The pushbuttons on the truck radio are chrome, the tuning ***** are the same as a '41 car radio but the back "flower" is brown on the truck, clear on the '41. The image above with the blue ruler is of the '41 radio *****.

The '48-50 truck radio is different that the Ford car radio. The '48 Merc radio is basically the same radio. There are a variation in design in the chrome bezel. Some have engraved lines, some don't so I think there might have been other models other the '48 that will fit.

 

The 1949-51 Ford truck manual has the actual part number, manufacturer, and model number for the radios used in the trucks of those years, as for the '48, I do not know what the differences were.

In 1949, all truck radios were Zeniths, and were either a model 9ZF or 8ZT.

In 1950, there were also two radios, one made by Colonial (model 0CF), the other by Zenith (model 0ZF).

In 1951, there was only one radio available, the Colonial model 1CF.

All of the above radios were nominally the same, although there were some variations in trim, as others have posted. All were vibrator type radios in a single case with a separate speaker, and all were 8 tubes.

Since these radios were all very similar in appearance, the best thing to do is look at the model number to determine if it is the right one for your truck. This number is stamped into the case on the left side of the radio, just below and to the rear of the fuse connector. The speaker and ground connections are at the rear, and the antenna connection and trimmer adjustment are on the right side.

In one of Panelman's photos, you can clearly see the model number "ZM" which denotes it is for a Mercury. The other digits are the serial number.

I wouldn't mind finding the proper radio for Gertie either. They are rather simple units to repair and get working again, although there could be some real issues if the wiring is rubber, how bad the corrosion is, and if it has open transformers. And though I have not worked on auto radios, I have done a lot of home type antique radios, and push-button tuning mechanisms can sometimes be a bear. Restoration of appearance is the real difficulty.

There are some very good restorers of vintage auto radios out there, a few I have conversed with on antique electronics forums, who won't peel you like an onion, and do good work.

 

I've always wondered if it wasn't a matter of having a bunch of "left-over" radios after their car production runs. Same thing with the "8BA" heads on the trucks. They didn't waste anything back then it seems.

 

My research has come up with this model number for 1948

Zenith 8MF881

unfortunately I have never found a 1948 with a radio (in any condition) to be able to corroborate that.

If you are actually looking to try to find a exact correct radio (for concourse restoration), then understand you have chosen THE MOST RARE option on these guys. you'd have better luck finding the twin hi-way horns or the fire extinguisher. For all intense purposes they just don't exist.

 

I have a Ford option fire extinguisher.

 

Show us a picture.

 

I will once I get home from work.

 

[quote=Gertie-The '49 F2;13739247]The 1949-51 Ford truck manual has the actual part number, manufacturer, and model number for the radios used in the trucks of those years, as for the '48, I do not know what the differences were.

In 1949, all truck radios were Zeniths, and were either a model 9ZF or 8ZT.

In 1950, there were also two radios, one made by Colonial (model 0CF), the other by Zenith (model 0ZF).

In 1951, there was only one radio available, the Colonial model 1CF.


In one of Panelman's photos, you can clearly see the model number "ZM" which denotes it is for a Mercury. The other digits are the serial number.

quote]

In addition the first number (which is before the "ZM") on Panelman's Radio is the year of manufacture

 

I have a stock radio for all three of my Monkey Faces. I bought a restored one at a swap meet about 20 years ago for $200, the seller sold restored car radios and had a chrome Mercury for $300 and the Ford truck for $200. After I bought it he asked what the radio was for because he couldn't find it in any of his parts books. When I told him it was for a '48-50 he cussed and said if he'd known he would have asked twice what I paid.

I bought another complete, in good condition, but probably not working, at same swap meet maybe 10 years ago. A couple of buddies were sucking beers and watching the crowd. They had half a dozen boxes of old radios and I bought it for $10.

The third came in the '48 F-4 I bought about 8 years ago. I bought the truck because it had the radio. The seller had no idea the radio was the main reason I bought the truck.

 

Ok, so what I thought was the optional fire extinguisher wasn't the exact fire extinguisher. However, what I have is also a Ford fire extinguisher. However, it also inflates tires???



Here's a picture of the optional fire extinguisher.






Here's what I have. It's a tire inflator and fire extinguisher.

 

Both pretty cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

I've searched online and the Ford fire extinguishers aren't that I obtainable. Thru show up for sale ever so often.

 

well Bob, show us the model numbers since you are the only unicorn hunter to ever bag any I wanna know - what are the numbers (don't go pullin radios just use a mirror and lookie - I'll take your word for it, just curious if my research proves accurate or if like everything else "they used what they had" and you have 3 different models)

 

Subscribing to this one, as I have the radio pictured in Panel Man's post.
I have yet to delve into the 'guts' of it since the rest of life seems to take all of my time.
My plans are to restore it to original, so any information will be greatly appreciated.
My thanks to you Illya.

 

Great thread!!! I always wondered about radios for my truck but never asked or researched it. My Merc radio cover is broken so I might have to start looking for a radio!!! Thanks!!!