I have a 1934 Ford pick-up truck cab. What frame should I start with? I don't know what a '34 frame looks like. Is it the same as a car frame? What about a '32 ford frame? Also, I've been looking at aftermarket '32 & '34 frame rails. These are for passenger cars. Are they the same as a light duty commercial truck? I plan to build a '50s-'60s traditional hot rod with some modern technology mixed in. I'm stumped where to start looking for a frame or what to use. I can fabricate a frame but it won't have the "traditional" look that I want. Also, looking for a registration for this cab. Thanks, Shifter
33-4 frame is what you need ,car or P/U will work. As I remember there is NO ID numbers on that . Frame and engine were the numbers used for ID.
I'm building a '33 pickup on an aftermarket '32 frame. 33 and 34 frames are a bit longer. Check this out: http://www.wescottsauto.com/site2003C/frame_specs.html
Your 34 cab will fiit on a 32, 33 34 car or truck frame-- HOWEVER-- if you are going to use a stock style bed, You will need a 32 bed on the 32 frame and a 33-34 bed on the 33-34 frame. This is due to the placement of the rear fenders on the bed. They are closer to the cab on a 32 bed and more near the middle of the bed on the 33-34 due to the 33-34 frame being slightly longer. We are now building a traditional pickup using a 33 cab, 32 commercial grill shell, 32 frame and 32 bed. Good luck with your project !! Post pics as you go !
34 on 32 rails,,,,HRP 32 on 32 rails The cabs on 32/33/34 fords are almost the same,,the 33/34 firewall gives you a little more leg room and the back body moulding is different on a 34,,,you have the same platform to build from. We built both the trucks in the shop and made the beds,,,as stated in a earlier post the wheel base is a little shorter on the 32 frome,,,so the rear wheels would be closer to the cab than a 33/34 frome. The 32 frame is a one year only,,,33/34's are the same,,,HRP
I just found a 34' Cab for my girlfriend, and I was just asking meself the same question... Thanks for the post!
Thanks for the info. You said your truck is a '34 cab on '32 rails. Where is the difference in the length of the frame between a '32 and '34? Also, do you have to use fenders and runnung board aprons to match the year of frame you are using?
If you are planning on using fenders here is more information for you.. First Off the cabs are the same dimensions but the only difference is the 1934 rear panel has three formed raised body lines. The front fenders are different in many ways. Along with the running boards. Ok, I am not an expert but I have a lot of information that was relayed to me by different people. All saying the same thing. To start, basically the'32 is almost completely by itself: the frame, no X-member with a different wheelbase, the bed/box (mainly the sides and the floor) all the sheet metal, the headlights, bumper, wheel rim diameter and tire size, the cab, especially in the firewall construction, the radiator and grille shell. Also the running boards, which are the same as the car in'32.The '32 wheelbase is 106" and the '33-'34 is 112". Even the engine has differences, and the transmission and the pedal assembly. The '33-'34's are much more alike. The most noticeable differences are the hood side panels, the front bumper is painted black, hub caps, radiator shell does not have the stainless trim and the third wide band on the cab back panel, and otherwise most parts are the same. The next most telling place to look is at the bed side panels in the area between the back side of the front stake pocket and front of the rear fender where it meets the running board. That distance should be 10" on a '33-34. On a '32 it would be about 4". The running boards for 32's are rubber covered as they were on 32 cars and pick-ups. '33-34 boards are all solid steel with a diamond plate pattern stamped in them. The easiest way to tell if the frame is a 32 or 33-34 is to first identify your frame by looking to see if it has an x-member in the center, or just a more or less straight crossmember under the transmission. 32’s are the only frames with no X member. The last detail to identify a '34 or 33 fender, for sure, is to look on the front inside edge of the fender where it sits on top of the frame, at the rear edge of the radiator grille shell you should see a raised up area about three inches long a space and then two holes for the front hood latch. This raised up area is for the crossmember to frame rivets. Now this is not “Henrys Word “but I think pretty accurate. Yes I am open for discussion and correction.
Your welcome. Hotrodprimer! You can always tell a true hotrodder by looking at his "Brand New Pure White Driveway" just smothered with grease and oil stains.
ahh the wonder of hotrodding--mix and match as you please--I'm running 33/34 rails for the added wheelbase, but narrowed using 32 width diminsions and a scavenged 40 ford x member. as an asside--at least on 33/34 chassis are stamed with a number on the left rail, just forward of the firewall on the top--If I recall it will read someting Like *78-12345* in roughly quarter inch numbers. you can probably google production numbers to learn exactly what the year is.
What about hood sides? Are the lower edges of the '32 hood sides the same as the '33/34? Or, is the '33/34 lower edge different, to follow the different shape of the frame? I realize the hood sides have different louvers, etc. for each year, but I'm wondering about interchangeability. EDIT: I think I found the answer to my question. Shown is a '32 hood (25 louver) side compared to a '34 truck hood side. The lower edge line looks different to me. So if you use a '32 frame, you have to use '32 hood sides. I presume that '33 and '34 frame rails have the same shape and that the hood sides interchange between those two. Correct? I have the opposite problem of Shifter...I have the frame, but not the cab and hood. I'm trying to fiqure what sheet metal will fit what I have. I think, thanks to this thread and others on the HAMB, that I just about have it figured out.
What is the bed depth of a 34 pickup? And the distance from the front of the bed to the center line of the axle?
Isn't anybody goin' address the swoop of the 33-34 frame from firewall forward. A 32 is flat.. If you get just the cab, look at firewall, is it bolted in? the firewall and body molding across the back, allowed the occupants roughly 2 more inches of room and allowed seat a slight angle degree from top to bottom. According to an old Ford Brochure.
Really the swoop and fenders. Technically they're different and 32 uses car style fenders and braces. 33/34 braces have a turn in them and a little more arch where they sit on top of the frame. That said you can put 32 fenders on the 33/34 chassis. Did it once myself and have seen it done several other times
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