38 Pickup-What was Henry thinking?

[35ragtop]

Hi All,
I am in the process of reassembling my 38 pickup (half ton), and am wondering what Henry Ford, or at least his engineers were concerned about when they decided to use 4 spring mounted shoulder bolts plus 4 coach bolts to mount the cab onto the chassis. The front and rear bolts have a spring similar to the radiator mount but heavier, whilst the centre 4 bolts are rigid coach bolts.
My first thought was flexing of the Passenger frame, but if this were the case wouldn't the sedans also have a problem?
Just curious, that's all, as to what everyone thinks was his reasoning.

[Lawson Cox]

Pickup cabs are short and would bounce around or flex more than the longer sedan body. Most pickup cabs were mounted this way. I know 35-36 were.

[Ross F-1]

The 48-52 trucks also used shoulder bolts, but with rubber donuts. The cab isn't made to flex as much as the frame. Keep in mind it was expected these trucks would be driven through farm fields, on crappy roads, etc.

[38bill]

I have to tighten them up on my '38 almost every spring or I get squeaks.

[35ragtop]

Thanks Fellas,
I wonder if "improving" the mount by adding rubber donuts like Ross F-1 mentions would be any benefit. Then again, it has worked for 78 years!.

[1939 pickup truck]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

35RagTop, Any chance you might be willing to do a few measurements of it all.
When I removed the Cab on my truck, it was afixed with an odd mixture of all-
thread rod & carrige bolts, and clearly this was a later quicky fix after the River R.
I'd be interested in hearing from any of the other 38-39-40-41 owners to compare.
John E. [email protected]

[rotorwrench]

Where wood is utilized as part of a mounting structure between steel parts, it is a good ideal to use fastenings that can compensate for shrinkage or swelling. Wood changes with the seasons. Not a lot, but enough that is needs help to keep tight.

[35ragtop]

1939 pickup truck, no problem ,let me know which measurements you would like.

Yes having the wood under there will give more movement, did they use a webbing as well between the wood and the steel frame?
dave

[38bill]

Yes, there should be a anti-squeak webbing under the wood.

[Clem Clement]

Mine does not have any. I guess I'm in for some fun fixing this

[Floyd]

for the question about what bolts are correct for mounting cab: The same answer we usually get, call Roy Nacewicz at Fordbolts. He is the guy and has the correct cad plated SAE thread bolts for mounting cabs and beds. It is the right stuff, one stop shopping.
Just and opinion
32 and 40 pickup full of Roy's fasteners.

[Lawson Cox]

I believe the picture he posted is the product of Roy Nacewicz.

[DavidG]

The spring-supplemented cab-to-frame fasteners were a running change during the ''32 model year in response to cracks developing around the rearmost bolts.