Bought this 1939 Ford Cab at Hershey this year, nice solid one from South Dakota. It is the start of a pickup project, I've collected a few parts, but I want to focus on getting the cab dent free and in primer fist. It is really nice to have something that still has original paint on it and hardware that just comes apart easily with an overnight soaking in Kroil. Late 1930's stuff is new to me had A's & T's for over 50 years, can't believe how much heavier a '39 cab is compared to a Model A or '32. Drivers door isn't from this cab originally and has an old repair in lead, hope to replace it with one as nice as the one on the passenger side. Funny how a new project gets all the attention. Bob
looks like your filler is wrong . mine is a 38 but never seen a filler that low on these models good luck ,love mine
Yes, this was a Big Truck with the tank under the seat. It had grab handles attached to the underside of the roof so farm workers could stand on the running boards during harvest time. As I was removing them I was thinking of the life this truck must have had all during World War II on a farm in South Dakota.
Bob, please don't put this in yer basement, it'll never see the light of day again.... Just messing with you buddy, great score. Every man needs a truck.
This cab will live in the garage, basement is full. It was the one thing I was looking for at Hershey, and as far as I know the only 38-39 cab there. It is a lot of fun educating myself on a vehicle I really don't know much about. Got a Bob Drake catalog, and a Carpenters is on its way, guess there are a few other suppliers I'll need to get catalogs from
northernclassictrucks in Oregon have a lot of parts for these and prices were fair when I got my stuff
Joe's Antique Auto in MA. Good guy to deal with, fair prices and shipping. IMO www.joesantiqueauto.com
Got the remains of the fender brackets cut off, lot safer to walk around now. It is on a roller too so I can move it around and keep sanding off the rust. Love that South Dakota rust, still on my first sheet of 80 grit.
Yes, he had it at Hershey. My camera crapped out and I never got to take a photo of it on his trailer with the other stuff. Bob
Cool.....kinda what I want to do....are we stupid or what ? I'm starting with a frame - my choice - a 1939 3/4 ton frame I'm pretty sure.....?
I have a 39 that I have driven every day for 17 years. They are small inside so dont chop or channel it. This picture was the day I pulled doubles for 300 miles. Show the dash so we can see if its a 38 or 39
Some of the missing bits, windshield and hinges with adjuster, garnish moldings, dash top, and glove box door. Bob
That is an Arvin unit, never seen another with the chrome trim, it's a keeper. Did some more sanding tonight, I'll be bumping out roof dents this time next month.
Before and after, underside of the cowl vent, that 77 year old paint looks a lot better after a half hour with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. Bob
I have running boards and front fender brackets left over from a build I did a few years ago if you need them.
Just so you will know The knob to open the windshield points to the rear of the truck in 1938. It points up in 1939
The Roadster and Steelback are still here and I still plan to finish them, but the '39 cab just needed to be saved, I've had the plan in the back of my head for some time now. Just won a NOS door latch on that auction site, and covered the cost with the sale of a very old bamboo fishing rod that belonged to my uncle. Not something I'd ever use, and I get to think of him every time I open that cab door now. He went through hell in the Pacific in WWII. Bob
In addition to the difference in the windshield regulator and upper dash panel, some of the little differences between '38 and '39 cabs: '38 has a square hole in the center of the dash for the ash tray. '39 ashtray is a add-on option that clamps to the bottom lip of the dash. '38 inside door panels are the same laminated fiber board material as the headliner and kick panels; '39 has a stamped sheet metal inside door panel--your truck appears to have one '39 door and one '38 door. For your missing glove box door, '38-'39 truck glove box door is the same as '37 Standard car, and '37 Deluxe car will fit if you want the chrome trim and the cutout for the clock. The '37 Standard glove box door is woodgrained finish to match the dash, on trucks the dash and glove box door are painted body color, but it's the same part, as the one on my '38 came off a '37 Standard car. The trucks have a black plastic handle on the glove box door, it's a chromed pot metal piece on the cars. '37-'39 closed car and truck (except cabover) windshield frames all interchange. '37-'38 car and truck windshield regulators are the same, and '39 regulator is '39 only but fits cars and trucks.
Thanks! All that info is great to have, my cab was stripped of all the interior items along with the windshield inner garnish moldings. I'm still very happy with the condition and price I paid, just know that a good windshield will be the most costly item to add to the parts pile. Bob
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