1939 1/2 ton pickup dash items ???

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kehughes

Senior Member
So I've been stripping my '39 pickup cab to get it ready to paint. Need to figure out what all knobs, switches, etc. would have been stock from the factory. This pickup had some "renewing" back in the 80's so I'm not sure If some of these things mounted in the dash were added.
What I have:
--Start push button and little hole w/light(behind dash) to the left of the gauges. What is this light for??
--4 holes in a diamond pattern in the center between the gauges and glove box. 2 of those holes had the throttle and choke rods(these were in the left and right holes of the "diamond" pattern). The upper hole between the choke & throttle holes had a pull out type switch(not sure what it is) and the bottom center hole in the diamond pattern had some kind of new made toggle switch(not sure what it goes to either). The wiring was all cut so couldn't trace them out. The 80's owner also changed out the vacuum windshield to an electric unit so maybe one of these controlled that. I just want to make sure to weld up all non factory holes before paint.

I haven't been successful finding a good photo of a dash in a 39 1/2 ton so could any of you post a pic of your dash?
Or any info would be awesome....Thanks.
 
The little light is the high beam indicator.Two holes inline, centered verticaly, right of the gauges would be for the choke and throttle knobs. I think thats about it. Any other holes would not be stock. Its very common to see a light switch and wiper switch that has been added.

Not my photo but it shows the dash pretty well.
 

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Yeah, I saw that pic in a google search, but I think that truck is a 3/4 or 1 ton due to the floor mounted emergency brake handle. Wasn't sure if the big trucks were the same as the commercial..?
This may be a stupid question, but where should the wiper control be mounted? I was thinking that maybe light switch should be located on the steering column drop.??
 
My '39 p/u dash has been modified for key start and later headlight switch. That said,the light switch was in the center of the steering wheel with the horn button. The ignition switch/steering wheel lock was/is in the column drop although it not longer functions as the ignition switch due to the installation of the key switch where the starter button used to be. The high beam indicator is above the starter button to the left of the steering wheel. I also replaced the choke rod with a cable unit and the installed a head light switch where the throttle rod used to be.
 
kehughes said:
Yeah, I saw that pic in a google search, but I think that truck is a 3/4 or 1 ton due to the floor mounted emergency brake handle. Wasn't sure if the big trucks were the same as the commercial..?
This may be a stupid question, but where should the wiper control be mounted? I was thinking that maybe light switch should be located on the steering column drop.??
Click to expand...

The wiper control is a mechanical push/pull lever that is part of the wiper vacum motor. The push/pull lever sticks out a hole in the header panel more or less directly behind the wiper. As mentioned the light switch is incorporated into the steering column/horn switch. The actual switch is mounted on the bottom of the steering gear box.
 
Here's a couple pics of my 39 pickup dash area and vacuum wiper. Header panel will hide wiper body except for controls.
 

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Beautiful pics garyu. I like it simple also. I guess I will be welding up the other holes leaving only the throttle and choke holes.
I did notice my light switch is in the column drop. I also tried to find a '39 vacuum wiper swith online, but couldn't find one. I did find someone who sold a 40 pickup wiper switch. Would the 39 be the same as the 40 except for the color of the knob?
 
Don't know about wiper motor year to year, wheel came from Macs about 5 years ago(it's been a long project)and fit fine. It was unpainted and using their directions paint supplies cost more than wheel.
 
kehughes said:
Beautiful pics garyu. I like it simple also. I guess I will be welding up the other holes leaving only the throttle and choke holes.
I did notice my light switch is in the column drop. I also tried to find a '39 vacuum wiper swith online, but couldn't find one. I did find someone who sold a 40 pickup wiper switch. Would the 39 be the same as the 40 except for the color of the knob?
Click to expand...
My stock wiper has the switch on the wiper motor itself. I believe there was a change in wiper motors mid year and from what I understand mine is a late '39. The early '39's may have had a different switch set up.
 
I think that Ford used the push/pull lever in trucks that had the wiper motor located in the header. I don't know if mine is correct but it has a small chrome ball that is part of the lever. There is no separate knob. Starting in 1940 the pickups had the wiper motor/s located in the cowl and used a vacuum switch w/knob on the dash. If the electric wiper that's in your truck still works why not keep it? You can hide a switch under the dash or put an electric push/pull switch in the hole that's in the header panel.
 
I just wanted to keep it as stock as possible. I have Tyree Harris wiring. Not sure how good I could make the extra electrical look. I had just planned on putting it back to vacuum ( and Rain-x��).
 
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