1948 Ford F1 budget resto-mod build

[Smokinthehippies]

So what's the update?

 

[hd44blazer]

so plans have taken a complete 180 with this project when my dad found a nearly complete '48 Ford F1 for sale in the local paper for $800obo.

but really plans began changing well before this when I sold the front Dana 60 axle to my buddy to help him along with his 1st generation pickup build.

once that happened I kinda gave up on finding another front 60 for as cheap as I had found that one and really didn't want to go 3/4 ton front especially with 42's

I ended up selling the 42's and the np205 case i had planned on using, then scrapped the 'Yota frame and flatbed thing that was on it.

however, i do still have the cab but am not sure what to do with it at this point because as mentioned above my dad and I went halves on the near complete '48 after talking the deal down to $650

so plans for this build are now to be a daily driving rat-roddish 2wd pickup with a 351W and C6 auto.

We're going to add power steering but really keep this project budget minded and keep all leaf spring suspension, just a bit lower than stock.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Hmmmm...bet a lot of old school Ford hot rod parts would work with it.

 

[hd44blazer]

i want to find a 9" rear end for it, the motor won't be super built but strong enough

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Oh, I was thinking like a dropped I beam front, disc or better brakes, etc.

 

[hd44blazer]

oh yeah we're probably going to keep the stock front I-beam but they make some drop leaf springs, I think 3" all around, for a good stance and front disc conversion will definitely be added, I don't trust those front drums as far as i could throw them

for wheels I'm thinking either plain flat or gloss black steel "round hole" style in a staggered fitment like 15x8 fronts and 15x10 rears

like these

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I could see it. Staying with old school tall and skinnies or modern wider tires?

 

[hd44blazer]

probably going with wider tires, but not super low profiles, I also want to add sway bars and really just make it a nice tight driver underneath the classic exterior

 

[hd44blazer]

so began disassembling the Ford this weekend and got the front clip, old motor/tranny, and bed pulled off

 

[hd44blazer]

so i've been busy working on the truck and have gotten the frame stripped down, cleaned, and painted and have been collecting parts here and there slowly.

the springs are 3" lowering

 

[y5mgisi]

Looking good!

 

[hd44blazer]

Looking good!

thanks!

 

[hd44blazer]

a couple more things going on , found some wheels, 15x7s got all 5 for $100 and they're in good shape

also repaired some cracks in the floor and cleaned it up a bit then sprayed some primer and more semi-gloss black

and got the rear Ford 8.8 mocked up found this at the pick-n-pull on a half off day it has 4.10s, posi, and disc brakes

spring perches for the swap are from Ruff Stuff they have narrow perches and u bolt plates for older jeeps but works perfectly for the old Ford as well

 

[flynhawaiian]

Whats the plan for disk breaks on the front? Is it a simple swap using off the shelf parts? I have a 52 which will needs front breaks at some point.

I like the direction this project is heading.

 

[hd44blazer]

Whats the plan for disk breaks on the front? Is it a simple swap using off the shelf parts? I have a 52 which will needs front breaks at some point.

I like the direction this project is heading.

I'm using an off the shelf disc conversion from speedwaymotors.com, it was $250 and very complete and simple to install, even includes new brake hoses
they have about 3 different bolt patterns to choose from, 5x4.5 being the cheapest for whatever reason but will conveniently match the rear Explorer axle

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1948-1956-Ford-Half-Ton-Deluxe-Disc-Brake-Kit-5-x-4-1-2-Inch,4621.html

 

[hd44blazer]

I found a rebuilt th350 to use and also clearcoated the Ballistic Fab diff cover I'll be using for the rear axle

Also got some tires

 

[flynhawaiian]

That brake kit is a pretty sweet deal. From what I have found, cheaper then then rebuilding the stock brakes or disk kits from other places. Are you planning on running a booster? Will you keep the floor pedal or go with hanging ones?

The rolling chassis looks good.

 

[hd44blazer]

yeah plans are to run a booster mounted on the firewall, Speedway has a bracket, pedal, booster, and master cylinder setup for $200

but I may look into adapting a GM truck assembly instead, probably be cheaper with similar results

 

[hd44blazer]

here's the latest on the build

with the firewall i wire wheeled it and welded some sheetmetal sections over areas that had a bunch of random holes put in over the years then clear coated it

cab is mounted

and still fits in the garage

i did the same thing with the grill as the firewall except painted the areas between and im leaving the original aluminum trim off because i like the way the holes and the bare steel looks

 

[hd44blazer]

made some progress over the weekend
boxed the front portion of the frame and got the motor and transmission mounts all mocked up, will finish up next weekend