Thanks all for the great comments and ideas. 5154BAT's idea on a Jeep transmission was something I was thinking about and his pictures shed some needed light on the idea. Over the weekend I talked to a local guy and he suggested that the rearend doesn't look stock so I need to research what the ratio is. This may help me make a decision about the transmission conversion.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

I highly doubt your rear axle has been changed. The wheel bolt pattern on your truck is unique to 1947 and older 1 ton Ford trucks (that I know of). Post pictures of the axle and we can tell you if it is original.

The original axle will look very similar to this:

 

Actually, something you could do is keep the current transmission but install a divorce mounted transfer case behind it. Just put it in 4low for parades and back into 2hi for road driving.

That would be by far the easiest, in my opinion.

Sam

 

The 1940s version of this is the auxiliary transmission. These are commonly refereed to as a "Brownie Box" since the best known manufacturer was Brown-Lipe. Most of these have an underdrive, direct drive, and overdrive. All of these are not synchronized, but that should be no problem. You would probably only want to shift the auxiliary when you are stopped anyway. These would take the place of the carrier bearing in the middle of your drive shaft. There are currently two on that auction website:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Watson-auxiliary-transmission-Brownie-1930-1940-overdrive-underdrive-PTO-Spicer-/201150160348?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ed57bdddc&vxp=mtrhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/WATSON-BROWNIE-3-SPEED-AUXILIARY-TRANSMISSION-Model-31M1-/261563683069?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ce66910fd&vxp=mtr
and there is an extensive thread with information about these types of transmissions: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ie-thread.html

 

The first auxiliary trans pictured won't work in this application since it appears to be for a enclosed driveshaft application. The second one is for an open drive line and includes the shifter mechanism which are hard to come by and makes the installation much easier. I have a 3 speed Watson in my '40 1 1/2 ton and it makes for a nice setup. IMO.

 

I did determine that the rearend is original with a 6:40 ratio, so I'm definitely sticking with that. Going back to the transmission issue, I am interested in pursuing the auxiliary "Brownie" idea. The information provided by 38 Coupe and 5150BAT will help direct me while researching those options. Thanks

I sure am glad that this forum exists and for all the great ideas everyone freely gives.

Arcdancer

 

Can that model 31M1 really weigh 120lbs as it states in the ad? I'll bet that as much as the current engine and transmission that's currently in the truck. That may cause some issues.

 

Quite possibly; the T98 (synchronized four speed) weighed around 150 lbs. Your engine and three speed would have a combined weight in the neighborhood of 700 lbs.

Is this going to be a daily driver? If not, and you want the experience of driving an old truck, go with the T9 that most tonners came with. It would be a lot less hassle, and you could find one cheap. Just my ha'penny, as adjusted for inflation.

 

1952henry's suggestion to just install a four speed crashbox and learn to double clutch is probably the most realistic solution. Any four speed from a 1940 to 1952 Ford big truck should bolt in with only a drive shaft modification.

Speaking of your drive shaft, I just notices what looks like a problem. The u-joint joke on your transmission looks like it is slid all the way into the transmission. This is bad. There should be some clearance for front to back movement of the joke on the transmission splines. When the rear suspension moves up and down the distance between your rear axle and transmission gets shorter and longer. If your drive shaft is too long it will impact your transmission when your truck goes over a bump.

The other possibility is the yoke on the transmission end is hard bolted to the transmission. This is even worse than too long of a drive shaft. This would cause the rear axle to shove and yank on the transmission while you drive the truck.

 

The view of your transmission and mount and crossmember suggests to me that the T-9 4 speed crashbox will go right in with no modifications. The ones from 1948 to 1950 do not have the emergency brake mounted to the rear of the transmission so that may be the best one to get. I don't know if the emergency brake stuff comes off cleanly for your application. I have a 50 F-3 and have had my T-9 in and our recently.
I like your truck. Patrick

 

I finally decided to go with an F9 "crash box" and found one that seems to be in good shape. I'm having it gone through to make sure everything is OK. My only problem now is that the transmission I got is missing the back housing that covers the u joint. By looking at the rear of the transmission, I can see that the housing bolted up to the rear of the transmission. It would be really helpful if someone had a picture of this housing so I would know what to look for. Also if anyone has a line on one I would really appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks

 

Arcdancer, Here are some photos of a T9 transmission from a '47 1 Ton. I don't need the transmission so, if there is anything on it you need, let me know. The first photo is a T98 for a '48-'52 truck. If the one you mentioned in the warehouse looks like this one, you could use it. That is a sharp looking truck.
Mark

 

Mark

That's exactly the piece I'm looking for. That yoke and mount piece will work out great. Let me know how I can get it. I'm more than willing to pay for the item and shipping costs.

Thanks

Gerry

 

A friend has the T98 Syncro Silent? in his F6 and it makes it way easier to drive than his other trucks. Still has the granny low, you can walk along beside it when idling.

 

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Your truck is actually a 1940 model; I have a '41.

1941 had the same styling, except for some hood trim. But 4 & 6 cyl engines became available, so the 'V8' stamping was deleted from the hood & hubcaps.

Also, the standard transmission was a 4-speed; I think your three-speed has been retrofitted.
On the speedo you can see the shift speeds shown for the four original gears.