extensive yard.

We got our snow last weekend...13 inches of new snow. Warmer here than there, however. We woke up to 18 degrees. Not conducive to working on my truck in its temporary garage!

CarlH
1997 F150
1949 F3

 

i'am also trying to restore my 51 f-3 back to origional, does anyone have a spare tire bracket it mounts on driver side just above the running board or have a good picture of what it looks like?
john

 

First of all, welcome to the group.

I think you're looking for a part that never came stock on a 48-52 pickup. It was common on the pre 48 tonners I know. A lot of owners pulled their spare from under the bed and mounted it on the side of the 48 to 52s, but don't think Ford designed it that way during the Bonus Built era. Most that you see have an indent in the fender where the prior owner either bashed it in or cut out the fender and flipped/welded in the piece upside down to yield the indent. I'm pretty sure the side mount became an option again sometime during the 53-56 era. One of the guys that know them best can jump in on that.

 

Hello Everyone,

I have been cruising around forum for months and enjoyed. Bought a 1948 Ford F3 from rural oklahoma a few months ago. I live in Norman, Oklahoma and now have rented shop space to work on old stuff. Love the truck, but have the 17" widowmaker dilemna. Already replaced master, and slave cylinders and re-asbestos shoes) i had to drive the truck, couldn't wait. Had radiator boiled and welded and she runs great until gas tank junk clogs line. I just unhook fueline from filter, blow air, hook back up to get home. Actually put f4 cylinder on the front (same master according to documentation f3/4) Stops good, but no shocks on rear so can get 'hoppy' on concrete roads, great on asphault. I would love to score the rear shock mounts that attach to leaf springs and frame. Even considering having the centers cut from widowmakers and have welded to rim. Is this a good idea? Any help appreciated.
Thanks for the forum. Seems like all project planning beginning to revolve around the wheels.

 

Nice truck, and welcome. This thread seems to be bringing guys into the group.

You mention welding your center to the rim if I'm reading you right. The could be done, but you'd play heck getting the tire past the rim lip. And if you did you'd probably wreck the bead. You could go to a custom wheel shop to have your centers remounted in tubeless rims. Expensive, but doable. Stu

 

Wish I had taken pictures of spare tire mount that was on the F-2 box that I sold a while back, It didn't look out of place and the fender wasn't indented.


Thats a really straight, clean looking 48 f-3 Welcome to the FTE too!

 

I want to re-paint the grille area on my F3. The books say the correct color is "Argent". Any sources for the correct color? Even a rattle-can paint would work for me.

CarlH
1997 F150
1949 F3

 

Ron from Norman,
Great looking pickup! If you get a chance, could you send out a photo of the tailgate area? My F3 came without a tailgate and I would like to see how the hinges and chains work. I assume it is the same as the F1, but just like to see another F3 with the wider tailgate.

CarlH
1997 F150
1949 F3

 

Ok tailgate pic. Has anybody done or know anyone that took their 8 lug centers and welded to new steel rims to mount tubeless radial tire on there ole 1948 f3. (that way can keep cool stainless ford mooncaps) Was it a success? i see these car shows on tv that people have custom rims cnc cut, any such company for steel rims or just for aluminum blanks?