New Project 42-47 Pickup

TMcK1828 · Mar 11, 2026

New to the forum, just finishing up a 58 Fridge and starting to work on a 42-47 pickup. Snagged it off an old rancher who had it sitting for a long time. Biggest problem is that the lower cowl on both sides are hammered and I can’t seem to find the 90 degree bracket that ties into the rocker or the toe board/lower cowl brace. Are these reproduced anywhere? Trying to rebuild this thing without a good side to reference is proving difficult, but we’re getting there. Looking forward to digging around and sharing some progress with y’all.

GB SISSON · Mar 11, 2026

Welcome to the fordbarn. Looks like you have a lot of fun up ahead! I have not seen those sections so torn up before. Do they seem to have splayed outwards and come unattached? It would be helpful to see a few more shots fom any angle you can get. Do you have the rest of the truck and maybe drivetrain and even a title? From the picture of your fridge truck, perhaps this '42-'47 with be a restomod? I am similarily afflicted as I have both Jailbars and a fridge truck in my collection.
A note on contemporary truck slang.

Fridge Truck:
A ford truck from 1957-1960, based on it's hood resembling the door of a refrigerator of similar vintage.

Jailbar Truck:
A ford truck from 1942-1947, based on it's 15 horizontal grill bars resembling the door of a place you don't want to be.

I do not know it those stamped steel sections are reproduced or no. Not even sure what they would be called. Perhaps Front cab mounts? I know they sit upon wood blocks shaped in a perculiar way to transition to the mounts on the frame.

petehoovie · Mar 11, 2026

TMcK1828 said:
New to the forum, just finishing up a 58 Fridge and starting to work on a 42-47 pickup. Snagged it off an old rancher who had it sitting for a long time. Biggest problem is that the lower cowl on both sides are hammered and I can’t seem to find the 90 degree bracket that ties into the rocker or the toe board/lower cowl brace. Are these reproduced anywhere? Trying to rebuild this thing without a good side to reference is proving difficult, but we’re getting there. Looking forward to digging around and sharing some progress with y’all.