I bought this truck at auction for $22.  It is a retired U-haul truck.  After pulling it around the field it started and ran fine.  I then discovered that first gear was missing.  The truck is equiped with a four speed transmission, a three speed with a granny.  The frame is in excellent condition and the cab has a few dents but is otherwise sound. 

It was December 06 and we decided to take the transmission out and see what was wrong.  We don't have a garage, and had to make due with some railroad ties and a snowbank.

The transmission had gears that could be removed form the shaft.  First gear was completely destroyed, however no damage was visible to the other gears.  I bought a new gear for $100 and threw the transmission back together and added a coat of paint. This model transmission is fitted with an emergency brake that is attached to the output side of the transmission. I have not seen this on any other old fords.  I was told that it was specialy desighned for U-haul?

We installed the transmission in freezing temperatures.  Luckily the truck had an access panel right above the transmission that is removable. We had to wait until the snow thawed before we could try out the transmission.  To my great dismay, the transmission will not shift into second gear.  It goes in and then grinds/slips out.  While assembling the transmission I had two little clips that went between second/third gear and the input shaft,  The clips broke when I took the transmission apart and I did not put them back when I assembled the transmission.  I wonder if this is causing my problem?

I don't really have any plans for the truck at the moment, I'm waiting on a transmission or a chance to repair the old one.  In the meantime we still use it on the farm since granny speed works fine.