1952 Ford F-1 Build My First at 18 years old

First off my name is Eddie I live in Bensalem, PA right outside of Philadelphia, Im 18 and this is my first classic build. I work in a Mustang restoration shop and I'm into old stuff, the new stuff just isn't really my thing like most people my age around here. Ive had this truck since August of 2011, I first picked it up when I was 17. I posted a few picks on here before so I know some of you may have seen it before. I'm gonna get a few more pics up soon because Ive made alot of progress on it. It does run it has a 289 v8 out of a 66 Mustang with an automatic transmission however I have since picked up a 3 speed trans from a 1964 1/2 Mustang from work.

This is how it was sitting before I got it.
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/..._5775626_n.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...F-1/inside.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...-1/insidee.jpg

Then I brought it home and stuck it in my garage
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...0F-1/truck.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...pontiacgtp.jpg

And here are some more pictures I started tearing down the front end
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF0246.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF0247.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF0323.jpg
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Good having you back Eddie! Last I heard you were arguing with Dad about those fugly directional lights on the top of the fenders....How'd that one end up?

Truck looks like you've made some progress, good for you. And thanks for the progress pics too!

We decided to ditch them, Ive made alot of progress since then I have welded patches and have 1 fender in primer and the other one is almost ready. After thats done Ill have the worst panel of the truck complete! Ill try and get pictures of the fenders up asap.

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1263.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1264.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1265.jpg
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http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1268.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1269.jpg

Both still need some work not finished yet!

looks good

Have fun! I wish I had started at 17 or 18!

That's a great project!

Love the truck. I had one once myself. It had a sbc in it (don't tell anyone). That's my favorite year.. with the grill teeth.

Can't wait to see more.

Good luck

Good call on the turn signal's Eddie! The fenders are looking nice. Looking forward to watching the progress on the truck, and glad you like the older stuff. I've got a friend who has an old F1 that was his Grandpa's, just sitting in his garage gathering dust. Trying to convince him it would be better sitting in my garage!!

Thanks guys! Ill be sure to get more pics up as Im working on it!

Way to go Eddie, its not often young people get into old iron...

Good job,Eddie..Nice truck..Gunna enjoy the pix..:cool:;)

Hi Eddie and a belated welcome from me down under. I like your truck too and am interested to read some more about what you do, not only to the truck, but about the work you do at the office on Mustangs. I'm keen to follow along on your build too so thanks for posting the updates. keep up the excellent work young man.

Thanks guys! I been doing alot of work on the truck this week, got some shots today of as it sits

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1280.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1282.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1278.jpg
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Looking good there ..I remember my son doing one of these in high school...Seems those front fender were big enough to land a plane on :eek::LOL::LOL:

Coming along nicely Eddie, lots of work!!!

Great work Eddie! Awesome project, and cool career! When I went through college for diesel tech, I worked full time in a body shop. That job taught me a lot of use full skills that I've continued to use today. Your body work looks way better than what mine does now. Haha I've gotten a little rusty. I'd also like you to post up pics from work. My mom has a 68 Mustang coupe we'll be doing this winter. Keep up the great work, Ryan!

Great looking truck, Eddie! Looks like you're doing some really nice bodywork, too.

Looking good!!!

Love those fat fenders!!!

Yep, Looking good there , keep it up.

Eddie,

Just found this thread, you are doing a wonderful job. Be sure to keep us posted of your progress.

Jack.

Yeah you have been working truck is looking so much better , feels good when you see the changes . Keep up the work .

Thanks guys! Today I finished up the install on the transmission cooler, I had to put a transmission cooler in because my radiator had a hole in it and my boss picked up an almost new radiator from a 66 Mustang and sold it to me for $20, but it was for a manual trans so I have to run a trans cooler. I started it up today and pulled it out of the garage so I could clean up a bit and let it run for a little. I also removed the cab lights.

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1302.jpg
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Looks like you are getting along real well on it. I do have one question. Are the rear shocks in the stock location. Don't see how they could be of much use at the angle that they are laying at.

Have fun with your project.

Thanks, and Im not sure if they are in the stock location, thats how they were when I got it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bug

I do have one question. Are the rear shocks in the stock location. Don't see how they could be of much use at the angle that they are laying at.

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The angle of the shocks might be exaggerated by the picture angle. I have a '66 F100 and the rear shocks are mounted at a similar angle so my guess is that's the way it came. If he plans to lower the truck, some adjustments would have to be made....

Yup, that's the stock angle and position on the shocks.... No idea what Ford was trying to accomplish, but it never did work well!!!!

That is some nice sheetmetal you got to work with there Eddie, you're very lucky. Keep up the good work and post some more pics, just gotta love an old F1.

That's awesome that it runs and moves! Projects usually go forward faster when they already move under their own power! :)

Thanks guys, yesterday I chopped off the big hunk of steel bumper that was on the back, must have raised the truck up in the rear atleast 2 inches lol

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1407.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1408.jpg
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...1/DSCF1416.jpg

Like the looks a lot better without the bumper, but now how are you going to tow anything?:whacked:;):LOL:

Jack.

Haha wasn't planning on towing anything, I actually have the original rear bumper and 2 out of the 4 original brackets as well

Wow, that was a whole lot of rear bumper!!!! Lots of old trucks had similar overweight behemoths like that, could pull a house with them!!! Now a good receiver hitch works just fine. Anyway, looks like you have the start of a good scrap iron collection with the old bumper!!!!!

The bumper may have made wheel stands easier , and if it hit the asphalt no problem :D

.

Hi Eddie, I just discovered this thread and will be following along now. I have an interest in your project because I started to build one similar to it once, but sold it before it was finished.:( Mine was a '51 and began life as a 3/4-ton. It was 100% original when I got it, but the flathead engine was frozen and the rear end was locked up from sitting in the weather for too long. Fortunately, the body was really solid. I grafted on a '76 Camaro subframe up front and re-contoured the rear frame. I put a 9-inch rear from a T-bird under the rear on coil springs and ladder bars. All together I lowered it 8 inches. I had all the hard work done and the body roughed out except for the bed sides and tailgate when I was forced to move it. I didn't have room for it in my garage at home and I didn't want to leave it sitting in the weather again, so I sold it. I have regretted it many times since.:CRY: Moral of the story - hang on to that jewel! Here's a pic of mine just before I sold it ten years ago.

Looking real good, Eddie!