Will a 40 Ford dash bolt right in a 39 Deluxe?

S

STEPHEN FIELDS

Member
I have a 39 Deluxe. I like the 39 deluxe grill, top loader, banjo steering wheel, and the lack of wing windows, as well as the 39 tail lights. But I like alot of stuff on the 40 as well. So im building a car with both aspects. I like the 40 Dash alot, will it bolt right in a 39?
 
Nope, it is not a bolt-in job. Your '39 has the "tip out" windshield and there is no provision in the 40 dash for the crank out mechanism. You'll have to modify the dash to make it work with the windshield. If you do not want to keep the "tip out" windshield then you need to figure out a way to fix it in place. There' s also a slight difference in the V of the cowl between a 40 and a 39 where the dash meets just under the windshield. There may be other issues, but the above are the main problems.
 
The 39 steering column ignition drop doesn't exactly line up with the 40 dash holes but a couple of short metal straps solved that problem.
The front edge of the 40 dash had to be bent down so it could be screwed into the 39 windshield structure. This leaves a gap in the corners when the interior 39 windshield moldings are fitted. You can extend the 40 dash corners or modify the moldings.
A hole can be cut for the 39 window opening knob.
Did this back in the early 60s when it was cool to be different.
 
new-ford-dash.jpg



The Early Ford V-8 Club of America 1938-1939 Ford Book:

Page 2-6

"The windshield cranks open with a control in the center of the instrument panel."

Page 3-11

"The 1939 windshield opening knob is round, chrome plated, with brown rubber cover."


Click on the bottom photo for the link.







I agree with the author of the article that the 1939 dash is far more attractive than the 1940 issue.
 
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GM, the 39 deluxe does in fact have a crank out windshield. The woodies and convertibles are the only 39's that do not have the crank out feature.
 
TJ said:
GM, the 39 deluxe does in fact have a crank out windshield. The woodies and convertibles are the only 39's that do not have the crank out feature.
Click to expand...

Yes Tj I see that, Never owned a sedan or coupe. Had 4 convertibles, a covertible sedan and a woody. I thought the standards and P/U were the only ones with the crank out window. Still not to old to learn. G.M.
 
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