I just purchased a 1939 Ford truck (big truck) for the cab, grill and hood. My question is if a guy was going to build a fenderless truck is this frame or any of the parts like suspension and such any good for anything? Thanks for your time
Is it open season on big trucks now? Sheeeesh! No, there aren't any parts from the '39 commercial that you should use. NONE of them, including the cab and grill. You're building a rat rod. Why not start with an S-10m or something?
The cab is pretty much the same as a half ton cab, as is the oval grille. The rest is too big or too heavy for rod use.
Big truck?? how big if it is 3/4 or 1 ton the rear might be of some use for parts to build a Quickchange, it should even have Wide 5 drums, Also the wheels, becase they would be the same bolt pattern as ford car only wider, or atleast thats what ive heard
That's about all you can use, maybe the headlights. I used a '41 big truck to build one, It wasn't like it was ever going to be restored, I basically saved it from a farm field. It's fairly easy to build your own frame and make it sit like you want. I suppose you could use a Ford car or truck frame, but that would really get some peoples panties bunched up...but then again that might be fun!!!
Hey, thanks for the info. Pretty much confirms what I thought. I have a cab, hood, grill, and alot of scrap iron. Actually dad has a friend who is into the old big trucks so he might be able to get some use out of the frame/suspension. I wasn't sure if any of the brake stuff has any use or anything. I did notice the truck had a flathead in it with a Allstate rebuild tag on it. If I remember right the bore was 40 over and the mains 20. Thanks for your time
The pedal/master cylinder assembly were all the same, not scrap and check out the trans mount crossmember it's on. The heavy duty 4 speed is scrap but any car or 60 hp trans will fit in the same mount, as in AV8. The 1 ton axle/wishbone/spindles/ back plates/cylinders/shoes, and cross steering colunn were the same as pickups and cars, only difference was a big goofy hub for the 17" split rims. I restored a 39 for a friend, went through all of it. Wish it was mine. The factory replacements and rebuilds usually have adjustable lifters.
I'm not sure but I think its bigger than a 1 ton due to the dual wheels on the back. Is there any good way to tell a 1 ton from the bigger trucks? Thanks for the info
Bigger than 1 ton had 5 bolt wheels with 20" tires. Big bolts, big pattern. Dual wheels bigger than 17", not a 1-ton. The X member for the 4 speed is not the same mounting system as the 3 speed. I have several old trucks like that, even the half-ton farmer four has a different mount and X member.
The original 60 HP trans had a rubber doughnut moulded to a flat plate that bolted to a flat crossmember. That style could be transferred to the pickup 3 speed or the 4 speed that we used. Frame looks something like this, http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_chassis-pics/Flathead_Frame_1937truck.jpg the trans mount go's in the crossmember with the big center hole. Then where the torque tube clamshell bolted up there is a short shaft assembly http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_rearend-pics/Flathead_Couplingshaft_1938-39truck.jpg That then transitions to the torque tube. So for all practical purposes, the installed leingth of the heavy 4 speed (59T) and the rear flange are the same as the 78 series and the 60 HP. The real mystery is why would someone order a 1 ton wrecker with a 60 HP motor, 3 speed and 6.66 gears? No wonder it only had 34,000 miles on it, musta been a pig.
Well I just pick the truck up. The thing is huge. Wheels are 20 inch 5 lug. I've read where the id# is on the top of the trans that is visable when the floor cover is taken off. I also assume the number should be stamped on the frame rail on the drivers side above the front suspension. Is this number anywhere else? Just want to thank all of yall for the info you provide people like me everyday. Just wish I had some knowledge to give back. Thanks for your time
The number should be on the top rear of the engine. Check van pelts sales for all the info you will need. They have online all the exploded views and part numbers. I have the largest stake truck ford built in 1939. I have pictures of farmers hauling fordsons and cows in them. There are an awful lot of springs on the suspension. Good luck
I see this is two years old, but I have an axle with mechanical brakes from a farm truck that has the 20 inch split rim wheels, and the huge 5 bolt pattern. I believe it is a 1937. I'm a "Noob" as my kid would say so I am wondering if the axle itself can accept car or light truck juice brakes with the original spindles, car or light truck spindles or if it is too thick to do anything with. I have been hunting for info with no luck. I have the whole front suspension including the wishbone which is in nice shape for being in the woods for who knows how long, so i was hoping to use it for a project. Thanks guys!
Sounds like a 1&a half ton axle. you could swap juice backing plates from a 39 or newer but its still a big truck axle. too big for anything but a big truck. have any pictures to post of it? you could also check over on the FTE "ford truck enthusiast". Www.ford-trucks.com for more info on it? ive also got a 38 ford firetruck with mechanical brakes.
Thanks for the info. I don't have many people around with old axles to compare it to, so I figured I would go to the best bunch of people on the net. Here is a photo of what I have.
The Jalopy Journal
