Ford truck identification Hello everyone,
I'm new and have a rather unusual identification request. Some years back I bought a used trailer off of craigslist and recently I decided that I want to clean up the frame to preserve it for as long as possible. The previous owner told me that it was based on a very old Ford pickup truck frame and the registration actually lists it as a 1947 I don't think that that is accurate. It has a gear ratio tag on the differential that says W 47/11 (It is a Dana 41 with 5 lug wheels.) I believe that the DMV guy just saw that and went with 1947. I have been going a bit crazy searching through hundreds of photos trying to figure out what the truck was sand maybe find out it's original weight capacity. From what I have seem the frame does look like that of an F1, particularly the spring mounts and the shape above the rear wheels. However the leaf springs are throwing me off as I have not seen another with a set like it. The are very beefy and with many more leaves then the pictures that I have found. The closest that I have come is the description in post #7 on this thread which matches what I have. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188718 I still have to pull the bed off for a better overall picture but i'm hoping someone might be able to help identify what this was. Picture can be found here. https://imgur.com/a/EmKuW0V |
Re: Ford truck identification The upper springs are overload springs.
Bob |
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Re: Ford truck identification Factory overloads were only on F-4's and larger.
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Thank you. This was part of my picture searching confusion. I saw similar springs are the heavier duty models but the axles and frames were always different. (Usually 8+ lug wheels) |
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Its hard to tell from the photos but if the brackets on the frame that come in contact with the overload springs are riveted to the frame I would bet that they are OEM and not after market. |
Re: Ford truck identification Ok I finally got the body off for some clearer photos. (Quick posting/coffee break before I get the frame cleaned and primed....I only have this afternoon to do it and get it under a tent before the rain hits again)
I cleaned off some part numbers from the spring perches. The lower spring mounts are riveted. The overload spring mounts are bolted with a bracket. https://imgur.com/a/bLs34v0 |
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I stand corrected. Your response made me go back and take another look at the overload brackets on the Tonner (photo attached). They are clamped to the frame and not riveted as I remembered.
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Yep. That is exactly what I am seeing here so everything looks factory. Cleanup is going well but I may have to run to the store to get a serious wire brush in order to get into the nooks and cranies.
The biggest worry however is once I cleaned the rust I found some broken leaves.... |
Re: Ford truck identification The rear axle is identical to the one I removed from my 48 F1. The 47/11 = the optional 4.27 gears. The 5 bolt wheels are also half-ton.
What makes it unclear is, Ford used a lot of truck parts from the 42-47 half-ton series in the 48-50 F1s. Henry's policy was "don't change things if you didn't have to." I'd say your axle could be either 47 or 48. |
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I would be quite happy with any company that has a "Ain't broke don't fix" mentality. All too often someone will come out with the "New and improved!" model only to have it actually be worse or built to a lower standard that what it replaced. The production cross-over may help to explain the unusual springs... maybe they just happened to be in the parts bin that day of production? Here is the progress on the trailer. Primed and drying awaiting it's top coat. https://imgur.com/a/UnPm9Fn |
Re: Ford truck identification Quick question...is everyone running standard 90w gear oil in their rear diff's? I want to change the fluid while I still have everything apart.
More progress pictures. https://imgur.com/a/QhR3wPf |
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Why not run multi-viscosity gear oil? The Ford specification assumed changing the gear oil out with temperature changes.
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Re: Ford truck identification Good reason! Ford calls out SAE 90 for winter & SAE 140 for summer. So you should be covered for the winter!!
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Re: Ford truck identification I don't think the type of gear oil would be hyper critical as this is just a trailer. The rear end gears are not driving, as such, just idling over with minimal load.
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Re: Ford truck identification I just revisited this and felt I need to comment on the whole thing. That trailer was probably made by a farmer and only ever intended for relatively slow local journeys.
If you really intend to tow at 75mph you really should be looking at a purpose built trailer. I'm not sure you can legally tow a trailer at that speed, you certainly can't here. Mart. |
Re: Ford truck identification I'm with Mart, if you are wanting to tow at high speed I would think a solid type axle with just the wheel bearing would be a much better set up. Sometimes you see front axles used with the spindle or tie rod fix in the straight ahead position.
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