Converting an F2 to an F1?
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New User
Joined: Jul 2013
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Converting an F2 to an F1?
So the bed on my F2 is junk...and finding new bed parts is next to impossible. I'm wondering would it look funky if I took the F2 frame and cut it down to make a short bed and use an F1 short bed?
Alternately, could I use side panels from an F100 or F250 53-56 Ford longbed?
Is there anything else I could do to make this work, short of selling the truck and buying an F1 of course.
Alternately, could I use side panels from an F100 or F250 53-56 Ford longbed?
Is there anything else I could do to make this work, short of selling the truck and buying an F1 of course.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 53
From: Sterling CO
are you planning on changing out the front fenders too?
f1 are small
f2-f5 are medium
f6 I can't remember but I think are same as f2-f5
f7-f8 are mondo big
There are a few pix out there of trucks cobbed together from mismatch donors, some look ok, some look fugly (that there is an opinion though)...
I can concur that in all the junkyard crawls I did I found F2-F5 cabs and fenders, but only 1 or 2 beds (from a 51+).
What year are you looking for too - bed changes happened midyear 49, 51, etc...
Where are you located - helps us assist you in finding local yards, trucks for sale, etc.
f1 are small
f2-f5 are medium
f6 I can't remember but I think are same as f2-f5
f7-f8 are mondo big
There are a few pix out there of trucks cobbed together from mismatch donors, some look ok, some look fugly (that there is an opinion though)...
I can concur that in all the junkyard crawls I did I found F2-F5 cabs and fenders, but only 1 or 2 beds (from a 51+).
What year are you looking for too - bed changes happened midyear 49, 51, etc...
Where are you located - helps us assist you in finding local yards, trucks for sale, etc.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 53
From: Sterling CO
Someone else can confirm this for later years, but I believe (and am sure for 48-52 at least) that the cabs and hoods are the same for all models F1-F8, so yes you can use the cab, hood, block, etc.
Frames aren't just longer, the F1 has a small trans crossmember and single thickness, F2 gets the "big hoop" crossmember, different master cylinder mounting, thicker wall, etc.
And ultimately what do you want, do you want the smaller truck when it is all done (best advice for that is, be patient and trade vehicles rather than hack up 2 trucks depriving the world what might have been a salvageable unit).
Not trying to discourage you from pursuing what you have, heck you could start work on putting it back together as a pure F2 to put you in a better trade position.
Frames aren't just longer, the F1 has a small trans crossmember and single thickness, F2 gets the "big hoop" crossmember, different master cylinder mounting, thicker wall, etc.
And ultimately what do you want, do you want the smaller truck when it is all done (best advice for that is, be patient and trade vehicles rather than hack up 2 trucks depriving the world what might have been a salvageable unit).
Not trying to discourage you from pursuing what you have, heck you could start work on putting it back together as a pure F2 to put you in a better trade position.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 948
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From: Central Oregon
Anything can be done with enough time, patience, and money. If your fenders are anywhere near salvageable, you could go to a sheetmetal shop and have them cut and bend some new bed sides. You can buy the stake pockets and upper supports and have your own remade bed to your specs.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
I converted my 52 F2 to an F1. Before I cut the frame, one of the members here sold me an F1 frame, so my project moved along a little faster.
Like yours, my bed was not good enough to fix. I bought a new bed from Northern Classics. At that point I didn't have a decent set of fenders, so I went with fiberglass F1 fenders front and back.
The frame that I bought had the start of a Mustang II IFS, so I finished that out and used the stock F1 bolt pattern wheels (5 on 5.5) instead of the 8 lug F2 setup. That being the case, I bought a wrecking yard Ford 9 inch rear end from a 65 F100 so that I'd have the same 5 lug bolt pattern all the way around.
Other than those minor issues, the cab, doors, hood, grille, valance, hood latch nose piece, headlight and headlight doors, windows, steering box etc. are identical between the F2 and the F1.
If you'd rather keep your frame, there are some threads on this site with dimensions for the cuts. You have to take some of the frame out behind the cab, and some off the back so that the bed mounts line up correctly.
Before:
After:
Like yours, my bed was not good enough to fix. I bought a new bed from Northern Classics. At that point I didn't have a decent set of fenders, so I went with fiberglass F1 fenders front and back.
The frame that I bought had the start of a Mustang II IFS, so I finished that out and used the stock F1 bolt pattern wheels (5 on 5.5) instead of the 8 lug F2 setup. That being the case, I bought a wrecking yard Ford 9 inch rear end from a 65 F100 so that I'd have the same 5 lug bolt pattern all the way around.
Other than those minor issues, the cab, doors, hood, grille, valance, hood latch nose piece, headlight and headlight doors, windows, steering box etc. are identical between the F2 and the F1.
If you'd rather keep your frame, there are some threads on this site with dimensions for the cuts. You have to take some of the frame out behind the cab, and some off the back so that the bed mounts line up correctly.
Before:
After:
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: Australia
Hey old_dan, love the transformation of your truck, great job, real nice looking truck and great advice from someone who has been there done that and got the tshirt.
As Dmack said also, there have been several stories here about blokes who have had a bed folded up, looked great, and they were able to move forward past a significant hurdle.
As Dmack said also, there have been several stories here about blokes who have had a bed folded up, looked great, and they were able to move forward past a significant hurdle.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
The other thing you could do is keep is as an F2 and do everything but the bed. If you keep your eyes open one might show up. When you're looking you'll see a lot of F1 utility trailers....but F2 beds are rare. I think the heavy duty trucks got pretty beat up back in the 50's when the owners didn't care. One option is a flatbed.
In the end, the F1 approach with a lot of new parts made my project go faster. I did have it behind my barn for over 12 years before I decided to really get going on the project. Even then, I had to make some time versus money trade-offs.
Dan
In the end, the F1 approach with a lot of new parts made my project go faster. I did have it behind my barn for over 12 years before I decided to really get going on the project. Even then, I had to make some time versus money trade-offs.
Dan
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
Are you sure that the truck sat for 12 years before being touched? You look awfully young in that picture.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2013
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I'll keep my eyes peeled. I am under a deadline since it's a present for my dad for his birthday. If I find a bed, i'll leave it as an F2. If not, i'll convert it to an F1. Do yall know where to find steel F1 fenders? Everything I see is fiberglass. Also, my F2 front fenders aren't horrid, and it would probably cost more for new ones than to fix the ones I have. Would it look stupid if I had F2 front fenders and F1 rear?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
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From: Erie, pa
To convert a F2 frame to fit a Fi bed and fender you must cut the frame in two places - One between the rear axle and the back of the cab and the other behind the rear axle - You must also shorten the drive shaft - The F2 rear axle will limit you to about 45-50 MPH
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Great. Thanks guys. I'm waiting to hear back from Dan Carpenter Specialties to see if they'll fabricate a bed for me. If I can get that, i'll keep it as an F2 and just get the fenders repaired. There's also a place in Canada who will make a long bed for 2200 including shipping. It just won't have the stake pockets...which I kinda want in order to put up a wooden railing down the road. At least I'm narrowing down what to do with this thing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
That is the younger Dan in our family....even he is older now.