Unmolested 40/41 1 Ton pickup?

[411Ton]

friends, I have what I believe is a pretty untouched 41 tonner. As you'd expect, the original owner, Pfister Feeds out of Colorado, did some things to the truck over the years. I am looking for someone who has a 40/41 tonner that is as original as one could expect, that I could ask for some pictures of specific areas to understand what I'm missing, or how something was originally built. I have devoured the 'net looking for photos, without luck, Appreciate any pointers!
Chris

[ford38v8]

Chris, jump on over to the EFV8CA website and go to their online store. For a mere $10, you’ll find a book “Two Great Trucks”. It might not answer all your questions, but is a good start.

[1952henry]

Pictures of your tonner, please.

[GB SISSON]

There is a member here that goes by 'expaver' who has done a beautiful restoration of a 40-41 Tonner Express. Hopefully he shows up. I have a '46 here and there are quite a few areas that are very similar. It is a solid driver, and not 'molested', but has been pieced together from 3 trucks. I would get some dimensions or pics if that helps. There is a '41 tonner express currently listed on Facebook Marketplace in Stanwood Wa. There are quite a few pics in the ad. It's quite rough, but straight off a ranch in Montana and appears original, except for the rear fenders cut back for unloading grain . Hate it when they do that. And yes, pictures please.

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

There is a member here that goes by 'expaver' who has done a beautiful restoration of a 40-41 Tonner Express. Hopefully he shows up. I have a '46 here and there are quite a few areas that are very similar. It is a solid driver, and not 'molested', but has been pieced together from 3 trucks. I would get some dimensions or pics if that helps. There is a '41 tonner express currently listed on Facebook Marketplace in Stanwood Wa. There are quite a few pics in the ad. It's quite rough, but straight off a ranch in Montana and appears original, except for the rear fenders cut back for unloading grain . Hate it when they do that. And yes, pictures please.

X2 on expaver's truck

[Fritz]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Chris, jump on over to the EFV8CA website and go to their online store. For a mere $10, you’ll find a book “Two Great Trucks”. It might not answer all your questions, but is a good start.

This is a great book, but it only covers 1/2 ton pickups.

[jimTN]

I have what is left of two of those. No beds. What do you want see?

[expavr]

Originally Posted by 411Ton

friends, I have what I believe is a pretty untouched 41 tonner. As you'd expect, the original owner, Pfister Feeds out of Colorado, did some things to the truck over the years. I am looking for someone who has a 40/41 tonner that is as original as one could expect, that I could ask for some pictures of specific areas to understand what I'm missing, or how something was originally built. I have devoured the 'net looking for photos, without luck, Appreciate any pointers!
Chris

Attached are photos of an unmolested 1940 Tonner as bought and as restored. Its been a while since I visited the photo archive of this restoration, but I have photos of the Tonner as it was being torn down and the restoration process that might be helpful. If I can help with specifics don't hesitate to ask.

[expavr]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

There is a member here that goes by 'expaver' who has done a beautiful restoration of a 40-41 Tonner Express. Hopefully he shows up. I have a '46 here and there are quite a few areas that are very similar. It is a solid driver, and not 'molested', but has been pieced together from 3 trucks. I would get some dimensions or pics if that helps. There is a '41 tonner express currently listed on Facebook Marketplace in Stanwood Wa. There are quite a few pics in the ad. It's quite rough, but straight off a ranch in Montana and appears original, except for the rear fenders cut back for unloading grain . Hate it when they do that. And yes, pictures please.

Gary - Thanks for your thoughts on the Tonner. One of these days I hope to get up to Orcas and visit the famous Jailbar Ranch. Les Williams

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by expavr

Gary - Thanks for your thoughts on the Tonner. One of these days I hope to get up to Orcas and visit the famous Jailbar Ranch. Les Williams

Would love to see you Les!

[mercman from oz]

Before & After shots of expavr's 1940 Ford Tonner. Very Nice

[Mart]

Originally Posted by 411Ton

friends, I have what I believe is a pretty untouched 41 tonner. As you'd expect, the original owner, Pfister Feeds out of Colorado, did some things to the truck over the years. I am looking for someone who has a 40/41 tonner that is as original as one could expect, that I could ask for some pictures of specific areas to understand what I'm missing, or how something was originally built. I have devoured the 'net looking for photos, without luck, Appreciate any pointers!
Chris

Hello Chris. It might help if you were able to post pictures of the areas you are unsure about. Then people can comment or know where to take a pic of their truck.
Mart.

[mercman from oz]

Notice the flush sides on the Australian 1940 Ford Tonner.

[expavr]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Notice the flush sides on the Australian 1940 Ford Tonner.

Mercman - Interesting truck! I wonder if that Tonner was sold as a chassis including the frame, drivetrain, front fenders and cowl with the driver’s compartment and bed being installed by an aftermarket supplier? The 1940 Ford Salesman Manual shows the availability of that configuration, but only for the 134” wheelbase and larger trucks. I can’t make out what the writing on the door says, but that might offer a clue as to its use.

[38 coupe]

Australia, like many countries, had laws on vehicles sold in country requiring locally built parts. This typically resulted in locally built bodies on commercial vehicles, as seen above. Usually these locally built bodies share few to no parts with vehicles built outside their home country.


At the risk of drifting the conversation, that Australian truck is interesting. It has the newer front sheet metal, but the older 38-39 three ribs on the belt line of the doors, and the three ribs are continued down the side. Is this made from a cut down tonner panel truck with later hood and grill swapped on?

[52flthed]

Expavr. that is one beautiful truck! . I like the Hall back up lamp you have. Is that the one that says FORD on it? What did you use as a switch for it? I have two of those on my bumper as well. Show us some pictures of your dash if you can please? What other accessories do you have on the truck?

[mercman from oz]

Illustrations in the Australian 1940 Ford V8 Trucks Book

[mercman from oz]

Another Illustration from the Australian 1940 Ford V8 Light Trucks Book

[GB SISSON]

Mercman, are the trucks in post 18 a 3/4 ton variant? The hubcaps are smaller like maybe a wide 5 type wheel.

[mercman from oz]

Close-up shot of 1940 Open Cab Light Truck
I would have taken this photo over 50 years ago.
Unfortunately, I have never sighted this open top Light Truck since that time.