The Ford Barn

jyfairlane · 03-21-2021, 08:55 PM

Hey all. I’m new to this forum stuff but I picked up a pickup and need some info so here I am asking. I finally got my ‘48 SRW F3 home that I bought at an auction. It’s complete and original and needs rebuilding to be drivable. Are there any differences between F2 and F3 brake systems or steering aside from 8 vs 5 lug?

1952henry · 03-21-2021, 09:16 PM

Both F3 and F2 had 8 lug hubs, as they were both 3/4 tons.

FortyNiner · 03-21-2021, 09:33 PM

The F2 and F3 are really the same vehicle other than some additional rear springs to give the F3 a rated capacity of 6800 lbs versus 5700 for the F2. The fenders, brakes, bed, 8 lug hubs, and tailgate are identical. They are also different from the F1 - which has the 5 lug wheels - and a different hub and brake setup.

Your big challenges will be with the wheels (the F3 typically had two piece wheels dubbed 'widow makers' ) and brakes. A resource to consider is Chuck's Trucks in Connecticut. He is the go to for larger truck parts.

Engine and cab parts are generally shared across the conventional F series models.

http://www.chuckstrucksllc.com/

GB SISSON · 03-21-2021, 10:08 PM

Yes, all of the above... and don't mess with those widowmaker wheels.. You will find that if you have the right rear drums, some modern plain old 8 lug rims just bolt right up. Mine did. But some drums won't. Others wilkl chime in. I have nothing newer thathan the big 5 on 6 7/8" oddball tonners right now.

truckdog62563 · 03-22-2021, 01:42 AM

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The 1948 to early 1951 F-2 and F-3 trucks have Lockheed brakes. The F-2 had 12” rear drums and the F-3 had 14” rear drums. The F-2 came with 16” x 6” one piece wheels while the F-3 needed the 17” x 5.5” widow makers to clear the bigger drums. Few shops will touch the widow maker Firestone RH-5° rims today. There are replacement wheel options we can go into detail about if/when you want to hear it. In late 1951 and 1952 Ford switched both models to 12” Bendix rear drums and moved the parking brake to the driveline. Stu

03-21-2021, 08:55 PM	#1
jyfairlane Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 2	1948 Ford F3 Hey all. I’m new to this forum stuff but I picked up a pickup and need some info so here I am asking. I finally got my ‘48 SRW F3 home that I bought at an auction. It’s complete and original and needs rebuilding to be drivable. Are there any differences between F2 and F3 brake systems or steering aside from 8 vs 5 lug?

03-21-2021, 09:16 PM	#2
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,619	Re: 1948 Ford F3 Both F3 and F2 had 8 lug hubs, as they were both 3/4 tons. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

03-21-2021, 09:33 PM	#3
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,136	Re: 1948 Ford F3 The F2 and F3 are really the same vehicle other than some additional rear springs to give the F3 a rated capacity of 6800 lbs versus 5700 for the F2. The fenders, brakes, bed, 8 lug hubs, and tailgate are identical. They are also different from the F1 - which has the 5 lug wheels - and a different hub and brake setup. Your big challenges will be with the wheels (the F3 typically had two piece wheels dubbed 'widow makers' ) and brakes. A resource to consider is Chuck's Trucks in Connecticut. He is the go to for larger truck parts. Engine and cab parts are generally shared across the conventional F series models. http://www.chuckstrucksllc.com/ __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

03-21-2021, 10:08 PM	#4
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,929	Re: 1948 Ford F3 Yes, all of the above... and don't mess with those widowmaker wheels.. You will find that if you have the right rear drums, some modern plain old 8 lug rims just bolt right up. Mine did. But some drums won't. Others wilkl chime in. I have nothing newer thathan the big 5 on 6 7/8" oddball tonners right now. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

03-22-2021, 01:42 AM	#5
truckdog62563 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, Il Posts: 599	Re: 1948 Ford F3 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The 1948 to early 1951 F-2 and F-3 trucks have Lockheed brakes. The F-2 had 12” rear drums and the F-3 had 14” rear drums. The F-2 came with 16” x 6” one piece wheels while the F-3 needed the 17” x 5.5” widow makers to clear the bigger drums. Few shops will touch the widow maker Firestone RH-5° rims today. There are replacement wheel options we can go into detail about if/when you want to hear it. In late 1951 and 1952 Ford switched both models to 12” Bendix rear drums and moved the parking brake to the driveline. Stu __________________ Stu McMillan Marmon-Herringtons