So what are the chances of finding a resolution to needing a bed for our 49 ford f-3 express box, and I would rather turn this f-3 into an f-1.
Are there used front f-1 straight axles out there and how crazy is the ball park price of an f-1 1/2 ton suspension. I would think I could get something more modern for the rear end. I have a nice set of WELD Draglites (Chevy 5 lug bolt pattern) they are and extra set of wheels for my '87 Buick Grand National. I love these wheels!
But what are my chances here for parts? I know it is a vague question but its a start!
Back to the bed thing, I am perfectly okay with using a bed that is close to being correct. I would like the correct bed but not neccesary. Any ideas? the biggest restriction will be money for awhile, but I gotta know my options...

 

So you're turning an F-3 into an F-1 correct?

If that's the case finding a short bed shouldn't be too hard, express boxes are pretty rare. I'm not sure if the the F1 boxes are being remade, the 53+ are.

A lot of people use these old beds for trailers, I've come across quite a few vintage truck beds in this town, but only one F1 bed thus far. Might post a want ad on craigslist, I find you find a lot more when you tell people you're looking rather than just wait for someone to post it.

Good looking truck ^_^

 

There are numerous vendors selling boxes for F-1s. Northern Classic, www.nothernclassictrucks.com, sells both the earlier boxes with the raised sides for the '48 to early '50 and the later box with the flat sides for the later '50 to 52. There's a couple of vendors on eBay that sell boxes too. I think most sell the flat sided boxes. No one reproduces steel fenders for either box, you'll have to find either used ones or buy fiberglass, which are sold by many different vendors.

The front axles and spindles, and I think, springs, are the same on F-1 through F-3. Backing plates, drums and brake hardware is different so all you have to do is install a F-1 disc brake conversion kit. The rear axle you want to swap in a rear axle from a pre-'73 F-100 then you'll have the same bolt pattern as the front along with better highway speeds.

You could leave it a F-2 and mount this original flatbed:

Old Original 1930s-50s Ford Truck Rack Body, Complete : eBay Motors (item 190387778374 end time Apr-16-10 08:55:03 PDT)

 

um where you at cost to much to ship a bed

 

Sorry I got showing on the right side now.
Pekin,IL
A few years ago I spent 5 months working in Muscatine. Worked behind an Environmental
Drill rig. punchin hole in the ground around old gas stations the in town! Its not that far away for the right reasons and I can borrow a car trailer. I have my own 5 x 8 utility trailer but not sure if that would work.

 

Hey Bob, did you look a the pics in his album? It already appears to be a flatbed already! But I can't tell if it's original or not, I'm not that up on the key features of the flatbed. Maybe you could take a look.

Hey Jeff, does the back metal rail on the flatbed have a "Ford" scripted emblem forged on it?

 

I have an F-2 F-3 8' bed/box with fenders its in fair shape that I will be selling, I also spotted an 8' express box trailer near me that I have tryed to buy but the owners want to let it sit for another decade or two??

Josh

 

No Ford markings on the bed anywhere that I have seen. I looks to me like it was a manufactured bed like from a factory, looks too professional for the average joe to build at home. It has oak flooring and and the tail panel is smooth on the outside but underneath on the inside of the tailpanel it is steel diamond plate. all steel edges look to be die cut. I may have to deal with using it. for now but eventually it will probably become a trailer because its a well built box. also the sides of the box are plywood.

 

jmadsen tell me what kinda money you would want for that box and I looked up the distance between you and I....1340 miles! man thats alot of airspace between us!
I would be interested in a picture or two if possible. No hurry though..

 

pekin huh . just up the road !!!!!!!!! i'll be up that way next week to meet sundown and purchase some parts ..................... there was a bone yard over across from the farmington race track guy's and if he hasnt crushed it all he had a slew of old stuff including a 54 f350 wrecker i was gonna buy the bed { for $100 } for my 49 f-4 afore i sold her and george put her to work on the farm again .... i believe the name was callear's . be woth a trip and see if he does and whats still there . chriminy he had several box trucks full of hubcaps i was diggin' through like a kid in a candy store , and many old trucks laying around . at one time i posted some pics of some of it , but lost 'em . i sold a dain near perfect { ask stu about it } 1/2 ton short box turned into a trailer WAYYYY CHEAP last year for a bonus built ...........

 

I can offer the F-1 straight axel to the project . It is straight with the spindles attached .

 

If his axle and spindles are OK he can still use them, they're the same for F-1 to F-3, just the brake parts are different. If he uses a disc brake conversion kit he shouldn't need any of the original brake parts.

 

I went with the 50-52 box from ProsPick but the same box from Northern Classic Trucks is probably less money. If you go with a 50-52 box, you need 51-52 rear fenders because of the flat sides. If you find an original 48-50 box then you need the 48-50 rear fenders. Check with Bebops on the glass fenders. They make a quality product.

If you change the front suspension to something more modern think about matching the bolt pattern on the rear. Instead of the Ford 9 inch you might want to look at an 8.8 Explorer rear which would have the 5x4.5 bolt pattern. If you want to use the Chevy wheels you could use a Chevy 10 or 12 bolt rear end and a Mustang II up front with the Chevy pattern (5x4.75) rotors. I'm running a Chevy 10 bolt in my 49 F-1 out of a 75 Malibu and it fits well widthwise. .

 

Jeff - You've had me confused whether your plan has been to cut the frame and do the truck fully as a half ton, or keep the stock 122" wheel base, find an Express bed, and just swap in lighter duty axles. If the plan is the latter, I've got a couple extra Express beds with fenders if you want to look at them. One is straight but rusty, the other rust free but the fenders will take serious work. One has a tailgate. I've not been eager to part with them, but I am close. Also, I've got a '57-60 half ton front axle out in the barn. Not sure if the steering hook up is the same, but that might help too.

Also, there's a complete '51 F-3 with Express bed near here that Kevin put me on to. It's a real P.O.S. but it's complete. I left the guy my phone number if he wanted to talk about it, but I've not gotten a call. You might want to try and see if you have better luck with the guy. Stu

 

Hi
Yeah Stu I didn't know think there would be any chance of finding an express box and if I did, would I be able to afford it. I also didn't know that the F-1 thru F-3 axle is the same except for the brake hardware so the disc brake conversion sounds like a good way to go for me and I would like to see your express beds, that would probably be the easiest way to go. I do like the looks of the shorter beds, but right now I am just trying to learn what I can do and what I can get, best bang for the buck kinda thing. So yeah I apologize for the confusion, I already have learned alot in just the few days that I have been a member here! This is an incredible learning tool.
Also a rear axle from an explorer? now that ought to be easy to find!

Uh yeah Callear auto parts...I use to go there alot! I can't ever get them to deal with me. They seem to think everything they got is worth a crap ton of cash! Some things are and somethings are not, but I will definitely get over there. And I am the same way " Kid in the candy store" I love to dig through that place! You folks have been eye opening thats for sure!
I also wanted to say that I do all my own work except for machine shop stuff, even paint and bodywork. I have even rebuilt a couple automatic transmissions. I am not scared to do anything mechanical ! Didn't want anyone to think that I might be inable to do this. I have always tried to do my own stuff. I don't like paying the prices that others want to do things.
Sincerely tickled sh**less!
Jeff