Projects What would you all do?

Maybe you should think of it as a rolling chassis + accessories at this point? It's a shame; with the whitewalls, hubcaps and trim rings plus the Antique plate, somebody cared about this poor truck once upon a time. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

I am still going through building a truck that was in a similar condition. It also came from the coast. You won't believe how much rust is hidden until you start taking it apart. There won't be much left of it when you do. I will NEVER buy another vehicle that rusty again. I would have saved a lot of money by buying something more expensive that was in better condition.
There are a lot of F1s around. I would find something that would be worth my time and money.

 

Pull the body and put it in a pile, if the frame is good, get another body.
I don't think you'll find a panel on that vehicle that's solid, if you had it blasted I don't know what would be left. Not trying to run it down in any way, it's just eaten up everywhere.

 

If it's got a good frame, I'd keep that with the title and try to salvage the box and rear fenders, those are hard enough to come by and what you have there looks rough but saveable. Big 2 ton type trucks are super plentiful and cheap (at least, around here), a big truck to donate a cab, doors, hood, ect. would make this project a lot more sensible.

The big trucks tend to be pretty solid since they sit so high off the ground. A good cab, hood, and front fenders (even if they're big truck ones and you have to make the wheel openings smaller) would save so much work to rebuild this truck.

 

If it was near Key West I would bet it has rust in areas that you wouldn't believe, brutal environment. Many years ago a 71 Hemi Charger R/T was found there sitting in an old gas station, the car was so rusty it could not be saved, the door hinges had rusted to the point it was nearly impossible to open the doors. The car wAs a low mileage car, around 31k or so, but couldn't be saved. When they tried moving or taking it apart it just started crumbling.

 

Making patch panels is one thing, but there isn't anything solid enough to attach a patch panel to. You are going to end up re-making the inner sub structure, just to have something to hang the whole new truck on. Keep the frame and title, and let the rest of it finish i the return to Mother Earth. Find a new body to bolt on, and you will be time and money ahead.

 

If you want a project to show case your skills... Buy all means repair ... It's nice to see stuff saved , but you did say short on time, in that case I say new cab at the very least , I think better parts will be easier to justify than time spent fixing, unless you plan on a full custom truck sectioned chopped ect, then you have a head start in a way..

 

I hate to tell you but that truck falls in two categories, a parts truck or yard art. As mentioned above, by the time you fix HALF the rust, you will have spent more than if you went out and bought a nice driver.

 

If it were a 32 Ford I would say save it BUT their are a lot of F 1 parts and trucks around. Buy a better truck and use parts from this unit Or part out and use the profits to buy a better starting point. I have seen worse repaired. Good luck and do what your heart tells you.

 

Ah what the heck, if the frame and gear is good, throw a motor in there and drive it around all crusty. Some one will fall in love with it and over pay you for it.

 

Your photos show just the rust which can be seen....... I'm sure more to come.
You can't save them all.

 

I like those years but, there are a lot better examples around to restore or hot-rod for sensible money. I don't doubt your skills. I would just look for a better one to start with.

 

Man, that thing looks like it was parked underwater. I agree it's way too much work involved to repair all that rust.

If you go for it, I'd pull the body and bed off the frame, drop your Y block in and work on getting the chassis done while you casually search for a replacement cab and fenders.

 

I can tell that's not Northern rust. Northern Rust is usually all over the body surface and holey on the bottoms. That there looks to be Southern Salt Air Rust which is more localized but distributed all over the body.

If the rust damage is localized enough and you can do it with fairly small patch panels I'd say go for it. If the panels are crumbling however, I'd get a parts truck and make a good truck out of the two and use the title. But I think chances may be good that there's enough left to weld to so I'd say start checking around the holes for meat.

Anybody ever seen a 48 RPU?

 

I agree that that truck is parts and the title is the most valuable thing on it. It could be saved but is it rare enough to go through all the work? there are plenty of better ones to start with.

 

I have skills, a little money and tools but I wouldn't live long enough to finish that truck.

 

Parts truck. F-1's are too common to mess with that much rust.

 

SERIOUSLY You actually are considering rebuilding That truck when there are so many more out there for reasonable prices! good luck on your choice ..

 

It is not that rare, so sell off what you can and find something better to start with. JMO. Good Luck!

 

Trust me, that thing will transition from cool challenge to albatross in about three months. There's so much to do that any progress you make will be virtually inperceptable. You'll come to resent the time it takes away from your other project. I have been down that path. Sometimes there's nothing more expensive than a free vehicle.

 

Man, that thing's rougher'n a cobb. The way I look at it, you could do one of two things. 1)Get that thing running/(safely) driving as is & amaze the hell outa your friends. 2)Keep the stainless & title & move on.

 

I would fix it to whatever degree suited me and drive it.The Y block\4 speed combo sounds like fun!20 years ago I patched up a 47 Chev pick up that was about that bad and put a 292 six and all synvhro 3 speed in it .That old rat truck was GREAT fun! Of course I wasnt real worried about surface finish much.

 

Man you guys are great. I posted this as simply being curious to other peoples thoughts and ideas, and they are from one end of the spectrum to the other.
I have decided that I will drop the running motor and trans into it, and drive it for a while. If someone want to buy it, I will sell it. After all, isn't this hobby all about having fun?
I will go through the brakes and make it safe, and maybe get one of those "Honk if parts fall off" stickers. I have a buddy that says he knows where a truck just like it is, that does not have a title..... we shall see.

 

Bad idea... motors are completely different

 

What motors?

 

In the end, all you will have is a nice, ugly truck............... You asked.

 

..... the holes on the roof will give your ole' noggin' an excellent sun dried patina.

 

Lol. I have a 292 y block I could drop in. But it's different than the flathead

 

I have a 1952 F-1 I finished a few years ago. From my experience, you will find a lot more rust once you dig into it. I was able to sell lots of the parts I accumulated from the build. The stainless is in demand as are interior parts. If you build it, fordtruckenthusiast.com is a great site for support and advice. I've been on it for years. Do what you what, it's yours. Good luck with it.

 

PARTS truck in my humble opinion.