Anyone know a good donor frame for a 1939 Ford pickup (small)? I know people have used an S - 10 frame....for other applications. Which one is gonna be the easiest for me? My original frame needs way too much work, as rust has won the battle in a few crucial spots. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am at a standstill 'til I can locate a decent donor frame. Thanks !
I did one once using a1940 tudor,( car frame). You'll find the S-10 not too popular here, we tend to go the traditional way.
If you pick up a magazine like Rod & Custom or Street Rodder, there are full page ads for frames. You can buy a repop frame made just for these trucks. Why mess with something that has to be cut and modified and end up with a rolling abortion?
I saw a 41 near by that had another frame under it, was told it was an S10 but couldn't be verified. The fenders and hood would not line up, leaving a crappy looking gap between them. Get the proper frame, if you want better suspension, put it on the original frame.
Do you have any pictures of these spots? Those frames have some common areas that rust out, but can easily be fixed. Fixing the frame is probably easier than swapping with something that was never designed for your truck. You may be better off having a reputable shop repair your frame and set it up for what ever suspension and/or drivetrain combo you plan.
How bad is the frame from front to middle of cab.They are usualy bad in back.If the front is good spice the ford front with s 10 back.Splice under cab.This way if you want IFS MII still ford and back lot of rear ends choies.Your front sheet medal will fit.
Skidmarks is right on. 35-40 car frames and 35 -41 pickups are the one to use if you want to keep a stock frame under it. Check out the classified section of the Fordbarn. Also check out the Westscott site. They have some real good frame diagrams on it. www.westscottsauto.com There is a fiber-glass 40 pickup body kit for use with a Ranger chassis. So you might want to compare the Ranger chassis with the stock one.
The 35 -40 car and 35-41 truck frames are your best bet. I put a 39 on an early ranger frame. The main issue I had with the ranger frame was that it kicks up right under the seat area. I ended up stepping the cab floor up in the seat area and mounted early mustang seats with out the tracks to the floor. also you will have to make a lot of brackets to support the front sheet metal.
The 35 thru 40 Ford frames are pretty much the same and usable between the years. Best would be the 37 thru 40 car and 37 thru 41 PU for good fit especially the bumpers area will be the same. I wouldn't try a frame swap as I have seen so many of these usually screwed up. Plus, these Fat Ford Frames are pretty available in good shape and reasonably priced. Thanks, Butch
35-40 frame patch panels: http://www.precisioncoachworks.com/ Do it right, do it once. please dont ruin another classic truck with cobbled together crap <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
Also swapping frames can lead to serial number/title/registration issues, since the only places you'll find the serial number of your truck is on the frame and on the original transmission housing. Ford never put the serial number anywhere on the cab back then .
Used there patch panels a couple of time. Just when you cut out the old rusted part make sure the inner X member is not rusted . If it is its a little more work but in the end you still have your frame matching your title.
Just went on there site I see they make the inner X frame panel panel now. That will make it a lot easier.
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