fireguyfire

As I go through my Neely acquired 1940 1/2 ton I find things that are missing as I go, and questions come up. would a 1940 1/2 ton have had an interior done light of some sort? There’s nothing there now but I’m thinking it may if had one originally. And second question; being a 1/2 ton my truck has steel rims with dog dish caps. What tire size would my truck have had on it from the factory, and what size are you guys running on your trucks? id like to keep it da Tory looking which I’m guessing would have been narrow and tall?

Thanks as always gents

So the rear window isn’t a formed gasket, but seal tape that goes on each side?

My new gasket set arrived for my 1940 1/2 ton and I’m prepping up to install the rear window. Are there any good tips or tricks a guy should know before I get after it?

I have a question regarding flathead interchangability. The original flathead engine in my newly acquired 1940 1/2 ton is seized and hasn’t run in years. I’ve got the head off and am soaking the cylinders, however the bores look pitted as well as some of the valves, so I’m not optimistic that I will be able to bring it back to life. I have a 58 and a 59 parts truck sitting in my pasture for a 58 Fargo Sweptside I am restoring. Both have decent shape flathead engines in them. I was told that any dodge flathead engine should bolt right in to my 40, and are interchangeable; I’m curious if this is true? I would much prefer to run the factory correct engine, but if the flatheads do interchange, using one out of my parts truck would be a good plan B. can anyone enlighten me on this subject? The 40 is a Canadian dodge, and both parts trucks are Fargos, so my understanding is that as long as the cylinder heads are the same length you should be good to go.

The long wire (speaker I’m guessing?) had been fished up the A pillar to the drivers side wiper opening.

I don’t have the control head. pulled it out and it’s a Studebaker radio. I’ll post up a photo of the tag

It has this cool antenna on the side which I’m definitely keeping.

I’ve restored lots of wiring harnesses and systems in 60’s and 70’s Mopars; just hand built a factory harness for my 70 300 convertible someone had butchered. I don’t have as much experience with cloth covered systems, other than in my 49 Ford 8n tractor. I was 100% sure it was a radio as well when you see vacuum tubes, but I sent the same photo to a guy I get parts from who has a few of these laying in his yard and he said he thought it was a fuse panel out of something else of the era; I’ve never heard of vacuum fuses in a vehicle, but thought he would know better than I do. Now I can give him the gears! Thanks for the intel and I’ll pull it out and throw it away. My plan is to keep the truck as a survivor so I’m guessing I will stick with the factory 6 volt system. Im awaiting a FSM I ordered online and will read up on the system when it arrives. I see you can buy modern wiring with the cloth insulation over that which sounds like the way to go

Getting to know my newly acquired 1940 1/2 ton, and cleaning things up in preparation for repairing everything to make it a runner again. The wiring harness is toast, and it has a really large and weird fuse panel. I’m assuming this is not the original panel?

Thanks gents!

Cheers!

My apologies; I didn’t see a parts wanted section. mod can take down my post if I’ve crossed any lines.

I’m on the hunt for a 1940 dodge truck hood ornament for my survivor 1/2 ton I just picked up. if anyone out there has got one, or knows where one is I’d appreciate the lead! Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks for the pictures gents. Another question; would these trucks have had rubber floor covers originally?

So it is a 2 piece floorboard? that makes sense to access just the battery

I was told that the 1940 was plywood as well, but I don’t know that for sure. im waiting for a FSM to arrive and hopefully it shows I. Tgere

The floor board in my 1840 dodge 1/2 ton is missing; I’ve been told that it would have been plywood? can you guys/gals confirm that the panel would have been plywood, and if so what type and thickness of plywood should a guy use to remake the panel? Does anyone have a template of the panel for the cut out for the shifter? And was the plywood panel originally painted?

Thanks guys. if anyone has a parts truck out there, I will be needing a few things like control cables and switches for the bottom middle of the dash, and the removable floor plate; the shifter top was behind the seat, so I’m assuming someone removed the floor plate and then the shifter to take a look at something, and then never got back to it. im also needing a rear bumper.

A couple of more questions regarding this 1940 that I have as I give her a clean up. what colour were the steel rims originally? On searching I see black, but I also see body colour. And searching old photos, I notice that some trucks have black fenders and step ups, while others (like mine) were clearly body colour. was this a paint option?

D so it took some time to convince the owner to sell, but I secured the purchase of this truck today, and I am thrilled to get it! so I will be needing a 1940 hood ornament if anyone has a line on one. I’m also curious as to what type of hub caps this truck would have had when new. It’s a 1/2 ton and gas the basic steel wheels, and I’m guessing it would have had dog dish hubcaps? if so, would they have said “Dodge” and what type of font? (I’ve seen a few different styles of dodge truck dog dish over the years). just want to know what would be correct so I can start my hunt for 4 of them as well.

That’s great advice. Are just the drums available out there?

I’m in the middle of restoring my Uber rare 1958 Fargo Sweptside truck and have the rolling chassis and power train just about done. my question is regarding the front brakes. I have the original front tapered hub/front drum combo from the factory I believe on both front brakes. They have been turned in the past and would be out of spec if I was to turn them again, so I would like to replace them with new. unfortunately I have had zero luck trying to source new ones through my local parts suppliers. I am in western Canada; can anyone out there help me source some new from hubs/brake drums for a 58 1/2 ton? I was also wondering if a guy could grind the rivers holding the tapered hub to the drum, and then just replace the drum part of the assembly; if so, how would a guy go about connecting the old hub to a new drum? Any help with these front drums would be appreciated!

Just a quick update on this truck; I keep chatting with the owner and I think I am getting very close to owning this truck. Ive also learned a couple of more good details; he has the tailgate for it and it’s in good shape, as well as a windshield visor that came on it. The truck also has the original engine and transmission in it, but I’m guessing the engine is badly stuck as there is no carb on it and a lot of the bolt on pieces are missing. he removed the tailgate and sun visor years ago after the hood ornament was stolen and he was worried about them disappearing as well. can anyone post a photo of what the correct hood ornament would be fir a 1940 half ton? I believe someone stated they were a 1 year only ornament. Im going to need to track one down when I (hopefully) get this truck.