The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Bumper Question for 1940 on 1947 Chassis

My cab and front clip are 1940, the frame seems to be 1947.
(If someone knows how to identify the frame for sure, please let me know how. I believe that it is a 1947 based on the measurement of the outside width of the frame at the rear...about 46 3/16".)

I received the project with one bumper that I was told was for a '41 to '46, and one '42 to '48 Ford bumper.

If I could use 1940 bumpers and adapt them to brackets that would fit a 1947 frame, that would be ideal. But, if I need to go with 1947 (or other year) bumpers that would work with the frame/fender combination that I have, at least I would have something to protect the vehicle from poor parking techniques!

Thanks!
Nick

Nick - Below are extracts from the 1946 (Art Deco) Chevy frame specs (1st pic) and the 1947 (AD) frame specs (2nd pic). Not a ton of difference in the rear overall width with the '41-'46 being 46" wide over all and the '47 being 46-1/32" wide overall. Age "spread" could make your 46-3/16" either one. The big difference to help decide if an Art Deco or AD frame is the overall length. 1941-46 Art Deco 1/2 tons are listed as 171-7/8" overall, while the 1947 AD 1/2 ton is 173-1/8" overall. Not a significant difference, but enough I think to help you pin down which frame you have.

Since the 1939-40 Light Delivery 1/2 ton trucks used the same rear frame width of 46" as the 1941-46, I think you should be able to use a 1940 rear bumper with minimal modifications on your frame.

This is all based on my reading of the dimensions found in the GM Heritage Center Vehicle Information Kits. Others with more hands on experience will likely chime in with their thoughts and input soon.

Dan,

I had reviewed the dimensions that you included in your post a few times...very carefully...and then measured what I had...the best I could. And I couldn't come up with a definitive answer as to what year chassis I had.

As a result of seeing your post, I went at it again with a tape measure, framing square, level and masking tape to mark spots on the floor. I still couldn't get a measurement of the length of the frame that was conclusive. But, as I was determined to finally put this question to bed, I removed the hubcaps rather than trying to eyeball the center of the wheels and used a framing square to line up the center of the hubs with a mark on the floor. I have a 115" wheelbase.

Trying to figure out what frame I have has been complicated by finding more than one source on the Old Car Manuals site that shows the measurement across the rear of the frame to be 44 1/4". (See attached scan) I found that in manuals for 1941 and 1942-'46 shop manuals. I have heard that there are mistakes here and there in the documents, but this one seems to have tripped me up. (Perhaps I have been reading something incorrectly...I have been know to do that!)

I now believe that the 115" wheelbase is the factor I should depend on.

Again, thanks for your assistance!

Glad to provide what help I can and that you were able to get things remeasured and confirmed your wheel base measurement as 115". I have original copies of both those shop manuals and can confirm first that the text in those does not specify the wheel base length in either, while it does show for all other trucks 3/4 ton and up. Definitely odd! Also confirms both 1/2 ton truck frame Shop Manual drawings show the 44-1/2" rear frame width, which I think is an error (I agree they have made them).

Your remeasured 115" wheel base matches the 115" wheel base specifications for 1941, 1942 and 1946 1/2 ton's in the GM Heritage Center archive data files. All three of those documents also specify the rear frame width measurement to be 46" across the widest surfaces (not the 44-1/4" in the Shop Manuals). I think I trust the data in the Heritage files for accuracy more than the Shop Manuals, so I think you can safely say your frame is of the '41-'46 variety.

Anyhow, moving on, have you attempted fitting up a rear bumper to your frame?

FYI - I have a '46 frame and the width at the rear is 46" and my wheel base is 115".

Laying a tape on the rear of my '40 1/2 ton outside to outside is about 46 1/4"

Dennis