VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Personalized Modifications Just a mess!

Brand new member here. My wife says I have an incurable sickness. I love vintage cars, but with 4 kids and the only income I buy whatever I can under a thousand bucks...lol. just got done with a 1951 ford custom(shoebox) that I drug out of a farmers field. Anyway I just purchased a pre-war pickup. I was told that it was a 1939 Chevrolet sitting on a 1949 frame and it's titled as a 1940. Don't know if any of this is a fact. The box and tailgate is in perfect condition. The cab is rough...in the usual places. I am a from a ford family and don't have much experience with the chevys. Don't really know where to start, it needs a motor and tranny...should I go 350? Best place for sheetmetal and other parts? Is everyone running fiberglass fenders front and rear? Any direction, wisdom and advice is greatly appreciated.

I'll move this to the Personalized Modifications forum for you.

Welcome to Chat.
The 1939 and 1940 Chevy pickups were the only ones to feature the word Chevrolet in "cursive" on the tailgate. The 1939 bed is 45 inches wide and the 1940 bed is 48 inches wide so different tailgates. Different rear fenders also. The 1940 (through 1946) fenders were narrower to make the overall width the same after the bed was widened. 1939 and 1940 use the same front fenders and running boards. The 1941/46 running boards are a bit longer at the front tip but otherwise the same. If you are planning a modern drivetrain, as opposed to a restoration to original, fiberglass fenders would be a good choice.

More differences between 1939 and 1940 Chevy trucks:

1939 has narrow top grille moulding (nameplate) and 17 grille bars. 1940 has a wider nameplate and 16 grille bars
1939 has a flat dash with 3 round gauge openings. 1940 has the round or "waterfall" dash with a rectangular instrument cluster.
1939 has bulb style headlamps and an oval tail lamp. 1940 has sealed beam headlamps, separate park lamps on the front fenders, and a rectangular tail lamp.
Good luck with your project.

Mike

What is your goal with this truck? It sounds like it may already be mutt of different years. If you are looking to make it a driver on the cheep and do not yet have a drive train you might want to look at the cost of mounting the cab and box on an s10 frame. I have seen a few done this way. Some just use the s10 drivetrain also.

Post some pics so we can see what you have,a 235 and a T-5 trans will move that truck down the road just fine and can be bolted in with minimal modifications and be able to cruise the highways. I have that engine and trans in my 37 and love it but if I could ever find a 425 Buick nailhead with the two 4 bbl carbs it just might get a V8,no 350s or LS for me.

Check out EMS Automotive in Detroit. You should be able to find them via Google.
They specialize in original sheet metal repair panels for early Chevy and Fords, so you should be able to find patch panels for your 40 Chevy cab. Not cheap though, but if you want it done right, spend the $$ vs bondo.
I have bought many panels from them for my 51 Chevy and they are good quality original stampings that fit and look great.

For used parts, check out Old Car Parts in Portland, OR. They specialize in antique used parts.



Good luck. Also, check out the Filling Station and Chevs of the Forties for good truck repo parts.

Ok...sorry for the long break in posts. I have determined that I have a 1940 Chevrolet cab, bed and front clip. I am not sure how to identify the frame but not sure that it really matters. I have done some homework and am currently making decisions. As far as metal goes the real thing I am having trouble finding is the radiator shell...more exactly the sheetmetal that the headlights mount to. Not really sure what they are called...but can't find replacements anywhere. I will try and post pictures asap.

You can always buy repro parts from suppliers like James Carter Trucks, Filling Station, etc, though you will pay more than for used originals. Many of the early trucks shared front clip items with same year cars, so that may be another source.If you decide to build a resto-mod, the previous suggestion using an S-10 frame and powertrain is a good one. Good luck

vintage addict... Right now on parts for sale here is a 1958 235 ci engine and 4 speed tranny... that would bolt right into your truck... for only $600..... go for it... and have it running soon... link below:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php...ual-4-speed-transmission.html#Post487552

And it is in Rockford, IL! Less than a 5 hour easy drive from Ankeny! I-80 east to I-88 and up I-39 north to Rockford.