PU Frame Identification

L

Lon Jackson

Member
How can you differentiate an 1936 Ford PU frame and rear end from a 1939 Ford frame and rear end. I do have the 1939 brakes and ******, but I am not sure of the rest.
The same question for the steering gear (36 Vs 39).
 
Serial number of coarse would be the first clue, and I believe the 37 to 41 rear differentials are of a different width and I know the wishbones are mounted to the backing plate and not in the center of the axle housing.
 
A 39 drive shaft has a grease zerk in the middle the chassis holes for the MC mount forward of the cross support and holes just rear of the axle in the side for the brake pipes ,the 36 has holes for the brake equaliser for the rod brakes in the cross centre member, I thought the spring hanger was just inboard of the backing plate of both models
 
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Lon Jackson said:
How can you differentiate an 1936 Ford PU frame and rear end from a 1939 Ford frame and rear end. I do have the 1939 brakes and ******, but I am not sure of the rest.
The same question for the steering gear (36 Vs 39).
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Lon...'36 and '39 frames are very similar. Best way to tell which year is to check-out one of the available lists of serial numbers/year produced. If you can post the serial number of the frame in question, we can give you the production model year.



A '36 rear end has bolt-on radius rods. Each rod bolts to a bracket (one on each axle housing) which is welded onto the housing at an angle, as seen in this picture below. This style bolt-on radius rods are only found on '35 & '36 Ford cars and pick-ups. '39 radius rods will bolt-on outboard at the backing plate flange.


303866





Below is a pic of a '36 and a '39 steering box. The larger (on left) is the '39. DD


352595
 
Thanks for the pictures and the info. I wasn't able to find the frame serial NO. However from the information provided I have a 36 rear axle and a 39 steering box.
 
Thanks for S/N ID reference. My body is on and front S/N is not apparent. I guess I am out of luck until such time I disable the cab/box from the frame.
 
The other two marking locations most likely will not be any easier to read. There are a number of methods to help "bring them out".
 
Lon Jackson said:
Thanks for S/N ID reference. My body is on and front S/N is not apparent. I guess I am out of luck until such time I disable the cab/box from the frame.
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Lon...If it actually is a pick-up frame, it's most likely that the center and rear-most S/N locations will not have a number stamped. They generally only stamped all three locations on passenger car frames. Do like JSeery suggested and keep looking on that front, left frame rail for a number. Look at the entire length between the front crossmember and a little behind the steering box location.


As the '36 and '39 frames are so much alike (identical in critical measurements), the '39 rear end will bolt-in like it was made for it, including the torque tube. The '39 box is so much better than the '36 box, too. DD
 
There are a number of things different between a 36 and a 39 frame. the trans mount is different. The area around the pedals is different. No much, but different. Is there anything about your truck to suggest the chassis frame is not original to the truck?

Does it have 39 type pedals?, or some sort of home made adaption?

What does the paperwork say? Is the original transmission still in the truck?

The chassis number can be anywhere along the front rail, normally US driver's side. On my 40 pickup, for instance, it is right next to the rivets holding the front cross member in.

Mart.
 
Pickup frames also lack the rear side bracket body mount which is riveted part way up the frame kickup.
 
To me it would be worth the effort to locate and record the frame serial number. That way you know what you have and you may need it if the vehicle every has to be inspected. I have had bare frames that you would swear didn't have the serial numbers, but with enough effort I found them!
 
I was able to read the serial number from the left frame rail. The number puts at mid year 1937 build. Thanks to everyone for your advise.
 
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