Unmolested 40/41 1 Ton pickup?

[411Ton]

friends, I have what I believe is a pretty untouched 41 tonner. As you'd expect, the original owner, Pfister Feeds out of Colorado, did some things to the truck over the years. I am looking for someone who has a 40/41 tonner that is as original as one could expect, that I could ask for some pictures of specific areas to understand what I'm missing, or how something was originally built. I have devoured the 'net looking for photos, without luck, Appreciate any pointers!
Chris

[ford38v8]

Chris, jump on over to the EFV8CA website and go to their online store. For a mere $10, you’ll find a book “Two Great Trucks”. It might not answer all your questions, but is a good start.

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Chris, jump on over to the EFV8CA website and go to their online store. For a mere $10, you’ll find a book “Two Great Trucks”. It might not answer all your questions, but is a good start.

This is a great book, but it only covers 1/2 ton pickups.

[1952henry]

Pictures of your tonner, please.

[GB SISSON]

There is a member here that goes by 'expaver' who has done a beautiful restoration of a 40-41 Tonner Express. Hopefully he shows up. I have a '46 here and there are quite a few areas that are very similar. It is a solid driver, and not 'molested', but has been pieced together from 3 trucks. I would get some dimensions or pics if that helps. There is a '41 tonner express currently listed on Facebook Marketplace in Stanwood Wa. There are quite a few pics in the ad. It's quite rough, but straight off a ranch in Montana and appears original, except for the rear fenders cut back for unloading grain . Hate it when they do that. And yes, pictures please.

[51504bat]

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Originally Posted by GB SISSON

There is a member here that goes by 'expaver' who has done a beautiful restoration of a 40-41 Tonner Express. Hopefully he shows up. I have a '46 here and there are quite a few areas that are very similar. It is a solid driver, and not 'molested', but has been pieced together from 3 trucks. I would get some dimensions or pics if that helps. There is a '41 tonner express currently listed on Facebook Marketplace in Stanwood Wa. There are quite a few pics in the ad. It's quite rough, but straight off a ranch in Montana and appears original, except for the rear fenders cut back for unloading grain . Hate it when they do that. And yes, pictures please.

X2 on expaver's truck

[expavr]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

There is a member here that goes by 'expaver' who has done a beautiful restoration of a 40-41 Tonner Express. Hopefully he shows up. I have a '46 here and there are quite a few areas that are very similar. It is a solid driver, and not 'molested', but has been pieced together from 3 trucks. I would get some dimensions or pics if that helps. There is a '41 tonner express currently listed on Facebook Marketplace in Stanwood Wa. There are quite a few pics in the ad. It's quite rough, but straight off a ranch in Montana and appears original, except for the rear fenders cut back for unloading grain . Hate it when they do that. And yes, pictures please.

Gary - Thanks for your thoughts on the Tonner. One of these days I hope to get up to Orcas and visit the famous Jailbar Ranch. Les Williams

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by expavr

Gary - Thanks for your thoughts on the Tonner. One of these days I hope to get up to Orcas and visit the famous Jailbar Ranch. Les Williams

Would love to see you Les!

[mercman from oz]

Before & After shots of expavr's 1940 Ford Tonner. Very Nice

[jimTN]

I have what is left of two of those. No beds. What do you want see?

[411Ton]

Originally Posted by jimTN

I have what is left of two of those. No beds. What do you want see?

I would like to see how the rear fenders are reinforced? I believe there's a brace that goes from the frame to the fender, but not exactly sure how/where. Also, looking for what the rear looked like, if it had a bumper, and how attached.

[expavr]

Originally Posted by 411Ton

friends, I have what I believe is a pretty untouched 41 tonner. As you'd expect, the original owner, Pfister Feeds out of Colorado, did some things to the truck over the years. I am looking for someone who has a 40/41 tonner that is as original as one could expect, that I could ask for some pictures of specific areas to understand what I'm missing, or how something was originally built. I have devoured the 'net looking for photos, without luck, Appreciate any pointers!
Chris

Attached are photos of an unmolested 1940 Tonner as bought and as restored. Its been a while since I visited the photo archive of this restoration, but I have photos of the Tonner as it was being torn down and the restoration process that might be helpful. If I can help with specifics don't hesitate to ask.

[411Ton]

Originally Posted by expavr

Attached are photos of an unmolested 1940 Tonner as bought and as restored. Its been a while since I visited the photo archive of this restoration, but I have photos of the Tonner as it was being torn down and the restoration process that might be helpful. If I can help with specifics don't hesitate to ask.

how were the rear fenders reinforced? were there braces that attached to frame, and if so, where and how did they attach to frame and fender? the rear bumper, same question, and close ups of the tail lights and how attached? Thanks!

[expavr]

Originally Posted by 411Ton

how were the rear fenders reinforced? were there braces that attached to frame, and if so, where and how did they attach to frame and fender? the rear bumper, same question, and close ups of the tail lights and how attached? Thanks!

The rear fenders are bolted to the truck bed and anchored by a strut that is bolted to the frame and the bottom of the back side of the fender. Photo1


I cant speak to the OEM rear bumper. The Tonner had a 4X10 Doug Fir Bumper on it when I bought it. I opted to use a 1954 F 100 unpainted bumper and brackets (the holes in 54 brackets matched the predrilled holes in the 40 frame). The bumper was modified by putting a toe kick on the top. Also added a 3/8" cross member which has a CL A hitch for towing. All got painted black. The hitch and toekick have been useful for towing floats in parades and getting the grandkids in and out of the bed. Just food for thought... Photo 2 and 3


The taillights were mounted on the rear pockets. I seem to recall that the mounting hardware was also used to hold the tail gate hinge, but I can't swear to that. Photo 4

[Mart]

Originally Posted by 411Ton

friends, I have what I believe is a pretty untouched 41 tonner. As you'd expect, the original owner, Pfister Feeds out of Colorado, did some things to the truck over the years. I am looking for someone who has a 40/41 tonner that is as original as one could expect, that I could ask for some pictures of specific areas to understand what I'm missing, or how something was originally built. I have devoured the 'net looking for photos, without luck, Appreciate any pointers!
Chris

Hello Chris. It might help if you were able to post pictures of the areas you are unsure about. Then people can comment or know where to take a pic of their truck.
Mart.

[mercman from oz]

Notice the flush sides on the Australian 1940 Ford Tonner.

[expavr]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Notice the flush sides on the Australian 1940 Ford Tonner.

Mercman - Interesting truck! I wonder if that Tonner was sold as a chassis including the frame, drivetrain, front fenders and cowl with the driver’s compartment and bed being installed by an aftermarket supplier? The 1940 Ford Salesman Manual shows the availability of that configuration, but only for the 134” wheelbase and larger trucks. I can’t make out what the writing on the door says, but that might offer a clue as to its use.

[38 coupe]

Australia, like many countries, had laws on vehicles sold in country requiring locally built parts. This typically resulted in locally built bodies on commercial vehicles, as seen above. Usually these locally built bodies share few to no parts with vehicles built outside their home country.


At the risk of drifting the conversation, that Australian truck is interesting. It has the newer front sheet metal, but the older 38-39 three ribs on the belt line of the doors, and the three ribs are continued down the side. Is this made from a cut down tonner panel truck with later hood and grill swapped on?

[Karl Wescott]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Australia, like many countries, had laws on vehicles sold in country requiring locally built parts. This typically resulted in locally built bodies on commercial vehicles, as seen above. Usually these locally built bodies share few to no parts with vehicles built outside their home country.


At the risk of drifting the conversation, that Australian truck is interesting. It has the newer front sheet metal, but the older 38-39 three ribs on the belt line of the doors, and the three ribs are continued down the side. Is this made from a cut down tonner panel truck with later hood and grill swapped on?

It is worth noting that Australia was actively engaged in WW2 in 1940, and with a huge military buildup due to the war in Europe and the eminent threat from Japan. This obviously would limit civilian vehicle production and severely limit unnecessary tooling efforts (keeping the 1938-39 style lines on the cab sides).

[52flthed]

Expavr. that is one beautiful truck! . I like the Hall back up lamp you have. Is that the one that says FORD on it? What did you use as a switch for it? I have two of those on my bumper as well. Show us some pictures of your dash if you can please? What other accessories do you have on the truck?