New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Hello all.
I just bought a 39 pickup. In general it looks to be in great shape, but the brakes are not. I'm taking the drums to the machinist, but they are so deeply grooved I'm sure they're history.
Searching here it looks like they show up occasionally. I thought I'd throw out a hail mary. It's my first old Ford, so I'm on a steep learning curve. Currently I have a 48 CJ2a and a 67 Datsun 1600 roadster. I'll add photos as soon as I am able.
Iola WI is this weekend, and I read a recommendation for J&G brake in IL. I'll be reaching out to them asap too. Any first hand experience with J&G?
Ken

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

39 sedan pickup is built on a sedan frame so all the sedan running gear will fit your pickip.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

This is the second time you have mentioned a "sedan pickup". I've heard of "sedan deliveries", but never a sedan pickup. Or did Ford make a line of Fordor pickup trucks that I am unaware of?:confused:

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Using ford terms for comercial cars as they did to differentiate the product lines.
The sedan pickup and sedan delivery were included in the comercial vehicle line but were never called trucks untll after ww2. Trucks have straight frame rails sedans do not. I point this out to be helpful as his pickup takes car parts not truck parts. I have a truck and there is hardly any parts that are interchangable between a truck and a car based pickup. So looking for sedan brake parts will get the op what he needs where looking for truck brake parts is a crap shoot. I have spent hours tracking down parts for my truck including calling the vendor to confirm they are truck parts only to have sedan parts arrive. Most pickup parts are 2/3 the size of truck parts. My tail gate is 54 inches wide where a pickup is 48 inches. They look similar but the only parts on the cab that are common between the pickup and the truck are the grill, hood and the windshield every other panel is different. Knowing what base its built on makes it easier to find parts. Gas tank in the rear is a sedan no matter what the outside apearance is. Gas tank under the seat is a truck no matter what the outside apearance is.

Ford used these names for a reason. Same as any pre 70 inline 6 mustang engine code says its a Falcon. Even the 1974 maverick inline 200 engine code is falcon

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

uhh... OK.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

I'll take all the knowledge you can shovel my way.:D

I hauled this truck to my cabin/shop last week. Came home, ordered wheel cylinders, shoes, etc and pulled it apart Saturday. The process is a bit disjointed since it's about 3 hours from home. Plus my phone/internet access is spotty at best up there.

The biggest problem is I'm a novice mechanic, so most of my projects take a lot of time as I sit and stare at the thing.:)
Ken

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Looks like I better get busy posting.
I had a PM about some drums, but I can't respond. Yet.
If I'm lucky, my drums aren't as bad as I think. But even being an amateur, I'm pretty sure.
I'm in WI, and hoping I can find something close -ish.

I won't know how serious this is until the professionals get their eyes on them. May be a stupid question. Are there markings on these drums about minimum thickness?
Ken

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

The good news is that the truck has been well cared for. Very little to no rust. The brake lines had been replaced at some point, and everything came apart with relative ease.
The grease seals were bad, and all 4 drums were caked inside. I think the wheel cylinders may have been okay, but I replaced them and the rubber lines.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

https://shop.efv8.org/collections/ford-books?page=1

Early Ford V8 club website has a couple of books you might be interested in.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Thanks!
My next post was to ask about service manuals or other books to consider. You read my mind.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Ken: Normally, .060 in. oversize is the max. amount drums should be turned. That drum ID measurement would then be 12.060.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

The drums were obviously deeply grooved before the previous owner installed shoes. Matching grooves lead to a few choice words and phrases trying to remove them. (Sorry Mom!)
A buddy has offered to measure them, but the grooves are monumental. It'll at least be a start.
More info to come.
Ken

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

I would be careful ordering parts for your truck using the term 'truck'. Unless I am mistaken, yours having a tailgate, and therefore a pickup box would indicate a 122" tonner express. These tonners are something of a hybrid ford. The steering, front suspension, king pins, brakes and most any mechanical parts up front are shared with the commercial vehicles and cars. A notable exception being the front drums having the larger 5 lugs on 6 7/8" pattern. The rear brakes are similar to the big trucks and of course share the 6 7/8 lug pattern. Rear axle is peculiar to the 122" tonners.Unlike the 1 1/2 ton big trucks the tonner's frame rails are not straight. The have a hump above the rear axle that rises 2 1/2". Napa and many other parts suppliers correctly list their parts as '122" truck'. Just a heads up as I daily drove a '38 tonner for many years and currently own two later 122" trucks.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Thanks for that information.
That's my concern. Just not knowing exactly what I have. The terminology is different. As already noted by ActionYobbo.
It has the wide bolt pattern hub/wheels.
Thankfully the brake parts I ordered from Midwest Early Ford worked. I searched, ordered quickly and hoped what I bought was correct.

I haven't found the serial # / "VIN" stamp on the frame yet. But I've spent about 10 hours total with the vehicle. Certainly need more research time. That's why I'm here.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

There should also be a number on a flat surface of the transmission just above the inspection plate on the bellhousing. That number should match the number on the frame, The frame number should be on the top of the left frame rail somewhere between the steering box mount and the front crossmember.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Is there an online registry to decode the serial number?

I looked in that area and didn't see anything. My better half frequently accuses me of boy looking, so there may be some truth there.
I'll keep looking.
I may need to just climb into the engine bay. Short stature and old man eyes.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Now I'm just padding my post count. ��

I sent a message to the folks at J&G Brakes. He said they are 7 weeks out for refurbishment and relining drums.

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

you can find the serial numbers at Vanpelts Sales. Best source for parts and info on these old Fords. Happy motoring

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Thanks for that info.
Ken

Re: New member, 39 p/u needs brake drums
 

Don't expect the serial number to give you any more information than the model year the vehicle was produced, and by inference, when during that year. It is just a serial number, and has no additional information like later VIN numbers do.