1948 ford f1 field find rat rod project

Rat Rods Rule

Help Support Rat Rods Rule:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

How to put a 1948 ford f1 on a short bed s10 frame?


  • Total voters
    6
  • Poll closed .

OldFord

New member
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
3
I bought this truck from a guy on craigslist who had it in his garage and really wanted it gone. So I bought it and wanted to put it on an s10 frame since i dont have a ton of money to go all out and buy everything from a catalog. And I dont know a whole lot so im hoping I can get a lot of help from you guys![;)
 
did the pics upload on here?
 

Attachments

  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.57 #2.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.57 #2.jpg
    90.7 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.58 #2.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.58 #2.jpg
    77.8 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.00 #2.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.00 #2.jpg
    77.5 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.57.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.57.jpg
    66.1 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.58.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.58.jpg
    85.8 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.59.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 18.59.jpg
    94.6 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.00.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.00.jpg
    77.1 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.01.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.01.jpg
    72.9 KB
  • Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.02.jpg
    Photo on 2012-08-29 at 19.02.jpg
    91.3 KB
What's wrong with the frame you have? Is it rotten out or do you want the ifs of the s-10? If so, why not go to the junkyard and see if they'll cut you out the front clip of a 70s-80s Chevy car? You could even go the mustang 2 ifs route. The possibilities are endless and for the most part not all that expensive. And if you can weld, just make it stick, doesn't gotta look purty, then the possibilities are really endless. [;)
 
I've seen that truck before, it was on craigslist in Winterset I believe lol. Like others have said, unless the frame is junk that's under I'd just upgrade brakes and such and go from there. By the time you get a good s10 frame and do all the work to switch it over I think you'd be better off using the existing frame and just drop in a new power plant.
 
Looks good! Very complete! The million dollar question is............what's your budget?
I'll hazard a guess and say you're probably in your early twenties with not a lot of disposable income and this very well could be your first rod (rat or otherwise). If that's the case I'd say keep it simple! Start by cleaning it up. Rust and grease removal, get rid of the seat, bed floor, superfluous crap, etc. That shouldn't cost much but will keep you motivated as you see your progress. Upgraded suspensions would be great but if you're keeping costs down (and we're not sure of your welding skills either) the stock front and rear suspensions will be fine, for now. Tear the front end apart, clean it up, new kingpin bushings, tie rod ends and shocks, call it good. Same with the rear. Clean, change gear oil, new shocks, axle seals and maybe a pinion seal, good to go. Find yourself an SBC and accompaning trans and drop it in. I would check over all the wiring also. That's the cheapest and easiest way to get it up and running.

Or, maybe you're experienced and have a few bucks. Then, there's a myriad of front clips that can be adapted. An 8" or 8.8 Explorer rear could be hung too. Your choice of motors. A friend's '48 ran a 322 Buick backed by a 4-spd. Another friend had a '49 with a 302/C4 combo and a flatbed on the back w/moon tank. We drove 'em both from Northern California to Death Valley and back many moons ago. What a trip that was!

Anyhow, good luck with your project and keep us informed with lots of pics!
 
I done a frame swap on this 52 Ford for a customer using an S10 he had already.
I can tell you it's not a walk in the park to do. They have 2 different wheel bases that causes you to shorten the S10 or lengthen some thing on the body/bed. I lengthened the bed because the customer didn't want the frame cut [S

attachment.php
 
Well I have around 600 - 800 bucks. I want to get my other project going before I do anything with this one. I have a 1950 ford f1 as another project. :cool: I got some 16 inch pie crust on radial white walls on some 16 in rims. ;) I think they will look cool on the truck. Does anyone know where I can get a really cheap gas tank? I almost have the truck running and driving. It just needs the back brakes worked on a bit and some new brake lines. It has a rebuilt starter. The seat is being reholpostered. I think the truck might need a new fuel pump too... Oh ya, forgot to tell you guys I would be interested in selling the 48 ford if someone offers me the right price. Maybe a trade... And yes it was the one on craigslist! :)
 

Attachments

  • 50 ford.jpg
    50 ford.jpg
    110.2 KB
I was just informed the pix I've been posting lately have not been showing up so, here is the pic I posted with my last post here. Sorry

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • 2013-07-08_16-20-45_488.jpg
    2013-07-08_16-20-45_488.jpg
    86.7 KB

Latest posts

Back
Top