Sorry, no pics yet, but I just took delivery of an original '59 F100 4x4 that is BONE stock. Runs and drives, but it's suffered from a lack of TLC.

First:

1. The float bowl glass on the carb (223 six) shows the float level almost near the top of the glass, and the float itself is floating in there like an iceberg; mostly submerged. Is this normal? I figured the fuel level should be somewhere near mid-glass. No doubt the carb could use rebuilding, but it DOES start and run, just wondering if it isn't running a bit rich from the apparent high fuel level.

2. The stock front springs are sacked out, and it looks like a few of the leafs might be broken. Is this common, and more importantly, is there a standard aftermarket fix, or a compatable spring from a later year that is an easy swap?

Thanks in advance for the answers to the upcoming questions!!

 

Congrats on the new truck! You know we like pic so start a gallery soon. Someone will be along shortly to answer your questions. I'm a 51-52 kinda guy but love 58-60 as well

 

Most larger towns have a truck spring shop - they will be able to rebuild your springs, even bend you new ones, if needed. You do not need to pay vintage prices and shipping for these parts.

 

Congrats on the new toy! I think the 4x4 "frigerators" are great looking trucks. They look really tough.

***** is right, grab your local yellow pages and find a spring and suspension shop. They can rebuild the spring packs ane replace any broken leafs they find. I think mine ran about $150 with new bushing and pins.

I can't wait to see the pics
Bobby

 

definatly get some pics i love these trucks 4x4ed they look so tough and mean its awsome. a origanal 59 4x4 is kinda rare i wish mine was origanal but i had to convert mine over. good luck with the truck.

 

Great find, and welcome. You have already got some good advice on the springs above.

I am really surprised that the truck has a 223 in it. I thought they only put 292's in the 4x4's. Learn something new everyday!

 

Oh yeah, I forgot. Dennis Carpenter and LMC Truck can help with lots of parts for the 59.

 

The 223 I-6 was standard. I had a 1960 with the 223, 3 on the tree, no radio, no lockouts, no chrome, just a heater. I think the four wheel drive option was the only thing keeping it from being a cheapy bare bones outfit.

 

Thanks to all for the advice/congrats/info. I only ASSUMED it was a 223, where can I find a VIN decoder? I'll get some pics up when I can get a camera out to it.

Tell me if this sounds familiar: My wife doesn't know about it!! I found a secure outside storage area 1 mi from my house, and I pass by it every day on the way home from work, so I should be able to sneak in there regularly to tinker on it. But it definitely will be a long-term project, I have several others that take priority. I only bought this because it was a seemingly great deal on a truck you just don't see everyday.

Back to the truck: It's amazingly intact, nobody thought to install aftermarket gauges, or cut a hole in the dash for a radio, or cobble any weird switches, or (thankfully!) mount white spoke wheels with huge tires (apologies to those running white spokes, I know they're popular, I just don't like them). The drivetrain is amazingly tight and quiet, although the tranny lever throw (T98 I think? Reverse is far right/up) is waaay farther than the same tranny in my '66. Steering is also tight, better than my '66! Brakes need to be pumped, but DO stop, E-brake works! I haven't crawled underneath to check u-joint play (lots of them; divorced t-case), but there are no visible leaks, no wetness underneath, just 48 yrs of grease build-up.

Frame is straight and rust-free! Looks like most of the bolts could just be spun off, NO flaky rust scale! HOWEVER, the cab corners are rusted thru, only visible underneath and from inside the cab, and there are body supports that run from the front cab mounts outboard to just behind the front fenders that are rusted out, but it doesn't cause the cab to sag. Pics will tell the story.

Engine also looks tight and leak-free, but drove really tired. That MAY be because there's a throttle spring that's so stiff, or some kind of pedal bind that made it almost impossible to push the pedal and rev the engine. Front rubber wiper in front of the radiator to seal against the hood looks almost new. Door seals are shot. Clutch action was smooth.

Heater, headliner, and all dash controls are intact, but feel frozen. I think this thing sat for long periods, and was used as intended (work truck) in-between. No evidence of a teenager coming in contact with it, except maybe for the blue paint applied over the original red many years ago. Why would a person put blue over red, unless they were trying to hide a stolen truck?!!

Thanks for letting me ramble, it's just fun to talk about it, and women (my wife, anyway, bless her) just doesn't understand.

 

Wow, that takes guts!!! You would be in less trouble if you had hid a mistress in an apartment a mile from your house than you will be in when (not if) she discovers you have another project hidden out!!!

You are right, they just do not understand!