2 ton truck question

[oswego37]

I have a simple question . Did Ford make a 2 ton BB truck in 1934?

[Model51]

Short answer no.
Long answer: Ford called all their Model BB and Model 51 (1932-36 and for a few more years) 1 1/2 ton trucks. This indicated the load rating with 6.00 x 20 front tires and single 6.50 x 20 rear tires. Capacity could be increased with larger tires, dual rear tires, helper springs, etc., all available from the factory so the load capacity could be substantially increased but the name remained 1 1/2 tons. Most trucks of this era had bigger tires and dual wheels so their weight ratings were more than the 1 1/2 ton nameplate indicated.
Staring in 1935 (I believe not in 1934 but I could be corrected) Ford of Canada produced a Model 51 truck which they called a 2 ton truck. I has hood sides with a "two-ton" emblem. It's the same truck as the 1 1/2 ton truck but with dual wheels, helper springs and a slightly stronger engine. So only in the Canadian market could one purchase a 1 1/2 ton and a 2 ton truck.

[oswego37]

Thanks for the detailed answer. I have 6.50 duals a heavier frame and helper springs.
More like a 2 ton than 1.5

[Model51]

According to Ford's published weight rating tables your truck with 6.50 dual rear wheels has a load capacity of 1.9 tons (3,783 pounds) if it's a 157" wheelbase or 2.0 (3,965 pounds) if it's a 131 1/2" wheel base.
The truck frame is much heavier than the car and commercial (pickup) frame but all Model 51 trucks have the same basic frame design. The frame has a static load rating of 15 tons so the limiting weight carrying factor are the tires.

[oswego37]

Thanks again, all good information. Is there a book/reference for more info on the early Ford trucks?

[GB SISSON]

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There are 2 excellent ones. The poster here , sorry don't remember his full name has recently written a book on the '35 and '36 model BB trucks. For a book on ALL the Ford big trucks there is none better than James Wagner's 'Ford Trucks Since 1905'. First published by Crestline in 1978, later in 1994 by Motorbooks international. I wore out my first one from 1978 and now the one I got in 1994 is in tatters. While ford didn't make a 2 ton truck in '34 they could be brought to that standard and above with carefully chosen aftermarket equipment. Or as often seemed to occur, just overload them and head out. Looks like forty eight 55 gallon drums of oil. Not sure what that weighs, but thinking they better stick to level ground. And the Caterpillar? It least it has the '5 ton' conversion. Isn't that like 10,000 lbs?!!!

[drolston]

My granddad had a '32 BB stake body farm truck that I know he loaded well over 2 tons. There was a steep hill on the way to haul a full load of fire wood to the cabin. He had to back the truck up that hill because reverse was a lower gear than low gear.


He built that "camper" on the back and he and my grandmother drove it from Virginia, across Canada and back.

[Model51]

The club sells the 1935-1936 Model 51 Truck book but that's the only one, so far, on big trucks. I'm sure the Ford Truck Dealer showroom album for 1934 contains a wealth of information. I don't have a copy but sure would like to have one for reference.
James Wagner's book is great and both my copies are well worn.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

There are 2 excellent ones. The poster here , sorry don't remember his full name has recently written a book on the '35 and '36 model BB trucks. For a book on ALL the Ford big trucks there is none better than James Wagner's 'Ford Trucks Since 1905'. First published by Crestline in 1978, later in 1994 by Motorbooks international. I wore out my first one from 1978 and now the one I got in 1994 is in tatters. While ford didn't make a 2 ton truck in '34 they could be brought to that standard and above with carefully chosen aftermarket equipment. Or as often seemed to occur, just overload them and head out. Looks like forty eight 55 gallon drums of oil. Not sure what that weighs, but thinking they better stick to level ground. And the Caterpillar? It least it has the '5 ton' conversion. Isn't that like 10,000 lbs?!!!

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by drolston

My granddad had a '32 BB stake body farm truck that I know he loaded well over 2 tons. There was a steep hill on the way to haul a full load of fire wood to the cabin. He had to back the truck up that hill because reverse was a lower gear than low gear.


He built that "camper" on the back and he and my grandmother drove it from Virginia, across Canada and back.

[GB SISSON]

And those kids in their air conditioned Sprinter Vans and 'Overland Expedition' rigs think they are really heading out on an expedition and roughing it. That's a great story and picture. Thanks!

[Model51]

Here's the really long answer about truck weight ratings. Like I mentioned, all trucks are called 1 1/2 tons (probably based on the nominal minimum load weight rating) but the actual load weight rating depends on the tires and auxiliary rear springs. Here's a table I put together showing the actual load weight ratings (in pounds and tons) for the most common types of 1935-1936 trucks (the 1932-34 Model BB trucks are similar). All of these truck and tire combinations were available directly from Ford as a new truck.

The listed Load Weight Ratings are based on the tire manufacturer’s recommended tire capacities and accounts for full gas, oil, water, tools, spare wheel, spare tire (same size as rear), and front bumper. Data source: 1935 Ford Truck Dealer Salesman’s Pocket Handbook.

Note that there is no load capacity for panel trucks with smaller single rear wheels. Also, truck frames can take up to 15 tons and it was common to overload trucks well past the weight ratings shown in these tables.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Model51

Here's the really long answer about truck weight ratings. Like I mentioned, all trucks are called 1 1/2 tons (probably based on the nominal minimum load weight rating) but the actual load weight rating depends on the tires and auxiliary rear springs. Here's a table I put together showing the actual load weight ratings (in pounds and tons) for the most common types of 1935-1936 trucks (the 1932-34 Model BB trucks are similar). All of these truck and tire combinations were available directly from Ford as a new truck.

The listed Load Weight Ratings are based on the tire manufacturer’s recommended tire capacities and accounts for full gas, oil, water, tools, spare wheel, spare tire (same size as rear), and front bumper. Data source: 1935 Ford Truck Dealer Salesman’s Pocket Handbook.

Note that there is no load capacity for panel trucks with smaller single rear wheels. Also, truck frames can take up to 15 tons and it was common to overload trucks well past the weight ratings shown in these tables.