The Ford Barn

rawlir · 04-06-2021, 08:22 PM

Someones have told me that the 3/4 ton & 1ton boxes were the same made by Ford from 38 to 52. Now i am being told that Ford used outside vendors and there was at least 2 different boxes made for Ford during that period.
Can that be true?
Would love to visit with someone that knows all about this subject.
Thanks.
Rick 425 766 7408

alanwoodieman · 04-07-2021, 05:36 PM

boxes were the same, tailgate had either script or block letters (after49) but I suppose that they used up all the old script tailgates. fenders same for 38/41, 42/47, 48/52, 53/56, 57/64 or even later. bed with 53/56 fenders

alanwoodieman · 04-07-2021, 05:39 PM

I almost forgot that there was a change in the sides of the bed occurring about 49/50 went to a flat sides.

rotorwrench · 04-07-2021, 06:50 PM

The 3/4 and 1-ton pickups with the long bed or express bed are likely somewhat interchangeable but I imagine that there are subtle differences over the years from pre-war to post war bonus built trucks. Early ones had the spare tire mounted on the right side and bonus built trucks had a carrier under the bed. Tail gates vary as was previously mentioned, Folks that have done research on these are out there. Maybe one will notice the thread and give more info. My body book doesn't have enough info. The Benson Ford Research Center is the best place to find out if no one else can varify. Maybe one day the EFV8 Club will sanction more pickup books.

1952henry · 04-07-2021, 08:48 PM

Script tailgate through 52. The change in bedsides occurred on the 1/2 boxes. Earlier boxes have different stud pattern for fender mounting.

alanwoodieman · 04-08-2021, 12:24 PM

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well fenders were bigger for bigger tires than 1/2 ton thus different stud pattern

GB SISSON · 04-08-2021, 02:11 PM

There was also a major change in 1942, as the bed width was increased by 2 1/2" on both the 1/2 tons and 3/4 and one tons. When looking for a factory express bed for my 38 tonner, I came across a nice one from a '47. Same fenders, so I sectioned 2 1/2" out of the middle and it bolted right on. I had to get creative with a tailgate though. Just keep in mind 38-41 narrow box, 42-47 wide. The later type has 49" between the inner fender wells.

JHFORD51 · 04-08-2021, 09:35 PM

flat sided bed didn't arrive on 3/4 ton trucks until 1953 model year; same as the block letter tailgate. Half tons got the new bed about halfway through the 1950 model year (still with script on tailgate however), but the larger F-2s and F-3s stuck it out with the older bed until the entire truck line was restyled.

I would guess that the 1942 bed was kept all the way through 1952, albeit with different fender mounting holes and a possible tweak at the tailgate area. The Bonus Built trucks of 48-52 vintage rolled over quite a bit of 1942 part nubers, particularly on the non half tons. Ford even referred to the F-3 as a Model Y, a direct holdover from the 30's.

rawlir · 04-11-2021, 08:52 PM

Thanks to all of you for responding.....
Might you truck guys know if FRONT fenders on 46 & 47 Conventional trucks were the same for half ton, Tonner & bigger models?

GB SISSON · 04-11-2021, 09:27 PM

!/2 ton had smaller wheel openings..... 3/4- 1 ton and big trucks had big wheel opening. Many have bought wrong fenders because of this.

JHFORD51 · 04-12-2021, 01:57 PM

GB Sission, AMEN! 1/2 ton only get the small opening and most folks don't know the difference until its too late...bigger tire = larger opening. Not sure if it if started with TT or AA but from then on, anythig other than a "commercial" has a unique front fenders. For the "Bonus Built" 1948 era vehicles and probably from then on into eternity, there are actually three front fender sizes: 1/2 ton, F-2 to F-6, and then F-7 & F-8.

04-06-2021, 08:22 PM	#1
rawlir Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 92	1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes Someones have told me that the 3/4 ton & 1ton boxes were the same made by Ford from 38 to 52. Now i am being told that Ford used outside vendors and there was at least 2 different boxes made for Ford during that period. Can that be true? Would love to visit with someone that knows all about this subject. Thanks. Rick 425 766 7408

04-07-2021, 05:39 PM	#3
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes I almost forgot that there was a change in the sides of the bed occurring about 49/50 went to a flat sides.

04-07-2021, 06:50 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes The 3/4 and 1-ton pickups with the long bed or express bed are likely somewhat interchangeable but I imagine that there are subtle differences over the years from pre-war to post war bonus built trucks. Early ones had the spare tire mounted on the right side and bonus built trucks had a carrier under the bed. Tail gates vary as was previously mentioned, Folks that have done research on these are out there. Maybe one will notice the thread and give more info. My body book doesn't have enough info. The Benson Ford Research Center is the best place to find out if no one else can varify. Maybe one day the EFV8 Club will sanction more pickup books.

04-07-2021, 08:48 PM	#5
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,615	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes Script tailgate through 52. The change in bedsides occurred on the 1/2 boxes. Earlier boxes have different stud pattern for fender mounting. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

04-08-2021, 12:24 PM	#6
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) well fenders were bigger for bigger tires than 1/2 ton thus different stud pattern

04-08-2021, 02:11 PM	#7
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,914	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes There was also a major change in 1942, as the bed width was increased by 2 1/2" on both the 1/2 tons and 3/4 and one tons. When looking for a factory express bed for my 38 tonner, I came across a nice one from a '47. Same fenders, so I sectioned 2 1/2" out of the middle and it bolted right on. I had to get creative with a tailgate though. Just keep in mind 38-41 narrow box, 42-47 wide. The later type has 49" between the inner fender wells. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

04-08-2021, 09:35 PM	#8
JHFORD51 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 253	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes flat sided bed didn't arrive on 3/4 ton trucks until 1953 model year; same as the block letter tailgate. Half tons got the new bed about halfway through the 1950 model year (still with script on tailgate however), but the larger F-2s and F-3s stuck it out with the older bed until the entire truck line was restyled. I would guess that the 1942 bed was kept all the way through 1952, albeit with different fender mounting holes and a possible tweak at the tailgate area. The Bonus Built trucks of 48-52 vintage rolled over quite a bit of 1942 part nubers, particularly on the non half tons. Ford even referred to the F-3 as a Model Y, a direct holdover from the 30's. Last edited by JHFORD51; 04-12-2021 at 01:52 PM. Reason: typo

04-11-2021, 08:52 PM	#9
rawlir Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 92	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes Thanks to all of you for responding..... Might you truck guys know if FRONT fenders on 46 & 47 Conventional trucks were the same for half ton, Tonner & bigger models?

04-11-2021, 09:27 PM	#10
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,914	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes !/2 ton had smaller wheel openings..... 3/4- 1 ton and big trucks had big wheel opening. Many have bought wrong fenders because of this. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

04-12-2021, 01:57 PM	#11
JHFORD51 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 253	Re: 1938 to 1952 Ford 3/4ton & 1ton pickup boxes GB Sission, AMEN! 1/2 ton only get the small opening and most folks don't know the difference until its too late...bigger tire = larger opening. Not sure if it if started with TT or AA but from then on, anythig other than a "commercial" has a unique front fenders. For the "Bonus Built" 1948 era vehicles and probably from then on into eternity, there are actually three front fender sizes: 1/2 ton, F-2 to F-6, and then F-7 & F-8.