Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

I'm new to the forum, and excited to find this, as I see there's a wealth of knowledge on here that I may need at times, and also some may enjoy my sharing of the story and full restoration of this old truck.

This truck was purchased by my Great Grandfather in 1936 and was used on his farm for hauling grain, cotton, cotton choppers, and cotton picking crews on his farm. He used it for years until he passed away in the mid 60's. His son, (my grandfathers brother) wound up with the truck and used it as well. Sometime in the 70's it was parked in a barn where it sat for a couple decades. When he passed away suddenly in the 80's his son had the truck, and eventually it got put in a fence row. The truck meant a lot to my grandfather as he was 14 years old when the truck originally came to the farm. He asked our cousin if he's let us restore the old truck, but it could still be his, he just wanted to see it preserved, he actually afforded to shed it for him as well. He said he would think about it, but wanted to restore it himself. Well about 10 years went by after than, and I got a call from my cousin as she had heard I was interested in the old truck. She said it weighed heavy on her heart, that this old truck of her Grandfathers was waisting away. So we made a deal, and after not seeing the truck for myself in several years, I bought it basically sight unseen...lol But my Grandfather who has now passed, wanted his dad's old truck fixed up so, that I feel obiligated to do what he always wanted.

When I arrived to get the truck, this is what I saw, it was overgrown in vines and brush, but somehow in incredibly decent shape. We loaded the truck and now have it home. I had some time to work a bit on it today, I soaked the pistons, but curiosity got the best of me as I wanted to let it soak, I gently turned engine at the pully, and in amazement, the engine turned freely, not seized in the least, it did appear some valves might be stuck, but I plan to pull the engine and fully overhaul. I plan on fully restoring this beauty with my dad! Any help along the way from you guys would be so much appreciated!

If you look close on the door panel, you can still see my Great grandfathers name on the side! I have to say I got a bit emotional when I saw that. I'm excited to own and restore a piece of family and American history!

Thanks...Bret

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

You are now living in the heart and soul of this hobby. I couldn't be happier for you and your new project. The best V8'rs in the world are on this forum and are eager to help along your way. Please keep all of us posted on your adventure!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Bret, the truck looks incredibly complete, even has the original mirror bracket. You are correct that there is a wealth of info available here. Lots of truck guy too! (I have a 40 COE project.) keep us posted with your progress. You might update your info, there may be a barner that lives near you. Welcome!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Way to Go!!! That is SO COOL!!!! Best of luck on the project!! Looks like a good solid truck to work with.
Dave

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Wonder if it started out life as a Demonstrator truck with the yellow paint. Is there any lettering visible above the windshield? Glad it came out of the brush for you.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Thanks guys.... Gary, my dad remembers the truck from the 50's and 60's and said it was blue, it appears blue paint was brushed on it, but the lettering on the door that is still partially visible with my Great grandpa's name and town, was stenciled over the yellow it looked like? I like the yellow and black myself, my dad wants it blue? We will see....gonna get it running first, got a long ways before we are to that point. I will look above the windshield...

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Loading her up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tygKu3iJZqo

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Like Gary said maybe one of these.

Bob

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

welcome to the 'Barn.....great truck.....have fun with the project.....Mike

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Bob, was the stripe on the wheels standard on these, or on the demonstrator ?

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Bret,

Welcome to the forum and to the world of Ford V8s. As you get into your project, you may find the big truck parts are a bit less common. However, don't get discouraged. Parts are out there - my '47 COE shares wheel bearings with 2003 F-150 pickups if you can believe that. There are a number of folks with the big trucks who have plenty of knowledge to share and are great leads on where to get parts or data. Just ask - it's what I do all the time and I've never come up empty handed on FordBarn.

Dan

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Welcome. And a warning. This hobby can be habit forming, so be careful!! I have been in it for nearly 70 years and still enjoying every minute. You have something very special there. There are a lot of great guys on this forum who will help you. Keep us updated. Congratulations. (I wish mine had looked that good when I started on it!)

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Great looking truck and worthy project. Welcome to the barn.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Love trucks, many parts available to fix them up. My biggest worry about that on is the frame. Yes, welcome and the best luck with your project.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Welcome and the best of luck with your restoration project.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Kool, I wonder if its a Demonstrator also, could the black you say be Washington blue. it is a dark blue and could look like black

Keep us posted!!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

That sure looks like the demonstrator model !

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Cool !welcome Bret ,plenty of help here .Ted

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

What he said...
Badly rusted frame on my '37 required a replacement donor chassis, in this case tho a car chassis.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Bret- neat story and neat truck! Good luck this deserves to be restored and kept in the family! Are you going to have it re-lettered in your grandfather's name? Pretty far down the road but that would be cool!

'35-'36 Ford Trucks and Pickups are the best! Love 'em!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

It's rusty of course, but I think it's very solid. I'm gonna remove the bed before long to get the crust off good and replace the wood down there. I'll be showing pics and getting advice on here and locally bout the frame when time comes! Thanks for the help!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Do take and post pictures as the restore progresses, looks like a fun project.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

I'd bet the frame would be good, usually large truck are...probably has solid cab corners, rockers and lower front cowls as well.

Sitting in the vines like that, might want to look at the inner side of the window frame though.

I love anything 35/6 truck!

Have fun with the project.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Sure looks like it could be a demonstrator from your pics. Your wheels have the same pinstripe. Pretty rare if it is as I imagine most demonstrators are long gone. Very cool piece of family history.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

It's 95% cleaning and oil soaking and 5 % mechanical / electrical. Take your time and exercise patience. This is one strong truck.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Bret, great story...I'm so happy for you. You've got a great project there and the family history is amazing. At some point, you're going to have a question and I'll answer that before you have even thought of that question. My dad owned my car back in the early 40's (it's a 35) and it's been in the family ever since. I got faced with the decision to build it back to the way it rolled off of the assembly line or restore it back to the way my dad had it. I posed that question on the Barn and after everybody read the story of my car (similar to your story) the resounding response was to restore it the way my dad had it. With that in mind, honor that truck as a family heirloom and not a product of an assembly line or what the current value is. The value lies in the history! You've come to the right place to get answers as you begin the restoration. If you add up all the old Ford V8 experience in years on this site, I'm sure it adds up to 1,000,000 with a few people, that I won't name here, making up the bulk of that!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Great project and welcome. Just a suggestion, as you are doing this, keep a REALLY detailed log of everything you do to this truck. Photos, videos, receipts etc. You will be amazed at how quickly you forget things and a running log will prove a valuable, and entertaining asset.
Good luck and, "KEEP ON TRUCKIN!!"

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Thanks for all the awesome feedback fellas I knew I come to the right place, I may be wearing you all out before it's over! I have thought hard about restoring it like my grandfather had it and putting his name on the side. What the truck is worth after we are done means absolutely nothing to me, my grandfather wanted this truck saved and that's the main reason I'm doing it ! I also have a six-year-old son to pass this down to, to me that means everything !

I'm going to try to work on it from time to time this fall but it will be this winter when I can focus on it like a job as it is my downtime on the farm you will be hearing a lot more for me then LOL!

I do however nearly having engine ready to remove I'm going to try to get the ball rolling on that the carburetor is completely froze up I have seen where can buy new ones I may consider doing that but I'm going to soak this one first and see where were at

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

This is excellent advice. Mine was a rust bucket when I started on it in '84. It had to be stripped to the frame and built from the ground up. I took the time to keep records and many pictures of the tear down, restoration and re-assembly. I still have the receipts for every part I found and bought. Now, 30 years later it is fun to go back and remember.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Before you sand down that door, try to figure out the details on the lettering (size, etc) so you can replicate it.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Welcome. Best wishes on the truck. Does she have a name as yet? As you work on it, you will feel generations of your family about you

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

It's funny you say that, as we nickname things on the farm all the time. My old Mack I haul with is "Ole Blue", my white dodge farm truck we call the "white goat" and the list goes on. My great grandfather was referred to as "Pop Palmer" by all his grandkids, so it's always been call "Pop Palmers truck". so guess that's what we are calling it for now.

There a number he wrote on the the top of the cab inside..72 and1/2, im guessing that is the number of bushels he was hauling of something possibly and he wanted to remember it? So many cool things about the truck, I have thought about doing the lettering like the original, that is what i'm leaning on doing.

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Great story......welcome......don't' be shy ask anything and search the old threads there is a ton of advice here!!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Great truck. My restoration expertise is limited to 1935 and 1936 Ford big trucks, hence my handle "Model 51". If you have any questions about your truck, I'm happy to give you my opinion. I have most of the Ford truck literature for these trucks and almost 200 drawings from the Ford Dearborn research library just on Model 51 parts. Your truck looks very complete and doesn't look modified which will be a great help in your restoration efforts.
Dave

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

The stripe on the picture of the trucks front wheel while still in the brush, matches the strip that Bob C and Farmboy submitted. Apparently you do have not only a rare Demonstrator, but one with a lot of original paint!!!

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Hi Everyone, farmboy, WOW, just WOW. You are a lucky guy.

Can't wait to hear how the story continues. Those pinstriped wheels are a smoking gun!

I'm trying to find the word PALMER on the door, but just can't see it yet. What does the door say?

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Wow, this is really getting exciting, the demonstrator possibility of this has me rethinking how I'd want to restore it. Made it official today with our cousin, and she brought some old pictures she found! Check this out, word for word what is on there. If u look on the driver door u can still make out this cursive styling faintly. Thing is, dad and the cousins remember it being blue as he paint brushes it blue it appears. The yellow can back after years in the fence row. I'm overwhelmed all the enthusiasm from you folks, I'm really excited, but wondering how I want to paint it now. Right now a ways to go before I do that, gonna check out engine in next week hopefully depending on work! Bret

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

As an "old" sign painter, I can tell you that the lettering on the door was not done by a professional sign painter of that era. That was probably applied by who ever owned the truck at the time (an amateur but a skilled one).

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Care to explain?

Re: Saving a family treasure...(1936 1and1/2 ton)
 

Can you leave POP Palmers writing on the truck. Can you carefully remove the brush blue paint and save the yellow? Ask the truck : she will tell you