Hello,

New to the site. I just picked up a 47 pick- up! I literally picked it up. My friend has had this truck in pieces for the last 14 years and just never got to working on her. I bought it as a project for my son and I. I figured it is never to early to foster a love for the classic American cars and prevent the appreciation for the common rice rocket from settling in. .

I know the risks of buying somebodies project but the price was right. I also know what I'm getting into since I finished a 65 Comet 3 years ago after working on it for 6 years!

I do not plan to perform the same level of restoration/rebuild. The patina of the current sheet metal will stay just like it is today, but the drive train will be clean and reliable and updated. Brakes will be new as well as electrical with new glass and completely restored interior and engine bay. But we all know plans always change!!!

I believe in the forum community as it helped be rebuild my Comet. I'm hoping to learn and contribute as I can.

The first thing I need to do is find a manual so I can determine what body parts I have and don't have. I'm not stuck on 47 parts only. The pick up came with no engine or tranny. However, I have a 351w a 390 and a c4 and c6 in the garage to pick from.

I also have no seat and no bed floor. I'll post a picture soon.

More details and questions to come

Obtw....my son's name is Zach. We always talked of building a hot rod together...thus the screen nam 47Z-Rod!!

George

 

George, welcome to the site, you'll find plenty of information here, this is a great group of friendly guys and girls. Great to see you are trying to get your son into early American iron, he's gonna love it. First things first, post some pictures, we love seeing the beginnings of project here.

 

Thank you Gary...once I figure out how to upload a picture into my post...I will!

I don't have floor boards or inner fenders. I'm assuming those don't show up daily. eBay has some "short" running boards from a 42 flat bed. Will those work with my 1/2 ton?

Thanks. G

 

The floor metal can be replaced with reproduction floor panels that are available from a number of rod shops or early Ford places. To help expand your search, the cabs are interchangeable from 40-47 with just a few small differences. As for the inner fender panels, they are the same for trucks of all sizes, except COEs from 42-47. They are out there still, I might have some in my parts shed if you can't find any locally. The short running boards will work, although won't reach to the rear fender if you are using a pickup bed. They use only the first 2 running board brackets, not using the rear one.

 

I meant to write running boards...not floor boards. However, there is bondo on the floor boards so we will see what that is all about eventually Being so new to this pickup, I cant visualize how the running boards interfaces with the rear fender. I could cut the ones on eBay in half and splice a section in the middle if the rear of these short running boards ties into the rear fenders nicely.

Good to know about the interchangeability. How much interchange can I expect with the 48? Seems to be a lot more after market support for those years.

Thanks again. G

 

Welcome to the site! Except for the bed box (not fenders), there is no interchange between the 42-47 and the 48-50. In 48 Ford completely redesigned the truck from the ground up.


P.S. Look at the link in my signature. I have lots of picts of a '47 going together (including the r.boards).

 

If you don't mind fiberglass... Here is a set on ebay.


1942-47 FORD TRUCK FIBERGLASS RUNNING BOARDS (NEW) 1PR | eBay

 

Absolutely an amazing build!!!! Thank you so much for posting pictures and taking us for a ride from start to finish! Just incredibly impressive!!! This site was definitely the right choice to join.

I bought a manual on cd on eBay. Once I figure out what pieces I'm missing, I'll start shopping around for those items. From what I have and the pictures I'm seeing, i am missing those triangle shaped sheet metal pieces in front of the doors and also that large triangular piece under the hood but in front of the radiator.

G

 

Thank you Chris!!

 

The "triangular" piece in front of the radiator (upper rad. shroud) comes in two flavors. A 6-cyl and a V-8. The 6-cyl has less depth as the engine was longer. The Radiator support has 2 sets of holes, as does the inner fenders and the frame for setting the radiator in the 6 or 8 cyl position. Figure out what you're going to do for motor before shopping for the shroud. Most like the extra clearance in the 6-cyl positioin if you're going with a newer engine. . There are no other body differences between the 6 and v-8.

 

47Z-Rod

Just tuned in today and saw your questions regarding your recent 47 purchase, anyway Here is a web site that will be of great help to you I'm sure well worth looking at.

Also I have an extra pair of Running Boards, if your interested.

For now here is the web site.

Northern Classic Trucks - Reproduction parts for your antique Ford truck .

When you open the web site there is a flaashing banner click o it for a tour.

 

Here is the Pick-Up where I found her...

 

If I just attach the pictures as attachments, will they also display? I loaded the files and also pointed to the URL where the attachment are located.

Sorry...how do I fix?

 

Looks like someone already put in shock towers in the front and motor mount brackets. Looks Chev to me (but I'm not there with a tape measure ). Bed looks really good, but isn't original. (I don't think it is even from a Ford) All in all, looks like you have a good starting point.

 

Chevy!!!! The engine is definitely going to be a ford! What should the dimensions of the bed be? Yes the tail gate is side mounted. Somebody alongside the way did their own mods to the pickup. Btw. I do have the hood and all the fenders as well.