I orginally put this on the Classic Trucks Forum - then I found this Forum (not to diss the CTF, just more activity here). I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time here in the next few years...

I have a 1948 Ford F-6 that I need to dismantle. I bought a F-1 frame that I will be putting the engine and body (sans fenders) of the F-6 on. I plan to move the F-6 in my garage this week and start tearing it apart. Most things done in my garage are woodworking so my metal tools are limited – I have wrenches and sockets, compressor etc. My question is: what tools do I need to dismantle this rusty old truck, also any strategies to undertake this project would also be appreciated.

Bob

 

hello Bob,

first... welcome to FTE.. you are now in the Mecca of old ford trucks...

afa tools the normal collection of hand tools will serve you well... I would also consider some air tools.... an impact wrench and sockets, an air chisel with associated bits. lots of the bolts/nuts will be rusted badly... it's sometimes easier to just tighten them till they snap off instead of trying to back them off... saves time, penetrating oil and knuckle skin. You probably won't want to use the old hardware anyway. A couple of vice grip clamps are nice for holding things as you remove hardware... fenders, hoods and such... I usually get to work alone so I need a third hand always.

I'd also suggest a digital camera... take lots of pictures of things BEFORE you disassembly them... it will help 5 years from now when you're trying to remember what a part is and where the heck it goes on the truck.

Plastic zip lock bags and a heavy duty PERMANENT marker... as you take assemblies apart, put all the pieces in the bag and label it to what it is. Be specific. Don't just label it 'front end bolts' when it could be or sheet metal, front air deflector, grill,suspension, whatever... remember the 5 year rule above.


3-ring binder... take notes on disasembly and obvious things that need to be repaired... tape your printed pictures to the page(s) to show what the words mean... as you disassemble and reassemble... keep your notebook up todate... if the cost is something you want to track... post the cost or tape the receipts to the book pages... although this can come back to bite you in the butt since it is incriminating evidence. If that might be a problem, consider a paper shredder ...

I sure someone else will be along with more info for you... you might want to read the sticky above about help for newbies and here's another for some other points to consider

Trials Of A First Time Builder .: Articles

have fun Bob...

john

 

Welcome to the forum, Bob! (Man, we sure do have a lot of Bob's around here. lol) These trucks are fairly simple, so if you have a full compliment of wrenches and sockets, access to compressed air and impact equipment, etc., you shouldn't have too much trouble. Get a good penetrating lube and juice up all your fasteners ahead of time. An oxy/acetylene torch might be a good investment for heating up really stubborn bolts and things. Just remember to sweep up your wood shavings good before using it. ;-)
Other than that, help from a lot of buddies or an overhead hoist to lift the cab off the frame might be handy, too.

 

In addition to the other responses, I'll add that you ought to make sure that you have a good set of 6-point sockets. You'll find that 12-point sockets will often just round the corners off of the hex on crusty, old fasteners. That just makes your job even tougher and increases your opportunities for busted knuckles. A good, heavy duty set of jack stands and a heavy 3 ton floor jack are must haves for working on a big truck, too. And I second the motion to invest in an oxy-acetylene torch. I remember disassembling my first truck without one. It was time consuming, painful, and not much fun. A smoke wrench will save you untold amounts of time, blood, and grief.

 

………………………And I third it………..plus a small metal drill press.

 

I dismantled my truck with my favorite tool. My trusty Dewalt angle grinder with lots of cut off wheels. I got tired of messing around and busting my knukles fooling with rusty hardware just cut all the heads off and save time.