Here are some pics for the 1939 MH I posted a couple of weeks ago.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51541
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51546
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51543
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51544
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51545
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51548
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pi...ictureid=51547
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Lucky fellow. Tell me, are those 18" wheels?

 

Great looking truck, and in good shape. The front wheels seem real unusual. Look to have a lot less offset than the more normal looking rears. Could you post a couple pics of them?

The truck looks to be pretty complete. Hopefully you've got all you need to put it back in service. Stu

 

Very interesting, the rear axles, the front diff is that Ford or vender equipment ? The 6x4 setups I've seen here are 'Thornton drives' where two rear axles with the pinions face eachother, and a transfer case between the two. The drive shaft from the transmission goes over the front diff to the transfer case. I remember Dad saying you shouldn't go faster than 30MPH with a Thornton drive....

 

It's a "Marmon-Herringtonized" Ford Timken. Essentially M-H added their turning knuckles to an off-set Timken axle.

This tandem unit looks like it has a power divider in front of the front rear axle. It appears as if the rear rear drive shaft comes over the top of the front rear.

I've seen those Thorntons, or at least pictures.

 

GMC and Studebaker used essentially the same rear suspension on their WW2 6X6s, inverted leaf spring pack and torsion bars locating each axle.

 

those knuckles had either rzeppa or bendix weiss joints, both worked pretty good. torque divider is either timken t-50 single speed or t-70 dual range. both had twin driven shafts going to either rear. note that 2nd drive axle is actually 1st drive inverted to give offset. must ride like a rock. i like it!!

 

Was the divider right in front of the front rear axle, as it appears?

I have a 1942 IHC WW2 1/2 4wd ambulance with the Rzeppa joints. It is an Eaton frontend. I have a 54-56 F250 M-H frontend with the Rzeppa joints as well.

 

there were a lot of different configurations. almost appears that there is a second shaft that goes to 2nd drive. if so, then divider would be just located at rear of cab behind transfer. trans-transfer-divider all attached with 2 u-joints in blocks about 8" long. very strong. if not, then 1st rear is a double pinion, worm drive, constant power unit. looking at central position of driven shaft, more than likely worm drive.

 

Thank you everyone for the feedback. I'm still learning about MH conversions. I'm in CA and the truck is in TX, when I can get more pics I'll post them. What weight designation is this truck 6 ton, 10 ton?

 

6 ton at the very least. mh conversions tended to be built on the heavy side, so don't be surprised if rating is much higher. ex: my 42 is 1.5 ton with 3 ton susp. gross weight total is 13,800 on paper, and there is no doubt in my mind that i could put this weight IN the bed.--stu, you might find those front wheels in the "artillery wheel" section. they look like some form of military?? you have a very unique truck here, i would'nt mind this project at all. keep us posted

 

Petey Shoes, as I posted earlier, I don't own this truck. I have an opportunity to buy it for $1500, if it is still for sale. I want it really bad, it is a pretty complete truck. But my time is extremely limited and my knowledge for this kind of restoration is seriously lacking. I would like to see this truck put in the right hands if I can't buy it. It was sent to work the Saudi Arabian oil fields, then sent to Texas to finish its life in the oil fields there.

 

This truck was likely originally built for ARAMCO, the Arab-American Oil Company. Ford 4WD vehicles were first converted for ARAMCO in 1934, came with special "JUMBO" wheels and tires for use in the desert.

 

That truck has basically the same underpinnings as WW2 GMC (split, not banjo axle equipped) and Studebakers. Those trucks were classified as 2.5 tonners, but conventional wisdom has it that these ratings were for off the road. On the road ratings were double, therefore, I would put it at 5 ton.

 

Wow, Great truck. does it have duals on the rears? or is it intended to just run singles?

looks pretty good considering how much service Im sure it has seen!

so, is it in your driveway yet?

Cheers

Josh