I've been going through the '40 to see just how much work is going to be needed to make it a driver. Someone put a pair of bucket seats in it at some point but fortunately the original seat frame and springs are in the bed so I can put that back in once it's reupholstered. Some of the cab floor panels have been replaced but some are needed, especially the where the rear of the cab mounts to the frame. I've attached photos of what they look like now. I've been trying to search for replacements but can't seem to locate them. Perhaps I'm using the wrong terms when I search. I've tried cab panels, cab floor panels, cab floor but I'm not finding anything. If anyone out there can help I'd appreciate it. I've also been looking for a pair of front fenders that are not fiberglass, and running boards that have the ridges in them. I've located the smooth ones and rubber mats that just about cover the entire board but I can't seem to find a source for boards with the ridges.
This is the part I'm looking at https://oldchevytrucks.com/fl304.html I just got off the phone with them asking about the upper grill part. Let's just say it was an interesting experience. It took almost 5 minutes before I was told they do not carry the upper part of the grill with the "Chevrolet" on it. I'm not sure I'm going to order parts from them.
Well now I have to apologize. Looks like this piece is only to cover in front of the seat. I called Classic to Current Fabrication who manufacturers the part. They said it is only the front part of the floor. According to them they can't find a rear floor panel in good enough shape to recreate it in their factory. I guess I'm going to make a trip to Shore Metals and pick up some steel and do some fabrication of my own. Seems strange that no one carries that part.
Joe, I'm glad you caught that because it is the same part that JC sells. It is going to take some sweat and tears to fab these floor corners but it can be done. It will be a lot easier if have the cab off the frame so you can have good access to the top and bottom at the same time. If you could find a cab with a decent floor in it you could do a transplant
This is what's in the front now, so I guess I'm going to need one of those parts anyway. My plans are rapidly turning to pulling it into the garage (my girlfriend has told me that she'd use the small garage giving me the 2 car garage for the work on the '40) and strip it down to the frame and go from there. I've already begun making a spread sheet of the parts I'm going to need and the prices at different suppliers. While I was originally leave the '53 235 in it and try and figure out what the rear end was I am now thinking about finding a 283 or 327 and seeing what it would cost to put in a Mustang II independent front suspension and a 4 link rear suspension. I don't know if I'd need to box the frame with the 283 or 327 so some research is in order. It looks like most of the parts I need are available except that rear floor, but how hard can it be to fabricate?
