Oh, the shame I endure....

 

Actually the 38-39 panels look almost the same except a triple ridge beltline so it could be a carry over from even earlier. I bet you could just eliminate the inside bulge and make flat panels as long as the tires stayed skinny.

 

I have spent a lifetime pursuing tires that are tall and skinny. I don't think us short, wide guys look good rolling around on short, wide tires. Or anybody for that matter

 

Well I just returned from my daily walk. Supposed to go a bit longer each day. I think I've seen every episode of gas monkey garage and american pickers twice But... I got some info from my axle, vehicle and trailer collection along the way. The trailer with the '47 tonner pickup rear frame and axle has a whopping 52 1/2" between the inner sidewalls of the 7.50 x 17 tires. That means you are right, I could section plenty off those inside wheel wells of the panel. Bring on the plywood! I should have checked out the outside of tire dimension, but I guess you can measure yours. Makes me think a landcruiser axle is too narrow for your tonner panel. Checked my '47 1/2 ton rear and with 700 x 15 bias snow tires, it's 68" on the outside. The toyota axle with ranges of tires @ 66" to 69" looks like I thought it would. Maybe a modern 3/4 ton rear axle would go under your tonner panel. I think the 52 1/2" on my '47 tonner axle should be very close to modern axles. So you need to find a dana 70 for the rear and a dana 60 for the front!

 

Dang I did not know they made a 1 on panel. Well now I have to start looking. I have no idea what I could use it for, but they look fun.

 

Pre war Ford made sedan deliveries, 1/2 ton panel trucks, 1 ton panel trucks, and 1 1/2 ton panel trucks! The big panels are really neat, and also really rare.