1948 F4

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 2, 2009 | 09:55 PM

bg2

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

1948 F4

Hello-
New here-I came across a 1948 F4 advertised as a 100 HP flathead V8 with a four speed with a granny low.

Not sure what its condition is yet-I am interested in it to use to haul a small antique dozer weighing about 7.5 tons. I am looking for the smallest trailer I can put it on.

Any thoughts or experience on this would be helpful. Too small? My idea is to use it and do restoration a little at a time while using it.

Thanks-Good comments on this board.

Dec 2, 2009 | 11:38 PM

bobj49f2

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 16,876

Likes: 3,122

From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

First, welcome to the board.

7½ tons is a little too much in my opinion to ask a truck like this to haul. I occasionally haul my '49 8N tractor behind my 3/4 F-2 for a short distances to local shows and it barely handles it. I don't know how these old trucks did in the '40 traffic but in today's traffic they are too slow some times empty. You also have to consider the braking on these old trucks. They're adequate for the truck and a fair load but hitch 7½ tons behind it, and if you can reach a decent speed, you'll have a heck of time stopping that rig.

Dec 3, 2009 | 12:21 AM

truckdog62563

Marmon-Herrington Man

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,984

Likes: 444

From: Central Illinois

Seems to me that you're asking a lot of that little truck. The GVWR of an F-4 is 10,000 lbs. of which about 5000 is the curb weight of the truck. I looked through my references but don't find whether the remaining 5000 lb. carrying payload would be the same amount that it could be expected to pull. A comparable modern truck could pull more than that, but maybe not the old one since it started life with only 100 h.p. and 180 lb.ft. of torque. A tired clutch and drive train might not even budge your 15,000 lb. dozer and trailer, much less allow it to be pulled at near highway speeds.

That then leads to discussion of "restoration a little at a time". Something you'd have to address as a first priority is its wheels. Just about every F-4/5/6 of the era came equipped with wheels that are today termed "widow makers". They are unserviceable and can be killers because the wheel halves can separate violently without warning. I'll include below links to old threads about them that have pictures to help you know whether they are what's on the truck. Stu

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...dowmakers.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...8-f-135-a.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...xperience.html

Dec 3, 2009 | 05:45 AM

bg2

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

Thanks for the confirmation-I figured as much. I have seen pics from the day showing similar size trucks pulling dozers just a bit smaller. I thought maybe there were different tow packages set for the F4.

Appreciate the help-

Dec 3, 2009 | 10:00 AM

Julies Cool F1

Post Fiend

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,641

Likes: 21

From: Poway, Ca.

I'm late (a usual) but Welcome to FTE!

Dec 3, 2009 | 10:28 AM

truckdog62563

Marmon-Herrington Man

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,984

Likes: 444

From: Central Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by bg2

There were two options that would impact the F-4's towing/pulling ability. One was a choice of either a 5.14 or 5.83 rear axle ratio, the other a choice of dually or single rear wheel set up. The dually configuration had six 18" wheels that gave the 10,000 lb. GVWR. The other option was four 20" wheels that yielded a GVWR of 7,500 lbs. It was, however, common practice for F-4 owners to add the two extra 20" wheels on the rear to increase load capacity. But this wasn't a factory option, and like Bob said, the brakes and other suspension components weren't designed for it. Stu

Dec 3, 2009 | 11:27 AM

bobj49f2

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 16,876

Likes: 3,122

From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bg2

You might have seen trucks that were a F-7 or F-8, those were the big boys of the day. Today they would be considered on part with maybe a F-600 series truck. F-5 and F-6 models were the same size physically as the F-4 but have beefier frame, double walled compared to the single wall of the F-4. The larger trucks also came with 2 speed rear axles as an option. F-4s were kind of like the Edsels of Ford trucks, kind of in the middle of two niches, they were too big for a small business to make economical deliveries and too small to do continuous heavy hauling. F-4 production numbers were the lowest of all models.

The reason I have a F-4 is because I wanted a dual wheeled truck but didn't want the added weight of the heavier frame and the rust problems that come with the double walled construction. You'd be hard pressed to find a F-5 of F-6 without major rust busting between the layers. I'll be able to drive my F-4, if I ever get it done, a little cheaper because of the light weight. I mainly bought it because I like the look of the bigger truck and to make medium deliveries for my business.