An Old Pickup For A True Daily Driver ...

Go for it, Dave!
I know there is somebody with a truck you can borrow, in case you need to tow the vicky!

 

So the 42-47s have parallel leaf springs? Is the cab the same from 40-47? Will a 40/41 front end fit on a 42-47?

 

Good deal, thanks man.

 

It seems to me the weight of the 41 would be a considerable amount less then the 51...The weight of the truck towing helps control the trailer alot..ive towed alot trailers and usually with 1500 series trucks, the 2500 (3/4) always had better control tho. It sounds like your only towing once in awhile tho, trailer brakes help dramatically in any truck, just dont be one of those rigs flipped on its side because the trailer took over the weight of the truck and did its own thing! Good luck either way there both cool trucks..Im building a 51 for my daily right now!

 

i have been driving my '39 gmc rack body for 20+ years as a daily [i do have a plow truck for ****py days now but did not for years] worked it hard after all the upgrades, carried loads and pulled trailers, but if i was to upgrade it would be to a '50s truck but only because of the cab size. it would be nice to seat three, or to have more room for trips with my wife and dog.

 

Yes I know, I've been following your build very closely – it's turning out awesome. Your build has been very inspirational.

 

Very good point about the cab size – that's exactly why I want to check out the 41 in person and sit in it. I've driven jackandeuces' 41 before and remember it being very upright and small. I'm 6'2" and I'd occasionally need to seat three in the truck, so interior space is a consideration.

Are the cab interiors about the same size for 53-56 F-100s? I know in 57 they get wider.

 

I think the 53-56 cabs are wider than the 48-52. I have the granny 4 speed in my F-1, and I'm sure you could move a mountain with it, but not much fun to drive (non-synchro). As a suggestion; 61-66 Fords are cheap, plentiful, 9" rears, etc. My dad has a 66 Camper Special and it rides just fine in spite of the beefed up suspension. By the time this thread is over we'll have you talked into a 2011 Ford F-250!

 

I wouldn't really call where the c-channels come together boxed because there would be very little gain in rigidity and strength – the second layer is mostly flush against the outer channel so the frame will still twist and flex a good bit. And as Skidmarks has pointed out, the area we're talking about is a very common place for rot on those frames simply because of the way it's constructed.

 

Yeah, I know the 61-66 Fords are cheap and plentiful, But they're styling is a bit too contemporary for my taste. I'd even bet that the seats are the same width as 70s and 80s full size Ford trucks.

I do, however, like the 57-60 Ford truck design.

 

I've got a 58 f250 with a 292 that I may part with. Its already a driver but could use some body work.

 

yankee mike always has some cool stuff....dont know where he finds all this stuff.

 

Thanks again man, good info.

 

Great point...The cab size is def nice to have!

Thanx man! Ive been working like crazy on it to finish before I start work soon! Glad to inspire! Im almost done so I need to follow somebody elses...get yours started buddy!

 

Ever heard of trailer brakes?
V/8

 

Actually a 70's Ford pickup seat will fit in a 53 and up. Pretty common swap.
V/8

 

Personally I'd try to keep the Nissan and use the Ford in good weather. I'd be surprised if an old truck would last a decade being driven in salt.

 

That F1 weight may be a little over. My '51 F1 was weighed at 2970 lbs with the 350/350 in it. Can't go wrong with the disc brakes though, lots better than the drums. After I put the 429 and 4 speed in my '56 there was more than one instance where I wished I had discs.

 

I'd say that if you build it as a truck with truck ch***is pieces and brakes you should be ok pulling a properly set up car trailer on occasion.

The problem that most of us who redo a pickup into a rod run into is that we tend to want to use car pieces such rear ends rather than something like a 9 inch out of a later F100 or F150 that is narrowed to fit the early ch***is. We also often run suspension that is too light for towing and don't run front and rear sway bars that would help with handling.

One more thing, if you do it and tow a car trailer get and equalizer hitch and use it as that is probably the thing that makes the biggest difference in handling and control when towing a heavier trailer.

 

That's very good to know. I've been one of three adults riding in a 70s F-100 and it was pretty comfortable. The seat swap is a good tip – thanks.

 

OK, I've been waiting for my wife to join the HAMB to secretly weigh in on my plans.

Very sneaky Lee Anne.

 

IH "K" series are still around for reasonable prices. KBs are post war and had more chrome and SS.
K1 and K2 are 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton respectively. K3 is a 1 ton and used a completely different frame.
K3s also came from the factory with Eaton full floater rear end, 4:11 gears, Detroit locker and dually (bud) wheels.
Just right for towing a car trailer.

 

An F1 is really not any beefier than a 40-41 pickup, it's probably arguably less so. I daily drive a 52 F1 kinda like what you describe... 305/350, power brakes, mine is lowered quite a bit though. I use it to haul occaisonal junk around in, engines, s****, parts etc. Works good for that. I did tow my 57 ranchero about 1.5 miles with it once. That was enough... haha never again.

I'm all for the idea of daily driving an old truck though. I purposely built mine out of castoffs and junk parts that no one else wanted so I wouldn't feel bad driving it in ****ty weather. I have some chains and intend to drive it through this winter!

 

I used a 90 Toyota 4 cylinder to pull a car trailer with a 54 Ford over 600 miles....twice.

The trailer I was using had trailer brakes, so stopping wasn't the issue for me. My issue was getting up to speed. It took forever, but once I was there it was ok. I just stayed off of the interstate when possible and took my time.

 

Yeah, that's what I think too. The plan is to use the stock springs and front axle but I may swap the rear for a 1970s 9 inch, narrowed if necessary. Brakes front and rear would be from the same era truck. In the end, I probably wouldn't even call it a hot rod, it'll look stock at a glance.

 

I am doing the same thing kinda..................sold my 97 F150 and I am looking put together a daily driver nothing newer than a 59

 

I do not own or drive any car newer than 46 years old and that one only rarely. I have been driving a 1939 Ford pickup everyday for 17 years thru 4 states pulling a trailer with an antique car on it (half the time of course!). So far more than 100 cars, each one hauled more than 100 miles. The first 13 years with no trailer brakes, but more recently my new trailer has brakes and they sure are nice.

The 39 has 350/350/three deuces and 9 inch with torque arm/coil spring suspension. The frame had to be reinforced where they rot out at the rear kickup. 53-56 Ford pickup brakes on front with self adjusters.

 

I've always wanted to take a 30s or 40s 1 ton truck and swap in a late model engine/trans/rear and use it as a car hauler, and I will as soon as I have @#$% money again.

I'm probably a bit OT with this but my favorite way to build an old car is to maintain as much of a stock look as possible with as much new technology hiding under the skin as possible. It seems that the big hauling trucks from the 30s, 40s, and 50s lend themselves to this approach very well.

Take that 32 Ford truck several posts above. If that were mine (and I wasn't so damn broke right now), it'd have a very healthy small block, or possibly a big block (Ford or Chevy) an indestructable manual 5 speed late model manual transmission, front disc brakes, AC, etc. Keep the big wheels, keep the stock stance, keep the old paint, etc.

 

My daily driver for the work 68 F100 with a diesel engine (Perkins 4 cil), overdrive 4 transmission and a 4.11 relation for the rear axle, very good acceleration in first and second gear, fourth gear at 65 MPH is well