'39 Ford Panel
- Thread starter 2JAKES
- Start date
Mart
Well-known member
I'm guessing you just need some good mirrors. Good bright rear lights, good bright brake lights, and dare I say it maybe some add on discrete (but visible when working) orange direction indicators on the back would help. drive defensively, signal early, make your manouevre early, keep watching and listening and that's about all you can do. Obviously avoiding rush hour city traffic would help too.
Nice panel by the way.
Nice panel by the way.
Vic Piano
Well-known member
I always drive defensively, especially when I’m in one of our antique vehicles. We have a ’53 F-100 Panel Truck as well as a number of ‘30’s, ‘40’s & ‘50’s convertibles and most of them have “blind spots” large enough to hide the Titanic. I have installed fish eye (convex) mirrors on the passenger side mirror of most of our vehicles and that helps eliminate some of the blind spot.
2JAKES
Junior Member
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"……
I like the sound of that, but I should add…."it can be dangerous".
You see, I was imagining…what if I could create larger windows
something along the style of an early period suburban !
Cecil/WV
Well-known member
Or you could install a small power inverter and use it with 6V.
I don't have a newer car with the back up cameras, but from what I've seen, the technology on that stuff has come a long ways. Don't the giant RV's use them, too? When I rebuild my '40 sedan delivery, I am planning on a back up system tied to the turn signal switch and a screen adjacent to the rear view mirror where I would probably be looking anyway. But, my s/d is a streetrod.
oldandtired
Well-known member
I have a 39 panel also. I have not yet repainted the doors, but when I put them back on, I will also put a mirror on the passenger side. None came factory of the halfton as far as I know...mine had none when I took it apart. The 39 panel only had a single rear light, which was on the driver side rear door. Changing out the factory rear light to one of the ones with directioanal arrows might be an option for turn signals. On the front, Ford made factory sealbeam headlights the same size as the 38/9 commercial and 35 passenger bucket which would give you a factory sealbeam without having to use a sealbeam kit on the factory bucket. They also made an indentical headlight stand used on the 40 and 41 COE that has marker lights in the stand that allow for turn signals without changing the type of bucket or type of stand. I would think that you could add a pair of taillights to the rear bumper for better visibility but I have been relectant to consider modifying the rear doors or body corner panels toaccomodate two rear lights. I don't think the rear fenders stick out far enough to be a good option.
Vic Piano
Well-known member
Vic Piano
Well-known member
For better visibility so the drivers behind me could see taillights and brake lights, I installed a Model A taillight in place of the license plate light. The ’53 Panel has ’41 Ford car taillights that are very hard to see at night and almost impossible to see brake lights during the day.
2JAKES
Junior Member
I was imagining creating larger rear windows similar to
the Slick '53. I understand the concerns of those who
oppose this, I was thinking of modifying just enough for
better visibility & not be limited to where or when I can
drive. I don't plan to chop, lower or anything too severe,
just make it more safe & comfortable to enjoy the ride.
the Slick '53. I understand the concerns of those who
oppose this, I was thinking of modifying just enough for
better visibility & not be limited to where or when I can
drive. I don't plan to chop, lower or anything too severe,
just make it more safe & comfortable to enjoy the ride.
Joe KCMO
Senior Member
My only car/truck for 12 years was a ford van. The analogy is the same as a semi truck driver. You drive forward with your windshield and reverse with your mirrors. You have to be a better driver, excuse the expression, than a easy to drive car driver. Practice make perfect and go slow. You might have to get out a bunch of times in the beginning to make sure. Eventually you will be an expert. Enjoy!
I agree with all the better lights and turn signals. Those, however, work on the presumption that the other driver's will honor them. Fat chance in today's environment. When I'm driving the rat rod '36 pickup, I get panicky with all the fools trying to drive up next to me and give me a thumbs up as they veer into me with their excitement. Then there are those who don't see your vintage car but only a car trying to get into the lane in front of them and they are bound and determined to cut you off from 3 car lengths back.
oldandtired
Well-known member
My panel delivery had the two window kit installed in it back in the day. The putting of windows in the sides does not significantly help visibility to the rear at all. I have a picture somewhere of a 39 panel deelivery with 4 windows in the rear side panels and it has snow tracks on it. It was used like a station wagon for someone's ranch or similar in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado...I forget where.