A forgotten in plain site 1936 Model 51

[Scavenger One]

Hello and thank you to the admins for approving my request to join the group.
My name is Jeff and I am sure that my story is similar to many others. I was recently given the opportunity to save a 1936 Ford Model 51 that once belonged to my wife's Grandfather who passed away about a decade ago. Now how this truck came to be parked under an old oak and surrounded by young pine trees here in Northern Virginia leads to many different answers depending on the family member that you are talking to at the time. “He hauled it home from Washington D.C”…..” He Got it from a farmer over in Maryland”…. “His buddy asked him if he could park it there for a little while”…..
Regardless of which version of the “Story” you hear, one thing is consistent, “It has been sitting right there in that spot for the past 40 or 50 years”.
So after getting the ok to pull it out of it’s resting spot, the clearing of old boats, lawnmowers, and the cutting of trees began. The exterior door handles were frozen solid so I finally gave in and removed the glass from the passenger door and was able to open both doors from the inside. (Whew! The smell of really really old gasoline hit me like a brick wall) The key was still in the ignition but again the lock was frozen in place. Lucky someone in the past had replaced the plug that retains the lock cylinder in place with a bolt and removing the bolt allowed me to remove the lock cylinder. Once I jacked the front wheels up out of the ground that they had sunk down into after all those years, I was able to turn the steering wheel to straighten the front wheel right up and she was ready to be pulled out.
A few weekends later I coordinated with a friend who was willing to haul it home for me.
Unfortunately, both axles were frozen so none of the wheels would rotate at first. The front wheels eventually came free but the rears fought us the whole way onto the trailer like it thought it was being taken to the big metal crusher in the sky. It ended up taking us 2 ½ hours, 2 trucks, a 10,000 lbs winch, and a couple of snatch blocks, but we finally got it up on the trailer. It came off the trailer at it’s new home a whole lot easier.
So, this is where I tell you that I am new to the antique 1936 ford world and I am sure I will be asking lots of rookie questions. I have learned a lot from y’all already by just reading through old posts and taking lots of notes.
The truck is rough, has some rust issues of course but is actually more solid than I was expecting. It's going to be a lot of work but overall it looks to all be there. (I removed the floor pans, driver side long extension mirror, drivers side fender mounted horn, and seat bottom prior to transport) I was able to find all of the stake bed posts and a few of the brackets that connect them together as well. ( I am going back with a metal detector to see if anymore of the brackets are still in the dirt where the truck had been parked)
So the 10,000 foot overall plan at this time is to just get it mechanically sound so that it is safe to drive or atleast move under its own power. Paint and body are last on the list except for what has to be done for safety reasons. First things first though, just it being able to roll would be a huge accomplishment. Getting the transmission out of gear ( or at least disconnected) and some wheels & tires that will hold air ( just inexpensive rollers for right now, they don't have to be street worthy yet) and anything else needed to help it roll easier is first on the list.
If you have looked at the attached pictures, I am sure that many of you have noticed the yellow paint peeking through here and there and on the inside the cab. And while very hard to read, the passenger side panel on the stake body does in fact read “The 1936 Ford V8 Truck, Test This Truck With Your Own Load”. I found this by accident with my LED flashlight the night that I got the truck home.The LED light helped the letters to stand out against the remnants of paint and rust. ( I can only barely make out “1936” on the drivers side panel) Taking a picture of it with the flash on and then playing with the camera's filters helped the lettering to stand out even more and then comparing to the pictures of the known survivor from up north that I found by searching Google convinced me what it says and what it is.
So to me it looks to have been a Demonstrator. What I haven't been able to make out yet is the dealer name at the bottom of the sign.
The truck was obviously painted over a few times during its lifetime. I can see some light blue on the inside of the doors. Some dark green on the door frames. A darker (faded) blue on the fire wall, and maybe a faded dark green or faded black on the overall body and dashboard. Based on the dark green I see on the door frames, Did the US Military own it at one time? A couple of the tires and the spare tire do have US military marking embossed into them. Hum? Or did the old farmer just have some dark green paint and a couple of old surplus tires laying around?
The nice part is, because My wife”s grandfather never drove the truck or did much with it ( other than “protect” it from the crusher) I am pretty wide open to what to do with paint once I get to that point, no emotional attachment to any particular color or paint scheme. While paying homage to him was my first thought ( if he had owned a business, what would it have been called?), but if it is in fact a “Demonstrator” , Then Yellow & Washington Blue might be it…… but I have a long way to go before I get there and have to make those decisions.
Anyway, I don't plan on setting any time records , but I will post my progress when I can find the time to make progress. Like I said the first goal is simple...getting it so that it can actually roll. Any suggestions, ideas, or the pointing of direction to acquire at least 4 wheels with tires that will serve the purpose of rolling around the yard and into the barn would be a big help and greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading and I promise my future post won't be a book.
Jeff

[Mart]

Hey, hello and welcome to the barn. I enjoyed the long story. Sometimes people are too brief and leave out a lot of interesting details. There's a fella on the HAMB doing a similar truck. Here's a link: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...hread.1178435/

Anyway, good luck with it and keep us informed as to how it is going.

Mart.

[tubman]

You might want to check this thread out : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...t=demonstrator.

I seem to remember a thread about a guy who restored a '36 truck much like yours, but I can't seem to find it now.

(EDIT : Damn, Mart, you're quick!)

[Blastfromthepast]

ScavengerOne, welcome to the Forum. You’ve come to the right place for information.
Nice truck and wish you the best. I’m not a truck owner so I can’t help you with that
but what I will say is that there are a bunch of nice guys here
that will go out of their way to help you.
Post your question and the suggestions will come.
Best of luck with your project, Blast.

[mercman from oz]

It is great that you have saved this old 1936 Ford Truck. I have a good friend in Virginia who is restoring a similar 1935 Ford Truck. Regards.

[muggsy]

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I too am a new member. Best of luck with your new project

[Newc]

Hi; That is a "Script" bed!! and the Military G8T trucks used those solid front side boards. Generally the military contracts in '35/36 were Chevys, also tho Whites, Internationals, and Fords were purchased in the rapid build up of a new mechanized military. Horses were present right up to WW2. Newc

[KDL]

Nice truck! Good luck on your project.

[Zeke3]

Welcome aboard. I loved the story also and it looks like a great project.

[frnkeore]

It is a dump bed? Those two levers, next to the parking brake, look like they are for the PTO and dump cylinder. Is that right?

[Model51]

Hello,
I live in Fairfax Station, VA, so I'm close to you. I'm restoring a 1935 1 1/2" stakebed as a demonstrator truck and have a lot of information, parts and pictures of 1935 and 1936 Ford trucks like yours. I also have a 1936 1 1/2 ton panel truck. You are welcome to visit. I should be able to answer most of your questions and help out. If you are interested, let me know. I'm not quite sure how personal messages work on this forum, but we should be able to get in touch directly somehow.

[Model51]

A couple observations from your pictures. Your truck looks to be fairly original which is good and might be a 157" frame. The other size is 131 1/2". I'm not sure what the extra levers to the right of the hand brake originally were for. Typically, a 157" wheel base truck did not have a dump body, those were found on 131 1/2" models mostly. The script bed on back is a great thing to have. The two front side panels are originals as they came with all Model 51 stake trucks (1935 and 1936 trucks are the same model). It sure looks like a former demonstrator truck which was essentially a yellow truck with blue accents (fenders, belt rail on cab, etc.). I have a set of photos of a really nice original demonstrator which you can use for patterns once the day comes when you want to paint it. Look forward to hearing more. Also, I can come to your place and look over your truck and answer questions that way too.

[Ol' Ron]

Yes, We need more people like you, good luck, stay safe. And think Flatheads and you'll go to heaven.
Gramps

[51504bat]

Welcome to the Barn. Love your truck. Had several '40 1 1/2 ton flatbeds but sent them on their way because they just weren't daily driver candidates like my '39 p/u. This site is a great source for info/support. Another site you should consider is the Ford Trucks Enthusiasts (FTE) forum: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum42/

IMO you can't have too many sources of info.

[Scavenger One]

Thank you Mart and thanks for the link, I will check it out.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by tubman

You might want to check this thread out : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...t=demonstrator.

I seem to remember a thread about a guy who restored a '36 truck much like yours, but I can't seem to find it now.

(EDIT : Damn, Mart, you're quick!)

Thank you Tubman. I may have seen the thread you are referring to. The Truck was his Grandfather's, inherited by his uncle, ended up sitting in a hedgerow, purchased sight unseen from the cousin, got it back up and drivable in a year's timeframe.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by Blastfromthepast

ScavengerOne, welcome to the Forum. You’ve come to the right place for information.
Nice truck and wish you the best. I’m not a truck owner so I can’t help you with that
but what I will say is that there are a bunch of nice guys here
that will go out of their way to help you.
Post your question and the suggestions will come.
Best of luck with your project, Blast.

Thank you Blast. That is the hope. In everything I was reading so far, there was always someone pointing to the group of people in the Ford Barn.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by frnkeore

It is a dump bed? Those two levers, next to the parking brake, look like they are for the PTO and dump cylinder. Is that right?

Frank, yes it is a dump bed. I know the levers have to do with PTO and Dump but I haven't gotten into how they work yet. I am sure getting that working again will be its own project in its self.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by Model51

Hello,
I live in Fairfax Station, VA, so I'm close to you. I'm restoring a 1935 1 1/2" stakebed as a demonstrator truck and have a lot of information, parts and pictures of 1935 and 1936 Ford trucks like yours. I also have a 1936 1 1/2 ton panel truck. You are welcome to visit. I should be able to answer most of your questions and help out. If you are interested, let me know. I'm not quite sure how personal messages work on this forum, but we should be able to get in touch directly somehow.

Model51, Yea you are not that far away from me at all. I use to work at the Harley Dealer in Fairfax City. Definitely would like to catch up with you and check out your projects as well.
Jeff

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by Model51

A couple observations from your pictures. Your truck looks to be fairly original which is good and might be a 157" frame. The other size is 131 1/2". I'm not sure what the extra levers to the right of the hand brake originally were for. Typically, a 157" wheel base truck did not have a dump body, those were found on 131 1/2" models mostly. The script bed on back is a great thing to have. The two front side panels are originals as they came with all Model 51 stake trucks (1935 and 1936 trucks are the same model). It sure looks like a former demonstrator truck which was essentially a yellow truck with blue accents (fenders, belt rail on cab, etc.). I have a set of photos of a really nice original demonstrator which you can use for patterns once the day comes when you want to paint it. Look forward to hearing more. Also, I can come to your place and look over your truck and answer questions that way too.

Yes, it is a 157" and it is a Dump. Is it original to the truck or was it added on later, I do not know. I will say that there are two "I" beams that have been Bolted/welded onto the underside of the bed possibly for support when it raised.
You are more than welcome to come by. I would love to hear your opinions and advice. I am actually just west of Manassas ( less than a mile off 28) super easy to find. We will have to get in touch and get together soon.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by 51504bat

Welcome to the Barn. Love your truck. Had several '40 1 1/2 ton flatbeds but sent them on their way because they just weren't daily driver candidates like my '39 p/u. This site is a great source for info/support. Another site you should consider is the Ford Trucks Enthusiasts (FTE) forum: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum42/

IMO you can't have too many sources of info.

51504bat thank you for the link. I will check it out.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

It is great that you have saved this old 1936 Ford Truck. I have a good friend in Virginia who is restoring a similar 1935 Ford Truck. Regards.

Thank's Mercman.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by Newc

Hi; That is a "Script" bed!! and the Military G8T trucks used those solid front side boards. Generally the military contracts in '35/36 were Chevys, also tho Whites, Internationals, and Fords were purchased in the rapid build up of a new mechanized military. Horses were present right up to WW2. Newc

Thank for the info Newc. Every little bit of info helps.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by Model51

Hello,
I live in Fairfax Station, VA, so I'm close to you. I'm restoring a 1935 1 1/2" stakebed as a demonstrator truck and have a lot of information, parts and pictures of 1935 and 1936 Ford trucks like yours. I also have a 1936 1 1/2 ton panel truck. You are welcome to visit. I should be able to answer most of your questions and help out. If you are interested, let me know. I'm not quite sure how personal messages work on this forum, but we should be able to get in touch directly somehow.

Model 51, I sent you a Private Message. Hoping you can find it/ see it.
Jeff

[cas3]

i think the steel mud flaps are a ww2 army item. perhaps even the whole bed is off an army truck. usually have a data plate on the front

[Scavenger One]

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Originally Posted by cas3

i think the steel mud flaps are a ww2 army item. perhaps even the whole bed is off an army truck. usually have a data plate on the front

I believe the bed to be original to the truck as the original yellow paint can be seen where the darker color paint has worn or flaked off but the possibility of the mud flaps being military is a good lead. Seeing as the truck spent some time ( if not all its time) in and around the Washington D.C. region, There were/is lots of military bases in the area.
If there was a Data plate, where would it have typically been located on the front?

[corvette8n]

Welcome, great looking truck, looking forward to seeing your progress on this journey. Keep the pictures coming.

[muggsy]

best of luck with the truck. I am also new to the site. I have a bunch of parts and I am learning which are pickup and which are 51.

[GB SISSON]

I too have been enjoying your tale. Good reading and nice truck for sure! As said, more pictures please.

[muggsy]

I have glass for your doors free if you want it.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by muggsy

I have glass for your doors free if you want it.

Thanks Muggsy. I sent you a private message

[muggsy]

I need to post so I can reach 10 to be able to respond to pm

[35fordtn]

It would be cool if you could carefully remove some of the green paint only to expose any lettering to prove it was a demonstrator truck.

[bbook]

Attached is a picture of an owners manual I found useful while restoring my 36 1.5 ton. It is available from several online sources.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

It would be cool if you could carefully remove some of the green paint only to expose any lettering to prove it was a demonstrator truck.

That is something I have been thinking about, how to do it without damaging the letters underneath. If you know what you are looking for you can just barely make out the V of the "V8" on the doors, but if I could just remove just enough of the outer layer of paint to reveal it better or find the "Demonstrator" letters above the windshield. But even with out that I am confident in what it originally was based on the original paint colors and the faint lettering on both stake body panels.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by bbook

Attached is a picture of an owners manual I found useful while restoring my 36 1.5 ton. It is available from several online sources.

Yes, that is definitely on my short list of wants.

[cas3]

i once bought an army dump truck that had been painted white for "winter training" . i sprayed simple green on it for a few days and hit it with a hot water pressure washer and had an army green truck again with all its markings

[totto]

If you have power take off, then you have a hydraulic dump. I have model 79 ('37) with hydraulic dump made by Garwood. Look for "brass plates" on passenger side of frame (just past cab) for "operation/maintenance" of the lift. Also, many times there was a "plate" on floor board in cab with "how to operate" the lift. My dump truck has 35,000 original miles so I was lucky to have these plates still in place. I can send you copies I can send you if you like .

Henry

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by cas3

i once bought an army dump truck that had been painted white for "winter training" . i sprayed simple green on it for a few days and hit it with a hot water pressure washer and had an army green truck again with all its markings

cas3, Thanks for the idea. I am thinking I may try that first.

[Scavenger One]

Originally Posted by totto

If you have power take off, then you have a hydraulic dump. I have model 79 ('37) with hydraulic dump made by Garwood. Look for "brass plates" on passenger side of frame (just past cab) for "operation/maintenance" of the lift. Also, many times there was a "plate" on floor board in cab with "how to operate" the lift. My dump truck has 35,000 original miles so I was lucky to have these plates still in place. I can send you copies I can send you if you like .

Henry

totto, Thank you for the info and offer. What I have learned is the dump was added on at a later date, and from the looks of the "install" it was "rigged to fit". No plates or directions on how to operate it. According to Dave Gunnarson who has done extensive research on the 1935 & 1936 Model 51, The 157" wheelbase never came with the dump option because of the length of the bed. ( only the 131" WB)
I am still on the fence as to if I am going to keep it on the truck or remove it.
If you can send me the info, I would still appreciate it for if only the knowledge but may still come in handy if I do decide to keep it on the truck.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Welcome to the Barn Scav, from New Zealand (at the ass end or the world). Good to see interest in the "big trucks".

GB

[BobR35]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Yes, We need more people like you, good luck, stay safe. And think Flatheads and you'll go to heaven.
Gramps

I Love This Quote !

[frnkeore]

And think Flatheads and you'll go to heaven.
Gramps

Well, I shouldn't admit it but, I think it will take more than this for me

Maybe others too? No, not a chance!

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by frnkeore

Well, I shouldn't admit it but, I think it will take more than this for me

Maybe others too? No, not a chance!

You go to Heaven for the comfort and to Hell for the company

[MGG]

Originally Posted by Scavenger One

Frank, yes it is a dump bed. I know the levers have to do with PTO and Dump but I haven't gotten into how they work yet. I am sure getting that working again will be its own project in its self.

My grandfather had several Ford dumps that I drove in the summers. I still have one of them. They all worked the same way. One of the levers engaged the PTO to drive the hydraulic pump and the other one had three positions to work the hoist cylinder, up, hold, and down. With the engine running and the tranny in neutral, push the clutch pedal down and then engage the PTO lever the same as if you were putting the tranny in gear. Release the clutch and then the other lever will operate the hoist. The hydraulic cylinders had a plug in the top which is where you could check/add fluid with the bed in the down position. Never place any part of your body under the bed when it is in the raised position.

[1952henry]

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I found what turned out to be an old Autolite battery cable sign in a soon to be demolished John Deere shop. The whole interior, including the sign, had been painted with silver paint. Some searching on the interweb gave me the idea of an SOS pad and hot water. It worked better than I had hoped. Light rubbing and frequent dips into the hot water was key. Wish I could post pictures with this phone. Not smart enough. PM me with your cell# and I can text pics for proof.

[maineford]

What a great truck