Tech question 1946-48 Ford

[toms32]

I am looking to restore my 1948 Ford. I have an opportunity to pick up some drivetrain parts, heater, steering gear from a person who is getting rid of his 46 sedan orignal parts. Would these work for me on my 48 and still not ruin the originality of the car. I know 48 had tube shocks but not sure of any other changes from 46-48. Many thank Tom

[vintageman]

The parts you describe are the same for '46-'48.

[Chris Nelson]

On the exterior, the only differances that I know about are the parking lights and the stainless trim. The 46 has ribbed beltline trim down the side and the 48 has "Roof Top" shape. The 46 also has the fender trim in a differant spot than the 48. You are right about the shocks on the 48 being aircraft type (tube). There also was no steering column lock on the 48. Most everything else is the same.

[Halvor]

tthe front was NOT tube shocks, many put them o n but it is an addaption

[bobH]

There are about a b-zillion differences, 46-48, running changes. If you really want to nit-pick, you might consider getting a look at the 46-48 club book, or, some back issues of the V8 Times, which describe most of the little stuff. The parts you mention should not be on the running-change-list... JMO

[46fordnut]

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if you want look at my avitar it's 46 ford 4 door. it might help you in your quest for information and parts . not restored but all there.

[TJ]

Halvor, 48 Fords did in fact have tube shocks. You might have a look at the 41-48 Ford book put out by the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. You might do some research before posting a reply.

[Mr 42]

Some 48's at least. had aluminum running boards, and front floor board.

Door lock design differs.

[toms32]

Many thanks to all that replied to my request for information. By the way does anyone have a 41-48 copy of the book put out by the V8 Club that they no longer need that was memtioned by fellow Barners ? Tom

[ora masters]

Originally Posted by Chris Nelson

On the exterior, the only differances that I know about are the parking lights and the stainless trim. The 46 has ribbed beltline trim down the side and the 48 has "Roof Top" shape. The 46 also has the fender trim in a differant spot than the 48. You are right about the shocks on the 48 being aircraft type (tube). There also was no steering column lock on the 48. Most everything else is the same.

for what it is worth my 48 coupe has steering wheel lock and no tube shocks on either end

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by ora masters

for what it is worth my 48 coupe has steering wheel lock and no tube shocks on either end

In the '60's I had a '48 Tudor Sedan with no tube shocks or steering wheel lock. More evidence that changes on the assembly line were constantly being implemented, making it even more difficult to ascertain what is or isn’t original in post war Fords '46-'48.

[G.M.]

The tubular shocks could be ordered as an option. Look carefully in the green parts book and you will see the part changes on the car required when the tube shocks were used. Differant front axle, differant frame rails and inner fender panels. The strange thing is all Mercury's had pockets in the inner fenders for the shocks but I have looked a a hundred Mercury's at car shows and never saw one with tube shocks. G.M.

[jsemple6392]

There are several reasons for the confusion as mentioned above. Not the least of which is the fact that there were running changes made at different times at all of the different factories involved. THe factories did not paint every part the same either. Several discussions here have already mentioned that. For example: each factory painted the underneath differently. One was black, another used body color and yet another used red oxide color. Depends on wether you want an "early" or "late" look to you restoration. Good luck with your build! I'm in the middle of a resto of a '47 business coupe and some of this stuff is driving me crazy. Keep doing your homework and you'll get it right eventually.

[Bruce Lancaster]

My '48 also has lever shocks and steering lock. Edgewater plant, and have reason to believe it was assembled 11-11-1947.

[jsemple6392]

Hey Bruce,
Can you tell what the original color under the floor pan was? I'm trying to figure out which plant used black underneath. My '47 was maroon with black under the floor. Thanks JS

[42ford]

Originally Posted by G.M.

The tubular shocks could be ordered as an option. Look carefully in the green parts book and you will see the part changes on the car required when the tube shocks were used. Differant front axle, differant frame rails and inner fender panels. The strange thing is all Mercury's had pockets in the inner fenders for the shocks but I have looked a a hundred Mercury's at car shows and never saw one with tube shocks. G.M.

Hey GM, how do you fit all those cars in the garage?

[Bruce Lancaster]

"Can you tell what the original color under the floor pan was?"
Well, no...my car is black all over, so it can't answer the question!

On the tube shocks, the actual part numbers for everything are 1946 numbers, so it seems like planning for that took a while to reach production.
It was never really an option...the tube shocks just replaced the levers in production eventually, probably as a cost cutting measure.
The parts were well know, and probably a lot of the Ford parts and the verysimilar aftermarket parts were used to convert lots of older Fords.