Jailbar Fender Extensions

[mercman from oz]

It is obvious that this Ford has had the centre grille section replaced at some stage from a smaller same year pickup. That is why it is not as wide as the larger Ford trucks. Notice the gaps each side.

[mercman from oz]

Take a look at this 1942 Ford Jail-Bar Truck. You will notice that it has the correct Grille centre Section fitted, with no "gaps" like the one in the previous picture. With Ford Trucks, as the Ratings go up, so does the wheel openings in the front fenders. You can not use a Pickup fender on a big truck, and vice versa. The same situation applies to the centre grills section on these models.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Take a look at this 1942 Ford Jail-Bar Truck. You will notice that it has the correct Grille centre Section fitted, with no "gaps" like the one in the previous picture.

My mistake. I thought the gaps you were referring to were the ones between the vertical bars, not the ones at the extreme outside of the grille.

[mercman from oz]

For more information on this topic, I contacted James Wagner, the Truck Carespondent for the Early ford V8 Club. here is what James had to say:-
"I dug out my well-worn (not by me) copy of the Canadian 1945 Ford Light & Heavy Trucks catalog (form number appears to be 501 but not clear).

On page 7 of this publication is a box at the bottom entitled: "9.00-20 Tire Option." In addition to showing a rear view of the chassis-cab model the following text appears:

"The 3-Ton 176-inch Wheelbase chassis is available with 9.00-20, 10-ply tires, front and rear at extra cost. Heavier, wider front axle has 62.26-inch tread and wider dual-ratio rear axle, 72.6-inch tread. Spacers are provided in front fenders and running boards to accommodate larger tire equipment. The option includes special driveline shafts and bearings, heavy-duty wheels and 6-stud hubs." Aside from the wheel stud count this seem to match the trucks you question.

Apparently these trucks with the "odd fitting" grilles mated up the the extended width fenders are unique to the 3 Ton Fords made in Canada.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Apparently these trucks with the "odd fitting" grilles mated up the the extended width fenders are unique to the 3 Ton Fords made in Canada.

Very interesting and I will try to remember to look in my Ford Fast Moving Parts (Canada) catalogue but doubt they will make any mention.

[RalphG]

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Originally Posted by mercman from oz

It is obvious that this Ford has had the centre grille section replaced at some stage from a smaller same year pickup. That is why it is not as wide as the larger Ford trucks. Notice the gaps each side.

Those gaps are actually body coloured bars on mine. Then I have the 12 white painted bars (one missing).
I think that is all original. My 46 Ford has , or had, the same number of bars. And it was a big truck in it's day with 20 inch wheels. You can see it in this picture of my grille on the wall. It looks like they originally had 13 bars. Mine is missing the centre bar so it shows 12. That centre piece likely got broken out over time.
Its -18F here and I don't want to walk out to the shop to get my Ford catalogue that shows all the car and truck front ends from 1929 to 49.

[mercman from oz]

Miss-match Jail-Bar Grille Housing.

[mercman from oz]

The number of Grille Bars would be the same in the small and large Jail-Bar Fords. As you can see from the above picture, it is obvious that the Grille Housing is a mismatch for this truck, as you can see the gap at the ends. This Grille insert would have been from a smaller Jail Bar Ford, most likely a Pickup.