The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Going to look at a '41.

I'm going to look at a '41 this afternoon. It's a 3/4 ton with no bed. It has never been restored but looks in decent shape in photos. I'm not very familiar with this model, what are the areas that are prone to rust? Is there anything else that I should pay particular attention to. I won't have a lot of time so I want to make sure I'm looking at the right things. Any help is always appreciated.

Jeff

Jeff,

I see you have a 46, so the rust areas are pretty much the same: beltline, lower rear wall/floor seam, front cab corners, door bottoms, and the header panel. The 41 has an expensive to replace pot metal frame for the rear window.

Good luck.

Paul

The Art Deco trucks do not suffer from rust quite as badly as the Advance Design trucks.

The most common places for rust to be found in an otherwise solid truck are:

Lowest extremity of the cowl (under the front fenders)
Door bottoms
Fender flange where it bolts to running boards
Running boards

Mice can be more destructive than than road salt in my experience, so look for rusted out interior panels, especially the header panel. I've even seen it where mice have rusted right though the cab outer wall from the inside, above the rear window.

The most expensive to get parts are the grill, fenders (especially rear), windshield frame, windshield crank-out mechanism, running boards, and headlight assemblies.

Rust can affect the cab corners and in a badly rusted cab, around the windshield, as well. Cab corners are not that bad to fix but serious rust that affects the windshield hinges and cowl vent can be problematic. Also, check out the windshield regulator, the crank mechanism that opens the windshield. To replace/repair that part can be difficult. Brake parts for a 3/4 ton can be more difficult to obtain but not a deal breaker. Other than that, I can't think of anything unique about the truck that is different than most other 70+ year old trucks.
Kent