The Ford Barn

Dreddybear · 02-10-2011, 03:37 PM

I have a 36 Coupe body. I want an early style little rod out of it. Juice brakes, 24 stud flathead, 3 speed, etc.. I was thinking I could find a '40 chassis from a sedan or something and drop the 36 body on it, reverse the spring eyes and go have fun.

I'm pretty sure the wheelbase is the same, what about the track width? How different are the body mounts? If I have the fabricate anything I'm not scared, just wondering if the whole chassis idea is a good one..Thanks

Scott H · 02-10-2011, 03:52 PM

No problems using a car frame under a car body. The pickup truck frame is essentially the same, but there's two brackets on the side of the car frame that the pickup doesn't have.

Karl Wescott · 02-10-2011, 04:12 PM

The radiator mounting brackets are different. You will need ones (or fabricate) from a 1936-38 (& 39 Std or pickup) frame. Basically everything is either the same or close enough to work.

Newc · 02-10-2011, 05:54 PM

Hi all; Be careful about the 39 deluxe and 40 frames as they have a different front crossmember that will change your ride heigth! I recommend the 38 & earlier front crossmember and the short spring 36/35 front end {more room for dropped part of axle} Newc

Dreddybear · 02-11-2011, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the responses guys! I think I know what I'm gonna do now

ford1 · 02-11-2011, 05:33 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

just type in wescotts auto in the search box, and it will take you to there site where you can down load drawing of the frame

jsemple6392 · 02-11-2011, 09:08 PM

My truck sits on a '36 frame with a monoleaf front spring. I had to cut out the radiator brackets and fabricate my own. My buddy and I used a set of front springs out of a '77 dodge 4 wheel drive truck for the rear leaf springs. They are heavy duty and just the right length.

mj40's · 02-15-2011, 01:05 AM

Send me a PM with you email and I will send a file with all the frame dimensions from 26 thru 40 in cars and 35 thru 41 in pickups.

flatjack9 · 02-15-2011, 12:25 PM

My 36 is sitting on a 39 frame. I changed the front crossmember. It also gave me hydraulic brakes.

39coupe · 02-15-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

My 36 is sitting on a 39 frame. I changed the front crossmember. It also gave me hydraulic brakes.

Hmm, mine's the opposite. '39 coupe on '36 chassis. Worked out fine.

Hotrodster · 02-15-2011, 07:21 PM

An earlier frame (36-37) should actually be easier to find as these cars were less popular. 40's have been in demand for the last 60 years.

LUCKY DEVIL 13 · 01-20-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mj40's

Send me a PM with you email and I will send a file with all the frame dimensions from 26 thru 40 in cars and 35 thru 41 in pickups.

Hey could you send me the file with that info on it as well please!!

Scott H · 01-20-2012, 11:22 PM

I'm putting my 36 pickup on a 38 car frame. Also using the 38 mechanical cable brakes instead of the 36 mechanical rods. And the 38 steering, suspension, rear end, trans, etc.
So far the only hiccup I have is apparently the pickup emergency brake handle is on the right side of the trans and the 38 car is on the left side?
I'm going to experiment with the cross-shaft pivot bracket and see if I can swap the two so the arm the emergency brake attaches to will come out on the right side instead of the left.
The pedal assembly appears to be almost identical.
P1010008.jpg

02-10-2011, 03:37 PM	#1
Dreddybear Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 7	Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? I have a 36 Coupe body. I want an early style little rod out of it. Juice brakes, 24 stud flathead, 3 speed, etc.. I was thinking I could find a '40 chassis from a sedan or something and drop the 36 body on it, reverse the spring eyes and go have fun. I'm pretty sure the wheelbase is the same, what about the track width? How different are the body mounts? If I have the fabricate anything I'm not scared, just wondering if the whole chassis idea is a good one..Thanks

02-10-2011, 03:52 PM	#2
Scott H Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheaton, IL (west chicago) Posts: 558	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? No problems using a car frame under a car body. The pickup truck frame is essentially the same, but there's two brackets on the side of the car frame that the pickup doesn't have. __________________ 36 1/2 ton pickup on 38 car frame with 1940 v8 24 stud

02-10-2011, 04:12 PM	#3
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,292	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? The radiator mounting brackets are different. You will need ones (or fabricate) from a 1936-38 (& 39 Std or pickup) frame. Basically everything is either the same or close enough to work.

02-10-2011, 05:54 PM	#4
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,501	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? Hi all; Be careful about the 39 deluxe and 40 frames as they have a different front crossmember that will change your ride heigth! I recommend the 38 & earlier front crossmember and the short spring 36/35 front end {more room for dropped part of axle} Newc

02-11-2011, 10:52 AM	#5
Dreddybear Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 7	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? Thanks for the responses guys! I think I know what I'm gonna do now

02-11-2011, 05:33 PM	#6
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) just type in wescotts auto in the search box, and it will take you to there site where you can down load drawing of the frame

02-11-2011, 09:08 PM	#7
jsemple6392 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Paden City, WV Posts: 88	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? My truck sits on a '36 frame with a monoleaf front spring. I had to cut out the radiator brackets and fabricate my own. My buddy and I used a set of front springs out of a '77 dodge 4 wheel drive truck for the rear leaf springs. They are heavy duty and just the right length.

02-15-2011, 01:05 AM	#8
mj40's Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boi Angeles, Idaho Posts: 62	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? Send me a PM with you email and I will send a file with all the frame dimensions from 26 thru 40 in cars and 35 thru 41 in pickups.

02-15-2011, 12:25 PM	#9
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? My 36 is sitting on a 39 frame. I changed the front crossmember. It also gave me hydraulic brakes.

02-15-2011, 07:21 PM	#11
Hotrodster Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 48	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? An earlier frame (36-37) should actually be easier to find as these cars were less popular. 40's have been in demand for the last 60 years.

01-20-2012, 11:22 PM	#13
Scott H Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheaton, IL (west chicago) Posts: 558	Re: Are 36-40 ford frame dimensions the same? I'm putting my 36 pickup on a 38 car frame. Also using the 38 mechanical cable brakes instead of the 36 mechanical rods. And the 38 steering, suspension, rear end, trans, etc. So far the only hiccup I have is apparently the pickup emergency brake handle is on the right side of the trans and the 38 car is on the left side? I'm going to experiment with the cross-shaft pivot bracket and see if I can swap the two so the arm the emergency brake attaches to will come out on the right side instead of the left. The pedal assembly appears to be almost identical. P1010008.jpg __________________ 36 1/2 ton pickup on 38 car frame with 1940 v8 24 stud Last edited by Scott H; 01-20-2012 at 11:28 PM.