Hi There, I'm Thinkin about starting a new project ( never attempted anything like this) and am looking for some opinions and advice. I was recently wandering around a local Wrecking yard looking for some parts for a 2002 ranger I'm playing with and stumbled across what I believe to be a 51 F1.

I found two tags in the engine bay and a generic ford tag on the back of the glove box with no information on it though.
Tag 1 in the middle of the firewall has
Engine - IE - 86 86
Trim - 13 Paint 23
Serial - BDA83BH51-23302

Second tag Passenger side near Hood Hinge
Style 1C81B
Body NO. 17467
EDB51 - 2606
23

From reading some of the posts I think I have some of the information figured out can someone tell me if I am correct to start with and fill in a couple of blanks or point me towards books or reference where I can figure it out from.
The Style is a close cab deluxe - Whats the deluxe stand for?
Engine is 1951 239 with 3 speed tranny
Trim - 2 tone Vinyl - Deluxe - what colours?
BDA83BH51
BD - Ford 1/2 ton 4700 LBS - 114" Wheel base.
A- Standard Cab
83 - pickup 114"wheelbase
B-Deluxe Cab
H - Home office - Windser

What is the paint code 23?
What is the Trim Code 13?

All the body parts with the exception of the tailgate seem to be there although a little worse for wear. The rear wheels and Diff are not. There are also several other trucks of the same vintage 48-52 around, could I interchange frames and or other parts if need be? The Block and Trans are still in this one and there is 3 others still with intakes and carbs I could scavenge from if need be. If there are no good frames to use is there a newer platform that could be used? My thoughts are with this is in the condition its in to do a motor rebuild and ratrod thing as as a starting point. Thought comments and suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

Greetings and welcome. I guess just about anything can be restored back to usable condition given enough time, money, and skill. The project you are considering would take considerable amounts of all of these. My truck was rough when I started, but not THAT rough. I spent close to $15K getting my truck looking respectable and running and driving again. I would have been much better off buying something in better condition. You can get a pretty nice truck for $12K. I fixed mine because there was a family connection. I would think long and hard before embarking on the journey you are considering.

Jim

 

To me it looks good where it sits...and I'm talking from experience...lol

 

I have dragged home some seriously rough stuff and that one is a parts truck.

 

 

I've been where you are now. I HAD to have that truck! I worked for months cleaning the junk out, removing the "additions" from previous owners, and sorting out where parts were (or weren't). After a year of metal work, mechanical fixes and parts sourcing, I was barely ahead of where I was when I bought it. I then stumbled across a truck in WAY better shape at a reasonable price. I was able to drive it (and stop it), and the sheet metal was very solid. It also had a very solid 1953 mercury flathead that I later sold for nearly half what I had in the truck (I was going in a different direction).

I know it looks like a project, but if you are being realistic, do you have 2000 hours and $15k to spend to get it marginally restored? I paid $1,015 for my first basket case ($1k for the truck and $15 for the tetanus shot!), and sold it for $1500 after a year and after spending $$ on a title. I got my current truck for $7500 and drove it for a year before even thinking about doing anything to it. Obviously you know what you are capable of doing and what might be best for you, but I would advise you to find a better starting point and save yourself the headache. You'll be happy you did!



1948 Basket Case


1950 F-1 - Running, Driving, Solid Sheet Metal!

 

First off is will they even sell you the truck? Around here, they do not sell whole vehicles. Second, if they do will it have a real title or a salvage title? Some insurance companies will not insure a salvaged vehicle and some states are really tough on issuing titles for salvage vehicle. If you overcome those obstacles, you will have a rusty truck that you will sink a lot of money into.

So I am going to echo the thoughts of the others here. Walk away from this truck. Keep you eyes open and something in much better shape will come along. There are plenty of decent trucks out there and at decent prices as well. Don't let the emotion of finding this truck cloud your judgement.

Later!
Mr. Ed

 

This isn't a project for a newbie. You can spend as much on tools and equipment as you do on parts and services.

If the price is right (under $500) it can be a long term learning tool. Just don't ever expect to recover your investment.

 

Hi Diver,
Let's take a different tack on this question. Why not tell us a bit more about yourself
and your motivation. What do you see in this particular truck that has you thinking about
taking the leap into this project? Do you have a lot of car experience?

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

DD
why don't I just drive by one afternoon and beat you with a stick with a nail in it... much less pain for you. don't walk... RUN on by. When the sand blaster finished it would all be on the floor !

Only Canadian John would smile when he saw that truck... Find you a better opportunity for a starting place.