I've had a '49 F1. I'm currently eyeing an F3. Why are the F3s considered less valuable/collectable? They are practically the same vehicle, just with a longerwheel base and larger fender walls. I think they look a little tougher and more useful than a regular 1/2 ton. Any reason I should avoid the F-3 in lieu of an F-1?
Those are a lot more "truck like" than an F-1, gearing, trans, springs, park brake on driveshaft, etc. If it is a '51 or earlier it will also have the same Lockheed brakes as early cars. '52 went to Bendix style brakes. If you are looking at a specific truck, I'd give the wheels a good close look, those old split rims can be trouble in several ways.
I don't think F-3's had the split rim/widow makers. I think that's F-4 and up. I have to say, F-2s and F-3s are pretty tough if that's what you're looking to do. The wheel base is longer than F-1s and the fenders are different, so replacement parts might be hard to come by, but in my experience I have tripped over big truck parts looking for F-1 stuff...
The biggest reason to avoid an F-3 is brakes (so speaks an owner) Both front and rear parts are difficult to find, especially the drums. However there have been reports of doing an 8 lug disc brake conversion. The F-1 disc brake conversion will also work on an F-3, you just wont have 8 lug wheels. For the rear axle you can swap out the Timkin for a Dana 60 or 9 inch from a pre 72 ford truck with little h***le. The F-3 did come with a style of split rim that is more dangerous then the standard type, they are called Firestone RH-5° and generally disliked by everyone.
Unless you're doing a vintage car hauler, people are going to worry about their cl***ic truck only so much when it comes to usefulness. A lot of these old trucks get mods done to be more car like anyway.
I like to keep my cars stock as possible, so, based on the brakes and the wheels, it might be more useful to find another F-1 or panel. I use it to drive around town, haul wood, and motorcycles. I appreciate all the advice.
Some had V8s and some had 6s. The gearing is ultra low. They will pull and carry heavy loads but they are slow enough that you might get an impeding the normal flow of traffic citation on the freeway. The front spindles are the same on F1, F2 and F3 trucks. Five bolt disc brake conversion kits are easy to find. The rear ends have floating axles and 4.86 ring an pinion gears. With a little searching you can find a Ford 9" axle with the correct width, ring and pinion and wheel bolt pattern. The front springs are the same as the F1. The rear springs will give you a bearable ride if you have a ton of something in the bed. Unladen they will be very firm. I have seen F3 trucks with shortened wheelbases, and bobbed beds that look pretty neat. With the big fender openings you need lots of wheel and tire to fill them up.
I like the proportions on long bed trucks, the added detail on the 48-50 beds really pull them together. I know nothing about this truck, but I love the way it sits. If it was mine - meadow green with chrome reverse wheels.
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