Background on the Truck:
I bought this 1949 Ford F-2 from Facebook Marketplace in March 2024. It was already shortened and fitted with a custom bed that had originally been used as a toter truck for towing and moving mobile homes. It was later owned by local dirt racer and shop owner Ed “Shag” Horan and used as a garage truck and hauler. While removing spray paint from the rear, I uncovered the old “Shag’s Garage” lettering and kept it as part of the truck’s history. The truck had reportedly not been registered since 1988 and had been found in a junkyard by a previous owner.
I am an automotive mechanic from Oaks, Pennsylvania, and built the truck completely myself in my home garage, working after hours, on weekends, and late nights. The goal was to preserve the character and appearance of an old Ford truck while bringing it into modern times with four-wheel drive, and LS power. I combined the Ford body with a 2004 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 4×4 chassis and running gear, then installed a 2002 Chevrolet 5.3L LS and NV3500 five-speed manual. I fabricated the body mounts, repaired the rust, built the exhaust, and rewired the truck. I completed it in September 2024. The original budget was about $7,000; I ended up with about $15,000 invested. It was meant to be a winter truck, but I liked it too much to use as a beater, so I now drive it regularly and on long trips.
Every part of this F-2 has a patina-style exterior, but underneath, it is a completely custom 4×4. I originally wasn’t looking for another project. I enjoy browsing online listings and daydreaming about future builds. My original plan was to use the body on my winter truck, a 2002 Chevrolet 4×4 Blazer, and build a daily-driven winter vehicle. The truck was rough when I bought it. It needed front floor pans, fender and lower-cowl rust repairs, new doors, lower-fender repairs, and I have always enjoyed building trucks with a strong custom and rat-rod influence. Five years ago, I built a 1954 Chevrolet truck rat rod. As a Chevrolet enthusiast, I wanted to use a Chevrolet frame, even though I had never completed a frame swap before. I don’t own any vehicles with automatic transmissions and didn’t want to start with this project, so I sourced an NV3500 five-speed manual. Once the truck was assembled and all mounts and modifications were complete, I disassembled it again so I could do the exterior work. The truck’s history also made it too interesting to simply restore without learning more about it. The truck had reportedly sat for years and hadn’t been registered since 1988. The previous owner found it in a junkyard. The truck has quite a few unusual details. I fabricated the 2.5-inch stainless-steel exhaust myself. I also removed all the wiring from the truck and completely rewired it with an American Autowire harness.
Name: Tim Casey
Vehicle Year/Make/Model: 1949 Ford F-2
Built By: Tim Casey—owner-built in my home garage
Engine Details: 2002 Chevrolet 5.3L LS; stock PCM, reprogrammed; fuel regulator on fuel rail; Bosch S-10 factory fuel pump; Blazer OEM 19-gallon fuel tank; Truck intake manifold; custom air intake
Transmission: NV3500 five-speed manual, Centerforce clutch, Exedy flywheel, ACDelco slave cylinder, custom AN-braided clutch line, Hurst short-throw shifter
Chassis & Suspension Details: 2004 Chevrolet S-10 4×4 Blazer chassis/frame, 6-inch Rough Country suspension lift, heavy-duty shocks, custom-fabricated body mounts, S-10 4×4 axles and transfer case, front cast-iron differential from Chevrolet S-10 ZR2, 8.5-inch rear differential with 3.73 gears and Eaton rear locker, rear disc brakes
Wheels & Tires: 15×9 Fuel Wheels, 33×12.50R15 Mickey Thompson Baja M/T tires, 5×4.75 bolt pattern
Interior Details: 2023 Ford Ranger crew cab rear leather seat; new carpet; Dakota Digital gauge cluster; Boss 10-inch touch screen radio; Vintage Air heating and air conditioning; 2019 Subaru WRX STI clutch pedals, brake booster, and clutch master cylinder; Volante leather steering wheel; Hurst short-throw shifter
Body & Paint Details: Original 1949 Ford F-2 body with shortened shortbed configuration. Extensive owner-fabricated rust repair, including a rebuilt windshield frame using scrap material. Patina preserved intentionally. Custom body mounts, rear bumper/winch setup, all LED lighting, 1954 Pontiac Chieftain backup lights, and exhaust stacks made from old automobile driveshafts.
Miles Driven in a Year: 3,000 miles
Favorite Shows to Attend: Local and regional truck shows, custom truck shows, and automotive events throughout Pennsylvania
Awards: None to date
