1941 truck front crossmember

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falkengeist

Junior Member
I have a pickup with a V8 serial number, but someone over the last 75 years has bolted in a 6 cylinder front crossmember. The 6 crossmember obviously has a low dip in the middle to accommodate the 6. How does this affect my front suspension since I'm putting a V8 back in? I've been told that the front end would be raised about 2". That doesn't make sense to me since it would mean trucks with the 6 would be 2" higher than the V8. What am I missing here?
 
according to the parts book after a certain serial number they replaced all the front cross member with the six cylinder type--not sure it looks right but it apparently works
 
The 6-cylinder modification came in sometime after production started. The car frames were all new but the commercial model still used the same basic bones as the 1940 to start with. Alan has it right on the parts book. The green bible shows the 11C-5005-A but states that it was replaced by the 11C-5005-B frame.

There have been a few discussions about the G-model 6-cylinder production in 1941. They are somewhat rare in the commercial pickups but they do exist. Maybe someone else here knows more about new for 1941 6-cylinder pickup.

Just to add: The Bible also shows that all of the 1941 Commercials had the same 11 leaf front spring.
 
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My '41 1/2 ton was born with a 6. Prior to me purchasing it the 6 got deep sixed
and was replaced with a '40 V8. I am using a 10 leaf front spring and the truck most definately sits higher than a '40 in the front. It's not objectionable to me because I'm running 5:50x15's in the front and 6:00x15's in the rear.
Charlie ny
 
did a little research and I am led to believe the army wanted 6 cylinder engines not V8's so that is what precipitated the change
 
The difference between my 41 pickup's 6-cyl crossmember and my 40 car's crossmember is 1-1/2".
 
Did some further investigation with one of the most knowledgeable 40-41 truck guys in the country. There is apparently truth to the parts book listing. At some point in 1941 ALL production switched to the 6 cylinder style crossmember. In addition, the 6 cylinder style hood was also used from that point on.
 
As I recall the change over for the 6 cylinder was in March of '41. Buy the Early Ford V-8 Club's book titled "Two Great Trucks" and you will learn a lot about the differences between the '40 and '41 pickups. It's the best $10 you will spend.
 
falkengeist said:
Did some further investigation with one of the most knowledgeable 40-41 truck guys in the country. There is apparently truth to the parts book listing. At some point in 1941 ALL production switched to the 6 cylinder style crossmember. In addition, the 6 cylinder style hood was also used from that point on.
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Mine is a later 41, and has all the above, 6 cylinder deep crossmember and 6cyl hood, and has a V8.
 
The author of "Two Great Trucks" is the knowledgeable person I was talking about. He certainly knows the trucks, and is a very nice person to talk to.
 
falkengeist said:
The author of "Two Great Trucks" is the knowledgeable person I was talking about. He certainly knows the trucks, and is a very nice person to talk to.
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Howard Towne is a very nice man. He allowed the V-8 Club to reprint his book and get his information out to many '40-'41 pickup owners.
 
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