Half-Track Ford Trucks

[Model51]

Here are some images of truck conversions from 1936 with half-track or caterpillar tracks. Converted by Cunningham in Rochester, NY, the Canadian government purchased several for pulling artillery.

I'd love to have one and drive it to my local grocery store or Home Depot. The only real drawback is the top speed of 15 MPH!

There's one survivor from the Canadian experiment at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Don't know if any other of these conversions exist today.

 

[5851a]

Thats a keeper for sure.

 

[cas3]

I'll take two

 

[signsup]

Pretty familiar with US military vehicles from WWI through present. Never seen or heard of one. Inter war era. Wonder if directly related to moving in snow or just off road and mud. Of course, we've all seen the Model T's with the snow skids on the front and tracks on the rear, but first I've seen of these trucks.
Thanks for sharing. If you don't mind, I may "borrow" the pics and post on some military vehicle forums and relay back what comments are posted.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Model51]

signsup
Sure, feel free to share and let me know if you find out any additional information. Here's a couple more images more on the military side. One shows the caterpillar truck hauling some artillery and the other is a line-up of four presumably Canadian units. All of the trucks pictures are 1936 Ford Model 51 trucks.

 

[petehoovie]

Here are some images of truck conversions from 1936 with half-track or caterpillar tracks. Converted by Cunningham in Rochester, NY, the Canadian government purchased several for pulling artillery.

 

[cas3]

The rear track and drive setup is very similar to the WW2 US halftracks, only different in that these use leaf springs and the US 1/2 tracks used flat coil springs, called volute (spelling?) springs. Also, they had a driven front axle. These fords do not appear to have a drive axle in front, although hard to see in the photos. Very cool rigs though!

 

[Flathead Fever]

Those are super neat, I've never seen one of these before.

 

[mfirth]

Well, they would be easy to keep track of...pun intended. Go to the Early Ford V8 and post there if you can, this is NEAT stuff. Thanks for posting !

 

[leon bee]

There oughta be a like button over here.

 

[Jack E/NJ]

> >I'll take two> >


So get a pair of Mattracks. About $2500. Street legal too.

 

[Newc]

Looks like a conversion using the bren type of system or the T-6 carrier drive. You could build a modern replica today. Newc

 

[1952henry]

I wonder if the actual tracks were like the WW2 half-track tracks being cables encased in rubber? Undercarriage is not off the shelf Caterpillar offerings.

Have heard of folks driving WW2 White and IHC half-tracks without the rear bodies narrowly avoiding losing body parts when the old tracks let loose at speed ( some have actually not been so lucky). Problem is, the old rubber pads crack, allowing in moisture. The cables rust and get weak, then they break. A fella told me about such an experience. Scared him pretty good when track came around and slapped the front fender.

 

[cas3]

Newc, There are no NOS surplus supplies available for T16 tracks or differential units. One of the main problems of owning a T16. 25 years ago, Dave Butler, owner of Vintage Powerwagons told me he was offered about 200 T16's with no track, and no diffs, otherwise mostly complete from Memphis Equipment, a large surplus dealer, For little over scrap price...and he turned it down

 

[1952henry]

Some had luck for half track treads getting them from overseas, as these were used up til the 80-90s. Israel was one such country that used them. The Bren carrier, not so much.

 

[cas3]

1952henry, they do not appear to be rubber/cable like the ww2 units, look more like bolt together, or like the T16's pinned together, more like a modern Caterpillar. At one time I had 11 halftracks. one restored, one running chopped up farm tractor thing, and the rest just parts chassis. The hot ticket for tracks was, The Israeli army really liked halftracks, they worked good on the rocky/sandy terrane there. So, after the war they grabbed all they could from Europe, and many were still in service until the 80's. Some modifications, but mainly they made their own tracks with stainless cable, and better rubber. For a while, we could buy used "take offs" that were really good. Finally supplies dried up. I've been out of it for quite awhile now, but I hear someone is making
new tracks again.

 

[1952henry]

Bet new tracks are $$$$ or $$$$$. I know I would hate to have to pay for new tracks for the D11s at work. I think they are at least $5/lb x 30,000 lbs for two tracks. Grousers are welded on top of factory grousers for a height of almost 8” so the beasts get traction.

 

[34fordy]

Here are some images of truck conversions from 1936 with half-track or caterpillar tracks. Converted by Cunningham in Rochester, NY, the Canadian government purchased several for pulling artillery.

I'd love to have one and drive it to my local grocery store or Home Depot. The only real drawback is the top speed of 15 MPH!

There's one survivor from the Canadian experiment at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Don't know if any other of these conversions exist today.

David, you NEED one of these!

 

[Model51]

In doing my book research, I was unable to confirm my suspicion that Cunningham used the caterpillar track manufactured by Cletrac. Cletrac (based in Cleveland) made small caterpillar tractors and the size and driving system seems somewhat similar. Couple it with one of the half-track truck "builder" photos taken in front of what looks to be a Cletrac factory or dealership. Here's a couple of Cletrac tractor images for comparison.

 

[CHuDWah]

Home Depot and the grocery store probably wouldn't appreciate your driving one on their parking lot - those tracks might be hard on the asphalt!

Interesting that this one is pulling the old-fashioned limber with ammunition chest in addition to the gun. I’d think they would have the ammo on the truck bed.