Hi all! I'm so excited about my new 1947 pickup...a lot to do and a lot to look forward to! I've only had it less than a month and I'm just getting started. I have a problem and maybe someone here can help advise me...the truck sat for a number of years...there were no keys and the passenger side door will open from the inside but not the outside. I'm guessing the lock is locked. The set screw has been worked on before...I can see someone tried to drill it out. Do I just need to rekey the lock? I can't get the set screw out easily without causing some damage...really don't want to do this if I can help it...

 

I got the same problem. Someone really messed up the set screw that holds the lock in. I have no choice but to drill it and try to find a easy out small enough to fit.

You're right about it being locked. When the key is locked the door will open from the inside but will not unlock the outside handle. You are going to have to re-key the lock. The good news is that these locks are so simple that anybody can re-key them. the bad news is that you will have to find a key or a key blank. Both of my trucks 41 and 46 will be keyed the same since I only have the one key.

blanks are available through several companies. Obsolete Ford Parts has them, but a local locksmith might also be able to get them.

As a side note, the lock in the column on my 41 matches the door. If you have one of the locks re-keyed I would suggest doing the other as well. The column lock is a lot harder to get out, but good locksmith could make an impression, and if the door doesn't match I would have it rekeyed to match the column lock.

Hope this helps, and doesn't just make things worse.

 

Thanks Fix! I appreciate the advice! I'll call a locksmith I know and ask him if he needs the blanks or not. I really hesitate to try to drill out the set screw any more thinking there isn't a whole lot of room to work with. Sometimes I get too aggressive and mess things up...I don't want to have to cut into the door...sounds problematic.
Nice truck but the owner died several years ago and the wife can't answer any questions. My VIN # says it's a 1 ton but the wheelbase is 114" which means it's a half ton. I just read where someone else had that same situation. The flathead was removed and a 1966 289ci engine and auto transmission was installed. It's converted to 12 volt so there's no speedometer or guages. Actually they are in a grocery bag, but they're 6 volt. Don't know if I should change them out for 12 volt or put voltage reducers on them...same with the windshield wiper.
I've fixed a few things...lights, drained the fuel and changed the fuel line and filter(It was varnish), changed the oil and lubed it good. I replace the carpet with matting and new rubber. I still need to tune it up...
I'm in Arizona so this vehicle sat in the heat for a number of years...master cylinder oil was full...little suprising. Anyway thanks for the help...it is appreciated. Soon I'll put some pictures in here for you to see...

 

Definitely get some pics up.


The set screw that held the lock in on my 41 door was rounded at the contact point. The lock itself is pot metal. This means that if you take a tiny drill bit and drill all the way through the middle of the set screw you should get enough clearance for the lock to come out. Getting the rest of the set screw out will require a really small easy out (which I'm still looking for).

My 41 was converted to 12 volt, and I still have no speedo (I cant keep a speedo gear in it). I got after market gauges for fuel, voltage, oil press, and temp mounted under the dash. The lights in my factory gauges were rewired and bulbs changed to accept 12 volts. It all looks pretty good even if none of the factory stuff actually works.
You can get a 12 volt wiper motor from an aftermarket company, but they aren't cheap.
I'm looking for another wiper option on my 46. The 41 wiper works, but for a daily driver it just isn't going to cut it. I'm looking at some wiper instalations in newer autos. I would like to have wiper delay, and some stronger arms, so I can drive it regardless of how much water is hitting the windshield.

 

 

Wow, Thats awesome. Someone did a great job on this truck.



Got any more pics to put in your gallery? I noticed your spare tire is mounted on the left side. I don't know that I have seen this done before. I'm very interested in seeing how it clears the fender.
I'm sure there are several other people that would be interested in seeing how it looks under the hood.

Its a great truck, have fun with it.

 

I tried to enter more pics last night, but the server was having trouble. I'll get a bunch of them in later today. Thanks Fix!

 

Nice truck Rileyranger! and welcome to the jailbar world!

 

Thanks 46yblock! I'll get more pics in later today. I think I'm still learning how to manuveur here... Jailbar...I like it! Did you notice I'm short a bar on the grill?

 

No, I did not notice. When you are speeding down the highway or street no one else will either. As for missing bars, mine is currently missing all of them .

 

I've added some pictures to the gallery. Please check them out and let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

I saw your pictures and know why you are excited. Nice! It looks like those are clip on straight arm mirrors. They should give better visibility around the contour of the truck than the curved clip ons. Tried one of the curved units on the passenger side and it wouldnt adjust enough to see from a normal sitting position behind the steering wheel.

 

Yes, they are clip on mirrors secured with a few little tightening screws. I'm not really crazy about them, but now won't give the curved units a try. Thanks! I guess I get spoiled with more modern engineering and years of people figuring out better ways to do things.

 

I just wanted to let you know that is one good lookin' truck. I'm starting with a good bit more rust and damage.....I'm envious!

 

Thanks Proguru! Of course it might look good, but there's a lot you can't see that needs work. I think it's always that way...Or, you want to change stuff just to change stuff.