The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Need info before buying a '40 3/4 ton...

Hi all,

Found a 1940 3/4 ton in a farmer's field that needs a box and a right front fender.

I need a box and rear fenders and a right front fender. Are parts for these 3/4 tons much harder to find? I would like to buy new or good used steel for these.

Thanks in advance!

(Also, is it possible to shorten the wheelbase to a half ton length since I would then get a shorter box?)Just new to the hobby and learning all I can, so please don't flame me if this is a really bad idea..

I don't have much experience with a 40, 3/4 but I doubt that the body is any different than that of a 1/2 ton.

My '40 GMC 1 ton is the same as a 3/4 ton except the rear springs and brakes I think. I think shortening the frame would be very difficult and not worth the effort. That longer box looks good on a big truck.

You can see some photos of mine here:
http://community.webshots.com/user/ndnchf

Steve

I have a 1940 3/4 ton and I wouldn't recommend cutting the frame down.

You'll have to keep and eye out on eBay for the fender, they come up now and then. The fenders are the same for all truck models of our year. You might check with Barry Weeks to see if he has any, he's in your neck of the woods.

The bed will be easy to find. You can check the different suppliers under the parts link. Or look on eBay, I see Lastrefugehotrod.com sells there all the time. I don't know if they make a long bed but you could call.

Welcome to the 40 gang. If you get a chance post some pictures.

Check mine out at:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[email protected]/album?.dir=/7c9a&.src=ph&.tok=phgyFVDBWRPxJTLI

Tobin- You could shorten your frame, it's not all that hard. In fact, if you go to the Gallery here and look at Jim Schmidt's '40 3/4-ton, he's doing the exact same thing. I just sent him a nice 1/2-ton box to put on his ex-3/4-ton. I'm less than 4 hours away from you and can sell you a '40 1/2-ton frame or even a whole complete parts truck if you decide to go that way. I also have some steel fenders, but we can't sell parts here in the regular forums, so you will have to go to the swap meet and check out my ads there or email me. The front fenders are the same for 1/2 and 3/4-tonners. Big trucks (1-1/2 tons) use different fenders with a larger wheel opening for the larger tires. Can tell the difference by the notch in the front of the fender for the bumper bracket. The notch on a PU fender is taller than it is wide, the big fenders have a wide, shallow notch.

Also, since you are from Madison, find Eric Amlie from this board. He lives in Madison and has '37 and '59 pickups and knows a ton about old Chev. trucks. Eric can point you in the right direction. And he's a nice guy to boot!

Tobin, if you like it, BUY IT!

This board is probably the most helpful and friendliest I have ever been to for anything vehicle related. I will be on the look out for Eric at the local show and shine to possibly pick his brain and see what I can learn from him. I think I saw his 59 there one day, but we will see.

I will likely also contact you too Barry by late summer/early fall of this year, to possibly take you up on that frame, fenders, etc. I can easily make the trip on a Saturday, if need be, but for now, I am awaiting my first born in the next 2 weeks, so I will be staying home for a while. By the way, I love your half ton, very similar to the dream I have in my head.

Thanks again for the tips and advice all, I think I may be more excited about this project than any of my previous ones. I have just submitted my info and pics on the truck to the gallery area, so if interested it should show up soon.

Thanks again all!
Tobin.

Tobin,

Yup. We just got your gallery submission today. Should have it up in a few days. Am still aiming for two a day until I'm caught up again.

Peg

Sorry for the late reply on this guys. I spent a long weekend at Road America last weekend for the vintage races, returned home to find the power supply on my home computer kaput, and have been very busy at work all week, on the road, and trying to get caught up. Haven't had a chance to visit the forums until just now. Tobin, I know some about the old trucks and will be glad to help out any way I can, but Barry has forgotton more than I will ever know and he is really your best resource. He also specializes in your vintage of truck. I also think you should grab the truck, but expect that parts will be hard to find. Almost all the old trucks have been gone from the salvage yards around here for years. They crushed them all to make room for more profitable later model cars. Good salvage yards are akin to good fishing spots. If you find one, you are hesitant to tell others about it. There may be some out there, but they are not easy to come by. Feel free to email directly at <[email protected]> with any questions. But as I said, Barry will really be your best resource.