1937 to 1939 pickup chassis ID

[Fech]

Hello all,
Please clarify the complete nomenclature of chassis id for pickups 1937 to 1939.

[Model51]

Look at the table on the Van Pelt web site:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm
The serial numbers for Commercial vehicles (such as pickups) follow what is shown for domestic (USA) passenger cars. Pickups in 1937 thought 1939 came with either the V8-85 hp (18-xxxxxxx) or V8-60 hp engines (54-xxxxxx) and the serial numbers reflect which was installed at the factory. Use the corresponding passenger car row in the Van Pelt table for your pickup.

[Model51]

The first two digits indicate the engine type and the remaining digits is a sequential engine-transmission assembly number. Other than being able to determine an approximate assembly date, there is no other information contained in the serial number.

[TJ]

The pickup chassis is the same as the passenger car chassis except they do not have the rear body mount outriggers near the "kickup" that was needed for the passenger car body. The above info by Model 51 is correct for the prefix numbers for the two engines that could be installed in the pickups.

[Fech]

Thank you to all for the responses!
I will be helpful if some pictures are shared to see how the stars and numbers looks like.

[rockfla]

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Originally Posted by Fech

Thank you to all for the responses!
I will be helpful if some pictures are shared to see how the stars and numbers looks like.

Try this

[Model51]

Here's a picture of the serial number on top of the transmission bell housing on a 1935 Model 51 truck. The prefix is BB18 followed by the seven digit sequence number.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Model51

Here's a picture of the serial number on top of the transmission bell housing on a 1935 Model 51 truck. The prefix is BB18 followed by the seven digit sequence number.

[rotorwrench]

BB Indicated it had a 4-speed transmission. C Indicated commercial vehicle with a 3-speed transmission. F Was added for right hand drive vehicles.

[Model51]

I thought the BB prefix, which started in 1932, refers to Trucks with BB18 used for those with V8 engines and just BB for the four cylinder models which were the majority in 1932. I also thought a C prefix was reserved for Canadian production.
My knowledge is limited, so I'm always interesting in learning more.

[rotorwrench]

It depends on the assembly plant in some cases. A pickup could be ordered with a 4-speed so that assembly would have the BB prefix. When the 99A engines came out, Ford allowed them to be optioned for pickups and police cars. But the practice changed in 41 for a truck option. 1941 was a big change year. The little 9N engine was offered in commercials with a remote shift transmission. The G series six cylinder was offered mid year for pickups after the front crossmember was changed. Early 41 pickups has the same frame as earlier 1940 pickups. The pickups didn't have the outriggers on the frame. The 39 deluxe car frame was the pattern for the 40 & 41 model pickup frames till mid 41.

[Model51]

Interesting. Learn something new every day. I had no idea Ford stuffed the big truck transmission into a pickup. The mounting is only on the rear and there are no steady rods so the pickups must have also been fitted with a truck crossmember?

I just don't know enough about the all the variations and will admit to being a bit lost outside of my 1935-36 truck comfort zone.

[Fech]

Originally Posted by rockfla

Try this

My pickup has * 18 - XIXXXXX *
*18 - Number Capital "i" Number Number Number Number Number*

[Fech]

Originally Posted by Model51

Here's a picture of the serial number on top of the transmission bell housing on a 1935 Model 51 truck. The prefix is BB18 followed by the seven digit sequence number.

I can't find any number on the engine-transmission, any suggestion where to look?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Fech

I can't find any number on the engine-transmission, any suggestion where to look?

[TJ]

The number should be on the flat boss just above the inspection cover. With no number on it, it may be a factory replacement transmission case. Clean the blue paint off the boss as the number could be covered with thick paint.

[Zeke3]

Redundant answer, see TJ’s above.

[rotorwrench]

These transmissions were used in F1 pickups up through 1950 and with a modification in gearing through the 51 & 52 model years before being replaced thy the later type transmissions. Ford stopped putting the numbers back there in the late 40s with the 259 series transmissions in the 8BA era.

The I was supposed to replace the number 1 but it depends on who or what plant the number was being stamped in. I've seen more than a few odd number stampings over the years.

[Fech]

I had to remove the paint and I found the serial number.
Thank you all, and have a healthy and prosperous New Year!!!

[ford38v8]

If you’re looking to replace one frame for another of those three years, 37-38 would be identical, I believe, but 39 gets more involved, having two different front crossmembers, and two different brake systems, that in itself enough reason to keep looking for the correct frame.