My latest project...'40 pickup

[rotorwrench]

I was curious if this commercial has the 85-HP V8 or maybe an optional 95-HP V8? It's certainly going to be one of the more stylish pickup trucks Ford ever manufactured and will likely be just a tad bit better than it was when it left the factory. Between the 40 & 41, it's a hard choice.

 

[Kube]

I was curious if this commercial has the 85-HP V8 or maybe an optional 95-HP V8? It's certainly going to be one of the more stylish pickup trucks Ford ever manufactured and will likely be just a tad bit better than it was when it left the factory. Between the 40 & 41, it's a hard choice.

This one has the 85. Although the 95 was an option, I have no documentation as to how many were produced that way. I know there were 4182 '40 passenger cars produced with the 95, but again, no clue as to how many commercial cars were so equipped.

 

[40larry]

Mike:
My answer may surprise you. I wait until the vehicle is complete and then move the shock arm to the center position and select an NOS link that most closely holds the arm in the center of its travel......Larry

 

[V8ER]

Is the '40 book almost ready? Looking forward to it.

 

[flatheadv8]

Looks great! Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Kube]

Cab is soon to be ready for paint. ALL metal.
The box and all fenders are nearly this far as well.

 

[38bill]

Cant wait to see it finished. Did you have to deal with much oil canning in the back of the cab?

 

[flatford8]

Thanks for the compliment.
Even though I tend to utilize NOS springs to restore the proper ride height and handling characteristics, I disassemble the springs and powder finish each individual leaf. Prior to reassembly, I place a thin coat of "fifth wheel" grease between each leaf.

Thanks for the kind words. I have never restored a truck before. It's been kind of a treat so far. Not nearly as many pieces to redo
Still, lots of little things that I needed to research. I really want this truck to be 100% correct in every way.

When you say " powder finsh" do you powder coat? It that "100% correct in every way"?....... Mark

 

[Kube]

When you say " powder finsh" do you powder coat? It that "100% correct in every way"?....... Mark

Not exactly certain how to answer your question...
Do I use the same exact materials Ford did to finish (paint, plate, etc.) individual pieces? The answer to that is "no".
The products available today are far superior to what was available in 1940.
Do I accurately recreate the colors authentically used? Yep, sure do.

I go to extreme lengths to be certain every nut, bolt, washer, etc. is what Ford used when the vehicle I am restoring rolled off the assembly line.
I am also aware that my restorations are not "exact" by definition. Why? I seek and demand from myself as close to "perfection" as I am able to achieve. That being the case, the vehicles I restore are well beyond what any manufacturer offered then and well, even now.
Examples: While I have the luxury of making the frame flawlessly straight and beautifully finished, Ford did not. Do the doors, hood, etc. align perfectly? Yes, they do. From the assembly line? Typically they did not.
So, in those respects, my restoration is not "exact".

I hope this answers your question...

 

[Kube]

Cant wait to see it finished. Did you have to deal with much oil canning in the back of the cab?

Not the back of the cab so much as the roof. The roof had been "dinged" a number of places through its years. It took quite a bit of time to metal work out the roof.

 

[rotorwrench]

Canning can be tackled with just the right amount of straightening and shrinking but long flat panels likely moved a bit when new so a person doesn't have to get too carried away. I don't see anything wrong with getting the best finish you can. A person really just wants to do these tasks once then get on with another project. From then on it's all about preservation. I like a finish that stays well preserved in the climate that I live in. South Texas can be kind of harsh unless you have a well sealed temperature controlled building to store things in. I'm sure Wisconsin has it's own harsh times. Modern materials certainly do that a lot better than the OEM stuff and besides, most of the OEM finish stuff is no longer available anyway.