I recently bought what I was told was a 1943 1/2 Ford swb truck. I found some identifying "serial numbers". In the glove box it has the numbers 235679 and 6GY. On the firewall it says L21317. I read online that the "matching numbers" would be on the frame in 3 places. I scrubbed my frame silly and can't find any numbers anywhere. The previous owner had it in their family for the better part of 50 years. They believe it to be all original down to the flathead 6 and manual tranny. I also read online that the first number in the "serial number" of the glove box is the corresponding year that the truck was built - so this truck is a 1942 instead of a 1943 or 43 1/2.

Can anyone help? I can't find any series of numbers on the web that correspond to my truck nor can I find any information (if this is a 1942) as to how many total trucks were built from Ford for the pre-war 1942 model.

HELP! in Alabama,
mixon72

 

Mixon72, welcome to the site. I'll go ahead and help you out.

6GY being the model number of the truck, it's a 1946 6 cylinder 1 ton truck.
6= year (1946)
G= engine (G series 6 cylinder)
Y= equals ton rating (Y is a one ton)

The serial number for the truck should look like 1GY235679, which places it in the 1946 year range. The 1 usually looks like an I when you see it stamped on the frame and at the top of the bellhousing.

 

I have a 47 one tonner. The serial number should be on the top of the driver's side frame, under the hood, and at the center of the engine just above the steering gear. The serial number is also on the top of the transmission bell housing.

 

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help. I've looked on the transmission bell housing but I was looking on the bottom - not the top - no wonder I couldn't find it. I'll have to look under the hood and around the steering box to verify. The hood design appears like a '42 - makes me wonder if it's a 1946 - with a 1942 hood.

What about those numbers on the firewall? What do they mean?

Also, I haven't investigated enough on my own truck - but is the front windshield one piece with an ornamental divider? Or is it two pieces with a true divider? I've seen single piece windshields on e-bay is why I'm asking. Either way I'm having a hard time finding a new windshield seal and center piece. Where do I look? The web isn't helping much on this....

Thanks for all the help - and keep it coming -
Getting Educated in Alabama -
Chad Mixon

 

Chad, the windshield is 2 piece. The glass is just flat, so a good glass shop can cut you new safety glass. You can find the seal from number of old Ford vendors, Drake, Dennis Carpenter, Mac's, etc. The glass house in San Dimas, Ca, does a good job with old car glass, in various tints.

 

Hi Chad

42 thru 47 was the same truck. Not many 42, 43 or 44 trucks were built for civilian use because of the war, but the ones that were produced are the same as 45-47.

 

edit, sorry