1939 Ford 1 ton questions

[rkmiller]

I just brought home a 1939 1 ton that my son wants to work on and have a few questions.


The shocks on the front are different than my 1938 1 ton, but otherwise the frame is the same.


The rear differential has an open u-joint drive shaft.


The serial number starts with BB54 44XXXX so it falls into 1938-39 but a 60hp engine would have been original if I understand correctly.


The front wheels are not 1 ton, but on the photos I thought it was swapped out for a different front axle until I saw them in person and recognize them as farm implement wheels. The bolt pattern is 1 ton 6-7/8 and 3/4-16 thread.


we are not going back to show room, but more of a functional restoration keeping period correct when applicable. I have enough left over parts for a second 1 ton, just need a 1939 grill.

 

[ActionYobbo]

That frame looks a bit short for a 1 ton. My 39 had the enclosed drive shaft I assume your one was converted to open drive for a transmission or engine and transmission swap.

 

[rkmiller]

Yes, it was cut down at the back by 15 inches with a torch. I have an extra 1 ton frame from a 1938 or we may make this one a flatbed.


Or it is not hard to remake the C channel and cross member to bring it back to standard length.

 

[petehoovie]

I just brought home a 1939 1 ton that my son wants to work on and have a few questions.

The shocks on the front are different than my 1938 1 ton, but otherwise the frame is the same.

The rear differential has an open u-joint drive shaft.

The serial number starts with BB54 44XXXX so it falls into 1938-39 but a 60hp engine would have been original if I understand correctly.

The front wheels are not 1 ton, but on the photos I thought it was swapped out for a different front axle until I saw them in person and recognize them as farm implement wheels. The bolt pattern is 1 ton 6-7/8 and 3/4-16 thread.

We are not going back to show room, but more of a functional restoration keeping period correct when applicable. I have enough left over parts for a second 1 ton, just need a 1939 grill.

 

[GB SISSON]

Your rear axle appears to be from a '42-'47 tonner with it's open driveline setup. It could also be from a '40-'41 if those years had an open driveline. Best way to tell is width, as there was a 2.5" increase in 1942. Without going down to measure under my truck I would estimate you would have about 48.5" between the rear tires with an early tonner axle and 51" with a '42- later. On those front wheels it would seem they are either quite wide or have a considerable offset but would love to know more about them. If they are 15" wheels then a tall 15" skinny tire like a 33x9.50x15 ( not easy to come by)could work well on a tonner, but if they are 16s, then a 255 85R 16 would be just the ticket. Both being approx 33" OD, which falls about in the middle of the truck's original range of 6.50-7.50 x 17" tires. Most of my 7.50 x 17s measure 34". I wonder if any ag supplier has these 6 7/8 one piece wheels? More pictures of these parts trucks and your tonner please!. And some close ups of those front wheels. Thanks, GB

 

[rkmiller]

Hey,


I measured and it is about 50-51 inches between axle backing plates on this one, but also on my other 3 1938 1 ton closed drive shaft axles they measure the same.


Maybe someone converted the axle to an open pinion u-joint style?


I have a guy a couple hours from me with more one tone stuff from the 40's-50's, next time I am down there will check axle width on those.


On the implement wheel, I don't know what it came from - maybe a plow, disc or one of those carriages to move combine headers, etc. Something from the 50's to 70's I bet. Here in Kansas there is a lot of those out and about and it will take some time, but I will see what I can find out.



Here are some more photos of the front wheels and tires - 15 inch wheel, not sure on the back spacing and width width.

 

[rkmiller]

Here are a couple more photos of the wheel and then one of my 1938-39 closed axles - this one was converted to a trailer and they still had the front axle so I got it too.

We plan on doing a “Sisson” style restoration. Ha!

I have about 4 1/2 frames, 3 whole trucks and 20 wheels now. When I started looking they around here in the middle of the U.S. farm country

 

[rkmiller]

This is the last one I found out in the middle of a pasture at the edge of a wheat field. When I went back to get it after the wheat was cut, the weeds hid it and we had to drive around a little to find it.


It was a bit of an adventure and once I started looking around and asking around they started popping up.


My wife thinks I am starting a 1938-39 Ford 1 ton junk yard!

 

[petehoovie]

This is the last one I found out in the middle of a pasture at the edge of a wheat field. When I went back to get it after the wheat was cut, the weeds hid it and we had to drive around a little to find it.


It was a bit of an adventure and once I started looking around and asking around they started popping up.


My wife thinks I am starting a 1938-39 Ford 1 ton junk yard!

 

[flatford8]

Nice trucks!…….they look like they’ve earned a little love and attention………I like the 9ft beds and the grille guard……keep the pics of your progress coming………Mark

 

[cas3]

My goodness, why were people so mean to those poor old trucks! Glad its with a loving family now.

 

[nelsb01]

The roof is dented, the driver's fender is riped --- but the grille --- unbelievable shape.

 

[1952henry]

Good for you for saving them. I see a hub cap still hanging on.

 

[GB SISSON]

I can't believe she thinks you're starting a tonner wrecking yard. Why would she even think that? I have a nice hood and side panels in my attic, but it's kinda far to drive (or to $hip). Keep up the good work while the weather is good. I have done most all of my favorite tonner hauls in the nice fall weather! Thanks for taking us along.

 

[rkmiller]

Hey I have 2 more trucks I put in a 40 foot storage unit for now that are not very rusty but were taken apart to start a restoration but they lost interest with a lot of extra hoods, doors and other parts so my wife may be right on the junkyard!

 

[Als48]

Here are a couple more photos of the wheel and then one of my 1938-39 closed axles - this one was converted to a trailer and they still had the front axle so I got it too.
We plan on doing a “Sisson” style restoration. Ha! I have about 4 1/2 frames, 3 whole trucks and 20 wheels now. When I started looking they around here in the middle of the U.S. farm country

Hi RK

If i'm not mistaken, that close-up of a front wheel is the more common 5 x 5 1/2 lug pattern. That's the pattern i'm used to seeing on farm implements from the 50's - 60's and probably later. I have a couple of old farm wagons and a manure spreader as well as a fertilizer spreader that use that bolt pattern. I'm sure of that as I have swapped these wheels around for many of my 79 years.

You have quite a collection going there.

Al Hook

 

[petehoovie]

Hey I have 2 more trucks I put in a 40 foot storage unit for now that are not very rusty but were taken apart to start a restoration but they lost interest with a lot of extra hoods, doors and other parts so my wife may be right on the junkyard!

 

[GB SISSON]

Dang, you have a treasure trove there! Good job of hiding those two in a container. Why didn't I think of that?

 

[38 coupe]

The front shocks may be aftermarket replacements for the originals, I remember seeing a brochure somewhere showing shocks like that.
Excellent work on saving the tonner trucks, I really like those. I wanted one until I realized I don't really fit in the cab.

 

[rkmiller]

38 coupe - the cab on a 38 has a lot more room than a 1928 OCPU. I am 6-3" and my knees bump the steering wheel. Its better if I take out the back rest cushion. I know Ford liked to keep things cheaper with using the same frame on multiple vehicles but a few extra inches on that cab would make a world of difference.


On the 39 front wheels I checked the spacing and it is correct - someone could have drilled out the holes to a larger size but I don't see any evidence of them being moved. Will try to take a wheel off and look. There were a lot of implement manufacturers and it wouldn't surprise me if there was one with the same lug spacing. I don't know that they would be good for a vehicle - even at 45 mph. I have a lot of correct wheels so as long as these hold air they are good for a rolling project to move it around.



on the open drive line, I think we will keep it as is - should be easier to work on and find parts. I don't think they make any 1 ton hydraulic brake stuff so hopefully when get to this one the drums are not bad or at least maybe some of the extra 38 stuff or maybe if it is a 40-47 version seems like there is more parts around - I have a line on another 45-7 ish rear axle.