1951 3/4-Ton Ford F3

[rotorwrench]

Canadian Ford and Mercury trucks started out using a load weight rating instead of the F number rating. They only made the F47 and the F68. The US built F series Bonus Built pickups did use use F1 through F3 in 1948. The F2 and F3 were a little off on the load ratings so the F2 was pretty close to 3/4 ton and the F3 was shy of 1 ton too. It was basically a heavy duty 3/4 ton. The F2 & 3 had the big brakes and the Timken Detroit rear axle plus the longer frame and bed (8-feet). The F3 likely had a little heavier rear spring set. I think in 1951, Canada went to the F1 and F3 designations through 1952. The Mercury brand would be M1 and M3.

I learned to drive in my Pop's 1952 F3. I caught on to double clutching and rpm matching that way. Most other trucks were easier to shift. Pop had several 49 F1 pickups but they were at a different farm location than the home place I grew up on. I ended up with a 53 Chevy 3100 delluxe cab to use for school. Pop sold the F1s and I wasn't a happy camper when he did. I only wanted 1 of them. Such is life. The F3 he kept to haul his livestock water tank for years more but it was a low geared old work horse.