Joining the late 47-early 55 Chevy pickup crowd gets you a really good truck in a really big crowd. Virtually no differences until the grille and windshield change in 54. Picking a Ford 48-56 gets you a really good truck with 3 different styling groups in a really big crowd. The Dodges are popular too and good trucks but are the bottom of the styling scale fighting for last place with International, a popular choice and good truck as well. The Studebaker trucks have the styling edge over the Dodges and Binders, are good trucks, and have a following.
I have owned BOTH A 48 F-1 and a 49 3100 AD ... I prefer the F-1. I think they look a LOT better. The F-1 is also easier to work on IMHO. A 1957 to 1972 F-100 9 inch Ford rear end is almost a direct bolt in. They steer well and stop good. A later model V8 and transmission are easily installed. The AD Chevrolet trucks have a closed driveline When you make a driveline change ... it is ALL or Nothing ... at one time. The AD cabs are a little larger ... but I am 6 foot 2 inches and over weight and I did not find the F-1 to be uncomfortable. I also like the one piece flat windshield of the F-1 over the less attractive ( to me ) 2 pieces ones in the AD cabs.
Step into a KB IH, and that F1 will feel mighty roomy. I vote F1, then again I'm really biased on that, lol.
I'd go for the AD. Except for a couple of Model A trucks, everything I've had was Chevrolet. I've had several AD's over the years.
Why can't we have BOTH ????? oh, we do...we're building her 51 Chevy now. We also have 49 and 55 Ford Panels, a 51 F1, and a 49 F7 on a 4WD 85 F250
F1 fo'shure! Just DON'T put a chebby motor in it! If it doesn't need to be absolutely trad a 302 would be a good reliable motor to use. Doc.
I have owned both and vote 51-52 F1 only because I like the looks better. If you decide to upgrade the brakes, steering column, brake/clutch pedals, crossmember or original wheels on an F1, they have value to the Model A crowd,
Then step to the dark side and go with a '54 AD! Better yet, find a '54 GMC and you won't be parking next to another for a long time!
get her a panel or a suburban then the room issue is solved. lots of stuff for sale right now. go look at some and let her test drive one. i'm betting unless it's upgraded she i gonna think they all suck!
Nah ... If I get another pickup ... will be be another 56 F-100 Big Window ... I have had a few 56 F-100 big windows in the past and I really like them
I'd go with the Chevy, too. I think they're a prettier truck and down here, most of the F-1's have rusted away back to the earth.
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