The Ford Barn

1940_3/4-1Ton_Express · 03-05-2025, 08:20 PM

I have a 1940 express truck that was my grandfather's farm truck. It has a 1 ton rear axle(17" split rims) and a 3/4 ton front axle (16" solid rims). I have removed the axles for sandblasting the frame. Now that the frame is primed and installed on the frame table, I noticed the front of the frame is slightly bent. I have been searching for any dimensional information to straighten it back out. I can find the 1/2 ton frame dimensions, but not the 3/4-1 ton. Any help is appreciated. My backup plan is to take a bunch of reference points and triangulate to the opposite side.

1952henry · 03-05-2025, 10:19 PM

Stu or GB should be able to help.

GB SISSON · 03-05-2025, 11:14 PM

I have a bare rolling frame from a '46 tonner amd a couple of complete 47 tonners here. I also have the back half of a '39 tonner that was made into a trailer for a welder. I know the axles changed width with an increase in '42 of 2 1/2". Would be easy to determine in the morning. My guess is frame rails will be the standard 34" width. I think my old '38 tonner had a transverse front leaf and I've never owned a '40 or '41. Do they have transverse front or paralell springs?? If paralell, frames may be the same and I can help you..As soon as you can get a picture of this truck posted, we'd love to see it.

1940_3/4-1Ton_Express · 03-06-2025, 08:08 AM

It has parallel springs. The frame is 34" outside in the rear, and 32"outside in the front. I will post some pics ASAP. I have some before teardown and in process. I "heard" it is close to the '46 frames...

1940_3/4-1Ton_Express · 03-06-2025, 08:37 AM

IMG_2339.jpg

GB SISSON · 03-06-2025, 09:50 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Can you give an example of the dimensions you need? The frame rails were bobbed in the rear of the roller frame for a dump bed, but intact other than that.

petehoovie · 03-06-2025, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1940_3/4-1Ton_Express

Attachment 562029

GB SISSON · 03-06-2025, 11:53 AM

Yessir, that's a farm truck! Do you have the box, running boards and rear fenders or are you going with a flatbed on your build?

1940_3/4-1Ton_Express · 03-06-2025, 01:05 PM

We are keeping the flatbed. The story is that my grandfather had the bed made and installed by a local machine shop so he could haul seed corn in bags. We still have the "original" wooden rack(front "headache" rack) that we will use as a template to remake the sides and rear. I have some rough sawn cedar that most likely will get used for that. I will drawup some dimensions that I am looking for. The right front front spring perch was braized to the frame. It appears the the left front frame rail is bent in and down approx 1/4" inch. Probably not a big concern but I wanted to get the frame straight before getting into the suspension.

ActionYobbo · 03-06-2025, 01:15 PM

I have a 39 and it’s 32” at the front

truckdog62563 · 03-06-2025, 01:26 PM

I have the Salesman’s Data Book for 1941, but not 1940. It has charts with dimensions. I would assume they are the same as 1940, please say if it is not, but the problem I have here is posting pictures from my phone. If GB or Owen are willing to post the pics I will email them. Stu

1940_3/4-1Ton_Express · 03-06-2025, 02:55 PM

I would like to think the 1940 and 1941 are close if not the same. I would appreciate any help. I can "trig" it out myself but it would be better to at least have some sort of starting point.

1940_3/4-1Ton_Express · 03-06-2025, 03:29 PM

Here are some progress pictures of the frame.
[ATTACH][ATTACH]image000004.jpg[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

petehoovie · 03-06-2025, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1940_3/4-1Ton_Express

Here are some progress pictures of the frame.
[ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 562061[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

GB SISSON · 03-06-2025, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdog62563

I have the Salesman’s Data Book for 1941, but not 1940. It has charts with dimensions. I would assume they are the same as 1940, please say if it is not, but the problem I have here is posting pictures from my phone. If GB or Owen are willing to post the pics I will email them. Stu

Problem is I just got home from a jobsite tonight and I leave at 5:30 am to go to Seattle to see the grandkids. Sorry, bad timing.

cas3 · 03-06-2025, 09:33 PM

is that a Ferrari ?

truckdog62563 · 03-07-2025, 03:27 AM

Thanks Karl. Email with three charts sent. And thanks Owen for trying to train me. I got to the point of attaching files and I lost it. Will continue to try to learn. Stu

Karl Wescott · 03-07-2025, 12:02 PM

Copies of information from Truckdog62563...

expavr · 03-08-2025, 01:28 AM

These are the measurements from the 1940 salesman's Reference Manual.

411Ton · 03-10-2025, 02:05 PM

I have a 31 3/4 ton Frame currently at powder coating. If you let me know what dimensions you need, I'll measure it next week when its back in the garage

03-05-2025, 08:20 PM	#1
1940_3/4-1Ton_Express Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 12	1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements I have a 1940 express truck that was my grandfather's farm truck. It has a 1 ton rear axle(17" split rims) and a 3/4 ton front axle (16" solid rims). I have removed the axles for sandblasting the frame. Now that the frame is primed and installed on the frame table, I noticed the front of the frame is slightly bent. I have been searching for any dimensional information to straighten it back out. I can find the 1/2 ton frame dimensions, but not the 3/4-1 ton. Any help is appreciated. My backup plan is to take a bunch of reference points and triangulate to the opposite side.

03-05-2025, 10:19 PM	#2
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,786	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements Stu or GB should be able to help. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

03-05-2025, 11:14 PM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,878	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements I have a bare rolling frame from a '46 tonner amd a couple of complete 47 tonners here. I also have the back half of a '39 tonner that was made into a trailer for a welder. I know the axles changed width with an increase in '42 of 2 1/2". Would be easy to determine in the morning. My guess is frame rails will be the standard 34" width. I think my old '38 tonner had a transverse front leaf and I've never owned a '40 or '41. Do they have transverse front or paralell springs?? If paralell, frames may be the same and I can help you..As soon as you can get a picture of this truck posted, we'd love to see it. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

03-06-2025, 08:08 AM	#4
1940_3/4-1Ton_Express Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 12	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements It has parallel springs. The frame is 34" outside in the rear, and 32"outside in the front. I will post some pics ASAP. I have some before teardown and in process. I "heard" it is close to the '46 frames...

03-06-2025, 08:37 AM	#5
1940_3/4-1Ton_Express Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 12	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements IMG_2339.jpg

03-06-2025, 09:50 AM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,878	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Can you give an example of the dimensions you need? The frame rails were bobbed in the rear of the roller frame for a dump bed, but intact other than that. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

03-06-2025, 11:53 AM	#8
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,878	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements Yessir, that's a farm truck! Do you have the box, running boards and rear fenders or are you going with a flatbed on your build? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

03-06-2025, 01:05 PM	#9
1940_3/4-1Ton_Express Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 12	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements We are keeping the flatbed. The story is that my grandfather had the bed made and installed by a local machine shop so he could haul seed corn in bags. We still have the "original" wooden rack(front "headache" rack) that we will use as a template to remake the sides and rear. I have some rough sawn cedar that most likely will get used for that. I will drawup some dimensions that I am looking for. The right front front spring perch was braized to the frame. It appears the the left front frame rail is bent in and down approx 1/4" inch. Probably not a big concern but I wanted to get the frame straight before getting into the suspension.

03-06-2025, 01:15 PM	#10
ActionYobbo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 281	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements I have a 39 and it’s 32” at the front __________________ I am building a 1939 1 ton express

03-06-2025, 01:26 PM	#11
truckdog62563 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, Il Posts: 651	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements I have the Salesman’s Data Book for 1941, but not 1940. It has charts with dimensions. I would assume they are the same as 1940, please say if it is not, but the problem I have here is posting pictures from my phone. If GB or Owen are willing to post the pics I will email them. Stu __________________ Stu McMillan Marmon-Herringtons

03-06-2025, 02:55 PM	#12
1940_3/4-1Ton_Express Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 12	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements I would like to think the 1940 and 1941 are close if not the same. I would appreciate any help. I can "trig" it out myself but it would be better to at least have some sort of starting point.

03-06-2025, 09:33 PM	#16
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beverly Kansas Posts: 5,296	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements is that a Ferrari ?

03-07-2025, 03:27 AM	#17
truckdog62563 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, Il Posts: 651	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements Thanks Karl. Email with three charts sent. And thanks Owen for trying to train me. I got to the point of attaching files and I lost it. Will continue to try to learn. Stu __________________ Stu McMillan Marmon-Herringtons

03-10-2025, 02:05 PM	#20
411Ton Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Location: Naples, FL 34117 Posts: 65	Re: 1940 3/4-1 Ton express frame measurements I have a 31 3/4 ton Frame currently at powder coating. If you let me know what dimensions you need, I'll measure it next week when its back in the garage