Greetings
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 36
From: South Carolina
Greetings
I thought I'd stop by and thank you old Ford owners for your help so far. There will most likely be more questions from me as time and the project go on. A '46 Ford 1/2 ton found me about 2 weeks ago and now is safely in my garage, wondering when I'm really going to get started. I found this site while searching for tidbits about the '46 while I was waiting for the title to be brought up to date. So far, thanks to this thread, I have figured out the VIN that has been used since who-knows-when is nowhere near the format that should be listed on the title. I have a duplicate from 1989 (when it was last driven) and it has the same, wrong number. So the first order of business is to make that right at the DMV. Since I'll be removing some of the body, I should be able to find the proper VIN, as I can't see the one on the frame by the steering gear box yet.
The truck has been partially restored in that, the body is straight, complete and all original as far as I can tell. I will be looking around some more for the proper way to do a 12v conversion, but plan on leaving the truck pretty much as original as I can, since it's all there and was in running order.
Let me thank you in advance for my soon to be questions.
The truck has been partially restored in that, the body is straight, complete and all original as far as I can tell. I will be looking around some more for the proper way to do a 12v conversion, but plan on leaving the truck pretty much as original as I can, since it's all there and was in running order.
Let me thank you in advance for my soon to be questions.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 36
From: South Carolina
Finally found the right VIN for the truck, but I am not having any luck decoding the thing. I've been to lots of sites that claim vast knowledge, but nothing turns up for this particular VIN. Most of the VINs I see listed begin with 1GCXXXXXX for the 6 banger. Mine starts with 1GYXXXXXX. I am perplexed. Or, google has led me astray??
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
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From: Orange County, CA
Welcome to the site, nice to have a fellow '46 owner here.
1GY is a 6 cylinder 1 ton truck, as evidenced by the Y. If it was a half ton truck it would have a C. If the VIN is stamped on the frame, it's time to start and see if the truck is indeed a 1 ton model. Easiest way to tell, measure the wheelbase, from middel of the front hub to middle of rear hub. If it's 122" then you have a 1 ton truck, if it is 114" then you have a 1/2 ton.
1GY is a 6 cylinder 1 ton truck, as evidenced by the Y. If it was a half ton truck it would have a C. If the VIN is stamped on the frame, it's time to start and see if the truck is indeed a 1 ton model. Easiest way to tell, measure the wheelbase, from middel of the front hub to middle of rear hub. If it's 122" then you have a 1 ton truck, if it is 114" then you have a 1/2 ton.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 36
From: South Carolina
Welcome to the site, nice to have a fellow '46 owner here.
1GY is a 6 cylinder 1 ton truck, as evidenced by the Y. If it was a half ton truck it would have a C. If the VIN is stamped on the frame, it's time to start and see if the truck is indeed a 1 ton model. Easiest way to tell, measure the wheelbase, from middel of the front hub to middle of rear hub. If it's 122" then you have a 1 ton truck, if it is 114" then you have a 1/2 ton.
1GY is a 6 cylinder 1 ton truck, as evidenced by the Y. If it was a half ton truck it would have a C. If the VIN is stamped on the frame, it's time to start and see if the truck is indeed a 1 ton model. Easiest way to tell, measure the wheelbase, from middel of the front hub to middle of rear hub. If it's 122" then you have a 1 ton truck, if it is 114" then you have a 1/2 ton.
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Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 35
From: Orange County, CA
If the VIN is the one on the frame, then it could have simply been a matter of human error. Remember that the VINs were stamped one character at a time by a person on the line. They could have easily got the Y and the C mixed up and it was never caught. But if the truck has a 114" W.B. then it's a half ton. If you are finding that number off the trans bellhousing, then it's possible a 1 ton trans ended up in your truck and I would say search for the VIN on the frame.
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Fleet Mechanic
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 36
From: South Carolina
Let me add this one in then- it appears that the VIN corresponds to the series numbers that were used in '42. I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility that this could be a '42 frame with a '46 body from the factory, do you? After all, this is the truck that came with a spare rim and no tire due to the rationing in WWII. If you don't mind, 46fordtruck, I can send the VIN to you and you can work your magic on it. Or, we can just say I have a '46 and let it go at that. It is now just curiosity on my part. Wish me luck in the DMV though...
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
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From: Orange County, CA
I would say the idea of a '42 frame with a '46 body would be unlikely, the remaining '42 trucks were used by the government for military use, and then the '45 models were resumed. You can send me the full VIN and I will tell you for sure what year we are dealing with.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,587
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From: South Carolina
The fun never stops! I went to the DMV today and found out lots of things about my truck that I didn't know. For instance, it was transferred to Arkansas in January, although the thing hasn't moved in at least 15 years. Also that the number I referred to in the improper format has been used for around 30 years as the VIN, when it is plainly visible on the frame (if you know where to look).
I had to explain that I wasn't taking a day from work to rent a trailer, pull the truck onto it, drive it to them, pay them for 5 minutes work and then reverse the steps to get the truck back in my garage. Lo and behold, the Sheriff's office that has to verify the VIN makes house calls under certain circumstances and they are coming to verify the VIN (and charge me 10 bucks) so I can get a real title with the real VIN.
I had to explain that I wasn't taking a day from work to rent a trailer, pull the truck onto it, drive it to them, pay them for 5 minutes work and then reverse the steps to get the truck back in my garage. Lo and behold, the Sheriff's office that has to verify the VIN makes house calls under certain circumstances and they are coming to verify the VIN (and charge me 10 bucks) so I can get a real title with the real VIN.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Getting these old trucks legal on the road seems to be getting harder and harder.
I had the original title and the current title for my truck but the sheriff still had to come and verify the numbers on the truck and a few other things to get it registered.
I had the original title and the current title for my truck but the sheriff still had to come and verify the numbers on the truck and a few other things to get it registered.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 64
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From: New Zealand
The truck is a 114" wheelbase, so the VIN is for a 1 ton? Now I'm more confused. It won't stop me from busting knuckles on it though...
I have an album at my Facebook page:
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I have an album at my Facebook page:
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 36
From: South Carolina
Fast forward a month or so and it's time for the dreaded King Pin replacement. While doing the brakes, I noticed that the right side king pin has a lot of play in it. I have everything apart and now, I'm wondering about the lock pin removal. Drive it out, but which way? Towards the axle or away from it? It's part number 3122 for those following along at home... The kit is ordered and it was only $55.00. Now to find a reputable machine shop who can press everything back together (if I can get it apart). I suppose, if nothing else, I could take the whole axle to this as-yet-to-be-located machine shop and let them do the whole thing...
The rest of the "build" is coming along. The usual suspects- brakes, wiring and the gas tank are all in varying stages of removal/replace. No big surprises yet.
The rest of the "build" is coming along. The usual suspects- brakes, wiring and the gas tank are all in varying stages of removal/replace. No big surprises yet.