Confession

1

1937pickup

Well-known member
It is said that confession is good for the soul-so here goes. I love my 37 pick up-just looking at it brings back so many memories of re-building it with my boys-great times. Love the sound of the flattie and the joy it brings to people when they see it going down the road. However, I can not stand riding in it for long periods. The ride is uncomfortable, buggy springs and biased ply tires do not ride very well. The seat is very upright does not help. Double clutching while shifting takes a while to get used to doing, and you need to be alert and "drive" the truck at all times. These trucks were designed for short trips with a bale of hay and a hog in the bed. Going from driving the 37 to a modern car really makes you appreciate how far we have come with automotive technology.
 
All valid points. Modern automobiles have made driving so much easier, "passive" so to speak. You really don't have to think about much except traffic.

Even with all the inconveniences of these early Fords, I still enjoy enjoy the experience. Actually, I enjoy the process of the restoration more. It's the hunt for the parts and the repair and build process that I really enjoy. Still there is just something mystic about early motoring. Like a trip back in time before everyone had to drive 75 mph and slam on the breaks at every stop. I don't need air ride, air conditioning, gps and power everything. Just a well built flathead is all I need to listen too.
 
Sorry to hear your puckup is uncomfortable for you to drive but the memories of rebuilding it with your boys must be priceless. I have a 37 Im in the process of reconstruting but it isnt a restoration, just driver. I wanted to do it with my boys but when they were the right age the time and money wasn't there. Now their off and on their own and I have my dog for help. She's good company but not much help. Go pat that truck on the fender ....It will make you smile. Take care....Mark.
 
You all are correct, of course I was also thinking about 1954 not 2013. Now 59 years later the old body has aged some! The 1938 Ford Sedan with the original lightly modified engine and transmission was as they said at the time "the hot set-up".

Mark
 
Seth Swoboda said:
All valid points. Modern automobiles have made driving so much easier, "passive" so to speak. You really don't have to think about much except traffic.

Even with all the inconveniences of these early Fords, I still enjoy enjoy the experience. Actually, I enjoy the process of the restoration more. It's the hunt for the parts and the repair and build process that I really enjoy. Still there is just something mystic about early motoring. Like a trip back in time before everyone had to drive 75 mph and slam on the breaks at every stop. I don't need air ride, air conditioning, gps and power everything. Just a well built flathead is all I need to listen too.
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Seth, my sentiments exactly. Were we somehow separated at birth?? LOL
 
Lawson Cox said:
Seth, my sentiments exactly. Were we somehow separated at birth?? LOL
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Not unless you were born on the 10th of May, 1980 :).

Lawson, regardless of age we share the same passions for early Fords. That's what makes this website great. All of us here share an interest, in some way, in preserving the experience of early motoring so that it may be enjoyed for future generations.
 
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i agree with the fact that i enjoy the restoration more than the drive ,here in the u.k we dont really have the long empty open roads that you enjoy over there ,for the last 40 years or so i have always had a restoration on the go be it a classic bike ,car or truck,at the moment i,m on the back end of a 20 plus year restoration on my 39 coupe and a recent 51 f1 truck import with my 37 zephyr coupe thats been stripped for the last 25 years ,hope to start it next year .regarding the truck i guess in the 50s they didnt have fat farmers who had the steering wheel pushing into their stomach,when i first sat in mine i forgot how cramped they were ,i had a 49 f1 many years ago but i wasnt as big as now ....all fun and lovely and full of character,i must change the bias ply tyres though ,useless over here , a shame as they are 15 inch coker classics and almost new ,more money to go into what already is a money pit ...but i love it , cheers jim.
 
I also agree with all the above posts - however, with a 37, you are not 'stuck' with running Bias ply tires. Hows about changing to radials [its only a set of tires - you're not 'butchering it!'], and seeing how that single change transforms your vehicle? In my [biased] opinion, radial tires are the single best improvement anyone can undertake with an early Ford.
 
I am amazed at the advances in automobile technology and it is more apparent when you have something to actually compare it to. The old car always has me wondering if she'll start or stop. The new cars don't really give me that sensation....;)
 
Any pickup is like that. Get a coupe or a sedan and feel the comfort of a seat designed to sit in! Real steel coil springs and lots of puffy cotton, designed for comfort, not like the seats in a modern car. Take a trip and get out for gas, you don't creak and groan like you would in a modern car either!
 
For me driving an old car is all about the sensory input. The smell of warm oil, the exhaust, the cab and the sound of the motor and trans going through the gear, the wind coming in the window and the tires on the road, the feel of the motor vibrating, the suspension going up and down and the steering wheel moving from side to side. Nothing better than cruising on a fine fall evening the the glow of the gaugea and your favorite tunes on the radio to keep you company. Old cars aren't about keeping up with traffic or even the times. It is about enjoying the ride.

But yeah I agree you should put radials on it. Keep the bias ply for shows.

--louis
 
I understand completely where your coming from. Since I gave up driving several years ago, rebuilding my 1947 International has been a project on updating everything. @0 years ago I removed the KB-1 engine, trans and steering in favoer of a 1952 Merc engine, Merc o matic and rear end. The front axle was replaced by one from a 1952 F-1 PU and a 525 Saganaw box. That improved the truck alot, but it was still a truck. After a few more engine changes the truck was finaly put to pasture about 5 years ago. Last year I decided to put it back on the road as a test bed for fuel economy modifications. I built up a 239 engine with C-4 transmission and was ready to have it on the road this year. We got it running in May and driving, but The engine was gushing Anti freeze out the driver side exhaust. An attempt oto repair this took longer than I thought and with water in the oil half the summer was gone so I decided on Plan B. Install the big engine, a 280 ci stock Merc engine ( Only the pistons were changed). Because I wouldn't be driving it I had to make it more plesent for other people to drive.
Front suspension from a 1948 Ford passenger car
rear suspension from a 1998 Jeep Cherokee.
And to improve steering an S-10 Power steering.
And now I have a nice T-170 trans with OD, we might get some good gas mileage from this after aLL.
 
louisb said:
For me driving an old car is all about the sensory input. The smell of warm oil, the exhaust, the cab and the sound of the motor and trans going through the gear, the wind coming in the window and the tires on the road, the feel of the motor vibrating, the suspension going up and down and the steering wheel moving from side to side. Nothing better than cruising on a fine fall evening the the glow of the gaugea and your favorite tunes on the radio to keep you company. Old cars aren't about keeping up with traffic or even the times. It is about enjoying the ride.

But yeah I agree you should put radials on it. Keep the bias ply for shows.

--louis
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Fine sentiments Louis, nothing else compares.

Just think. A Farmer bought home a new '37' Ford Pickup Truck and said to his wife. "Man alive, that new pickup truck is the best thing I ever drove. In the morning I'll put that old Model T in the far corner of the barn. Who knows it might be worth somethin' one day."

For that farmer the '37' was a big improvement, newer cars are an improvement over older cars. But we put those improvements to one side when we drive our old cars, and as Louis has said, there are many more experiences we have when we drive a Ford V8 than we get when driving a newer car. Viva La Difference!
 
I love driving my 36 pickup, its all original and still with the mechanical brakes, and bis ply tires. also I love the sound of the Flathead !
 
I admit I am old and set in my ways. Totally enjoy my old Ford for what it is. Of course I have a new car. It and all the others have all the thrills and excitement of a Kenmore refrigerator. In fact it would save all the car manufacturers a lot of money to just contract with Sears to sell their cars. You could get your new Kenmore Belchfire 6 in white, green, bronze or stainless. Now they are coming out with "driverless" cars. Computer and GPS will drive it for you. Exciting, or what? Bet they are comfortable though.
 
The "Good Old Days" of cars is today, if you don't like working on them. Of course it's nearly impossible to work on today's cars. That said, I love driving my 1945 1/2 ton that belonged to my in-laws. Still has the shop name on the doors. Even better, when I open the hood I can recognize everything in there. I can drive my Jeep all over town and no one notices, but let me drive the Ford and there are lots of smiles, thumbs up and "great truck" comments. Makes me think other people enjoy seeing it on the road.
 
I know what you mean that the seats set up to straight. With my bad back my Model A coupe with new seat springs and Labaron Boney threads, it still sets up straight and kills my back in a short ride. You could emprove the ride by installing Monoleaf springs in front and back and radial tires. And reconstruck the back of the seat so it lays back some. Walt
 
I stop more frequently, to get out, stretch the legs, stand back and admire, then resume the incredible feeling of the "sensory input" as louisb mentioned.
The appreciation of my modern cars heightens, as do the old pickup's..win win.
 
37,
Hmm....is the '37 1/2 ton that much different than a '41 1/2 ton. I'm 5' 10"
and the '41 fits me real nice....hydraulic brakes, bias tires (15") 286 stroker....blah
blah. We drive it all over....never been on a trailer....been to many V8 meets hauling
swap meet parts.
The last Dearborn Grand Nat'l we drove it on rte US80/90 and Michigan M94...
70 mph at times to keep from being squashed by the big boys. Six hours straight
and I was 65 years old at that time.
Just a tip here for what little it is worth....when I restored the truck I cleaned
each spring leaf and ground out the wear. I soldered a penney on the bottom tip of
each leaf so that the spring flexes on the penneys...quiet and smooth. When we
did the interior (LeBarron-Bonney) my upholstery guy added an extra 2" of foam to
the seat bottom...maybe that's the difference.
I'll give you ride if you plan to be at the Gettysburg Meet next June.
The 'big' motor sure helps too.
Oh yeah....Wzorek shocks.
Charlie ny
 
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