I have seen plenty of catalog sources for early Ford pick-up parts, but I have not found any for early large trucks. I am getting ready to start in on a 1942 ton and a half and really have not found a place for sheet metal or body parts for that size. Cab corners, are they the same as the pick-ups? Hood hinges. Trim pieces? Can anyone help me out. This old beast sits with out a back end right now and I would like to make a stake bed out of it. Where does one look for a bed to start the project. Can anyone steer me to literature or manuals to help me on the project?

Thanks

 

NorthernClassicTrucks.com has some of the sheet metal. ChucksTrucksLLC.com (talk with Chuck) and JobLotAuto.com (talk with James) are some of the best sources of knowledge and parts for our big trucks. This forum is one of the best places for info since there are very helpful knowledgeable people here who have done what you are going to do. Ask first; no sense reinventing the wheel. And we all love pictures of everything from the rusty beginnings to the polished end product (or the nice patina drivable end product). Use the forum search function; many issues have already been discussed.

 

The cab is the same as the other sizes. I have a hood if you need parts. The thing that was hard for me was getting my brakes re done. Because the drums are 14" like said, post pics

 

I am glad to know that the cab is the same as other 42's. Do you plan to upgrade your brakes for safety? Dual master cylinder or power assist? Getting up to speed is never a question as much as stopping. I have a 31 Tudor that will go 65mph, but whoa is me when it come to stopping in a hurry. I just can't seem to find information on the mechanicals of this truck. Model A's are literature heavy and one can find everything there is to know and replace on the car. A 42 1 1/2 ton truck, Not so much? Who supplies the items needed for the restoration of this truck?

 

I recently did a '47 2 ton and a '47 one ton panel. I get a lot of my hard parts from Bob Selzam in Jackson NJ. His business is called 'half ton fun', but he has all the big truck stuff as well. 732 928 9421. I think the best deal on brake parts is Napa and they still list everything. As far as stopping power I have a theory after owning at least 20 old fords, either one tons or 1 1/2- 2 tons all from the 30s and 40s and it is this. The brakes were designed to do their job with a full load on the truck. Most hobbyists never come close, so they are overkill for the duty we give them today. I tend to load my trucks and use them and since I don't drive freeways I have found no need to upgrade. I always do the full deal on the brakes when I drag home a new truck. All the cylinders, lines and hoses, but I often re-use shoes if there is good lining left and there usually is. Good luck and we'd like to see some pictures!

 

I do the same thing, everything I drag home with the intent of making roadworthy. First is to determine if it's capable of running, then after it's running good on the jug, it brakes. Everything rubber gets replaced no matter how good it looks, usually hardware and shoes but I will discriminately re-use them. I also measure the drums, resurface as lightly has possible or just use the 3 inch sctchbrite wheel on the die grinder to de-rust them. It is all but a lost art to make sure the drums aren't out of the service limit. And even if they are still at the big end of the limits, remember you have lost a lot of contact patch unless the shoes are arced in.

 

I am looking for a bed for this truck. I would like to build a stake bed back. '42 1 1/2 ton would have a 9ft bed? Ford script? Anyone point me in a good direction? Living in the northwest Chicago burbs. Thanks

 

Depending on the wheel base it would have probably been at least a 12 foot bed. If you have basic welding and lay out skills a nice bed wouldn't be hard to make. I've ditched a lot of those old beds in the last few years. I have a friend who parts 30s and 40s trucks, ebays the good stuff and I haul away the rest. And since the scrap yards don't want wood they just go on the burn pile. Now I would never burn a script bed but have torched quite a few that didn't need much work. I have one 14 foot Omaha Standard I saved off a 55 Chevy, was going to use it for a floor to make a garden shed. I do know where there are a couple decent TT script "FORD TRUCK" beds but he wants $400 each for them

 

Willowbilly3, Thank you for the information. I really don't know much about the truck. It is a 1.5 ton and it does not have anything on the back frame. I do want to make it a stake bed truck. I guess the 12 ft would make more sense. I don't have to have a ford script bed, I just saw that in other pictures. I think 14ft would be be a little too big. I don't want to make it too huge, the duals are already enough. I am having a hard time finding information on this big truck and am always looking for assistance. I have a few photos in my profile and will get more when I can dig it out of the barn.

 

I have an idea for the big truck I hope to get. I have one set but really need 2 sets of 42-47 big truck front fenders. Cut them at the body line or basically in line with the grille section. Use both rear halfs and weld them together to make one fender. Then have the metal shop brake the bed sides, probably need some wheel tubs inside to clear the duals, use the fenders I described and a good original script tailgate. You could do it with just one set and have the park lights facing back but they look a little pointy there.