Drain tubes
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Drain tubes
While disassembling the '48 cab this weekend I came across something I don't think I have ever seen during the twenty plus years of tearing these beasts apart. In the windshield "channel", on both sides, there are drain tubes brazed in which lead out to the side of the cab above the hood hinges.
I have seen something like this on convertable cars to drain water from the troughs around the top, and I think VW might have done something like this too. Like I said, this is '48 cab and I was wondering if this is something Ford did at the begining of their new "Million Dollar Cab" design that they only did at the begining and found out it cost too much or didn't do much good. I would assume it was the former, they tried to save everywhere they could. I cannot remember ever seeing it on any of the trucks I have had. The '51 and '52 cab I have don't have them and the '50 cab on my F-2 doesn't have them either. I don't see any value in them and I am going to seal them up. There was a lot of rust in the two areas and I think they could have helped capture moisture instead of rerouting it.
I have seen something like this on convertable cars to drain water from the troughs around the top, and I think VW might have done something like this too. Like I said, this is '48 cab and I was wondering if this is something Ford did at the begining of their new "Million Dollar Cab" design that they only did at the begining and found out it cost too much or didn't do much good. I would assume it was the former, they tried to save everywhere they could. I cannot remember ever seeing it on any of the trucks I have had. The '51 and '52 cab I have don't have them and the '50 cab on my F-2 doesn't have them either. I don't see any value in them and I am going to seal them up. There was a lot of rust in the two areas and I think they could have helped capture moisture instead of rerouting it.
Last edited by bobj49f2; Oct 11, 2005 at 10:47 AM.
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From: Kalispell, MT
My 48 has them, but my 52 does not.
Funny, I figured all the bonus built trucks had them. When I rebuilt the 48 I worked a small wire thru them to clean them. What a pain - one side was plugged pretty tight. Managed to get it open, but I can't say they do much. My trucks sit outside most of the year and I've only seen minimal evidence the drain actually drains. I suspect both of your hunches are right - cost and function.
Funny, I figured all the bonus built trucks had them. When I rebuilt the 48 I worked a small wire thru them to clean them. What a pain - one side was plugged pretty tight. Managed to get it open, but I can't say they do much. My trucks sit outside most of the year and I've only seen minimal evidence the drain actually drains. I suspect both of your hunches are right - cost and function.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I've read about the drain tubes somewhere on the internet but have not seen them. I looked for them on my truck but was not real sure what I was looking for. Now that I've seen the pics I don't think my 49 has them. I will check tonight
Bobby
Bobby
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Barry,
I have to check the F-2 again but I don't remember seeing them. My '48 panel doesn't have them either. Like so many other things on these trucks, they did certain things at one plant and something different at another. That's why I find it amusing when someone asks "did this belong on my truck?" or "what is the correct part for my truck?" or "what color should this part be?" I don't think there are any definitive answers for many areas of these trucks. I have had at least 15 Bonus Built trucks and everyone of them have something different or better yet, maybe two or three have this parts with evidence that it was factory installed while two or three have something else. Heaters are one example. Many of the '48-50s I have had, had Magic Air heaters when the books say they shouldn't have. When I take them out the paint on the back of the heater is Hammer Tone and the paint on the firewall is like brand new, indicating to me it's been there since new.
I have to check the F-2 again but I don't remember seeing them. My '48 panel doesn't have them either. Like so many other things on these trucks, they did certain things at one plant and something different at another. That's why I find it amusing when someone asks "did this belong on my truck?" or "what is the correct part for my truck?" or "what color should this part be?" I don't think there are any definitive answers for many areas of these trucks. I have had at least 15 Bonus Built trucks and everyone of them have something different or better yet, maybe two or three have this parts with evidence that it was factory installed while two or three have something else. Heaters are one example. Many of the '48-50s I have had, had Magic Air heaters when the books say they shouldn't have. When I take them out the paint on the back of the heater is Hammer Tone and the paint on the firewall is like brand new, indicating to me it's been there since new.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Connecticut
It may have depended on climate and what dealers liked to order for options. In your area, I can understand having a good strong heater. Those recirc heaters weren't as good as the fresh aire ones. I've learned over the years working at the dealers, some liked to sell certain options, depending on the profit margin.Ford Acessories used to have a good profit spread in them, not so now. Where I'm at now, they love to sell Super cabs. Very few reg cabs are sold here. I hate the looks of a Super Cab.
My truck has the tubes, but they are partially gone, bottom 1/3. I have a dash from a 48 F-5 and it has the tubes still intact. Go figure.........
Barry
50 F-1
My truck has the tubes, but they are partially gone, bottom 1/3. I have a dash from a 48 F-5 and it has the tubes still intact. Go figure.........
Barry
50 F-1
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I checked my 49 when I got home tonight.......no tubes. Perhaps there is somethig to what Barry is saying, there might not have been a big call for the drain tubes out here in the dry SW
who knows
Bobby
who knows
Bobby
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I saw these tubes on a 48 F-1 at a show last month. I was surprised and never knew they existed. The owner didn't know where the tubes originated. When I got home to check my 48 F-3 there were no tubes. Apparently some cabs got them and some didn't...only Henry knows for sure. 
Vern
Vern
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