Greetings everyone from middle Tennessee! I am new to posting, but have followed this site for a while now and have found MANY things on discussed here INVALUABLE in builds I have helped turn wrenches on, SO THANK YOU FOR THIS COMMUNITY! On a side note, if there is anyone close to the Sparta / Cookeville area of TN, let me know via PM or post up here. I always up to meeting fellow rodders. I grew up in a hot rod family. My father, my step-father, and various friends, have rides that I have helped turn wrenches on. I recently acquired a 1949 Ford F-1 with an incredible history. It was originally purchased in 1949 by my fiance's Great-Grandfather, and has stayed in the family ever since. Its been p***ed along from Great-Grandfather, to Great-Uncle, to Grandfather, to Dad, and now to me. The truck is basically as it left the factory in '49, with the exception of turn signals, 12 volt swap, and radials. It served its life as a farm truck hauling tobacco in North Carolina (and I am sure a few loads of hooch), never saw a garage, and has the patina and dents to prove it, but is a remarkable survivor that I drove (drive) regularly before ever having it turned over to me. It still has the flat-8BA (which isn't going anywhere), 3 in the floor, drums all the way around, and goes whenever and wherever I need it to. Pretty cool story for a 62 year old truck in my opinion. Because the '49 has such a sentimental value to my family, I do not plan to do anything radical to the body, stance, or drive-train. However, I will be completely going through the suspension, steering, and brakes for safety and personal reasons, possibly lowering it from the stock height its been at for the past 6 decades to around 2"-3" all the way around to give it a touch of hot rod at***ude, re-wiring the truck completely, cleaning up the flathead, swapping in my T-5 to gain a little more drive-ability, and taking care of anything mechanically that could hinder a safe and reliable drive. Ideally, I would love to restore the '49s body. However, I lack the proper shop, tools, experience, etc . . . to do bodywork right, and the last thing I want to do is butcher virgin metal. Also, my budget really only allows me to take care of the mechanical and safety aspects listed above, which in my opinion, is more important than having a smooth body since this truck will be driven regularly, and I don't feel like getting hurt anytime soon. The floors, rockers, cab mounts, and cab corners are solid, so for now, it will have to stay as is body wise, but I will be attacking it later on down the line when I have the time, experience, funds, and proper facility to do so. But I'll give her some at***ude with stance. Besides, it took mother nature 60+ years to make the patina, and my Fiance's Great-Grandfather would have liked it that way. On a side note, I had a gentleman stop me a few hours ago and comment on how cool my rat rod is. I didn't want to be rude or that car guy a$$hole, and I appreciated his noticing the truck, so I said thank you and went on my way. But man o' man, between people telling me to put a 350/350 in it, chop it, loose the fenders, bob the bed, and calling it a rat, I am hoping y'all understand where I am coming from when you consider my plans for the truck. Enjoy the pictures below, and I look forward to reading your comments and ideas. - J.E.
Hey, I'm Bill England born in Nashvill Tenn.,transplainted to Kans.City MO. . My famlys roots and blood go thrue most of the vains in Sparta and Whitehouse,Teen. There,s a lot of Englands there,dead an alive .One of my grandfathers was one of the seven founding fathers of Sparta in 1803 I love old trucks I have one 1947 fordpickup and one 1954 IH R1100 pickup. I like yours the way it is from the ford Well just wanted to say hey,give me a holler Bill England A.K.A. Grim-Reaper
Thank you bill and charleyw. Bill, that is one heck of a family history! You're grandfather did a GREAT job . . . Sparta is a great Southern town and is growing like a weed. Thanks for the kind words guys.
Welcome from the West Coast of Florida What a great project for you. The truck really looks like a survivor from the good old day's. Best of luck with it.
I like it! Welcome to you and your F-1, always liked F-1's, especially the '48-'50 styling. I think you're on the right track, focusing on safety, reliability, and driveability before worrying too much about cosmetics. It's way more fun if you can actually use it like a truck and actually haul something in it once and a while without worrying about damaging a high-dollar paint job. My old truck hauls the trash off every Saturday. Instead of the "Look but don't touch" signs you see in so many cars at shows and cruise-ins, Henrietta--my '38 Ford pickup (avatar photo) has a little sign that says "Feel free to touch--you can't hurt this old truck." Lots of kids around here have had their pictures made sitting in Henrietta's cab or standing on her running boards. Take that ol' F-1 to some local shows and cruises and watch it get more attention than the shiny high-dollar show cars.
Thank you, and I am glad you agree. If I can say I learned one thing in the Navy and from the old gear-heads I know, it's that safety is always number one, plus I would absolutely be sick if I destroyed the truck due to brake failure (or anything mechanical for that matter) knowing full well its issues beforehand, and neglecting them. As for the shows, I will definitely have to do that I plan to attend the Rumble in Lebanon, TN next year, but driving in the gate this time! Thanks Jim! I will definitely have to get in contact with you. I am interested in getting to know a car club in the middle TN area. I've always thought getting involved in one and getting to know fellow, local gear-heads would be an absolute blast. So, if you happen to know of any area clubs that are open to young guys getting involved, let me know. THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR THE WARM WELCOME!
Welcome from Hawaii! You've got a great truck there and I totally agree with the direction you plan to take with it. As for the 350/350 stuff, my '51 F1 project came with a 350/350 combo and I'd MUCH rather have an old flattie and stick like yours. Regarding the wiring, check out Rebel Wire, I just put one of their 9+3 kits in mine and it was a piece of cake. Also, they're in your neck of the woods. Eli
Welcome from Southern Illinois. My son and I are doing a build on a 49 F1 also. Good luck with the build.
I looked into Rebel Wire . . . http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=612409&highlight=ryno . . . and talked to them on the phone. I am definitely going to be purchasing my new harness through them. Super nice folks and haven't been able to find anything bad about them. THANKS FOR THE LEAD! toolman1967 good luck on your build. You'll have to take some pics and shoot them my way. Pretty cool your building it with your son. It will definitely leave a mark on his memory. Let me know if you come across any tips or tricks. I'll put em to use.
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