1949 Ford F1 question

[millerliteliker]

I bought a pretty nice all original 49 F1 with the V8 engine and 4.27 rear end ratio.

First of all, I have attached the data plate which is found in the glove box lid. I really don't know what the bottom right hand numbers / letters mean. If anyone can enlighten me on this it would be much appreciated.

Secondly, the Dana 41 with 4.27 rear end ratio leaves a little bit to be desired in regard to modern driving. 50 mph seems to be getting near the manageable top speed. Does anyone sell ring gear and pinions for the Dana 41. I would rather get the 3.73 ring gear and pinion for obvious reasons.

[millerliteliker]

Here are some pictures of the truck. Just a good solid pickup.

[CSArno]

Great looking truck! I have a '49 F1 and asked the same rearend question a little while ago. Here is the thread with the answers I got.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187752

[JSeery]

That looks in nice condition.

[George/Maine]

I think you are out of luck changing gears with that rear end. What most do is find a pu rearend from 57 to 72 its a bolt in and 9" gears and bolt pattern the same.

[FortyNiner]

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Welcome. You do have a very solid truck and a twin to mine! As others have indicated, there isn't a ready gear kit solution available. George is correct that rear differential/axle swaps are the usual solution. An exhaustive reference can be found at: http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/...rential-swaps/

Enjoy the ride!

[moefuzz]

.

Hi, you sure found a nice example of Fords finest..
I have a 49 Merc M1 with the 4:27 and 29" tall tires.
It will do 70 but 65 is usually my highway speed.
On lonely secondary highways we'll putter along at 60 all day.
You get used to the engine rpm just like any other vehicle.


As far as 'The Numbers' on the data plate go...
My M1 has 4700 lb axles and the truck tips the scales at
3900 lbs with a full tank.

She has a total of 34 leaves in the rear springs.
That would be 11 leaves per side plus 6 overload leaves per side.
I think the front axle has 8? leaves per side (16 front) for a total of
50 leaves/4 corners.

Last year when the company I worked for moved shop,
I bought the stainless steel scrap pile for $100 cash.
It turned out to be 3300 pounds of scrap (at 75 cents/pound!)
that we loaded into the back of my 66 year old "1/2 ton".

3300 pounds didn't even put it on the overloads but it did force me to
pump the tires up to 45 pounds before we took the highway into town..

About 2 weeks later I was at a friend of a friends place and he was
adamant that the 4700 lb rating was for both axles/full load/total.

....Even after I pointed out that the truck had 34 leaves at the rear axle alone,
He still tried to tell me that "if the truck weighs 3900lbs and the data
plate said 4700, then I was good for 800 pounds of cargo".
..Which would have been me and him and a picnic basket...

I told him to get out, the picnic was over and this weren't a chevrolly.
(total load is dependent on axle/spring and tire sidewall rating)












These old girls were made to work,
Hope you get your data plate figured...


moe


.

[moefuzz]

Originally Posted by George/Maine

I think you are out of luck changing gears with that rear end. What most do is find a pu rearend from 57 to 72 its a bolt in and 9" gears and bolt pattern the same.

I wish it was a bolt in.

.

[Ford Freak]

Great looking truck . Enjoy !!

[Barry-ct]

Very nice truck. You could find another axle with the 3.92 gears in it. 3.92 and 4.27 were the only gears offered for the 48-52 F-1 trucks. Fairly common axle to find. They were making aftermarket gear sets in a 3.50 ratio at one time. Check with Chuck's trucks in Hamden, Ct. and see if he still offers them. A bit expensive last I knew, then the labor to install a new gear set. I would find a 3.92 rear and swap that. I have that ratio in my F-1. Remember, interstate highways did not exist like today, and people didn't drive these trucks fast.

[Curt in AZ]

I have a similar problem with my F100. I recently got an extra 3 speed that has a functional Warner OD. Is this also a viable option or does the cost and installation make this a less desirable option?

[Ol' Ron]

The Ford/merc o matic had a 3.3 rear.

[pj's junkers]

I could not see the picture so I will answer with one of mine 9 H C would be a 49 or 50 6 cylinder 114 inch wheelbase other would be 9 R C 8cylinder.If you see an 83 somewhere that means pickup.

[rotorwrench]

These were popular pickups. My Pop had 3 that I know of and maybe more back in the day. Someone likely has an axle that is looking for a home. The 3.73:1 was the common axle for the Dana 41/F1 combination. If a 4-speed was installed, they usually used the lower gears. The Dana 41 gears and axles from a Mercury in the 1949 to early 1950 time frame had 3.91:1 gears and are interchangeable with the exception of the spring pads. A person could just use the guts from one if they didn't want to swap pads out. Dana 44 axles from late 50 thru 52 are a bolt in if you don't mind 3.92:1 gears.

New gears and carriers are available for the Dana 44 but I don't think they will fit in the Dana 41. This would be expensive though since a person has to change carriers for the taller gear sets and that adds up to big bucks just for the new parts required alone.

[El Rat]

Not exactly a bolt in! I found a 57 PU rear-end with a 3:00 gear (60 model 9") regardless I needed:
F250 shock bracket (different rear end tube diameter)
New rear end yoke. I think I used a station wagon yoke. You need to make up the differance in lengths of the Dana vs 9"
Change the emergency brake cables
Change the pinion angle (shims)

[TomTruck]

Where are you located? I have a couple of rear ends from an F1.

[tanner]

Found 57 pu rear end and 3:00 gears (60 ish econoline I think) at junk yard. Also long yoke. Fabricated new shock bracket. Easy bolt in. installed new axle bearings and seals. LOVE IT NOW!! 2050 rpm at 60 mph. 65 or 70 mph no problem. I would suggest you check brakes and front end/steering linkage and rework as needed so you can steer and stop at 70 mph as well.

[millerliteliker]

Thanks for all of the help. I found what I needed.

Early Ford V8 sales sells a 3.54 ring gear and pinion set for the 48-50 F1 with a Dana 41 rear end. The part number is 8C-4209-HS and it sells for $395. Their web address is

http://www.earlyford.com/

Thanks for all the help and I will let everyone know how the installation went and how the truck drives after it is done.

[CSArno]

Something wrong with that link.
Save your old parts! :-)

[millerliteliker]

Originally Posted by CSArno

Something wrong with that link.
Save your old parts! :-)

I just fixed it.

http://www.earlyford.com/

Click on the "1932 and Later" link and from there under the Categories click on "Rear Suspension and Axle" to get to the part number.

Sorry for the confusion. I thought I could use the actual link for the part number.