The Ford Barn

oldford2 · 05-25-2018, 10:20 AM

How to tell a 1/2 ton pickup from a 3/4 ton?
Does the C in the vehicle ID tell any thing?
Thanks
John

alanwoodieman · 05-25-2018, 10:55 AM

C is commercial. this would indicate a 114" wheelbase, 3/4 ton will be 122" wheelbase

rotorwrench · 05-25-2018, 11:24 AM

3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks generally have the Timken rear axle that looks like a giant banjo rear, they have a lot more lug nuts on the wheels, and they have longer beds with the larger ones sharing a lot of parts between them. The C was used for the light commercial pickup identification for quite a few years. In the bonus built F series years the D was used for 3/4-ton and Y for 1-ton pickup types. T was always for larger trucks in the early years and it carried over to the bonus years for a conventional cab F5 or F6 since they shared a lot of parts. TL was for the F4 size trucks. The J was for parcel delivery and the W was for the COE types. There are others but these were the most common for lightl to heavy intermediate type trucks.

These are mostly part designators for locating the proper parts for each type.

truckdog62563 · 05-25-2018, 11:33 AM

There were no post war 3/4 tons until the intro of the Bonus Built line in 1948. So a 1946 is either a 1/2 ton 114” wheel base or one ton 122” wheelbase. Both have 5 lug wheels. The half ton with 16” wheels and the 5 x 5 1/2” pattern, or the one ton with 17” wheels and 5 x 6 7/8” bolt pattern. Stu

oldford2 · 05-25-2018, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

C is commercial. this would indicate a 114" wheelbase, 3/4 ton will be 122" wheelbase

O K folks thanks. WB is 114 so that makes it 1/2 ton. Sure has a rugged undercarriage compared to my 46 sedan. Here is a picture of the truck I am working on for a friend. Up on jack stands so looks like high off the ground.

rotorwrench · 05-25-2018, 06:30 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

After 1941, all the trucks had their own frames with dual springs front & rear and open type drive so they were a step stronger than the passenger car types. 1941 was the last year that a car type frame was used on a commercial pickup.

mercman from oz · 05-25-2018, 11:11 PM

Pages from the Australian Ford Identification Manual for 1946-1947 Ford light trucks. I would have made them larger, but it would take up too much space. Click onto each page to enlarge.
I hope that these pages help you, but remember, they are for the Australian Ford Light Trucks.

mercman from oz · 05-25-2018, 11:12 PM

Here is a larger picture of the 46 Ford pickup that you are working on.

05-25-2018, 10:20 AM	#1
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	1946 Ford pickup How to tell a 1/2 ton pickup from a 3/4 ton? Does the C in the vehicle ID tell any thing? Thanks John

05-25-2018, 10:55 AM	#2
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: 1946 Ford pickup C is commercial. this would indicate a 114" wheelbase, 3/4 ton will be 122" wheelbase

05-25-2018, 11:24 AM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1946 Ford pickup 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks generally have the Timken rear axle that looks like a giant banjo rear, they have a lot more lug nuts on the wheels, and they have longer beds with the larger ones sharing a lot of parts between them. The C was used for the light commercial pickup identification for quite a few years. In the bonus built F series years the D was used for 3/4-ton and Y for 1-ton pickup types. T was always for larger trucks in the early years and it carried over to the bonus years for a conventional cab F5 or F6 since they shared a lot of parts. TL was for the F4 size trucks. The J was for parcel delivery and the W was for the COE types. There are others but these were the most common for lightl to heavy intermediate type trucks. These are mostly part designators for locating the proper parts for each type.

05-25-2018, 11:33 AM	#4
truckdog62563 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, Il Posts: 599	Re: 1946 Ford pickup There were no post war 3/4 tons until the intro of the Bonus Built line in 1948. So a 1946 is either a 1/2 ton 114” wheel base or one ton 122” wheelbase. Both have 5 lug wheels. The half ton with 16” wheels and the 5 x 5 1/2” pattern, or the one ton with 17” wheels and 5 x 6 7/8” bolt pattern. Stu __________________ Stu McMillan Marmon-Herringtons

05-25-2018, 06:30 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1946 Ford pickup Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) After 1941, all the trucks had their own frames with dual springs front & rear and open type drive so they were a step stronger than the passenger car types. 1941 was the last year that a car type frame was used on a commercial pickup.

05-25-2018, 11:12 PM	#8
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,370	Re: 1946 Ford pickup Here is a larger picture of the 46 Ford pickup that you are working on.