I have met some real self-proclaimed experts in my travels on the subject of ole ford trucks and usually these guys are full of themselves.
In my recent travels....I met a guy that I had to write about.
He is a master-mechanic and body-man, and can do it all.
I wish I had his talents and as it is,do the best I can. My friend is building a big block chevy in a 56 and has the ability to pull this off in a few weeks.
I tried to persuade him to use the 351 he also had ...but it was junk and had some cracks etc.
I bought a bunch of parts from him and he loaded me up with all the parts he had and wasn't going to use.
I struck gold. I even offered more money...and he said no...he was glad I was going to use the parts.
His son and his helper asked me....this question-----------WHY WOULD I WANT TO HAVE AN OLD TRUCK THAT RUNS AND STEERS AND DRIVES LIKE AN OLD TRUCK?........What can I say to him?

I am a stock guy. Not a purist,but stock. I tried to explain to him that I wasn't going to race my truck or show my trucks for attention...but drive it and get the feeling I had when I was 17,and use my trucksfor fun!
He said...Dad tore this truck apart looking for a problem and there was none......it must be the way these trucks steer......all I could do but laugh!!
They did not have another stock ole truck to compare the drivability of them,and so they were comparing the handling and steering to a new truck.........they are smart guys and a real good guys I now call my friends.
I also gave him some parts he needed....and we all had lunch.
NICE to meet some good kind men of integrity.....Bill

 

Always good to meet new people. You always have the opportunity to learn new things.

 

Thanks for sharing Bill, always nice to hear of a positive encounter.

 

And another one of the great ford truck guys .......kevin Smith. A true good guy!!

 

Its nice having met local guys on here, going over and giving them a hand. I'd do anything for mr4speedford and my new friend truckrod, both are local to me.

 

Bill, your post highlights well that even though people get involved with old trucks for different reasons, we can always find common ground.

I'm like you and enjoy stock trucks for the "time machine" aspect of them. Even though I get riled when guys tear apart good original trucks to make hot rods, I'd much rather have a cold one with one of those guys than with some career-driven dude with no hobbies other than making money.

 

Nothing like talking over old times and our vehicles. I have about 6-7 buddies from my old-days of raisin' hell and we get together alot and talk of the racing and women chasin' and fighting we did in days of old....Bill

 

Bill, thanks for sharing your story. I spent 1,2&3rd of Jan. with Don Chandler (donc1) and his lovely wife Shirleen at a local Annual Car Show. I don't know when I have enjoyed a weekend more. Don has a wealth of knowledge and he and Shirleen are pleasure to visit with. Don's truck won 2nd place in his class. The 1st. class winner was a Studebaker pickup that had at least $150,000 invested in it. Great looking truck but way out of my league. I too like my truck close to stock and am building my '50 with the orig. 6 cyl. engine. Will make a few upgrades such as converting to 12V and possibly a higher speed rearend for driveability. There are quite a few old truck owners here in the San Antonio area. Many of them meet every Friday night at a local hamburger joint just a couple of blocks from my home. It is sort of like a step back in time as we all just sit around our trucks and talk old vehicles. There are all makes of trucks and from stock to modifed but all are good as the owners are a special breed of people. Wish more FTE members lived closer so we could all meet and swap stories.

Gil

 

Nice story Gil.
I have a spot at Mary's Diner....a 50s style hot-rod hangout in Ohio about 2 miles down the road. Lot's of old cars and locals that love their vehicles.
In Florida...I like to hang-out in the nearby town and on Friday nights.....it jamms!!
Met Frank Cowan there and we had alot to talk about. He is a FTE r and drove quite a way just to visit.
Not a lot of guys will drive across the state to help a guy out. Gas is expensive,but help is worth it's weight in gold. LOL

 

Bill, I like your thoughts on 'stock'. That is my plan for the F5, I will most likely convert it to 12V, and I wish I could get a higher rear end (but I don't think I will be able to). The truck has a later model, oversized bed on it and I want ot change that, so for now, I will keep looking for one to fit, but if I don't, I have the ability to build one. Of course it will be nearly all wood.
Joe

 

Joe....I am re-installing my 14' flatbed on my 57 soon.

Some guys will only help out a buddy they know . I t is so nice and refreshing to be able to go look at some parts or a whole truck and say hey....have you ever been on the computer and on FTE? The response if theyhave is awesome. They always say that they have gotten advice or help with their trucks and no bickering or badgering....and even though I tried to influence this guy to install a ford into a ford....he was rethinking his actions and would have listened to me,if the 351 would have been a good block.
THAT 454 WILL REALLY SMOKE THE TIRES....HOPE THAT OLE 56 GET'S SOME VIAGRA....UP AUP AND AWAY.......LOL

 

well i had never driven one of these trucks. when i got my parts truck home a few weeks ago i pushed it in the garage pulled the hood off and started to wonder if the old flat 6 still ran. so i put a voltadrop in the coil filled the float bowl with fuel and wow it runs.
so i cleaned out the tank runs great no brakes. put a kit in mc nothing riped out the wheel cyds honed back together. blew out the lines and they kinda work so living in the boonies i toke off down the road. wow is this old rust bucket a blast to drive i walked in the house there's a mirror right when you walk in and i had the dumbest smile on my face I'm so motivated to get mine done now i cant wait to wake up on sat mornings.

 

Yes...if you don't drive a stock truck...you are in for a treat.
I have a local kid that I met by driving around looking for trucks,etc.
I saw a 56 cab on a roller in a driveway......so I stopped.
No-one home.....so I left a message for him to call me and he actually joined fte. Well after having twins and alot of long work weeks....he still has not gotten far......so last winter I told him......come over and see my trucks, and he did.
He has been studying all about the 56 ford trucks....but have all kinds of hot rod plans.
WELL.....after a ride in the winter with 4'' of snow on the roads....we took my stock 53 out for a cruise and he was flabergasted.....LOL
Here ,he had never even rode in one of these classics. I have not heard from him since.......LOL.....LOL

 

Bill,


I have been asked that question in so many words too!


All I can say is, Mine didn't steer or drive "like an old truck" after I had the king pins and bushings replaced and honed by a front end shop. With everything new and "tightened" it drove and steered like any other truck!!

And when I get the power (assist) steering installed it'll be even better!!


Cheers,


Rick

 

Rick...my 53 drives as good as any original truck could....and after sitting for 15 yrs to boot. I have driven it all yr till November and it's steering is great.
I would not compare it to my new van...but my big 56 steers great also.
Just cannot compare them to a solstice or corvette or viper.....LOL