1940 Frame Interchangeability

[rotorwrench]

I think your right about that. Ford likely made it to thickness rather than gauge. Gauge is only something that we can compare it to and most gauge standards allow for variance in thickness as well. Now if we have to go out and buy steel material to fabricate something, we are at the mercy of the suppliers of that product for gauge or thickness of material available. Ford made stuff however thick he wanted.

[Bored&Stroked]

Question: If in a given year Ford had different frame material requirements (say 1940 passenger versus convertible or half-ton truck), then I would assume they also had different part numbers for them? I don't have a reference for 1940, has anybody looked up the part numbers as noted up above? Is there anything to learn by the part numbers?

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

Question: If in a given year Ford had different frame material requirements (say 1940 passenger versus convertible or half-ton truck), then I would assume they also had different part numbers for them? I don't have a reference for 1940, has anybody looked up the part numbers as noted up above? Is there anything to learn by the part numbers?

You bring forth a very good query.

There were (1940) three different frames listed in the parts book (note: cars and PU only vehicles researched by me)
One, 01A-5005-A was called out for closed passenger cars equipped with either the 85 or 95HP engines.
Another, 01A-5005-C as for the convertible only.
Lastly, #01C-5005 was called out for the 1/2 ton pickup.

There were of course frames specifically called out for vehicles equipped with the 60HP engines as well.
I am not certain how Ford handled the convertibles that were built with the 60HP engines. There was never a service replacement frame for these somewhat unique builds.

[rotorwrench]

The numbers would have been for a completed frame assembly too. Completed frames have the different mounting brackets and such already attached. It seems like the convertible shared similar rear brackets with pickups but the extra brackets on the front were convertible only. The guys on the line had to have been aware of the differences I'm certain.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The numbers would have been for a completed frame assembly too. Completed frames have the different mounting brackets and such already attached. It seems like the convertible shared similar rear brackets with pickups but the extra brackets on the front were convertible only. The guys on the line had to have been aware of the differences I'm certain.

Rotor,
The numbers I'd submitted were complete frames. I am fairly certain outer frame rails were not available as service parts.
There were minute differences between the convertible frame and closed car frame beside the thickness of the frame rails as you suggest.

As far as "the guys on the line" being aware... most likely a stack of the appropriate parts were placed next to the assembly line and each guy on that line did his respective task. I doubt that anyone other than the persons supplying the parts directly to the line needed (or cared much) what they were assembling.

[rotorwrench]

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Since many parts were interchangeable on the frame & drive train with the obvious exceptions to V8 60 and different springs and such, it may have not made much difference till the body drop point. I figure this stuff had to have been timed in some fashion so that the body was mated to the correct part number frame with correct springs. They would have had quite a log jam if it wasn't.

[skidmarks]

Originally Posted by Kube

You bring forth a very good query.

There were (1940) three different frames listed in the parts book (note: cars and PU only vehicles researched by me)
One, 01A-5005-A was called out for closed passenger cars equipped with either the 85 or 95HP engines.
Another, 01A-5005-C as for the convertible only.
Lastly, #01C-5005 was called out for the 1/2 ton pickup.

There were of course frames specifically called out for vehicles equipped with the 60HP engines as well.
I am not certain how Ford handled the convertibles that were built with the 60HP engines. There was never a service replacement frame for these somewhat unique builds.

How many v860 convertibles were built? Did they ever build a wagon with a 60? I had a panel truck that was 60hp and was a dog.

As for frames. I know of a guy with a massive NOS collection has a NOS 40 ford frame but i dont know which one

[Kube]

Originally Posted by skidmarks

How many v860 convertibles were built? Did they ever build a wagon with a 60? I had a panel truck that was 60hp and was a dog.

As for frames. I know of a guy with a massive NOS collection has a NOS 40 ford frame but i dont know which one

Fourteen convertible coupes were built with the 60HP in 1940. I do not have records to indicate how many wagons may have been built the same.
I too have had a couple of very nice - unaltered '40s with the 60HP. Couldn't get out of their own way...