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Old 07-27-2010, 07:56 PM   #1
msinclair32
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Default 1938 1939 ford trucks

can anyone explain the differences in 1938 and 1939 ford trucks? i have the chance to buy one for $100 to tinker around with but i dont know many details. thanks merle
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Old 07-27-2010, 08:18 PM   #2
V12Bill
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

1938 Fords had mecnanical brakes '39 had hydraulic, center bar on 38 had diecast V8 emblem at top and painted bars did not meet the center verticle bar, but met up with a separate painted bar on each side of the center bar. The rest of the truck was the same with only minor differences.
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Old 07-27-2010, 08:36 PM   #3
Mike in Mass
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

AHHHH BUT TO THE TRAINED EYE ! ! ! 38 had an ashtray in the middle of the dash-39 none 38 ,cardboard door panels-39 metal . location of windshield crank different . come on guys lets keep this going ,,,I know I,m missing more
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Old 07-27-2010, 08:38 PM   #4
msinclair32
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

where is window crank on a 39' ?
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Old 07-27-2010, 08:45 PM   #5
Mike in Mass
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

I thought the crank on a 38 is on the header panel and a 39 is on the dash rail ? no ? I could be wrong ,wouldn,t be a first! Thats where it is on my 39
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Old 07-27-2010, 08:46 PM   #6
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

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'39 windshield knob is round and mounted on top of the dash and '38 is a crank and is mounted about 2 '' down facing passengers where a quick stop will remove front teeth.
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Old 07-27-2010, 08:52 PM   #7
Clem Clement
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

I have a 38 peeeckup. Love it. 38/39 are a different breed in that they have the horse collar grille. Folks either love the look or hate it. previous writers have covered the differences. The big one is the juice brakes. Also the 39 tranny is different. Parts are a little tough to come by, but they are out there. For 100 bux, I hope by now you have it in your driveway. Good luck.
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Old 07-27-2010, 09:32 PM   #8
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clem Clement View Post
For 100 bux, I hope by now you have it in your driveway.
clem

No kidding!!!
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Old 07-27-2010, 09:35 PM   #9
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

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Originally Posted by msinclair32 View Post
can anyone explain the differences in 1938 and 1939 ford trucks? i have the chance to buy one for $100 to tinker around with but i dont know many details. thanks merle
For $100.00 bucks I wouldn't care if it was 38 or 39. Jump on it if you can even recognize it as a truck. lol
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Old 07-27-2010, 09:46 PM   #10
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

Do you mean BigTRUCK as in 1 and1/2 ton AKA Regular or a little pickup? 38 Big Trucks had stainless hub caps front and rear. They were eliminated on the 39. If it's a pickem up the gas tank will be under the bed, both years. Big trucks the tank was under the seat.The hood opening mechanism on the 38 was a higher profile handle and was like stacked graduated waifers. The 39 was sleeker and more streamlined, and set closer to the hood. If you are near CT let me know. I've got a 39 dump truck and a 1 and 1/2 ton panel. Like to see what you got. Thanks ML in Mansfield Center CT
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Old 07-27-2010, 09:49 PM   #11
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

Get it quick. Payed $500 for one that had a running engine, no box, basicly no hood and had been converted to juice brakes, and $200 for another that has the box and a much straigher cab, but no front clip at all. Rod





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Old 07-28-2010, 05:56 PM   #12
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

Buy it! You have a great resource right here for any questions are problems that will
come during the restoration.
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Old 07-28-2010, 07:54 PM   #13
msinclair32
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

the truck i am looking at is a 1 ton i believe. what is different about the pickup and 1 ton? i am hoping that the pedals and transmission are about the same.
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Old 07-28-2010, 08:15 PM   #14
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

What a great deal! Up here, there's a fella that was selling 3 pickups worth of parts (seemed none had a frame or driveline) for $1500.
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Old 07-29-2010, 09:03 PM   #15
Lamar Wadsworth
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

Ford designated the 1/2 tons as "commercial cars" because they were built on a passenger car chassis. Ford reserved the term truck for the heavier vehicles that were built on a longer and heavier frame. The commercial cars had a 112" wheelbase, wheelbase on the 1 ton express pickup is 122", bed is longer and wider. Commercial cars have the gas tank behind the rear axle and gas filler in LR fender. Trucks have the tank under the seat and gas filler behind the passenger side door. On a commercial car, the door bottoms barely clear the running boards when you open the door; on trucks the cab sits up higher and there is a bigger space between the bottom of the doors and the running boards.
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Old 07-29-2010, 09:06 PM   #16
Lamar Wadsworth
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

Another '38-'39 difference: '38 has a square ash tray in the middle of the dash, '39 does not. If a '39 had an ash tray, it was an add-on piece attached to the bottom lip of the dash.
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Old 07-30-2010, 11:13 PM   #17
msinclair32
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks


heres some pictures of the truck i finally bought for $100.
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File Type: jpg downsized_0727001818.jpg (47.9 KB, 175 views)
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Old 07-31-2010, 09:40 PM   #18
Lamar Wadsworth
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

The grille is a '39.
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Old 07-31-2010, 10:34 PM   #19
msinclair32
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

the windshield frame is it the same for 1937 and are the pedals worth keeping since its a truck and not a commerical vechicle? thanks merle
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Old 02-24-2013, 01:29 AM   #20
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Default Re: 1938 1939 ford trucks

Express pickups had tanks under the seat and used 1.5 ton front fenders.
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