We recently acquired a 42-47 Ford Dual Wheel Big Truck (I don't know what they called these) and a 20's Chevrolet Ch***is. We are planning to use the little Chev frame to make a little race roadster. But as I am way more of a fifties car minded fella, I not sure whats worth saving and whats not on either. I got the truck just because I wanted the Cab and have no desire to build a big truck, so from the pictures what do you all think or know I should be keeping and what is just s**** metal?
The cab on the Ford is the same as the 1/2 ton trucks. It looks to be in much better shape than either of the ones I had. All the front sheet metal from a 1/2 ton will bolt up to the cab. The speedometer is different, it doesn't go as high as the 1/2 ton trucks (is it 60 mph instead of I think 100 mph). The frame is heavier and longer than the pickups. Note the pattern on the wheels its 5 on 6.5 or 7". The rims are split -- I am not sure if they are considered the widow makers but its still hard to get a shop to work on them because of the stigma. I have read a lot about the pattern and there isn't really anything that matches it. Looks like it had a V8 in it. It has the HD 4spd non syncro trans. Basically, the ch***is and running gear is not very desirable except to a restorer or someone just wanting a cool old HD truck. The SN should be on top of the frame near the steering box and on top of the trans in front of a little inspection plate on the 1/2 bell and on the tag in the glove box. See if the SN matches in all three places, not saying that it will make it valuable, but it might be worth keeping together. The SN will tell you the year if it is post war, not sure if there is any way to tell if is made in '42 before the war or during the war because they didn't distinguish the prefix then -- only if it was the 239 or the 221. If you are planning on flipping these, post the Ford here -- there are some that might be interested and also on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum. They have a section for the older trucks like that, not that there are a lot of people looking for them, but you might find interest over there.
I was planning on keeping the cab and junking the frame and running gear on the big truck. The little chev frame will be something again someday.
Does truck have a 2 speed rear? Most likely a postwar truck, because of steering wheel and type of rear.
there have been some cool underslung (springs on top of frame) speedsters built out of Chevy frames like that. search on here
is that chev rearend worth saving for a modified and what do you all think are the best wheels to get if I use the chev front end?
Stutz, is there a hose going to a vacuum canister on the left side of the diff?,,,if so it is a 2 speed. desireable to restorers.
Are you planning on doing something with the truck cab? Again I say check all the SN, would having the "whole" truck be easier to get a ***le for it? Right now you have the legal numbers to get a ***le -- then if you do a frame swap, it might be easier to justify. If you sell the frame to a restorer you can sell with bill of sale a legal frame -- if you use the SN to ***le your truck, they would not be able to use the SN to register their truck (write that in the bill of sale), but would have legal paperwork for ownership of the frame. Personally I would try to sell the frame to a restorer, I hate to s**** anything because it is all getting harder to find and what you have looks really good. The battery tray is for a V8, the 6 was on the drivers side so the uprights are mirror of what you have. The one that I got in the 2 trucks I had was totally rotted. It probably isn't worth the effort to take it off, sell it, and ship it but I am sure someone out there like me would want one (I had to sell out my truck stash because of overwhelming medical bills this year -- so I personally am not looking anymore, but I am sure someone would love it).
As far as I am concerned if anyone wants the HD ford ch***is and wants to drive here to get it, its up for grabs. I am only after the cab and the like parts.
Stutz, That's a "490" ch***is, btu with later 20's wheels. The rear is weak on the early Chevys, but the rest should make for a nice sprinter (especially the 1/4 elliptical springs)!!! The bolt pattern is the same as a T, and Chevrolet made 19" and 18" wire wheels that will fit as well. The disk rims are worth selling (if the rims are nice, that'll boost the price a bit). Best of luck, Bill
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