Hey! It’s my first post! I came here in hopes of getting some help. I bought this 40 Ford Pickup at an insurance auction. -It's got a 351w- replaced battery, starter solenoid, and fuel pump. It runs off of a Jerry can. I’m cleaning the gas tank… -I believe it’s got a Ford 9” rear end -it’s got a different front sub frame -manual steering box -it's got 5x5 bolt pattern, I removed the front driver wheel(left hand threads) drum brakes. Rear end also seems to be 5x5. It’s got some slot mags on it that stick out beyond the fenders on the front and I hate this. I want to run some steelies or smoothies, but I need to figure out what’s in this thing. Help please!
The upper control arm looks like '52-'54 Ford p***enger car to me?, so maybe that is what was grafted on to the early pickup frame, maybe the rear end came out of the same car?
Looks like Mopar 8.75 but except no lugs for pinion snubber. That would explain left handed studs though.
Doing more research on Mercury’s… this says they had a 5x5 bolt pattern, which I thought was a Chevy pattern, but I guess the old Mercs used it…. Wonder if that’s where my 351w came from… https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/wheel-bolt-pattern-help.1278421/
That’s a 41 , anyway the hood is. You need to post full size photos, these are hard to see. Dash also looks to be 41.
The hood has 41 waterfall and whiskers but a script Ford emblem (1940). The tires stick out due to the sub swap. You need a good frame, '35-'40 car, '35-'41 1/2 ton PU are all the same other than a few 1941 six cylinder frames (deep front cross member).
That’s a Chinese repro Vega steering box, which have a horrible reputation. If the steering is sloppy that’s the place I’d look.
With some changes, that will be a real nice truck. As stated above--get a nice stock frame and build a traditional ch***is.
The left handed threads have me curious if a donor Mopar suspension was used. Can you get a picture of the frame and crossmembers? If it’s a Ford frame from in the same year range, the inner structure forms a stretched X.
The front suspension appears to be 49-53 Ford car. The rear axle looks to be Mopar. Mercury rear 57-59 was 5x5 and was a 9" rear.
Unfortunately, I am in a rental house with no garage and I live up a steep hill. A frame swap isn’t really a possibility at the time. I may have to go with a Zero offset steel wheel that’s period correct and a high positive in the rear… I’ll try to get some better pics
Comet instrument cluster mounted on the original dash. I think it will be difficult finding wheels that will tuck in those front wheels. Probably should live with it as it is until your housing situation improves.
I'm thinking '40 pickup, '40 hood with '41 trim. Cab and dash is '40 also. Put some skinny wheels on the front. Dave
Looks like a 53 Mercury front suspension to me (Could also be a Lincoln) and yes, they had a 5 x 5 bolt pattern. They also used a dana rear axle in 53 so the rear end could be an early dana. 351W did not come out till 69 so not from the early Merc. Seeing how the dash was from a comet maybe it was a Mercury lover that built the truck. Just a guess. Mark
From what little I can see of the actual Frame Rails it doesn't look like any of the Frame is actually 40-41 Ford. In this photo it looks like the bed is welded solid to the rail. Also 40-41 frames are double rail with windows in the inside rail, kind of a poor attempt of a boxed rail. They are well known for rusting out from dirt packed between the pieces. That's not a double rail system.
when you post photos, click on the full image option for each one. Makes it easier on everyone else…….
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