Any Potential in this truck?

Not necessarily. Larger trucks (one-ton and larger) were built for industry, utilities and farmers throughout the war. A need had to be demonstrated by the purchaser. The manufacture date does not in and of itself mean it was a former military truck.

This truck in question WAS a government vehicle originally, as you can see the nomenclature data plate riveted in, on the middle of the dash. Plus, the happy new owner has its history from Day One!!!

 

I think it has tons of potential... fix her up, lower it a little, and make it a hauler... id buy it

 

You won't find any other rear end to fit that won't require a different lug bolt pattern. Which means the front and rear won't match. (two spares?)

I'd leave it like it is, drive it around for awhile, and let it "tell you what it wants to be".

 

Check out older RV chassis for a newer rear that might be a good direct swap. I found a 5-lug dana 70 from a 70's Dodge RV chassis that was a perfect swap for my 1-ton truck and had the same bolt pattern, better brakes and lots of gear options. It had duals on it for the RV. But, that was just like what Studebaker used. Studebaker 1-tons normally got duals, but the ones ordered with pickup beds got singles. Studebaker just riveted spacers onto the otherwise stock drums to space out the wheels to match the fronts. The Dana was a little wider than the Spicer rear out of the Studebaker, so I just had new spacers made (by Matt Seret) of a different size, but same concept basically. I did all this because I wanted to maintain the stock split ring wheels and the same track width so that the truck otherwise looked very stock and original. The 5-lugs were actually pretty hard to find, but I think the 6-lug might actually be easier. Since I was looking, I saw a lots of lug patterns on RVs and other light duty trucks. I am sure if you do some research you can find a good modern swap.

And don't worry about having to add lead to old motors. Mostly just a bunch a scare tactic BS from back in the day and not really anything to worry about too much. Especially if you are going to swap it in the near future anyway. The lead was added more to boost the octane. When that truck was made, they didn't even put lead in gas. They did that in the 50's and 60's when the higher compression motors started needing higher octane gas to stop the pinging.

I would just do the normal basic cleanup and tune up stuff if you want to run it as is for a bit - flush out and change all the fluids, filters, hoses, etc. and probably all the wires too (shouldn't be too many). Last thing you will want is to burn it up because of frayed or bare wires. Grease and lube everything on the chassis you can find, especially steering stuff. It can be amazing how much better the steering is once it is in proper working order with new bearings, grease, alignment, etc. My truck is tough to turn the wheel when stopped, but otherwise perfectly fine, even if just barely moving. I parallel park it (in the city even on hills) all the time with not too much problem.

Have fun with it and glad to see you are giving it some respect.

 

Just drive it for a while. It will let you know which way to go. I love those brush guards over the headlights.

 

Plus most flathead Fords have harden seats anyways...no need for fuel additive.

I have bought 8 of the 42-47 trucks in the past couple months...all in various states and all very cheap. I love them stupid things
There is a junk yard here in town that has that same truck...has the swing out windshield (first one I have ever seen), round gauges, bars over headlights and running lights not cut out.

Heres my Dad's 41 1/2 ton Ford. Used to have a tank on the back and you can barley see were it said 76 on the door...also a 6 cylinder truck!

 

'41 truck like that is what got me started in this old truck mess, lol.

BTW, the '43 pictured is 6 lug, not the 5 lug of the Bonus built years, as noted.

 

looks like the international im still kickin myself for gettin rid of

 

That truck has 6 lug wheels, an upgrade from civilian 1 1/2 ton models. Easy swap to a later axle and better wheels if you make a hauler out of it. It is a rare survivor, too nice to chop up.

 

I build a car hauler out of it...change the running gear to a more hi-way friendly set up

 

What ever youdo DONT build one of those fucking ugly 'Bobber' trucks!!

 

i love that grille

 

I would definitely try to figure out what it's job was in the military. although not an active war vehicle there are LOTS of people searching for any vehicle with verifiable WWII provenance. Is the base still open? maybe you can find pictures of the truck or one like it.

 

Car Hauler!!!!

 

I agree!..and the more I look at it, the more I want it.

 

Is one of the plates riveted to the dash the instructions for the cowl vent? Or does it even have a cowl vent since it has a swing out windshield? Any chance we can get a pic of the center dash dataplates??

 

Yes, it has the cowl vent. I will get pics of the tags here soon. Maybe a vid of us driving it.

 

haha eh men to that

 

That's uh, sort of the complete opposite of the purpose of a hot rod, I thought a hot rod was intended to go faster and handle better than the original car?

But it's a great motto for someone who restores cars.

 

YES!!
YES!!
YES!!

 

I love hot rods...but remember...
It's only origianl..once...d32

 

Build the sombich like you want. It's yours. All hot rods were original once. I like em all. If I have a real nice car I want to sell it and get an older hot rod or stocker. If I have an older car I want a nicer fresh one. Decisions decisions.

 

I can see yer point, but I personally classify that as a street rod, and a hot rod is just to go fast....traditionally fast.

 

As I said, it is a fine line. Not always easy to see in general and will never be seen by some. Got to have sharp vision and good perception to see the fine lines. Blind people can see speed. If that is all you want, no need to worry much about fine lines. Just drop the blown and injected 572 in, tub it out, go to town - don't forget the chute on the back.

 

Simply AWESOME score...... but I'm pretty sure my screen name gives that away.


Any questions on diesels or chassis swaps let me know. Only reason I did mine was its going to be a daily freeway driver.

 

Bingo, Restoration. Do it in honor of they who used these things through the war. Remember it took a lot more than infantry to win, not enough is done to remember other branches of our veterans.
Doc

 

The truck looks really nice, I would take it !

 

No offense, but I thought this was forum about Hot Rods? Where is it written that hot rodding is keeping things as they are? Old cars and trucks don't have to drive like old cars and trucks if that doesn't fit the needs of the owner/builder. It's Fighter-of-wars truck now. He ought to be able to make it whatever it feels to him it should be. If that's leaving it as is, fine. If it's Cummins diesel powered, air braked, air conditioned, air bagged modernized car hauler, camper towing, heavy crap holding brute, then that's fine as well.

There seem to be an awful lot of "rules" about what's right and wrong for a bunch of rebels...

 

Really???????

I might have something to interest you...............I'll take some pics today,on the way to work, and e-mail them to ya' tomorrow.......................If, yer' interested in something of the sort.

 

I strongly agree.