1936 Ford pickup restoration

[30A]

I recently purchased a 1936 pickup...mostly original. Frame off restoration is in progress. I am struggling with being correct but considering powder coating the frame versus paint. Concourse standards are appealing but want to be able to drive the truck and enjoy it. Powder coat or paint?

Also, original metal bed has little or no rust and plan to keep it. I assume that is the best direction since it seems most don't survive. I need to replace the wood sub floor but want to reinstall the metal bed. I see a lot of wood beds and wondering if keeping the metal bed the best direction?

Your input is appreciated.

Thx sw

[Scott H]

Was that one on Ebay a couple weeks ago? looks like a nice truck...welcome to the '36 pickup brotherhood!

[Lawson Cox]

If you haven't gotten into it too much, I would drive it just as is. It will get more attention if original.

I would paint the frame if it were mine. Powder coating fills up holes that will have to be individaully filed to remove excess powdr coating before you can get bolts to go through them.

Keep the metal bed and floor. I would assume the wood under the bed is good, based on looking at the one picture of the truck. Sand the wood sub bloor to freshen it up if you want to. It was not painted originally.

[Charlie ny]

30A,
I recently 'restored' my '41 1/2 ton which should have a metal
floor. When I purchased the truck it had a wood floor with stainless steel
strips ( done by the previous owner )
It also had a '40 tail gate which was the last year for the embossed V8.
I salvaged the oak bed boards and planed them flat, the stainless strips
were sand blasted and powder coated black. I soaked the boards with
linseed oil as the only finish. Once finished the bed looked business like
and is super durable. The linseed finish sheds water like a ducks back
I use the truck hard and actually haul goods in it....no dents, no chipped
paint, no maintenance at all. Yep I kept the '40 tail gate too.
Build it to make you happy not some well meaning judge.
Charlie ny

[Steel 35]

I too would use paint over powder and I really like my steel bed...... keep the pictures coming

[totto]

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I agree with Lawson, I restored '34 pickup and had to replace the wood sub-floor and metal floor(got the parts from Mack's in MO). My sub-floor was tongue-n-grove maple and was stained black. If your metal floor is as good as the rest of body, then don't do a thing. I painted with acrylic enamel. Photo of my truck is on the " '32-'38 pickup social group" on this web site.

[TJ]

Sandblast the frame and then paint it with POR 15. It is as good as powder coating and a lot cheaper. You can brush it on and it flows good and looks like it was sprayed. One quart will usually do the frame.

[flat-v8]

I still have that truck's pictures saved on Ebay, that is a rare original truck from Forney TX. Even the rear fenders have no cracks!

[Mike in AZ]

cool looking the way it is.....good luck with the restoration.....Mike

[flat-v8]

I'm currently working on my bed, the original steel is still pretty good, but I had rotten wood in one corner. I'm sure yours is in way better condition underneath, but this is how I fixed my wood rot, fast and for free!

[30A]

Thanks for the input! Yes, the truck came from Forney and originally from Nebraska. I purchased it after the guy who won the ebay auction flaked out. I have been most impressed with the lack of rust. It was tempting to leave it original and drive like it is but thought the grey primer is not original so here I go with a restoration.

Some wood rot about like flat-V8's photo and seems an interesting solution since I really don't want to remove the rivets - can the rivets can be duplicated?

Is POR 15 a long term solution for the frame? I assume leaf springs etc can be left in place with this treatment? I am going to power wash the frame and see what the existing paint looks like. I have a guy available to sand blast it.

Anyone know of a quality body shop/painter in Houston area? Some minor metal work is needed.

I am having hard time attaching more pics. Maybe the files are too large?

Thanks for the welcome to the brotherhood! I am hooked.

[31chevy]

I agree with TJ, you can also por 15 the wood it will actually strengthen it. Just remember it likes a rough sandblasted or rusty surface not shiney chrome etc.
Gary.

[Roadster5040]

That is a nice truck Steve

[36tbird]

Maybe they have changed the formula but my experience with POR 15 is that it does not stick well to clean metal. I would talk to their tech people about it.

I would blast the frame and shoot it with self etching primer. Put your color coat over the primer.

[Fe26]

Congratulations on winning this fine pickup.

Lawson is right on the money, too often we see over restored vehicles. And while the sentiment is understandable that a new owner wants to do the vehicle justice and gain pride and kudos for himself, the fact remains; the vehicle is only original once.

I sympathise with your situation, someone has already been at the paint. And while it is understandable that this could be regarded as a valid reason as or for a departure point in moving toward a restoration, it could also be seen as a reason to pause, to take some time to research and to understand what you have, to assess what options you have available and to inform yourself about the many options you have available to you. In this regard I too urge caution.

To illustrate my point I will mention an experience many of us have witnessed: At so many car shows, club get togethers, breakfasts, barbecues etc.

We have literally dropped everything (food, beverages, conversations with good lookin' women, closing a deal on a rare car or part) and with all undue haste have beaten a path to the guy and his original barn-find car that has just driven (under it's own power) or been trailored into the area. In doing so we barely cast a glance (while we rush past) the restored vehicles on display. Why?

We know that the restored vehicle will come again and again and again. But what we hope, is that we will once again get to experience what our cars once were, not what they have now become. To experience the innocence of that less complicated time again is precious. Then our rational minds take over and we want to use this amazing vehicle for reference purposes, we want to understand the factory codes and their variations, we want to touch and feel and understand, and we want to feel like the first owner felt as he drove his new vehicle home in the darkest of dark Depression days. We want to feel his pride as he showed off his pride and joy to his family, friends and neighbours. And such experiences are becoming more rare each day, week and year. In the world we now live in we crave the genuine and the original.

And many of us fear is that someone with a bigger thirst than ours will eye off that original specimen, and declaim: Yep, I'm puttin' this one in my collection (and we know we may never see this one again) or, he may say, I'm gonna restore this to better than new, and our hearts sink, for what we have missed, and for what he never knew.

That the original is genuine (and genuine is often faked, and why do people need to do that?). And once the genuine has gone it can never be replaced (only with a fake). And what would any of us rather have?

There is a place for the restored vehicle, and without such vehicles our club EFV8CA would not exist. From such wealth of experiences we can can now reflect on the approaches taken in the interpretation and the restorations of many fine vehicles over many decades. This wealth and depth of knowledge now allows us to assess in new ways what these vehicles are, and how they may be interpreted in new ways. And in this endeavour we enhance our understanding and our knowledge.

To reiterate; your truck is only original once, and while the paint has been covered or obliterated this may not necessarily be the reason for restoration. Twice I have removed a crude topcoat of paint from cars by means of Sandsoap and elbow grease, to discover the remains of the original paint. I feel the old and original largely intact, although worn through in some places and cracked in others, was preferrable to the brushed on job I removed. And to turn the tables on myself, one of the cars was Bambalina Blue (a colour I do not like).

But before you proceed with energy and gusto, please take a moment to consider, and to inform yourself of your options before you make the decision (which is entirely yours) to either preserve or restore your prize.

[36Bill]

Nice truck.
My truck shows it's years with an old and not well done repaint, farm fixes, and rust here and there but I like it. When I take it out and people stop and talk and they always do, I ask them if they would cherry it out. It is about half and half, so the jury is still out. For them but not for me, I will make it safer and more reliable if I can and leave the rest for another day. It is far easier that way.

Bill

[Brendan]

mine is a old junker, i drive it when ever i can and it is a blast!

[Fe26]

Originally Posted by Brendan

mine is a old junker, i drive it when ever i can and it is a blast!

With the warmest feelings towards your '36' Brendan, I say;

You call this junk, I call this treasure.

[Fe26]

Originally Posted by 36Bill

Nice truck.
My truck shows it's years with an old and not well done repaint, farm fixes, and rust here and there but I like it. When I take it out and people stop and talk and they always do, I ask them if they would cherry it out. It is about half and half, so the jury is still out. For them but not for me, I will make it safer and more reliable if I can and leave the rest for another day. It is far easier that way.

Bill

These old and mostly original trucks are each induvidual in their own way, they, like us, either age well or grow old disgracfully, lol.

[Shadetree]

I have to agree with Lawson and the others. I get more attention at car shows with my old raggedy `35 Cabriolet than any restored car I have shown. It is unbelievable the attention it gets. I think everyone can relate to it and believe they can buy it. Then too, some think I just fell off the tater wagon in town.

I have had people tell me they would rather have this Ford than any other car at the show.




I snapped this picture at the first time I showed it in early 2007. It is not staged. I bought it in September 2006 where it had sat in dry storage for over 35 years. I had the engine rebuilt, put new tires on it, re-wired it, replaced the gas tank, had new dual Smitty’s installed and hit the road with it. It ran and sounded great! I have not touched the body or paint. Every winter I try to improve something on it.


It would be a great car to restore but why? I don’t believe it would get the attention it gets now...

[Fe26]

Shadetree, that car is a credit to you and you to it, thank you for sharing your photo and story.

[Shadetree]

Fe26,
Maybe a little overkill on my part. But to each his own. It looks like you have a nice clean, straight pickup that runs and drives. Trust me, you will get lots of offers and offers of trade as you drive it.

I put a sign on my old Ford at a car show. PLEASE TOUCH! You wouldn't believe the people that did want to touch it.

[Hoop]

Ditto what Shadetree said about touching.

Used my unrestored '35 as a service vehicle for years at the Amelia Island Concours ... notice the little guy in the photo below ... turquoise shirt and cap right above the right head light ... zeroed in on the truck.


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Lots of "don't touch" from Dad that day ... except one.



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[30A]

Thanks for all the input and pics and a well written piece by Fe26. I have a Model T with original paint etc and nothing compares to the original patina.

It sounds like I should cancel plans for a 350 crate motor in the truck...JUST KIDDING!!!

[Blueline]

Recently purchased a 1936 ford pickup in Tampa FL.
The drive train was completely restored, but the bed needs to be installed and the interior needs to completed.
Does anyone have any illustrations on putting the bed on and the positioning of the wood pieces.
I can’t find any restoration guides on completing the trucks.
I would sincerely appreciate any guidance or direction to any manuals.
I will add some pictures soon.
Thanks
Pat Roberts
954-850-6797
West Palm Beach FL.

[Clem Clement]

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My council is to leave it untouched for at least a year. Fix the safety items first (Brakes/tires/lighting, steering. Then drive her and listen to her. She will tell her what she needs.

Trucks are working vehicles. A dent or two, and crack or wrinkle are badges of courage. I love a perfectly restored truck, but for my retired dollar, let me at a work truck. "Uncle Raeman" is a loose collection of 3 trucks, a ton of coat hangers for patching metal, and many a junk yard raid. I'm still happily working on him. Adding a '38 dump truck shroud is in progress.
Please don't be upset with me.

[nelsb01]

Blueline;
The holes in the frame rails determine how the bed is mounted. The wood blocks are at the rear cross member. There are 4 bolts per side.
There has been a previous discussion on the rear bed blocks -- do a search of this forum.
Recommend that you do not have the gas tank filler attached when placing the box on the frame. Also, having the panels that go on both sides above the running boards installed is required, as they are very difficult to add once the bed is in place.
There are web pads that go between bed supports and frame. These are easy to make or available from many suppliers.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by 30A

Thanks for all the input and pics and a well written piece by Fe26. I have a Model T with original paint etc and nothing compares to the original patina.

It sounds like I should cancel plans for a 350 crate motor in the truck...JUST KIDDING!!!

I'd love to own a truck like yours, and make no mistake, it would stay exactly like you found yours except for making it mechanically sound and safe to drive.

[bpaupst]

Hi all, I am working on building a 1936 ford pickup and would love to see any resto progress pics and info on them. Im having a lot of trouble finding it all. Any one able to help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Also, any way to tell the difference between the passenger truck and the 1 1/2 ton pickup?

[bpaupst]

Hi all, I am working on building a 1936 ford pickup and would love to see any resto progress pics and info on them. Im having a lot of trouble finding it all. Any one able to help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Also, any way to tell the difference between the passenger truck and the 1 1/2 ton pickup?

[Vanspeed]

My ‘35 pickup was built to keep it looking old. I had to sell it before finishing it but the reaction it had to people was unreal. I vote for leaving as much alone as possible. Can you remove the primer? I have seen cars that were covered in primer that was carefully removed to reveal an honest old patina’d paint job underneath that is impossible to replicate.

[Adam/Mill Valley CA]

I firmly believe pickups should be working trucks:


1100 lbs of riprap
1/2 ton truck
1 willing wife


No problem!


PS-no whitewalls


Adam

[Jeff/Illinois]

Adam....ouch brother!!

Get a new F-150 don't hurt that '36 you never know I may be buying it one day

Just kidding, nice truck always loved the 'look' of your truck!! It just sits right.

Jeff

[Adam/Mill Valley CA]

Jeff, it has a nice thick rubber mats protecting the bed floor and sides, but I don't like to baby it-plenty of nicks and scratches. How's your '35?
Adam

[Talkwrench]

Yup you can use them too..

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Adam/Mill Valley CA

Jeff, it has a nice thick rubber mats protecting the bed floor and sides, but I don't like to baby it-plenty of nicks and scratches. How's your '35?
Adam

Doing well, right now it's too hot in NW Illinois to drive it much, waiting for cooler days

I have the dist. out right now being gone thru, seems like the condensor shorted out and fried the points at least that is what I came down to with my Fluke meter. I was coming home from a neighboring farm town a few weeks ago and it slowly sputtered out and lost power. I had to get flat-bedded home, no big deal and I was only about 4 miles away.

Great little truck they are a blast to drive! The sound of a Flathead Ford is pretty unique.

We had a '37 Ford PU that I used to haul stuff in, and I had put a heavy rubber mat down in it too. One day I was hauling home some bags of Redi-mix. I had the truck loaded a bit too much, a guy drove up beside me and hollered 'Your tire is smoking' The truck's fender was rubbing on the left rear tire! I was more careful after that.

Take care

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Talkwrench

Yup you can use them too..

Neat!! Looking good!

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Vanspeed

My ‘35 pickup was built to keep it looking old. I had to sell it before finishing it but the reaction it had to people was unreal. I vote for leaving as much alone as possible. Can you remove the primer? I have seen cars that were covered in primer that was carefully removed to reveal an honest old patina’d paint job underneath that is impossible to replicate.

I remember your truck. It was really sharp!! I only wish I had been the one who bought it. Hope they kept it original and didn't chop it up.