I'm new to this forum. I bought a '38 One Ton last June. It rolled and the motor turned, but it didn't have even half a chance of starting. It was about 95% complete and the body was in relatively good condition. I spent last summer tearing it down to the frame. It's well on its way back to a full stock restoration which I can talk about at some other time. Right now I'd like to begin to get the word out through this forum that I'm still trying to locate some pieces: 54" tailgate, hubcaps for 17" wheels, cast tailgate hinges, an 18" 4-spoke steering wheel, front bumper bolts... Any suggestions about a direction that I might not have tried (I've hit a lot of the standard options) would be appreciated. Thank you, Bob

 

Welcome to the '47 and older chapter! From your avatar you have a dealer's display model truck. These were black with a double chrome yellow pinstripe, yellow wheels and fenders. Chrome grille and windshield frame too. Very unusual color combination. I owned one for ten years as my daily driver in the '80s and '90s. Mine had been repainted red and used as an airport crash truck at a small airport near here, but the chipping paint clearly showed the original color scheme. I may have some hub caps but they won't be perfect. These trucks are very useable even with the cable brakes. The rears are 14" and a carry-over from the 1 1/2 ton. In '38 the standard rear axle ratio was a very modern 4-11. With those tall 34" dia tires, it is actually geared higher than some new trucks. In '39 the ratio was lowered. This info is from James Wagner's excellent book called 'Ford trucks since 1905'. My old '38 was shipped to somewhere in upstate NY in about 2002 or so. It's great to see another tonner getting back on the road. Was your truck in a youtube video? Looks familiar....Pictures Please.

 

Here is how to post pic's on FTE

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ure-guide.html

Here is one way by "Axracer"

Do you have digital pix of your truck from digital camera or phone on your computer?
If so it is easy to add them to a post (assuming the file is not too large). Find the
pic on your computer and leave it open while you come here in another window. Compose
a post, click where you want the pic to appear in the post. Click on the picture icon
at the top of the posting box (looks like a postcard with mountains and sun) A dialog
box will open asking if you want to drag a pic onto the box or browse your computer to
find it. If you have the pic open, go there, right click anywhere on the pic and chose
copy from the menu. Come back to your post and right click on the box. Select paste from
the menu. Your picture should appear (it may take a few seconds to load) in the box. Now
left click on the insert button.
If the stars all aligned your picture should now be in your post window. Select post to
have it appear on the forum or repeat to add more pix. Some cameras make huge files these
days that are larger than the forum limits. You may need to resize or resample the picture
and save the smaller file version with whatever picture editing software came with your
picture taking device before you can post it.


If you are a supporter than just right click on an image from anywhere like Facebook
or whatever. Than left click in your post and paste it in. So simple even a monkey
could do it.

Oh! and welcome to FTE and the old truck madness.

 

This is all fantastic information. I really appreciate knowing that bit about the dealer's display model. The truck I have is just as you described. I also appreciate knowing about Wagner's book.
No, the truck that I have was not on a YouTube, and I haven't yet posted any pictures, but I will do that shortly. Right now I have the chassis pretty much complete, but I'm waiting on the motor and the body which is in a couple of different locations.
Thanks again, Bob

 

I really appreciate the explanation regarding posting pictures. I'm just getting familiar with this site. I'll get something on very shortly, but right now things are still in pieces. I have the chassis pretty much complete, but the body is in a couple of different locations and the motor is also a work in progress.
Once again, thanks.
Bob

 

Hello! I can't help with parts but I do like 38 Fords and 1 ton trucks. You have both in one vehicle! Looking forward to pictures.

 

This is what a 38 one ton pickup looks like. Sort of... I made mine from parts of various years, but it's close. Can't wit to see yours completed. I have so many fond memories of my kids growing up with mine. Sometimes I'd haul the entire little league team in the back on the ferry to another island to play a game. Then honking all through their town afterwards when we beat them. Occasionally I wake up from a dream and expect to see it out there parked next to the shop.

 

These are fantastic shots of the vehicle you had and some of your history with it. At this point my vehicle is in pieces and my history is limited to the restoration process. I'm going to post some pictures of some of the steps along the way. I have a very large number of pictures of small specific areas of the truck all intended to help me put it back together. My shots of the larger picture are more limited, but I'll include some of them.
Thanks again,
Bob

 

Update: I was at a swap meet this weekend and saw a decent but not perfect set of 38-40 one ton hubcaps. The seller's name is Dan Eichenour and his phone number is 281 seven four four 9049.

 

I really appreciate the information. I'll give a call and see where it goes.
Have a great week.
Thank you,
Bob

 

I am very excited about your truck. Never thought I would see a black/yellow 38 tonner express show up. All the experts said the grille and w/s frame were never offered in chrome and someone did it after the fact. I actually called James Wagner the author one night and discussed his opinions about dealer's display models. He had only seen black and white photos of them and suggested in his text that the fenders were perhaps red. I was able to explain my color scheme (under the faded red paint job) and we decided that they were indeed yellow. A man named Gene Sheppard in Seattle once had a 38 1 1/2 ton stakebed with the exact color scheme. One more twist is mine was donated to the airport in Friday Harbor Wa by a man named Ernie Kanzler. Ernie was Edsel Ford's nephew and at one time a very wealthy man. I wonder if he was given my old truck before he left the Detroit area. Just some thoughts. You are doing an awesome job with it.

 

GB,
I think that it's terrific that you took the time to gather this information and to share it with me.
I bought my truck from a fellow in Charleston, SC who had held it for somewhere in the area of 5 years and who had purchased it from another fellow who also appears to have just bought and held. I have his name and need again to try to find him.
Before that it was owned by Norman Albright (now deceased) who had last titled the vehicle in 1989 in Lenora, Kansas. I have that title. The last registration plates on the truck were 1958 Kansas. I spoke to Norman's son who, unfortunately, had little recollection of the truck. He did say that his father would buy older vehicles, use them as long as he could and then park them in a field somewhere.
I do know that before that the truck had been used by a business in Odell, Nebraska. The doors had been painted with the company name and location. What remained was very faint, but we could make out the following: "HENRY WEIN___ CO." "ODELL, NEB." We're not absolutely certain about the "HEN" in Henry, and there were at least a couple of letters following the "WEIN". I did try some people in Odell to see if anyone old enough could recall a vehicle looking like mine in the day. I didn't have any luck at that time, but I'm going to try again.
The bottom line is that I'd like to piece as much of the truck's history together as possible.
Once again, than you for the additional information you have given me.
Bob

 

Great pictures, thanks!

 

At some point in my '38s life I removed the rear wheels and tires as they were 7.00 x 17 and put a new set of 7.50 x 17s all around. These were the chrome yellow wheels that were original to the truck. Just last Friday I removed them from a tired old trailer behind my sawmill and installed them on a very heavy duty utility trailer I am working on to pull behind my tonner panel. Recognize that paint color under the red? I think I may have the top or bottom half of the chrome windshield frame in my rafters still. Pictures please.

 

GB,
Thanks for sharing. I certainly do recognize the color. I also put a set of 7.50 x 17's all the way around - traction tries on the rear and standard tread on the front and spare.
Bob