1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

I am new to this so I am just finding my way around. I bought what I think is a 1938 Farm Truck, Dump Truck frame, Stake bed. I will have lots of questions and thought this would be a good place to get answers. I made an album as it said I needed 10 posts to put a picture on a thread. This is just the beginning of a long journey and my first step. Any advice on how to communicate here is welcome. Thank you.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Welcome here on the Fordbarn, there is somewhat small BUT very dedicated "Big" truck contingent that you will find to be most helpful as well as many for the more "generic" flathead issues. As for your ten post, post "thank you's" and "glad to be here" 9 more times to this post and you're there. Love to see pictures of your new "Steed"


Once again, welcome

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Thank you, I look forward to gaining insight.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Glad to be here.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Sorry to be a pest.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

I appreciate your advice on this.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Hope this is what you meant, it feels a bit rediculous.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Only a couple more to go, Flatheads Forever!

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Eight Cylinders and Eight posts!

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

I will post some images as soon as I am allowed, 9

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Yes, keep going, and welcome to the Barn

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Lucky 10, Thanks again!

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

https://i.postimg.cc/pmJxGBt4/IMG_7700_2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/mcZ40Fb5/IMG_7701_2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/XZNWTyVm/IMG_7733.jpg

Some basic images of my old truck.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

After I sold my 1940 1 1/2 ton big truck I ended up with the '39 p/u in my avatar. At first I wasn't sold on '38/'39 barrel nose trucks. But after awhile I came to really appreciated them. Looks like your '38 is solid. Looking forward to photos and welcome aboard from SoCal.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Good job, what a cool looking truck. I hope you plan on keeping as much of the "patina" as possible??

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Welcome to the barn, nice truck, did you find it in your local area?. Looking forward to see the process of bringing this back to roadworthy.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

My basic thoughts on what I have.
1938 Ford 1-1/2 Ton, 134 Wheelbase, Dump/Stake bed, Early 21 bolt V8

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

I plan on keeping the truck as is and making it move down the road. Miraculously the engine side covers were roached and I found two very reasonable (under $200 total) side covers that look like they were on this truck since it was new. I did have to switch the "Ford" logos as they were missing but on my old covers. Thanks for responding.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

It was on the next rural street over. Me and a buddy tied a chain to it and dragged it back to my place with my John Deere. It was about 1-1/2 miles of mostly dirt road. (Am I replying correctly to peoples comments?)

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

It is solid but lots of surface rust. I was able to find the VIN and some nearly hidden numbers on the Rims. It like archeology. The VIN starts in BB-18 so I think it may be 1-1/2 ton but not sure. Finding some some new rims will be a task and running boards.

Fenders, frame and cab/hood are solid thought they show years of wear which I like. I believe wood is original and being inside the barn helped it. Thanks

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Nice old truck. Does the motor turn over?

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

https://i.postimg.cc/XXbxKMg8/IMG_7762_(1).jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/jCbv6VhM/IMG_7895.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/NLcb8hxJ/IMG_7666.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/nMJTK81T/IMG_7746.jpg

A couple more shots including one on the "Tow" home. No shipping costs!

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

I can turn it over by hand with the crank that goes through the grill. I did a lot of emptying and soaking so far but haven't got to physically starting it. It did have oil in both the pan and the breather that I drained and soaked it briefly in diesel fuel. (Heard that somewhere) I have to drain the gas tank that smells like varnish and check out a lot of other stuff including figuring out if it is 6v or 12v. When I turn the manual crank everything moves. Rebuilt carb and fuel pump. Lots to do.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Should be 6 volts positive ground unless changed over to 12. Is there a battery in it or is it long gone?

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Welcome to the Fordbarn, I'm one of those big truck enthusiasts that was hinted at earlier. Your truck and your 'restoration' plan are both spot on in my book. My first FH V8 vehicle was a '38 one ton pickup. Somehow getting it back up and running consumed me for two years. Then it became more like an obsession and it quickly progressed from there. Wouldn't change a thing. I will add that it's refreshing to see a barn find these days that someone actually found in a barn!
(and dragged home on a chain, no less) :)
GB Sisson

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Welcome to Fordbarn. I'm one of those few big truck guys. There were a lot of changes from my specialty years of 1935-1936 to 1938 but the basics are the same.
I've probably got some good 1938 style big truck wheels if you need some.

Consider joining the Early Ford V-8 Club of America www.earlyfordv8.org . The focus is mainly on cars, but the people are great and there is lots of collected wisdom of the members and possibly parts and technical help. There is a local chapter in Webster, NY which looks to be about on hour from you.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Macs,
Another big truck owner checking in. Yes I have a earlier one but there just are not many of these big old Ford work trucks left out there. There is a nice one near buy me that is similar to yours same grill style. It is running and driving. It took me a couple years to get our 32 moving. I would not recommend trying to start it without some serious inspection, These can be very worn. Sounds like you have a plan! This is the place!

Your pictures are good, and you are responding just fine! Great thread! We will be watching!
The new side covers look perfect! You have been hunting for and finding parts already!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Welcome to the Ford Barn, what year glass is installed?

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Very cool. Owner of a 39 1 ton here that I drive at least several times per week to and from work. The Fordbarn crew is great and I've learned quite a bit just reading and following threads. Not to mention the knowledgeable members when a question arises.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Looks like an interesting project for sure!


I am knee deep in 1938-39 1 ton stuff now and there are a lot of shared parts with 1-1/2 ton and a lot with the 1/2 ton on these.


Have you checked compression yet on the cylinders? You probably have and I missed that. Also a radiator servicing couldn't hurt.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Another big truck owner here. You have one fine looking truck there!

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

You have a great old truck and a good plan. The truck was lucky to find you. You have made an excellent connection with Ford folks here. I would suggest you consider looking into the Antique Truck Club of America (ATCA) where you can meet die hard truck folks, too. Between the Ford experts and the truck experts, you can learn a lot in a hurry. There will be an ATCA show in Whitney Point NY this September. I don't mean to be a wise guy, because I know it depends on your perspective, but calling these "big trucks" is really a bit of a misnomer.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Great find. I have always liked big domestic trucks from 47 on back. I'm currently working on a 45 GMC 2 ton. Whats wrong with the wheels? Is the engine stuck? My 41 pickup was a barn find and the 1950 V8 was the worst hack job transplant I had EVER seen . It ran and drove for years after a solid month of work and corrections. One of the funnest hard jobs I ever did. Keep us posted on you progress. Tim

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

I think that since we are all here to discuss Fords from the flathead era, we use the term 'big trucks' to differentiate between Ford's half tons and their higher capacity brothers, the one tons, 1 1/2 tons and two tons.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Not sure what made me post this....

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Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Mac, If you truely think this coud be a good runner I recomend pulling the pan a and cleaning it out along with the oil pickup screen. Leaded gas , parifin base oils and hot old flatheads can genorate a lot of gunk down there that you dont want going through your bearings. Tim

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

Nice find! Hope you post a video of it running. Agree with the above about cleaning some sludge out of the oil pan and pickup.

Re: 1938 Ford Farm Truck Barn Find
 

If you do clean it out, use detergent oil from then on to keep it that way.