Guy's,


How do you tell the difference between a 1 & 1/2 ton and 2 ton truck?
Is it the number of leaves in the rear springs? Or is it different rear axles? Or both?


I have 7.50-20's and my rear axle is a two piece- the halves bolt together, like a Model T rear axle.


I ask because I've now seen a number of 2 tons on here and by eye I can not see a difference, other than the axle. Gary's 2 ton on the trailer, that he sold, looks like mine, except for the rear end. So I'm confused a bit I guess.


I would just like to verify what I have. Thanks.


Steve

 

What year truck?

 

Ooops, I forgot to put the year in the post- sorry.


It's a '41. And it doesn't "look like" Gary's, just the tires and wheels look to be the same. Just trying to differentiate between the two tonnage ratings.


Thanks


Steve

 

I have the 1941 Ford V-8 Trucks & Commercial Cars Sales Manual and Reference Book. Nowhere in it do I find the terms 1.5 ton and 2 ton. This is unlike Ford's clear descriptions of the 3/4 ton and one ton models that shared many features. Instead the book describes features of the 134" and 158" wheelbase models, and lists optional features that would add to the gvwr of the trucks. Such as frame reinforcements, stouter springs, two speed axles, etc. In common practice a 158" wheelbase model with optional upgrades could be a 2 ton.

I know we've seen some trucks of this era that have 6 lug x 8.75" pattern wheels and hubs, but I find nothing regarding this contained in the manual. My belief has been that truck's like this were military spec, or perhaps of Canadian origin. I know too that we've had mention of Canadian 3 ton models that perhaps were also military specification. Stu

 

Very interesting info! For the record, I have five lug wheels.


I'd love to get a close look at a bare frame or two and compare springs, frame set up, etc. There are probably a lot of folks out there who are uncertain of their weight rating/model.


Thanks for the reply.


Steve

 

There is no mention of 1.5 or 2 ton truck ratings in the 40, 41, or 42 truck brochures. Does that mean that those years had no rating? Or were they all 1.5 ton? I don't know.

The 47 brochure does mention 1.5 ton and 2 ton ratings. See:

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

 

Maybe it will just be simpler to say its a "41 Ford flat bed" if someone asks, lol.


It comes off the tongue easier than "41 Ford one and a half ton truck"!


Thanks for the info.


Steve

 

This is interesting. I have the 1946 sales handbook, like the above '41, and it too makes no mention of the 1.5 or 2 ton designations. Wonder if it's a new concept for '47, or maybe just different marketing groups that created the different references. Stu

 

The whole '1.5T' and 2T' "rating" has been a puzzle to me also.

47COE's link to the '47 brochure shows the '2T' has the 2-spd rear and aux springs... but then mentions they're avail on the 1.5T. Would having that not instantly make the 1.5T a 2T? Same frame, same brakes, same engine... in '47 the 2T got a vacuum booster but there wasn't one for my year (40).
From here, it all smells like marketing.

The other question is, even if engineering had some input into the '1.5T' and '2T' designations.... what do those numbers even signify?? How did my '40 get registered at 8 tons loaded when new?

 

is the naming of the two and three ton trucks a purely Canadian thing? Mine is a three ton.
I have a Canadian parts book for ford trucks made in Canada that clearly shows the 1.5, 2 and 3 ton variations, and my truck is badged as a three ton.

 

Looking at my 47 truck operators manual, there is no mention of 1 1/2 or 2 ton ratings. What they do have is gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) for various models. Within a model, the GVWR listed varies by the tires used.



Back when I first registered my truck for farm plates, they asked what tires it had and then registered it for 18,000 pounds. That is still the weight on the registration 42 years later.

I have 7.50x20 on the front, and 8.25x20 on the rear. Ford says that is good for 15,000. The state of Oregon says 18,000. I personally prefer to not exceed 13,000.

 

I know this has been posted before and hashed over in other threads, but I have been confused by this as well on the 42-47 trucks. It would seem the main delineation between 1.5 and 2 ton is the GVWR, but as 47COE points out this is highly dependent on tires. This literature also mentioned the 2-speed, reinforced frame, brake booster, springs, etc. and lists 14,500 lbs GVWR for the 2 ton model. The original title for my truck called it a 1 1/2 ton, but the rating plate on my glove box says 14,500 lbs GVWR. I also have the 2-speed, brake booster and all the other 2 ton options, does this make it a 2 ton?

I agree... smells like marketing, probably similar for the 40-41.

In NY I have passenger plates. The gals at the DMV didn't know what to do with my registration... I know I should not be hauling on them, but I've never seen DOT on the back roads around here.

 

Not sure either but my title also says 1.5. Weight matches and so do the wheels and tires.

 

Hi there.

We just acquired a 1946 Ford Fire Engine based on a Ford commercial chassis. Wheelbase is 134", more or less (measured with tape measure). Tires on front are 7.50x20 with HUGE lug nuts; Dual tires on rear. We're trying to locate a chassis repair manual or ANYTHING that will help us to restore this baby. I notice that you're also in Oregon, so perhaps close enough for you to come see it here in Medford Oregon. Here's a web page showing some photos:
1946 Ford Fire Truck

Any help will be appreciated.

Rick
Medford Oregon

 

Wow! What a beauty! What you need is called 'Ford chassis parts and accessories catalogue'. Here we call it the green bible. Subtitled 'passenger cars 1928-1048, trucks 1928-1947'. Oh, and you aren't planning on re-painting that truck are you?