1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

I have a 1940 express truck that was my grandfather's farm truck. It has a 1 ton rear axle(17" split rims) and a 3/4 ton front axle (16" solid rims). I have removed the axles for sandblasting the frame. Now that the frame is primed and installed on the frame table, I noticed the front of the frame is slightly bent. I have been searching for any dimensional information to straighten it back out. I can find the 1/2 ton frame dimensions, but not the 3/4-1 ton. Any help is appreciated. My backup plan is to take a bunch of reference points and triangulate to the opposite side.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Stu or GB should be able to help.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

I have a bare rolling frame from a '46 tonner amd a couple of complete 47 tonners here. I also have the back half of a '39 tonner that was made into a trailer for a welder. I know the axles changed width with an increase in '42 of 2 1/2". Would be easy to determine in the morning. My guess is frame rails will be the standard 34" width. I think my old '38 tonner had a transverse front leaf and I've never owned a '40 or '41. Do they have transverse front or paralell springs?? If paralell, frames may be the same and I can help you..As soon as you can get a picture of this truck posted, we'd love to see it.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

It has parallel springs. The frame is 34" outside in the rear, and 32"outside in the front. I will post some pics ASAP. I have some before teardown and in process. I "heard" it is close to the '46 frames...

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Can you give an example of the dimensions you need? The frame rails were bobbed in the rear of the roller frame for a dump bed, but intact other than that.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Yessir, that's a farm truck! Do you have the box, running boards and rear fenders or are you going with a flatbed on your build?

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

We are keeping the flatbed. The story is that my grandfather had the bed made and installed by a local machine shop so he could haul seed corn in bags. We still have the "original" wooden rack(front "headache" rack) that we will use as a template to remake the sides and rear. I have some rough sawn cedar that most likely will get used for that. I will drawup some dimensions that I am looking for. The right front front spring perch was braized to the frame. It appears the the left front frame rail is bent in and down approx 1/4" inch. Probably not a big concern but I wanted to get the frame straight before getting into the suspension.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

I have a 39 and it’s 32” at the front

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

I have the Salesman’s Data Book for 1941, but not 1940. It has charts with dimensions. I would assume they are the same as 1940, please say if it is not, but the problem I have here is posting pictures from my phone. If GB or Owen are willing to post the pics I will email them. Stu

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

I would like to think the 1940 and 1941 are close if not the same. I would appreciate any help. I can "trig" it out myself but it would be better to at least have some sort of starting point.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Here are some progress pictures of the frame.
[ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 562061[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1741292850

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1741292876

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Problem is I just got home from a jobsite tonight and I leave at 5:30 am to go to Seattle to see the grandkids. Sorry, bad timing.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

is that a Ferrari ?

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Thanks Karl. Email with three charts sent. And thanks Owen for trying to train me. I got to the point of attaching files and I lost it. Will continue to try to learn. Stu

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Copies of information from Truckdog62563...

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

These are the measurements from the 1940 salesman's Reference Manual.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

I have a 31 3/4 ton Frame currently at powder coating. If you let me know what dimensions you need, I'll measure it next week when its back in the garage

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Thank you Truckdog and Karl. This helps verify the frame and also the axle centerlines. Now to measure twice... then thrice.. and double check the double checked measurements. Thank you to everyone who helped out with this.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Thanks 411Ton. I think I have almost all I need. I am looking for a curb weight of the truck. I know mine has a custom flat bed but a 1 ton with 8 foot bed should get me in the ballpark...I hope.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

So I do have another question in regards to the radiator support bracket. I am thinking(dangerous I know), that I am missing a bracket that bolts into the frame brackets on either side. I am familiar with the '48-52 mounting which to me looks similar. I have a 1949 school bus, but that is another topic....
Attachment 564236

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Do you have the large 'U' shaped radiator support and fender holder-upper? That ties everything together and mounts to the front crossmember with two large head carraige bolts and little else. There are springs like valve springs under the crossmember so the whole front clip has some 'give'. In this photo I show some temporary stay rods made from conduit so I could drive around without the front clip while I dialed in this transplanted six.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

The bracket that holds the radiator attaches to the frame at the location of the two holes in the frame that are closest to the front of the frame, just above the gusset on either side. The bracket itself was isolated from the frame with a web material. I used solid 1/4" rubber. The two rigid upper radiator hoses act as stabilizer at the top of the radiator. No need for any additional support from the firewall.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1744053136

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1744053136

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1744053579

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Well, I stand corrected. Quite a few differences besides the increase in width in 1942.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Thanks for the info GB. Looks like I am in the market for the rad support(s). I don't have either piece. I will see if the "U" frame from the 49' School bus is close enough this weekend. But the lower cross piece that bolts into the frame is what I need to go find now apparently.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

Do you have the OEM 1940 Tonner radiator with the correct top and bottom tanks? If so I can get you the dimensions of that support bracket and based on what I see of your fabrication skills you should be able to make that bracket. There might be an “off the shelf” piece of channel material that comes close enough to be able to make a bracket that holds the radiator vertically and also anchors it to the frame. The radiator size and tank configuration that fits that location is important. There are radiator hose/fan clearance issues with the two lower radiator hoses that can come into play if the vertical location of the radiator isn’t correct.

Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements
 

I have "a" radiator. I am not sure if it is the correct radiator. I can measure it up this weekend. I can definitely fab one up if I have some dimensions. Thanks for the help.