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Me and my son are starting a 52 F-1 build. He is 12 and I want to teach him to figure things out, but might need some guidance myself!!! (LOL). The truck I am starting with is rough, but it is what it is. Here are some pics:
And this is the look he is going for:
I have some experience welding and so on. What I am struggling with is the following questions:
1) I know an S10 frame would help modernize the ride, but what year range? I want it to drive like new, but look like a 52 type of deal.
2) What front and rear axles should I procure? I hear trans am, but not sure.
3) What size wheels and tires would make sense? 17s?
Welcome to FTE the best Ford truck forum on the World wide Web. It's good you got to that truck before that tree between the bumper and the grille got any bigger. LOL
A father/son project is great. I don't know much about frame swaps except that many of them do not work out. And on some the front wheels stick out too far. Other experts will be a long soon.
The S10 is too narrow. (see pix) My F1 with MII. (sold)
If the orginal frame is still intact use it with a MII kit, most frame transplants do not work well.
Surff the net and read all you can, what you need to know is there. ,The Crown Victoria is big trouble.
I would concur with Old F1. The S10 is not the way to go. Frame swaps are way harder than they appear, and the S10 is too narrow to look right.
I searched for the article that your 'after' pic came from. https://www.motortrend.com/features/1952-ford-f-1/ As I surmised, they used a version of the MII front end and Posies leaf springs in the rear to attain the look you're looking for. That's a good combo, and using an Explorer 8.8" rear end with disc brakes will give you all the modern you can handle. A 302 and some version of overdrive automatic transmission will make for an excellent driver, with plenty of power and good gas mileage, especially if you go with an EFI setup. The SBF fits really nice in the engine compartment of these trucks without cutting and nasty frame and firewall mods.
Getting back to the front suspension, I'm a big fan of Heidt's products, and if you have the desire to go top shelf, they have an upgrade setup called their Superide II that goes together easy and rides nicer than the standard MII. https://www.heidts.com/part/super-ri...ar-suspension/
Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your project.
My 52 started out rough too. If you go to my profile page, there are lots of pictures of just how rough. It's a good thing you are getting an early start--your son being only 12 gives you 4 years before he's ready to drive. Four years is about what it might take, and of course, some $$. Good luck. It's always nice to see father son projects.
The S10 is too narrow. (see pix) My F1 with MII. (sold)
If the orginal frame is still intact use it with a MII kit, most frame transplants do not work well.
Surff the net and read all you can, what you need to know is there. ,The Crown Victoria is big trouble.
Thats good insight. I love that build btw! Quick question(s)!:
Where can I learn more about the MII kit? Did yours retain the same lug pattern as the original axles? Does that allow for disk brakes on all 4?
Truly appreciate the help. My boy is here reading and learning along!
I would concur with Old F1. The S10 is not the way to go. Frame swaps are way harder than they appear, and the S10 is too narrow to look right.
I searched for the article that your 'after' pic came from. https://www.motortrend.com/features/1952-ford-f-1/ As I surmised, they used a version of the MII front end and Posies leaf springs in the rear to attain the look you're looking for. That's a good combo, and using an Explorer 8.8" rear end with disc brakes will give you all the modern you can handle. A 302 and some version of overdrive automatic transmission will make for an excellent driver, with plenty of power and good gas mileage, especially if you go with an EFI setup. The SBF fits really nice in the engine compartment of these trucks without cutting and nasty frame and firewall mods.
Getting back to the front suspension, I'm a big fan of Heidt's products, and if you have the desire to go top shelf, they have an upgrade setup called their Superide II that goes together easy and rides nicer than the standard MII. https://www.heidts.com/part/super-ri...ar-suspension/
Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your project.
Men o Men, I feel you just saved us months of trial and error. I do like that set up of the super ride. While a bit steep in price, I do value our time and see how this could be a huge time saver.
Regarding the explorer rear end, what year range are best to look for that would fit right?
My 52 started out rough too. If you go to my profile page, there are lots of pictures of just how rough. It's a good thing you are getting an early start--your son being only 12 gives you 4 years before he's ready to drive. Four years is about what it might take, and of course, some $$. Good luck. It's always nice to see father son projects.
The S10 is too narrow. (see pix) My F1 with MII. (sold)
If the orginal frame is still intact use it with a MII kit, most frame transplants do not work well.
Surff the net and read all you can, what you need to know is there. ,The Crown Victoria is big trouble.
One more question: What size wheels is your truck sporting on that pic? 15s?
The Explorer differential comes with a 5 bolt 4-1/2" bolt pattern so the front rotors will match what Heidt's provide. I have their Superide ll in my 56 and the ride is great..
The Explorer differential comes with a 5 bolt 4-1/2" bolt pattern so the front rotors will match what Heidt's provide. I have their Superide ll in my 56 and the ride is great..
What size wheels and tires do you run on that set up? Mind posting a pic? 🙏🏽
In the link I provided above with the Superide info there's installation instructions and details on what makes that kit better then the typical MII. You can also read about their MII kits here, https://www.heidts.com/part/mustang-...uspension-ifs/ . They're a little cheaper but I think the upgrade is worth it. When you include some of the options that come standard on Superide, the price isn't that different. The install is also far easier on Superide as all the suspension mounts are on a one piece crossmember. The typical MII kit involves setting the upper 'hat' in relation to the crossmember. It's not overly difficult, just takes a little more doing and increases the margian of error. These kits have been around for many years and there's plenty of reading material to be found on the 'net.
In the link I provided above with the Superide info there's installation instructions and details on what makes that kit better then the typical MII. You can also read about their MII kits here, https://www.heidts.com/part/mustang-...uspension-ifs/ . They're a little cheaper but I think the upgrade is worth it. When you include some of the options that come standard on Superide, the price isn't that different. The install is also far easier on Superide as all the suspension mounts are on a one piece crossmember. The typical MII kit involves setting the upper 'hat' in relation to the crossmember. It's not overly difficult, just takes a little more doing and increases the margian of error. These kits have been around for many years and there's plenty of reading material to be found on the 'net.
Yeah, after the link was posted, I've been all over it. Definitely going for the Superride ones... Thank you so much for the follow up.
Its running 17" wheels too much with those? Or any thoughts on wheel/tire size?
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