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Here's how the '49 F3 looks today. Still waiting for the bodyshop to finish the front clip, hood and bed.
I have the cab almost complete. Put the seat, glovebox, sunvisors and rear view mirror in today. Then decided to fire it up and take it up and down my dirt road. It ran pretty good - and the new front disc brakes work very nice. Both parking brakes work well. (I have one on the firewall that I linked to the Dana 60, and also one of the band & drum style on the T-98 transmission. Between those two parking brakes I think I can park it on a steep hill without worrying. I just have to remember to release both before I go anywhere.
After the dirt road trials, I got the bright idea to drive it on the public paved road. Why? Well I wanted to see how the T-98 shifted in 3rd and fourth, and to see if the speedometer is accurate. (it wasn't)
To keep from getting a real quick traffic violation, I put a spare grille onto the front via zip-ties to give the appearance of having front lights. I put two battery-operated red LED lights for a bicycle on the rear frame horns. Then I zip-tied a license plate on the front and back. The truck is legally registered and insured - just doesn't have all the lights hooked up yet.
Anyway, it was a blast to drive on the pavement...the first time since 1968 that this truck has been on the road. 50 years it has waited to roll on it's own power.
Tom
Your truck looks great! Better than right out of the showroom.
Thanks Topper! I have 3-point seatbelts, two parking brakes (as seen in the cab photo) a power brake booster with vacuum tank, front discs bigger tail lights and 12 volts for better lighting. All the safety features that the factory was just dreaming about back in 1949 for trucks. Actually I am making improvements that I wish I had done on my '51. You know, 'if you had to do it all over again, what would you change?' My goal is have as little of the changes visible from the outside.
Here is a current pic of my 48 F3 hoping to get some work done on it this winter.
Welcome to FTE! That's a nice looking truck.
I see you are from PA, there are several folk from that area. You also have a year to get the truck ready for the Central PA Mountain Truckstock.
I'll sure second Joe's encouragement to think about attending the Central PA Mountain Truckstock next September. It is going to be a "Must Attend" event. Abe will have two year's of planning invested into his gathering, and I am sure he will make everyone with a Fat Fendered Ford feel very welcome. Joe, are you thinking of coming? I hope so.
Ole80, welcome to FTE the best Ford truck Forum on the world wide web! And yes I'd like all PA, NY, NJ, MD, and Ohio FTE members to come to the Central PA Mountain Truckstock. It will be held September 19 to 22 at the Bald Eagle State Park near Howard, PA. To learn more about it search for the thread entitled "Central PA truckstock, plan now."
What part of PA are you from? And show us more pics and tell us your truck's history.
I'll sure second Joe's encouragement to think about attending the Central PA Mountain Truckstock next September. It is going to be a "Must Attend" event. Abe will have two year's of planning invested into his gathering, and I am sure he will make everyone with a Fat Fendered Ford feel very welcome. Joe, are you thinking of coming? I hope so.
Jim
I'm pondering my options. If I avoid highways it says I'm about 970 miles from there. That would be a trip for sure. I would probably take 3 days travel each way.
I looked up Tennessee Truckstock and it is 570 miles avoiding highways.
We will see what the next 6 months brings. An ideal situation would be to travel to TN then on to PA after that. Not sure my wife would appreciate me being gone for 2 weeks on a truck cruise.
09-27-2018, 09:41 AM
Actually I am making improvements that I wish I had done on my '51. You know, 'if you had to do it all over again, what would you change?' My goal is have as little of the changes visible from the outside. 
