Technical Tail gate hinges ford truck size problem

I’m working on my 39 truck and I am missing one tailgate hinge so I ordered some repros online and they arrived and they are 2/3 the size of the hinges so I ordered another set from a different vendor and they are also 2/3 the size of hinges I need. The bolt holes are a smaller spacing. They are just totally the wrong size. I did confirm both times that they were for truck replacement hinges. Where should I be looking for hinges that will be the correct size? Thanks

 

Maybe the bed on your truck is newer then a 39, or older then 39?
It may be an aftermarket bed, or even a bed from a different brand of truck.
Maybe just your hinges were replaced with something that was readily available at the time they were needed.
Lots of stuff could have happened since 39.
Maybe you need to start talking to the vendors with the measurements of the parts you have.

 

What brand and what model 1939 truck?
Do you have a large size truck?

 

I have a 1939 ford truck. The bed is from a 1940 ford truck. I do not have a sedan pickup I have a truck. Bed is original unmodified but the hinges may have been changed but they do fit the original bolt holes where the repro hinges have a smaller bolt hole and the spacing is narrower.

 

Ford pickups used the same tailgate hinges from 1937 to 1973. Bob Drake is wrong about this.

 

Can you give the distance from center of bolt hole to center of other bolt hole of the hinge you need?

 

I was assured by both vendors that the pickup and the truck used the same hinges thats why I am asking here.

 

I will post that tomorrow

 

Here are two different 1949 Ford trucks. Might your bed be from the 3/4 ton model?
https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/ford_articles/history-of-ford-trucks-1917-1947/

 

If you want us to help you we need pictures of the bed itself, and the tail gate.

 

Yes. I have many ol trucks, Fords, and the hinges are stamped steel. Ford didnt use cast iron hinges from 1937 to 1973

 

Repro hinge has a 2 inch bolt spacing with quater inch holes. The old hinge has a 2 and a quater inch bolt spacing and 3/8 holes.

I have a truck the gas tank is under the seat. I think there is a difference in the parts used for the light weight pickup and the heavier truck like I have

edit to add. I think I am finding out the hard way that there is a difference in parts based on where the gas tank is. I just got some more dainty undersize parts in the mail. Starting to look like sedan pickup parts are 2/3 the size of truck parts.

 

You might want to post your hinge info request over at this site, lot of restorers hang out there:
www.fordbarn.com

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

 

Tried to get some pictures tonight in the dark with heavy rain but they are all out of focus except this one that shows the bolt holes for the hinge.

 

I am back to working on this trying to get the tailgate working. It’s an original ford 1940 1 ton express bed. Only has the original holes for the hinges at 2-1/4 spacing. I will end up making the hinges to match the parts I already have. So far on this build so many repro truck parts have been undersized or totally wrong. Makes it hard when I try and buy parts and the vendor says pickups and trucks are the same. They are not. Of the major body panels only the grill, hood and windshield are the same all other body panels are different. They may look the same but 1/2” here 6” there is not the same

 

just a suggestion...if you take pictures of the truck bed, all of it in one picture, taken in good weather, with good light, in focus, and post it here...then we can be more likely to figure out what you are working on, and could offer more useful suggestions.

 

Have you tried Mack Hils in Missouri? They seem to make accurate reproduction parts.

 

here are some pictures I found on the internet. My truck is a 39 1 ton that started out as a cab chassis I managed to find a bed for a 1940 I ton which I am currently in the process of straightening and fixing the rust so its pulled down to separate panels now The only difference between a 39 bed and a 40 bed is the center stake pocket. Anyhow here is some pics of a 1940 1 ton so you can see the 1 ton bed and a 1939 1 ton so you can see what I am building

 

It looks like the one ton truck has very little in common with the passenger car based pickup.
Also, there is no one ton specific aftermarket parts.
You will have to fabricate a hinge, or modify the standard pickup hinge, to work with your application.
Maybe something off another brand heavy truck could be adapted?

 

2nd this. Lots of truck guys over at the Barn.

 

Yeah I did that and was suggested to post on the hamb that has a more diverse range of builders.
Just went there to find it and post a link here but it looks like it got nuked. The thread had degraded to arguing over commercial car Vs an actual truck

 

These are the hinges on my 41 ford bed. 2 1/4" spacing and 3/8" holes. The also have a more pronounced lip that the gate rides up to like the one in your picture above. The small hinges don't have that I notice.

 

Is your hinge stamped / folded metal or cast?

 

Hey that's my dad's old truck.

 

I see it as cast iron.

 

Talk to the folks at Mack Products in Moberly, Missouri. They know Fords.

 

I have sent them an email enquiry but it’s not looking good. They have no truck parts on their website only pickup parts.

 

How can you tell from just the picture? The chrome is hiding the contours so it’s hard to tell.

 

The thickness of the flange. Resembles that of a thermostat housing as well. Or is it just me?

By the way, what chrome are you referring to?