1932 1933 1934 truck restoration or hot rod

[hop up]

So looking for some information on restoring a 32 truck but cant seem to find anything. Does any one restore trucks anymore and would love to hear or see some. As a truck enthusiast I always wondered why you dont see a lot of stock truck.

[expavr]

" Does any one restore trucks anymore and would love to hear or see some. As a truck enthusiast I always wondered why you dont see a lot of stock truck."


They're out there. The BEFORE and AFTER on my 1940 tonner.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by hop up

So looking for some information on restoring a 32 truck but cant seem to find anything. Does any one restore trucks anymore and would love to hear or see some. As a truck enthusiast I always wondered why you dont see a lot of stock truck.

If you want to see 1932 pickups, just do a Google image search for
'1932 Ford pickup truck' you will see all kinds.

[DavidG]

'32 Model B in final assembly.

[fortyfords]

David, I like it.

[flatford8]

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Originally Posted by DavidG

'32 Model B in final assembly.

If your doing it, I’m sure it’s correct but I can’t imagine a utilitarian vehicle such bright color.......Mark

[Krylon32]

Whatever you decide, you'll own it unless you give it away. I sold my first 32 hotrod pickup for 45,000 in 09, my second hotord pickup for 60,000 in 05, my third unfinished hotrod pickup for 35,000 in 09, which brings me to today and my current deuce hotrod pickup which is the best one to date and I'm asking 55,000 and have not had 1 serious offer. I'm not a restorer so I can't comment on their value but it seems like I've seen some for sale in the high 20's to mid 30's. You gotta love them to build them whichever way you go. David, yours is gorgeous. One of my favorite colors.

[Charlie ny]

Dave's truck is a railroad color and as a commercial vehicle, if bought in quantities,
could be the color/s the purchasing agent spec'd.
.......OK I had a sneak peek awhile back.......
Charlie ny

[DavidG]

That color (golden orange) was a standard color choice for '32 and '33 commercial vehicles. It will eventually have black DT&I (Henry's railroad) logos on its doors.

[hop up]

Beautiful truck Expavr and thank you for the pictures

51Merc its nut when you do google 32 truck 95% are hotrods. Now I am a hotrodder and do have a 1934 hotrod truck and 32 truck project. So dont have to go far to see one but I have one that is pretty stock and has some interesting 32 parts on her. So to restore or hotrod? Not sure yet

[flatford8]

It’s going to be a beautiful truck. I’ve been reading “Henry’s Attic” and there’re a lot of references to the DT&I......Mark

[hop up]

DavidG thank you for the pictures and beautiful truck and restoration. I have a few questions. My 32 truck has two brackets on the Kmember that looks like pedal reinforcements but on both sides? I have never seen that before and a odd front crossmember.

[hop up]

Krylon32 , you sir build some of the finest hotrods out and one of the top builders out. I hope you still have that expanding license frame I sent you for the roadster? I have a hotrod truck but love the stocker trucks as you dont see many. Plus this one got some weird cool stuff like this crossmember. So is this truck worth restoring or drive as is...

[DavidG]

Your truck has a very early chassis frame, not the first version, which had no 'legs' on the center cross member to form a K, but the second iteration. The purpose of those pieces riveted to the center cross member at 90 degrees is obvious in the photo below as it contains the inner socket for the pedal shaft before a separate pedal bracket was adopted (the one in the photo is obviously bent out of shape, unlike that on your truck's frame). Like yourself, I have no idea what purpose is served by the counterpart on the right side, especially in a LHD chassis.

Your front cross member is an early Model B-only version with wider spacing of the motor mount insulators than all of the '32 front cross member versions that followed (for both fours and V8s). Another example is shown below as is an extremely rare example of the insulator originally used with that cross member. Also shown are the two versions of the Model B front motor mount bracket reflecting the different insulator spacing. The wide version is quite rare. It is well documented that parts obsoleted by revisions weren't scrapped, but rather were used up on commercial vehicle frames.

I note in your first photo that your truck has one of the earliest versions of the firewall. It also appears to have the carryover Model A hand crank guide/spring U-bolt retainer with a small crank extension hole and two slots for the 'ears' on the hand crank extension rather than the later version with a much-enlarged hole for the extension and no slots.

Your truck may or may not have a low engine number (VIN) as nearly 40,000 Model B engine and transmission assemblies had been manufactured before the first one was installed in a production chassis (because of the decision to delay '32 model production until a production version of the V8 engine became available). There is evidence that once Model B vehicle production began, no particular effort was made to use those engine/transmission assemblies on a first-lin/first-out basis.

[hop up]

David thank you for the information and didn’t know about the crank hole and will have to go back and read your book again lol. It also has no seam for the top of the cab and no brace for the visor. Is there anything else this may have as its a early build.


Yeah unfortunately I don’t have the motor or transmission as it was left on the farm. This was sitting since 1962 in a dry barn and was told the motor was there but not taken when it was sold.

[corvette8n]

Originally Posted by flatford8

It’s going to be a beautiful truck. I’ve been reading “Henry’s Attic” and there’re a lot of references to the DT&I......Mark

I’m about half way thru that book, I wish I had read it before I went to the Henry Ford, I could have been on the lookout for more of those items on display.

[DavidG]

Hop up,


Having an early cab with the non-removable roof and brace-less visor is consistent with the chassis. About all we haven't covered is the cowl vent, which likely is an early version as well (page 11-7, right side of photo).

[totto]

I have a 1934 pickup and it is restored to stock. Also have 1937 1 1/2 ton dump truck that was restored to stock. Best part now is driving them!!!

[Krylon32]

Hop Up your license plate frame is on the roadster and looks good. The roadster is a keeper.

[hop up]

DavidG yes I checked and yes it has the early lid.
Gary I knew it was going to a great home...

[hop up]

Totto great looking 34 in your profile pic and yes enjoying is a great part of the restoration process.
A picture of no seam for a removable top on the 32 cab

[mercman from oz]

1932 Ford Pick-Up - Wow. Very nice indeed.

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Looking at a 32 BB dump truck, Needs everything touched but a good looking old truck. And it is pretty good shape for 90 years old. Engine probably stuck. leaks in all the right places. Has not been touched in 70 years! I know I wont get info back soon on here but is there any guidelines as to price? I have done a few refurb clean and apint projects but I am not a rodder or a custom guy. Any help would be appreciated.
Trying to gain a little bit of insite into these old trucks. I think I need another project not sure Thanks!
Regards,
Chris

[jimTN]

A big truck would have originally come with the 4cyl engine which lots of parts are available for and reasonable. Pricing would be no where near what a unrestored PU would bring and more likely what the cab itself would bring. Usually in the $2500 to $4,000. range. A solid dependable refurbished and functional, not restored, truck would be the most practical way to go for a dump trk and maybe the most fun.

[tubman]

I vote for restoration, mainly because I have no idea on how one would go about "Hot Rodding" a dump truck.

[Charlie Stephens]

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If you put your general location in your profile some one near you might have something of interest.

Charlie Stephens

[Lawson Cox]

If you have enough to work with, always go stock and preserve history.

[Cool 33]

I like them both ways. I have a 33 BB v-8 short wheelbase 1 ton that is pretty much all original with what looks to be one repaint. I have used it to work out of for various undertakings as well as have driven it the 20 miles to work in Dallas a few times. With the high speed rear end ratio and large rear tires it will run 60 mph with no trouble. I certainly plan to keep it just the way it is. I also have built a 'hot rod' 33 pickup for more everyday type driving. Its not high performance with just a small C***y v-6. Also no major modifications were made to the body. Either way they are both a lot of fun in their own way.

[sugarmaker]

Thank you gentlemen for your comments. Your right this would not be a truck that would be customized. I am much more of a original type of person. I have put in a offer on the truck in question. It is a long wheel base version. It is pretty much complete as I can tell. The current owner has kept this family truck up on blocks for years. I have many concerns but will not get to worried about it unless he accepts my offer then all hell will break loose I am sure. If so I may be here to get advice from the experts. Currently I am stuck in the 50's with several tractors of that era.
The teal BB looks just about the same as the one I am looking at. Except for the dump and long wheel base. Very nice trucks!
Also the option might exist to get a unit functional mechanically and leave the body and some items as they are now. The aged look.
Probably my main concerns would be the engine, drive line and the brakes, wheel/ tire assemblies. I have much to learn! Wish me luck.
Regards,
Chris

[tubman]

Welcome Chris, I have to say that you came to the right place.

Some of the best restorers of these vehicles are regular posters on this forum, and their knowledge is second to none.

And... if you want to "improve" a few things, there are guys here who know how to do that, too!.

[sugarmaker]

Originally Posted by jimTN

A big truck would have originally come with the 4cyl engine which lots of parts are available for and reasonable. Pricing would be no where near what a unrestored PU would bring and more likely what the cab itself would bring. Usually in the $2500 to $4,000. range. A solid dependable refurbished and functional, not restored, truck would be the most practical way to go for a dump trk and maybe the most fun.

Jim,
Thanks for some pricing guidelines. I wasnt sure if the $2500 was for a whole truck or a cab. Guess I just need clairification, on what one of these 32 BB's are worth.
So I take it there are a good supply of part for the engine? I talked to a friend that is into Model A's and he estimated $3K for a engine rebuild? That was to possibly replace the babbit bearings with a newer type?

I have been down this road and it can become a slippery slope! Cost of parts and materials can greatly exceed the potential dollars that might be received if one was to try to sell the unit after completed. I tend to keep things a long time. At almost 70, we never know how long that is!

So you can have fun with a dump truck? Interesting.

I think we envision what we are going to do with a vehicle at the start. Sometimes it may not meet our expectations, if it ever gets complete?
Regards,
Chris

[sugarmaker]

Originally Posted by tubman

Welcome Chris, I have to say that you came to the right place.

Some of the best restorers of these vehicles are regular posters on this forum, and their knowledge is second to none.

And... if you want to "improve" a few things, there are guys here who know how to do that, too!.

tubman,
Thank you for the welcome! I am comfortable with these forums. Have looked at the Ford Barn for several years. On the FTE site often. On the Allis-Chalmers forum way too much! Have mostly been a FORD guy all my life.Have owned several Ford trucks since a 71 bump side. If this truck (32) would come into the family it would be a big change from what I have worked on in the past. I did own a 55 Crown Vic for about 30 years. Have done several Allis tractors since I retired in 2014. Building a shop right now so that I might be able to do a couple more projects.
I live in north western PA, near lake Erie. (someone else had asked)
Oh yea I take way too many pictures and talk a lot too.
Regards,
Chris

[tubman]

I think you'll fit in here fine.

[sugarmaker]

I apologize to the OP. I will start my own thread if this truck thing gets real. Thanks for starting this thread it helped me!
That Orange truck sure is going to stand out in a crowd!
Regards,
Chris

[jimTN]

Butchers (rodders) are giving $2500 to $4000 for good cabs and the big truck cab is the same as a PU. If the mains are good within shim correction, rebabbited rods are available by size, not cheap but there and the rest is duck soup for a 4 cyl.

[flathead34]

Here is my '34 pickup that my son helped me to restore to stock. We had it 90% apart, for the restoration. He has since restored a '35 Tudor sedan to stock and a Dearborn .

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

Jim,
Thanks for some pricing guidelines. I wasnt sure if the $2500 was for a whole truck or a cab. Guess I just need clairification, on what one of these 32 BB's are worth.
So I take it there are a good supply of part for the engine? I talked to a friend that is into Model A's and he estimated $3K for a engine rebuild? That was to possibly replace the babbit bearings with a newer type?

I have been down this road and it can become a slippery slope! Cost of parts and materials can greatly exceed the potential dollars that might be received if one was to try to sell the unit after completed. I tend to keep things a long time. At almost 70, we never know how long that is!

So you can have fun with a dump truck? Interesting.

I think we envision what we are going to do with a vehicle at the start. Sometimes it may not meet our expectations, if it ever gets complete?
Regards,
Chris

When you decide who is going to rebuild the engine check them out in the archives here and on HAMB. There are a lot of horror stories out there. Sorry to nag (see post #11) but put your general location in your profile and maybe someone will suggest a good engine rebuilder near you. Most of the guys that do Model A engines also do the Model B's. I didn't see that anyone mentioned it but you should have a copy of "The 1932 Ford Book" from the Early Ford V8 Club, https://shop.efv8.org/collections/fo...tbound-all-new. It deals mostly with the passenger vehicles but there is much commonality. It is an excellent book well worth the investment.


Charlie Stephens

[sugarmaker]

Charlie, Folks,
Thanks! If i get serious about this I will get that book too! Now back to our regularly scheduled programing!
Regards,
Chris

[mercman from oz]

Father and son?

[mercman from oz]

Here is another picture of a pair of 1934 Ford Commercials, "big" and "little". Nice.

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
So I for some reason like the look of a flat bed on the larger version truck. Happens the one I looked at a week ago has a GarWood dump on it. What are your opinions on either? Can a person still find a good flat bed? Or does it need to be fabricated? Here is a teaser picture. And no its not mine.
These types of animals are big projects, not sure I am up for it? Comments always welcome

Regards,
Chris

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Humm! This might be a AAB serial number unit. I did find a white one similar looking on You tube. Had similar GarWood dump bed.
So I think this one would need to be kept as a original truck. May have wrong headlights? Maybe 34??
Regards,
Chris

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
What would you guys do with something like this unit? Full resto, leave in work clothes?
Chop the top and drop a CBB in there? Just kidding, but stranger things have happened.
Regards,
Chris

[tomcarman]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

Folks,
What would you guys do with something like this unit? Full resto, leave in work clothes?
Chop the top and drop a CBB in there? Just kidding, but stranger things have happened.
Regards,
Chris

If it were mine I'd go through all the mechanicals and running gear, clean it and leave it as is. Nice truck but to my eye a restored to perfection or rodded work truck is out of character. Trucks like that in my opinion symbolize the hard work and perseverance that got things done back in those days. Sunup to sundown, no questions asked and no whining about a bruise or two. Just rub some dirt on it and it'll be fine.

[mhsprecher]

I like the dump body. You don't see those every day. The truck looks pretty good to me. I'd leave it just the way it is and get it up to snuff mechanically. It looks like it had a pretty good life. Maybe the engine isn't half bad?

[sugarmaker]

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Guys, Thanks! Good comments on this old deuce dump. I had similar thoughts. Have been mulling this unit over for a week now. The owner has been very kind and patient.The truck has 65K miles on the odometer. It has been preserved a long time, with nothing done to it except set up on blocks. It was used hard during its life too. The rubber on the pedals is almost completely gone. Motor is stuck. Have no idea how good or bad it might be. Its a flip of a coin on that.
Regards,
Chris

[totto]

Chris:

I have a '37 with Garwood dump body. I also have a stake body/frame from a '34 157" WB that I am not using. It is rough but "all there"(rust and pitted). The body is in Oxford, MA @ my great grandparents farm(under cover). It is yours for $100.00 but you have to go to MA to get it.

Let me know. I will be in MA @ the farm the 1st weekend in August.

Henry
[email protected]

Henry

[al's28/33]

[al's28/33]

Please .............. Keep it stock!!

[al's28/33]

[al's28/33]

[Tinker]

Personally I like them restored. Maybe with a few changes like 16" wheels. Maybe. You can do some nice stuff with 17" and 16" combo. It's okay to be different. Granted being different now is to have a stockish vehicle.

[dmar836]

For me to lower and "hotrod" a '32 it would have to be in pretty pitiful shape.

That's just me.

[sugarmaker]

Great comments and pictures to go along with the OP's thread on these trucks. He may not have been talking about a dump truck but it applies to most trucks of this vintage.

Henry thanks for the offer on the stake bed. I might consider that, if this became real. Here is another shot of the 32 AAB.... It is not without issues.



So educate me on the wheel base. I have seen some trucks with longer wheel base so I assume this is a short wheel base unit? What is the dimensions?

So these bigger trucks may not good candidates for drivers? What do you guys do with yours?

By the way the white pickup that Al has really looks nice! Thanks for posting the pictures!

Regards
Chris

[jimTN]

Issues ?, 95 percent of these trucks have the glass, windshield and doors cracked, broken or coming apart, top caved in, doors sagging one inch or so, fenders bashed, bumper askew and so on. If the 4 cyl is stuck, put penetrating oil in the cyl, remove the starter and pry against the flywheel ring gear teeth back and forth. It should not be stuck bad because its unlikely water has got in it like going down the carb on a v8.

[sugarmaker]

Jim, Folks,
Yes side drivers glass in broken. Thanks for the tips on the engine. I have worked on another stuck engine in a tractor. So I do understand the drill. Good point about the carb and water. My guess is it is just some minor rust. Would be nice to bore scope it. Can you see into the cylinder through the spark plug hole?
You can tell I am a novice on these.
Regards,
Chris

[KDL]

That truck is a beauty just the way it is.

[jimTN]

I think you should be able to see in thru the spark plug holes and tell if there has been any water damage. Those are GM guide headlights. There is a lot that can be done with a trk like that when it comes to a good paint job for it and the bed. You are starting off with black fenders and a different color body which would be correct and then a follow on to the bed to make it stand out.

[sugarmaker]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Personally I like them restored. Maybe with a few changes like 16" wheels. Maybe. You can do some nice stuff with 17" and 16" combo. It's okay to be different. Granted being different now is to have a stockish vehicle.

Tinker,
I have no clue about 17 to 16 inch wheels for these? Care to expand or point me??
Stockish. Yes that has generally been my theme, with a few upgrades for functionality.At lest thats what I have done with the 3 tractors I have restored. Going to look at this truck again Tuesday morning. I will let you know the outcome.
Regards,
Chris

[sugarmaker]

Originally Posted by jimTN

I think you should be able to see in thru the spark plug holes and tell if there has been any water damage. Those are GM guide headlights. There is a lot that can be done with a trk like that when it comes to a good paint job for it and the bed. You are starting off with black fenders and a different color body which would be correct and then a follow on to the bed to make it stand out.

Thanks for the tip on the lights! So are there 32 headlights available??
Sorry for all the newbee questions.
Regards,
Chris

[Tinker]

Not for the big trucks. I was talking about the 1/2 ton models and pictures posted. I agree leave it alone and get all the mechanics up to par and drive it. Really nice looking truck. Dump bed is amazing.

[sugarmaker]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Not for the big trucks. I was talking about the 1/2 ton models and pictures posted. I agree leave it alone and get all the mechanics up to par and drive it. Really nice looking truck. Dump bed is amazing.

Tinker, Folks,
So another vote for leaving some of these alone and not modifying them much. Which puts us back on track with the theme of this thread.
I keep saying this is a GarWood dump bed, but some of the others I have seen are square or sharp in the sides of the bed corners. This one seems to be rounded? I wasn't able to get to the other side of the truck to see any markings or tags indicating dump box mfg. It is hydraulic lift. Would be kind of neat to see it raise and dump again someday.


Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day!
Regards,
Chris

[jimTN]

Trk lights show up from time to time on epay. Car lights are plated and truck lights are painted. I used 32 car lights on my 34 pu because they came with it and do look better than the trk lights.

[DavidG]

The commercial/big truck version of the headlamps show up from time to time or you could just paint a pair of passenger car housings as everything else is identical and the survival rate of passenger car headlamps seems very high as they show up for sale very frequently on ebay and elsewhere. Reproduction fabric wire conduits from the lamps to the radiator shell are available from Model A suppliers as they are carried over Model A parts.

[Old Redneck]

My little truck is a 1935 and It now has a 354 rear in gears. Mostly stock. I drive it a lot around town.

[sugarmaker]

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Jim,David, Old Redneck,
Thanks! That is a really sharp 35 pickup!
Regards,
Chris

[sugarmaker]

Back to the subject of this thread. My vote is to keep them very close to original, but with upgrades for safety and drivability that make good sense. I will be starting a thread and asking a lot of truck questions. Thanks to those that posted/ replied/ commented.
Regards,
Chris

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

I keep saying this is a GarWood dump bed, but some of the others I have seen are square or sharp in the sides of the bed corners. This one seems to be rounded? ,
Chris

Garwood made some nice boats. Same company?... Does it seem rounded to you? Nice truck and good plan!

[sugarmaker]

Tinker, Folks,
I did start a truck thread. Thanks to the OP for starting this.
The bed on the truck has a data plate and it is a Galion brand and the corners are round.




Regards,
Chris