looking for info@ F-3's
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 670
Likes: 6
From: south-central PA
looking for info@ F-3's
I have resently purchased a basket-case 52 F-3, and am in need of some information about these trucks..
i've found alot of F-1 and F-2 stuff............
any F-3 guys out there?
thanks
i've found alot of F-1 and F-2 stuff............
any F-3 guys out there?
thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I have a 48 F-3. When I bought it I did not know the differences and found out shortly about the lack of parts available for it. Mine was close to a basket case also so I converted it to an F-1 by shortening the frame 8 inches in the middle and cutting 12 inches off the end. I have an F-1 bed, fenders, and running boards on it now. Except for the F-3 emblems on the cowl you would never know it was ever an F-3. What information are you interested in about the F-2s and F-3s? Check out my gallery... 
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 444
From: Central Illinois
First, welcome to the board. Glad to have another big truck guy.
Depending on how willing you are to look, parts are out there. You just can't pick up the phone and order a whole truck repop out of catalogs. The only pieces that are hard to find are nice straight running boards, and nice straight tailgates. Also, you'll have to straighten the bed's headboard if it's bent, like they all are, because those don't exist NOS or repop. The front and rear fenders are different than F-1s, because of the taller wheels in front and different bed width, but they aren't too hard to find if needed. One critical thing you will find is that the stock 17" wheels can't be used. They are a Firestone two piece design where the halves connect in the middle of the wheel. The are called "widow makers" or "man killers". No tire shop will touch them. On the bright side, you can switch to stock 16" F-2 rims that are a tubeless design, or go with any modern eight bolt rim that uses the same 6 1/2" bolt circle. The only drawback to modern rims is that stock hub caps won't mount. Hope that helps.
Depending on how willing you are to look, parts are out there. You just can't pick up the phone and order a whole truck repop out of catalogs. The only pieces that are hard to find are nice straight running boards, and nice straight tailgates. Also, you'll have to straighten the bed's headboard if it's bent, like they all are, because those don't exist NOS or repop. The front and rear fenders are different than F-1s, because of the taller wheels in front and different bed width, but they aren't too hard to find if needed. One critical thing you will find is that the stock 17" wheels can't be used. They are a Firestone two piece design where the halves connect in the middle of the wheel. The are called "widow makers" or "man killers". No tire shop will touch them. On the bright side, you can switch to stock 16" F-2 rims that are a tubeless design, or go with any modern eight bolt rim that uses the same 6 1/2" bolt circle. The only drawback to modern rims is that stock hub caps won't mount. Hope that helps.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
F-3 and F-2s are basically the same trucks. They differ from the F-2 with larger tires and the later models had larger rear brakes. F-3 also didn't come stock with rear shocks. Other that these differences they share the same parts. You can check out the chart I have on my web site that lists some of the parts shared between the different models:
Parts interchange chart
BTW, since you're located in PA you might want to check out this post from earlier this week. One of the members bought a truck that he can't retrieve in time and is offering it for free. You have to move fast because it has to be gone by this Friday. There might be some parts you could use, especially if it's a F-2, it looks like it may have the one piece 16" rims you could swap out for your 17" rims so you could still use stock hub caps. One more thing,
if you do use the 16" rims from a F-2 I am not sure they will fit over big rear drums of a F-3 so you could also use the rear axle or brake set up from the F-2.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...rville-pa.html
Parts interchange chart
BTW, since you're located in PA you might want to check out this post from earlier this week. One of the members bought a truck that he can't retrieve in time and is offering it for free. You have to move fast because it has to be gone by this Friday. There might be some parts you could use, especially if it's a F-2, it looks like it may have the one piece 16" rims you could swap out for your 17" rims so you could still use stock hub caps. One more thing,
if you do use the 16" rims from a F-2 I am not sure they will fit over big rear drums of a F-3 so you could also use the rear axle or brake set up from the F-2.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...rville-pa.html
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 670
Likes: 6
From: south-central PA
Originally Posted by truckdog62563
One critical thing you will find is that the stock 17" wheels can't be used. They are a Firestone two piece design where the halves connect in the middle of the wheel. The are called "widow makers" or "man killers". No tire shop will touch them. Hope that helps.
i was looking at the factory 17" wheels and didn't know they were split rims.........
I'm planning on taking off when i "push" it into the garage next week. WOW, i'm sure i wouldn't have let the air out before removing lug nuts.........Thanks again very much.
short plan list is:
convert to 4x4, and use modern dually wheels with a flatbed........
also,
is there another used parts board around for these trucks?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
Likes: 3,126
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
Yup, another 1952 F-3 owner here.. but mines a unique project with the fact that I'm making an extended cab out of it. Theres a pic of what I have so far below, plenty more in my gallery. As I said, mines more of a one of a kind, but if you have any questions ask away, I've managed to gather a lot of information bout my truck. Also this board is awesome when it comes to information, so again ask away.
Last edited by irondragon79; Dec 21, 2006 at 09:28 PM.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
I have a 52 F3 also! I don't plan on keeping it though. I'm either going to sell it as is or part it out.
Ilya
Ilya
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Junior User
Joined: May 2005
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f3
Originally Posted by 51PanelMan
I have a 52 F3 also! I don't plan on keeping it though. I'm either going to sell it as is or part it out.
Ilya
Ilya
Looks like a 5 star cab, that is cool. Does it have a radio you want to sell? For my 52 F1?
george
fifty2f1
gw65atgwtcdotnet
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by fifty2f1
Looks like a 5 star cab, that is cool. Does it have a radio you want to sell? For my 52 F1?
george
fifty2f1
gw65atgwtcdotnet
george
fifty2f1
gw65atgwtcdotnet
I also have two other 51/52 radios, but they're missing the dial *****.
I plan to keep all of them. I need one for my 52 Panel and my father-in-law's 51 Panel. The third will be kept for parts. Sorry.
Ilya
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 670
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From: south-central PA
here's pic of mine,
I think it was originally a flatbed.............. (notice the short running boards)
anyone have a link to some info about the rear axle, It the split housing, i think it's called "timken" design...... dash plate in the glove box says it has 4.86 gears
second pic is the front axle i'm planning on using, and a link to a page about it's build-up.........
some info on it: http://www.geocities.com/yj3qtr_ton/dana60front.html
I think it was originally a flatbed.............. (notice the short running boards)
anyone have a link to some info about the rear axle, It the split housing, i think it's called "timken" design...... dash plate in the glove box says it has 4.86 gears
second pic is the front axle i'm planning on using, and a link to a page about it's build-up.........
some info on it: http://www.geocities.com/yj3qtr_ton/dana60front.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
I'm another guy with a 1951 Mercury M-3. I've put it on a '78 F-250 frame, EFI 302/AOD and a Dana 70B rear axle. I'm also making mine a dually but I'm keeping the stock 8 foot box.
The stock split timken axle isn't very strong. I had two of them in my trucks. One was blown and the other, had half of it replaced. They like to blow the rear pinion bearing.
The stock split timken axle isn't very strong. I had two of them in my trucks. One was blown and the other, had half of it replaced. They like to blow the rear pinion bearing.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis
I too have a 52 F3. In earlier posts, you got the scoop on the wheels. I am running 16" wheels from an 80's era F-250.
Mine has the 4.86 rear; the other ratio available was 4.11. My F3 has the heavy duty three speed transmission (on the floor).
I've got pictures in the gallery.
Mine has the 4.86 rear; the other ratio available was 4.11. My F3 has the heavy duty three speed transmission (on the floor).
I've got pictures in the gallery.
