1940 panel truck
 

I have an opportunity to pick up a 1940 panel truck body with out the frame.
What year Ford frames will fit this panel truck. From what I have read I believe it is 122 inch wheelbase.
I'm also open for suggestions for a frame swap from another vehicle.
Either way, how will I be able to get a title for this?
Thanks, Dan

Re: 1940 panel truck
 

If you start with your clear donor vehicle title, you should be ok. Without that, it'll probably need to be titled as a homebuilt vehicle, requiring modern smog control.

Re: 1940 panel truck
 

35 to 41 pickup and 35 to 40 car will work with minor differences in those years

Re: 1940 panel truck
 

If you want the frame serial number to be correct it needs to be a 1940 frame.

Re: 1940 panel truck
 

If your not going to restore it that can be changed

Re: 1940 panel truck
 

The 112" wb panel trucks use the same frame as a pickup (all 1935-40 passenger and -41 pickup frames are similar but different). They use the front fenders and hood the same as a pickup, rear fenders are the same shape as a pickup with the inside cut out.



A 122" panel truck would use a 3/4 ton, 1 ton, or 1-1/2 ton chassis, truck style front fenders and hood, and rear fenders are "different". In addition the truck based panels were often made by independent coach builders and other hardware and body details are "different".

Re: 1940 panel truck
 

I was referring to title issues, not restoration. That is going to depend on the state, in Kansas all you need is the serial number (frame number). A build title wouldn't matter, but you may have to have the history of the frame and other components going back a ways, again, depends on the state.

Re: 1940 panel truck
 

I have a '47 122" tonner panel. In '42 the pickups and panels got wider and incorporated the modern 'hotchkiss drive', with longitudinal springs and open drive line. Your panel could use a '38-'41 one ton, 122" chassis. That would be by far the best option. The width change was something close to 2 1/2". I have determined that my '94 toyota T-100 4wd chassis, which has a 122" wheelbase could work for my tonner, but I don't know of a modern chassis at 122" wb that is narrow enough for your body. Body swaps are even worse than ever when the tires stick out further than the fenders. We recently lost a good friend here on the fordbarn and FTE, ford truck enthusiasts and he had a '40 tonner like yours. An unfinished project, but it had a frame and a title. Not sure if his heirs still have it there in South Dakota. His name here was 'Willowbilly', and we miss him a lot. Some guys on FTE could perhaps contact the family. Just a thought.