1948 Ford F3

[jyfairlane]

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]

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

 

[FortyNiner]

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]

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]

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