Truck based woody
 

Anyone have a photo or two of a wood wagon built on a '42-'47 truck platform? I am in the process of gathering the parts I need. I am a cabinet and furniture maker with 44 years experience in custom woodwork. The first 10 of these was in wood boat construction. I am hoping to combine my passion of ford trucks with my vocation of woodworking and build one of these. Google search didn't find much on Ford trucks, but saw some really cool chevs, gmcs, dodges etc. Thanks. I have a 1/2 ton chassis but the cab for it is way too good to cut up just to get a cowl. Could use a cab with bad corners and floors. I could fix lower cowl if need be.

Re: Truck based woody
 

The only good Ford truck wood station wagon pictures I know of are on the next generation trucks in this thread over on FTE:http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/43...-of-these.html

Re: Truck based woody
 

GB - are you on the Yahoo Woodie Group? This type of question is not unusual for that group. One of the best woodie wood guys - Rick Mac is up your way.
Cantrell, Hercules and a few others did those type of builds. Just saw a real nice Dodge
and International Harvester woodies. A gathering of the faithful is coming up near San Diego next month - Wavecrest, you would see those types of woodies.

http://www.oldwoodies.com/gallery-truckwoodies4.htm

Re: Truck based woody
 

Thanks guys. This has been helpful. Last Friday I brought home a '47 tonner rolling chassis. It would make a cool HD woody, but really think the 1/2 ton would be more user friendly when finished. Besides, then I could use that nice cab on the tonner frame.

Re: Truck based woody
 

I agree GB its the cowl and windshied problem not to cut up a good one. My case
it was a mint no mile 1933 Plymouth PD. I wrote to Chrysler in 1960 all they said was
we made a few chassis only. Researched body builders at that time few 33 Dodges
but no Plymouths. My mother worked for a Dr who gave it to her (he raised shepards) it had about 4500 miles and bought it new. I suspect he bought a new
car and had it built locally. I would like to do this but finding a chassis cowl sheet
metal is impossible, so thats pipe smokin. Here is a 1959 photo of this rare car. sam

Re: Truck based woody
 

The New Zealand army had quite a number '42 Ford V8 woodie wagons on the half ton jailbar chassis.I think they were built here from the cowl/windscreen back.I remember them being sold at army surplus sales in the mid fifties and all in good order. A lot were used as tradesmen's vehicles but don't know of any survivors which is not to say that there aren't one or two tucked away somewhere.My father bought a '42 one ton Ford truck out of the army in 1945. Geoff

Re: Truck based woody
 

Once again, good info. I haven't ventured into the world of facebook yet. I'm holding off as long as I can. I have a lot of jailbar parts and 3 59ab flatheads. I kind of hate to sacrifice the complete pickup in the earlier post, but it has a good title and box floor, fenders and tailgate are pretty bad. The cab I'm looking at to cut is on a 1 1/2 ton truck with no bed or engine. Seems a good candidate because the door bottoms are rusty and so are the floors. No title.

Re: Truck based woody
 

Ford never made a "Woodie" other than those made on automobile type chassis. GMC, Dodge and IH however made a truck type "Woodie". What you are describing is what is known as a "phantom". I wouldn't cut up a restorable car to build one, but I would start with a chassis and cowl. I have seen several "phantom" woodies and some were very nicely built. With your woodworking background it shouldn't be a problem.

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Here is a link to a good article on woody bodies. http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/h/herc...s_campbell.htm

Re: Truck based woody
 

You will need a titled frame and any cab .

Re: Truck based woody
 

A woodie body is quite a complicated thing. However on my 36 woodie most wood is flat and straight except for the roof frame. On the later woodies like 42-51 there aren't many pieces that are straight. If you have made wood for boats making a body shouldn't be a problem for you. The woodie makers out there now are making the whole thing including fiberglass firewalls. It would be helpful for you to have access to a 46-48 woodie to get an idea of how to shape the pieces. I think a 4 door sedan would be a better starting point than a truck. http://www.woodiewood.com/for_sale.htm

Re: Truck based woody
 

GB, I think you will like this past thread-

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...die#post560891

Re: Truck based woody
 

Thank you, I like it a lot! I never buy new stuff. I have lots of parts here, but all truck parts. All ford except for a lot of landcruiser parts and two running wagons, one diesel, one gas. My original plan was toyota frame and running gear for ps, pb, 4wd etc but too short, even the wagon. Now I lean twds the '47 1/2 ton frame with or without landcruiser gear under it. I can't afford to be a purist or buy fiberglass parts or special chassis. I use what I have and as for the truck sheet metal I feel that I don't have to build it 'correct' if I do it truck style as they got built by whoever. And... Like I said I only have truck parts here. Mostly jailbar, which I prefer over the more car-like 40-41 sheet metal. This thing won't be seeing Pebble Beach unless maybe I'm living in it someday and stay at the Walmart parking lot there. Thet DO have a Walmart at Pebble Beach don't they? :confused:

Re: Truck based woody
 

Granted this pic is not a Ford, but I think if you built a similar body on a 42 - 47 chassis it would look right. All the side pieces are flat. I certainly would not be opposed to having something like that.

http://images.classiccars.com/classi...Kb%2Bwoody.jpg

Re: Truck based woody
 

That looks very similar to the Jailbar based New Zealand army versions.Geoff

Re: Truck based woody
 

Here's the Midstate Campbell's F-2. I have an original hard copy I can Xerox and mail if you want it. Think I still have your address.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psreko4lgw.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psjts1mxcz.jpg

Here's a half ton. I have a hard time seeing past the 18" "milk truck" high clearance wheels.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psp02atwhf.jpg

And I know I have a pic somewhere of a '47ish tonner woodie but can't find it. I'll post it if I find it. Stu

Re: Truck based woody
 

Flat looks great on that curvaceous front end.... Why wouldn't it look great on a jailbar truck? My wife just gave me the green light on heading to Eastern Washington after work on Thursday to pick up the cab and front clip there. The cab would be cut down for the woody and the front clip since it has the larger fender openings would go on the tonner chassis I just bought. The half ton jailbar has two other sets of front fenders in the bed, and a NOS set of jailbars I have been hanging onto because they are too good for most of the wrecks I bomb around the island in.

Re: Truck based woody
 

Gary - I mentioned to you once that I've had a dream of doing a truck based M-H woodie. Seems to me that use of a donor pickup cowl and floor section doesn't give a means of attaching the rear fenders. I was thinking that a panel truck would be a better donor body. Have you thought of another way to interconnect rear fender structure? Stu

Re: Truck based woody
 

Thanks for the offer on literature Stu. As far as the rear fenders I guess I assumed they were attached to the wood structure. The framed plywood panels should be very strong and when an inner fender or tub is incorporated it could be flanged to the floor. Keep in mind I would not be trying to copy or reproduce in exact detail any truck based woody built in the 40s or 50s. Mine would be based on what I can find locally and isn't too expensive. I would like to enjoy it for a couple of years and then perhaps sell it most likely here on the island. I have a long history of selling trucks to the clients I build furniture and cabinets for. They move here with a couple of european luxury cars and don't have anything to go to the dump with. I had my diesel converted '54 gmc 3/4 ton on Seattle Craigslist for three weeks with only one call so one Saturday morning I put it in front of the grocery store with a for sale sign on it and had two calls before I got back home. The second guy was really disappointed not to get it. Same story with my old '38 tonner, a '34 1 1/2 ton, '40 ford 1/2 ton and a '53 dodge 1/2 ton, a 51 F3 and a '32 1 1/2 ton. This island is a perfect place for vehicles that like to run 40 mph. These people who buy these don't ever take them to car shows and they like them a bit faded but new brakes and reliable.

Re: Truck based woody
 

The 32 woodie does not have a full metal floor, but the wheel wells are attached to flanges on the section of floor between them. Thought this might be helpful.

Keep V-8ing and 4-banging!

Re: Truck based woody
 

That's what I'm talking about. Wood floor with steel wheel tubs. I would use perhaps two layers of 5/8 plywood bonded together, staggering the joints and vacuum press maybe 1/4" solid wood to it. Would it be typical to use bed strips? Oh some bad news the '47 truck on CL was sold when I called to tell him I had ferry reservations for Friday. The listing said 400.00 or any offer considered. Ya snooze yo lose. Something else will come up in the meantime. I really need to complete my tonner panel this winter, but will continue to gather parts and research this woody project. Here's the one that got away.

Re: Truck based woody
 

GB,

If you notice, the area between the wheel wells is sheet metal. The piece consists of five parts; the two wells, two side sections, and a center section. All the pieces are spot welded at flanges, except the wells, that are spot welded on the main surface. The wood floors consist of a front frame made of maple and oak and two floor boards inside the frame, made of 11/16 thick 5 ply plywood. The rear sections on either side of the wheel wells/floor pan, are maple floor boards running perpendicular to the frame and fastened to the frame and pan.

Keep V-8ing and 4-banging!

Re: Truck based woody
 

We still need to keep in mind that with a truck based woody, the builder might not have had all those same parts, perhaps just the cowl. I have purchased (traded for) 4 jailbar trucks, one is a 1/2 ton panel that has spent some time on it's roof.... Perhaps just the ticket for those wheel wells an has decent rear fenders too! There's also some nice cabs, seats, a nice tonner with new tires and a title, a factory cowl piece for jailbar delivery trucks, a running 8ba, a complete 1/2 ton pu with a title, 2 extra panel doors, two extra truck doors, 2 very good rear 1/2 ton pu fenders etc etc.... I am on my way to cutting one of the cabs with bad back corners and floors to make a good cowl piece. I still have 3 more loads East of the cascades to finish it out...... What I'm wondering so I can start some preliminary mock-up and thought process over the 3 day weekend is does anyone have specs/drawings of a 1/2 ton jailbar panel? The one I'm getting is still ovr there til next week or two. Also interested in what the normal panels have above the windshield to accept the wood top framing. On that great video that was posted a while back, he was pounding wood into some kind of recess at the header. Anyone have a un-built woody can show a picture? Thanks much in advance. Took the ugliest stuff first so I wouldn't run outa steam and leave some over there. Next trip will be the tonner or the panel. Too bad no back doors on it.....

Re: Truck based woody
 

Within the past two or three years a jailbar woodie was featured in the "Woodie Times" the monthly newsletter of the National Woodie Club. Can't remember where it was located. I'll see if I can find the copy and let you know which issue it was. The truck was very well done. Can't remember if they retained the original drivetrain.... Bill

Re: Truck based woody
 

Here's the half ton panel and light duty cab/chassis. If you want the tonner drawings I have them too. Also, please email me your address so I can mail the Campbell Midstate diagram. I'm sure I still have it but finding it is another matter. Stu

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps6lkvqcn1.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psge2g5hua.jpg

Re: Truck based woody
 

Wow, Thanks Stu. I think I'll start with a 1/2 ton truck based woody, perhaps sell it when complete. Next I will build a tonner based woody for myself. How cool would that be? This haul from Twisp looks better and better as I scrape off the moss. Under the moss and needles is very solid sheet metal. That doesn't happen west of the cascades..... I will soon have my very own junkyard consisting entirely of jailbar trucks, and maybe another today... It can't be any worse than the stock market. Have you ever tried to gaze upon or fondle a stock market shareholder certificate? I haven't, but a really nice 1/2 ton rear fender? Or two? ......:D Off to dinner with the missus, will get serious with drawings tomorrow. GB

Re: Truck based woody
 

As a kid in High School I drove a 1947 Ford 1/2ton Panel...Next to Woodies they are my favorite ..That said at the Wavecrest Woodie Meet three years ago the was a Woodie built in a 1/2 Ton Ford Panel chassis...He drove it to the meet from New York...He too was a Woodworker and adjusted a lot of the lines of a passenger Woodie....It looked good and didn't look Fake or Made-up....! I'll look at my National Woodie Club Rooster and see if I could find a contact for you...Good luck on your project.....Carl...

Re: Truck based woody
 

Like a "Dummy" I hadn't read the 2nd page before I wrote my reply..I didn't see and hadn't read "Bill's " reply....That Woodie is the same one that drove to Wavecrest...Anyway,,We're pullin' for Ya,,,,We're all in this thing together....Carl...aka..Slim over at "The Lazy S Ranch" Montose,CO.

Re: Truck based woody
 

So I dug thru the pile and found Sept /13 copy of Woodie Times. Get ready to cash in yours and the wifes' 401 K. The build is spectacular I'd estimate 80/100K to do it. The truck is located in Cedar Mi. Wood by Mike Nickels of Traverse City Mi. to resemble 41/48 wood. Built on a Wagoneer chassis. Maybe another NWC member can upload the article. Beyond my limited skills. All in all a very well executed job just not cheap! By the way Wavecrest takes place in Encinitas Ca. Sept 17/20. Am I going? You bet! Lotsa flathead and modified woodies all in one place. I'll take some pics of the originals and try to post when I get back... Bill

Re: Truck based woody
 

This should be it. Stu

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psdujmxxnq.jpg

Re: Truck based woody
 

That is a beautiful truck!

Re: Truck based woody
 

That's the truck! Thanks Stu now do you have any more pics to post? The truck is titled as a 42. Powertrain is by GM. Again a well executed project... Bill

Re: Truck based woody
 

Somewhere I have pics that Gary wanted of the joint where the wood meets the metal of the windshield surround. But I'm away from home today so will post it later. Stu

Re: Truck based woody
 

Stu,
You got those pics but for the 1/2 ton pickup?
Be lovely to see them.
Thanks,
Martin.

Re: Truck based woody
 

Pickup.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ts/Image-1.jpg

Stake bed

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pscjeejf2s.jpg

Re: Truck based woody
 

Maybe this could help too, even though it's a '37. Stu

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps8z5rmbfy.jpg

Re: Truck based woody
 

Wow,,,I stand corrected.....I was a few States Off....Sure enough that's the truck I was thinking of...Thanks Bill for following through,and yes he's in the Directory... Maybe one of us could contact him and get him into the Post....
PS ..I'm still up in the air if I'm gunna load up the car and head to Wavecrest..Carl

Re: Truck based woody
 

Thanks tons Stu and others! It's pouring out and most of this new metal is still outside so I hope to do a little research today. As miraculous as it sounds, a summer resident just across the county road has a nice collection of vintage vehicles in an 8 car garage. One is a beautifully restored '40 ford woody wagon. I don't know him too well, but I'm thinking since it's Labor Day weekend he may be at his vacation home so I plan to drop in on him if he's there.

Re: Truck based woody
 

Thanks for the pics stu.
Martin.

Re: Truck based woody
 

Dang, talked to his wife and he sold it.... Cleaned and surveyed 2 '47 cabs trying to decide which one to cut off at the header and rear floor. Such a tough decision. One is a better cowl and one has a better floor. Back east or rust belt, you'd get horse whipped for cutting up either one!