Question about 1938 Ford pickup

[bartmcneill]

I have a truck titled as a 1938 Ford. It is a parts truck but it does not have the wide lug pattern like the other 38 I have. Plus the wheels are 14 inch and it has stock hydraulic brakes on it. Just wondering what it really is??? Do 39 cars have the same bolt pattern as a pickup?

 

[51504bat]

Sounds like to me that someone converted your '38 to hydraulic brakes and used '40 or later components. '38 would have had mechanical brakes and wide five wheels. If they had used '39 hydraulics it would have have wide five wheels. Hard to say exactly because lots of parts were swapped around during conversions over the years.Don't know about the wheels because the appear to be 5 on 5 1/2 so the fact that they are 14's is odd.

 

[tubman]

I think '57-'58 Chrysler imperials had 14" 5 on 5 1/2 wheels. A friend had them on a '40 Ford (with a set of Atlas Bucrons) in the early '60's.

They were hard to find even back then; don't let them get away.

 

[skidmarks]

Chrysler wheels. Lancer hubcaps were also popular at one time

 

[rotorwrench]

It depends on whether it has 5 1/2" X 5 lug pattern. If it had 4 3/4" lug pattern then it likely has newer spindles & brakes.

When you say stock hydraulics you need to consider that 1939 was the first year for hydraulics on Ford vehicles. It sounds like it's been updated to me.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

.

Heck, you don't even have to convert to hydraulics. It's possible just to replace the wide-five drums/hubs (12" dia.) with '40-'48 5 X 5-1/2" drums/hubs (also 12" dia.). Although those do look like the 5-1/2" bolt pattern, the wheels may very well be the Chryslers that Denny (tubman) speaks of. And boy, do I remember the "squawl" that a pair of smokin' "Bucrons" could make! DD

 

[skidmarks]

A 38 would also already have the 37/40 round back spindles. Besides the backing plates you just need a set of 39 pedals and cut the hole open for them to fit.

Could also be a 39 titled as a 38.

38 had a slightly different grill and hood ornament/latch handle

 

[tubman]

"Parts Truck"? Hell up here that would be a prime candidate for restoration. Heck, it even has a door!

 

[Clem Clement]

Does the dash have an ash tray in the center? 38 does and 39 does not. door inside panels are different: pressboard or steel?

 

[bartmcneill]

It does have the ash tray in it so I guess its a 38. Good to know. I'll try to post a picture of the NOT parts truck.

 

[38bill]

Another way to tell the is that the '38 has the front windshield "T" shaped crank handle coming out the face of the dash top. The 39 has a round knob on top of the dash.

 

[mercman from oz]

Here is a comparison picture of the 1938 and 1939 Ford Pickup (& Truck) Grilles. When you look closely, you will notice that they are completely different., mainly down the middle section.

 

[mercman from oz]

When you check the Grille on your Pickup, you will see that it is a 1938 model. Compare your Grille with the photo in my previous Post.

 

[mercman from oz]

After posting a larger picture of your Pickup, I realised that you already know that that one is a 1938 model. I believe that this is the one that you are inquiring about? Unfortunately, the Grille doesn't show up good at this angle?

 

[V8COOPMAN]

.

IF the engine has 21-stud heads, it has to be a '38, assuming original engine. Can you read the serial number on that left-side frame rail? That'll tell us for sure what it is. DD

 

[38bill]

When you check the Grille on your Pickup, you will see that it is a 1938 model. Compare your Grille with the photo in my previous Post.

You can see the '38 grill sitting in the cab but you can't tell for sure what year the truck is from the grill. Ford made the '39 grills with mounting holes for both the '39 latch catch and the different '38 latch catch. There are a lot of '38 with the newer grill including mine.

 

[JSeery]

Frame serial number is the way to go here. That will tell you what the chassis is and if it has the original transmission, that number should match as well.