Howdy! I have the opportunity to get a complete '48 F-3 with a small flatbed fairly cheap. I would prefer an F-1 but are the cab, hood, fenders and frame the same as an F-1? Logic tells me the rear of the frame is likely different but would the front be the same? I the fenders are different would F-1 fenders bolt on? Thanks in advance, Gary
The hood and the cab at the same as an F1, but the front fenders are different. You could use fenders from an F 2 but the wheel opening is larger, they will fit on an F 1
Yes, F-1 front fenders will fit on an F-3. The F-3 frame is longer wheelbase, so the other F-1 parts won't fit. Probably easier to just find an F-1 if that is what you really want.
www.fatfenderedtrucks.com/partsinterchange.html All of sheet metal from the cab forward is the same except for the front fenders, as mentioned the wheel openings are larger on the F-3, F-2 through F-6 have the same front fenders. You can bolt F-1 fenders onto a F-2 or F-3 or the other way around. The mounting edge is the same on all of the fenders. The F-3 came with multi-piece rims called "Widow Makers" because they can blow apart while being inflated or deflated. Also, the rear brakes are hard to find parts for. The front axles are the same for F-1 through F-3 so if you want you can buy disc brake conversion kits for the front axle and use a Ford 1/2 ton rear axle and convert the truck into a 1/2 ton. By doing this you can change the wheels from eight lug to five lug. You have to find a different driveshaft and if you're keeping the stock engine and tranny it'll have the crash box tranny, you can change that to a T-5 out of a Camaro or Firebird or S-10 with a conversion kit. There are plenty of posts here for the conversion.
Starting in 48 The F3 should have a Borg/Warner T98 4 speed. This is not a crash box like the earlier one was. The T98 has synchromesh like its brothers T18 and T19 only first is non synchro.
also, f-3's had bigger drum brakes, the rear axle was a Timken, (splits in the middle). post needs pictures.....
The synchronized transmission didn't become available until 1950.. It was standard in all F-6's when ordered with the new 254 6 cylinder engine, and optional in all other F-4/6's.
I was looking at a friends F1 , he used the cab, hood, grill and fenders from a F4. I was told he changed the lower front portion of the front fenders, that was the difference in the front fenders. The fenders were from a F4 with F1 lower front sections, they seemed to fit the tires fine.
The bottoms from the larger trucks will not fit the F-1 fenders without major modifications. To do this he would have had to rework the wheel opening on either part, there is quite a difference.
Again, many thanks for the many informative posts. As soon as I have pics I'll post them. Trying to get down to see it this week some time.
My buddy bought an F-3 out of Arizona. He shortened the frame/bed to F-1 length, used a late model Ford pickup rear (spring perches were the same!) and kept 8 lug wheels on all corners. Put a five speed behind the flathead which had a rebuilder's tage on it. Great truck, he loves it, drives it everywhere with desert patina. I'll see if I can find a picture.
A guy could have a pretty slick little truck just by shortening up the flat bed (if it has one) and sticking either 5 or 8 lug hubs on the front and a matching later Ford pickup rear under it.
...here's my F-1,...the cab/hood are F-4, the frame is F-2, with a GM clip and later rear leaf springs, rear of frame shortened, the front tin and bed are F-1 as well as runnin boards.
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