Hello guys, new guy here, please don't flame me too hard for what I'm about to say. I've always wanted to build an early 50's F-1 street rod pickup. Well, I'm finally getting after it. This truck will be for my wife. On my family farm we have an old '48 (IIRC) Ford truck that was a manure spreader. Someone has since purchased the box (kind of a flat bed with wheels and scrolls on it), so it's a complete chassis cab, as far as I know everything is there, has an old flathead, manual trans, duals etc. I haven't looked at it in at least 10 years, so details are fuzzy. I've been doing a lot of searching here the last few days as to frame/chassis swaps. I see a lot of guys flamed for asking about it, but I don't have a good frame to start with. I have a very small budget, but a lot of tools and access to fab equipment and a knack for fabrication. We also have on the farm a running, driveable '89 F-150 4x4 long box, reg cab.

Here is the inital, on paper ideas, I know it always works out different in the real world. Retrieve the cab assembly from the farm (would the chassis and motor etc. be worth anything to generate funds for the project?) Take the '89 over to dad's shop and strip it. Get some I-beams from my favorite junk yard (and trans rear housing, hubs, etc.) to convert it to 2wd. Start fitting the cab, and look for a '79 or older short box stepside bed. I've seen one of this vintage on these trucks and it oddly matches well. I haven't seen any threads about a swap to this generation of frame in my searches, anyone know where some more info is? I do plan that the frame will need to be shortened, and possibly crossmembers narrowed, the wheel offset will be tricky, I'm thinking 99-04 Lightning wheels might be a decent fit. I will delete the front gas tank and only use the rear, as I have done on my Lightning. The donor truck has a 4.9L inline six and a 5-speed (M5od?) trans. I would keep the computer and FI, etc. I'm thinking because of the length of the I-6, the firewall will have to be sectioned or the radiator moved forward. Like I said, I'm just in the planning stages now, I'll try to get down to my Dad's next weekend and get a better look, some more info and some measurements. I don't have much money, but a lot of talent. I think this will be a really cool build, as I'll see how much I can build with junk my family has laying around, I won't use the term "Rat Rod" because of all the posers, but we'll say it's Hot-rodding in it's truest, purest form. Years down the road, the truck would be receiving a 351W based built carb'd motor, hopefully a nice tranny like a TKO.

Bonus of the donor truck for me are : modern suspension and a platform that I'm very familiar with, 8.8 rear axle, readily available lowering/braking/suspension parts. Already built to accept a windsor based engine.

Let the brainstorming start, I'm sure I'll think of more as we go. I'll try to get down there next weekend for some pictures.

I just realized we have a '88 F-150 long bed in the shop right now, I'll grab a few measurements on it if I can.

 

Welcome aboard. Sounds like a heck of a plan. remember...measure, plan,measure, plan, plan some more, measure, plan, plan, cut, fab, measure, plan, repeat as necessary..... you get the idea. It is very "doable" but requires much planning, patience, tools and fab skills.
Sounds like you have a fine start to the project......... if you have enough "junk" laying around it will be fine. As long as you do not give up.....Dare to be different

 

WELCOME to tthe site.

Most of the newer trucks have too wide of track; (see link)
anything can be done,………. but the simplest, most straightforward, effortless, uncomplicated, and easiest is modifying the original frame as required.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-f1-build.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...1&d=1271873964

 

Hi and Welcome to FTE!

There are tons of "I want to adapt put my F1 on a Volkswagen Van frame but will it work" types of threads here. Seems there's on or two a week - including now. So, I'd familiarize myself with the site by reading the "Read this first" threads on the front page then doing a little searching.

You'll probalby find lotsa ideas and considerations!

 

Thanks guys, I have done quite a bit of searching, couldn't find one thread where an '87-96 F-150 TIB chassis was used. I also notice in a lot of the chassis swap threads, no one has tried different offset wheels, the fenders could also be widened to make up for the track difference.


Thanks for the link, I'm reading that thread now!


Don't forget, I don't have a frame to start with, IMO. I want to cruise around town, not spread ***** on a cornfield. The stock frame on this chassis cab is no good to me, IMHO.

 

[QUOTE=hivoltj;8797269] I also notice in a lot of the chassis swap threads, no one has tried different offset wheels, the fenders could also be widened to make up for the track difference.
QUOTE]


Both good points...... I am a firm believer in "use what ya got".... the "stock people" here seem to frown on this... but I enjoy the challenge and adapting things.. keeps the "ole mind" sharp Besides anyone can open a catalogue and order parts..... then have an exact replica of the vehicle sitting next to them at a show.... not my cup of tea.... dare to be different

 

Here it is in all it's glory, LOL. Crappy cell phone pic from my brother. I'm hoping I can go scope it out next weekend, as well as the donor truck, and my Dad has an 8' stepside chevy box I will have a look at also. I might consider keeping it a LWB if I can get the aesthetics right. The chevy box might work all or some of it. I could find some different fenders to put on it?

It is a '48 F-6 what's different body wise versus the F-1's? Fenders?






Should I try to sell the motor and any other parts? As far as I know it is complete minus the bed.

 

Well guys and gals, she's not going to happen, went and looked at "Henry" this weekend, it's rotten to say the least. BTS (beat to ****) is putting it nicely. Apparently my brother didn't look to closely when he said not "rusty" also. Not a straight panel on the whole truck, roof caved in, rusted through which led to the floor being rusted out, rust holes in the doors, front fenders. Not much there to salvage.

However, I did go look at another "free for the hauling" '64 F-100 4x4, which was in a LOT better shape. 90% or so there except for the motor, straight, and rust-free. I'm thinking about picking it up and swapping the 300 I-6 fuel injection and OD trans into it, me and the wife are in negotiations now (truck is for her). So unless I can get my hands on something older, this is likely farewell, thanks!