Just got a '43 G8T

[RickWG]

.. & it needs "everything"












It'l be needing some carpentry....




& the engine is toast. Someone removed the plugs & hosed some MMO into the cylinders.. & then didn't put the plugs back in.. that was apparently 5 or more years ago..

[RickWG]

Any idea what this might be above the drivers door?

[RickWG]

Also need a clue on what it takes to upgrade to 12v electrics...?

[BillyClanton]

The 12 volt changeover would consist of a 12v generator, regulator, maybe a starter, all bulbs and probably a complete rewire. Nice truck. I like it. Keep us posted
Billy

[RickWG]

The wiring on this thing is junk, so a rewire would be on the *to do* list anyway..

Go with an alternator in place of the genny? & someone mentioned this is likely to be positive ground... swap it over to *conventional"?

[waayfast]

I'll throw this guess at your do-hicky above the drivers door: I remember some old trucks having a primative turn signal consisting of a mechanical arm mounted to a bracket on the left rear side of the cab (box/bed headboard).Maybe thats the "control handle" for it??

[Kerry Don Wood]

I can tell you what it use to be that is a Farmall throttle lever. As to what it does now no idea but would like to know.

[BillyClanton]

Are you gonna restore the truck? If you restore, I would go back with the 6 volt system, but a 12 volt system could work. I don't think it would be a positive ground, as every old Ford I have delt with all had negative ground. I would definitely go with neg. on a complete rewire.
An alt. system would probably be more efficient, but wouldn't be correct.
Billy

[RickWG]

I'm not *too* worried about 100% authenticity when it comes to the electrics & wouldn't have a problem modifying something.. so long as it could be put back to 100% authentic if I change my mind at some point in the future... If I wanted it to be a daily driver I'd jack up the cab & bed... then slide the entire running gear from an F350 crew cab dually diesel under it...but let's not go down that route...

At this point, so long as it looks original when the hood is closed then it's ok with me... but I'm not going to drop a 460/C6 combo in it.

I wasn't sure about the positive ground deal, someone mentioned it yesterday is all.

I do know for a fact that those horns bolted to the cylinder head are going to get moved, probably inside a fender because engines should be *seen* (when the hood is open )

[RickWG]

Saved! This was taken earlier today

[RickWG]

It's started....

Before....



After....



& Yes, I know that not the correct color. I was just experimenting...

[BillyClanton]

I always liked those trucks. Been looking for a 1938-41 to build up as a German version. The Ford Motor factory in Germany operated right up to 1945 and was never bombed. It was also one of the first factorys to re-open in the "new" Germany.
The last body style was the 1940-41 style. They never went to the style you have.
Stateside, that style was offered in 1942-48. 1946 was the first civilian model offered.
I think I'm right on this as its from memory
Billy

[clintm20]

Nice to see one of the WIX guys over here getting that old olive drab rolling iron fixed up. Best of luck on that project, looks very solid!

[Dodge207]

Rick,
A real nice truck. I see it has Calif plates on it and you appear to have found in wine country. Where did you find it at? I remember growing up in Nor Cal finding Trucks all over the ranches up and down the coast. Of course I never had the funding to buy any of them but they were fun to check out, most are now gone the way of the scarp-yards
Keep those pictures coming
Dan D.

[Captain Crank]

Hey Rick, you found a cool truck.

Welcome to the "G"