40 vs 41

Fibber Mcgee

Fibber Mcgee

Well-known member
How much is shared between the 40 and 41 and is there anything shared between the 41 and say the 30's?I'm mainly talking about frame and body.I know they said it was redone for 41 but the shape looks alot alike ,although wider.
 
As far as I know, the '41 was a "one year" car in many ways. While the drive train was the same as the '40, there were a lot of differences in the body dimensions, etc. As an example, the running boards were partially covered; this was unique to the '41's.
 
Good question, I want to find a spare banjo rear for mine to rebuild. My rear bearing races are a little galled. I think 39-41 rears are the same spring mounts but hopefully someone can chime in.
 
'41 rear axle housings are also unique. Attached link is for an article that appeared in Street Rodder a couple of years ago breaking the designs down by year...

http://www.flatheadv8.org/fordrear.htm

This topic turns up quite often on FordBarn. The Street Rodder article should be in everyone's library!
 
Last edited:
Ford & Mercury both increase wheel base specs that year except for the commercial chassis. The commercial pickups remained 112 inches. 1941 was the last year for the crankshaft mounted fan set up. I think the body shells may have widened a bit too in 41. 41s had a partial running board protrusion since the doors had the rounded out area on the bottom that mostly covered them. In 42 they were completely covered by the doors. Transmissions and engines were pretty much the same. Those rear axles with the double barrel shackle mounts were still the same width as the earlier ones back to 35.
 
Last edited:
One more thing to watch out for between 41s and 42-48s; while you can interchange the torque tube and banjo (and transmission), be aware that you cannot interchange rear axles, rear axle housings and springs. The 42-48 cars had a 1 1/2 wider wheel base, so each axle was actually 3/4s of an inch wider on the 42-48s. The only way to know for sure is to have a good parts book. The 38-46 Ford Wholesale Parts and Approved Accesories Catalog is a great source. There are multiple new and used copies available on eBay right now. The "green bible" (The 28-48 Ford Chassis parts book) is also a great source, but be aware the green bible will not always show the original part, but sometimes the approriate replacement part, so this could hurt you in concourse judging. Scott
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top