Thread: 1940 Ford Pickup

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Navy, I've never done it, but seems to me that I read somewhere (likely on here....) that you set the body, mount the front clip and hood for the right fit at the cowl, then mount the fenders to match up with the hood? Bet Uncle Bob can offer some experience in the proper order to retain sanity.

Roger, I've seen it explained a few times on the HAMB as how you just described it.

More hood /front end work. Here's a couple pic's of the safety latch and hood plate/brace thingy.
I wanted to use the original safety latch because of its small size and its a 40 part.
Here's the results so far.

Looking good!

I don't envy you, Navy. I read through two different descriptions of the trials, tribulations and step-by step process of aligning the '40 front fenders and it's a chore, for sure!

Originally Posted by rspears

I don't envy you, Navy. I read through two different descriptions of the trials, tribulations and step-by step process of aligning the '40 front fenders and it's a chore, for sure!

Aligning the '37 is no cakewalk either!!!

I've had many rod builders tell me the 37-40 ford cars, and 39-42 ford trucks were nearly the hardest of any old vintage auto, to get the sheet metal fitting nice.

I read through three links on descriptions of the process, and the common thread in all of them is that you 1) align the hood with the cowl, paying attention to all the gaps, and measuring carefully to ensure that it's straight & centered; 2) align the hood to body lines, including the trim, as that's what draws the eye; and 3) then align the front fenders to the hood. One guy says that he doesn't even think about starting the hood/fenders until the door gaps are finished. I expect that a truck is a bit different from a coupe or sedan where that rear fenders are more fixed, and I've not done one before, but it seems to me that it would be pretty easy to get into a real tangle trying to align the hood to the fenders & grille, when there are so many parts of the hood alignment that are critical. Just my $0.02, and here's the links -

Street Rodder Tech Article - 1940 Ford Sheet Metal | The H.A.M.B.
1940 Ford Hood Alignment - The Ford Barn
https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/vi...=14&Topic=1512

Good luck on the process, I know you'll nail it eventually, and I'll not bother you again about the process.

THANKS for the inputs guys. I really need all the input I can get, sometimes a slap up side the head also works. Its a Nightmare for sure trying to get this right.

i leave the inner fenders loose when doing the early fords. the fender will bow quite a bit to match the hood. but like said the hood is first. cant move the cowl . like the 37 it can be a pia. 37 is worse because of the 3 piece hood .

Trying to make the hood fit the cowl 100% correct is nearly impossible. Had the hood off and on 6-7 times today. Had to elongate some of the hinge holes in the cab to get the hood down to the cowl, its still sitting a bit high. To mount the the fenders out of the way of the hood I'll have to change the mounting holes in the fender or running board in order to drop the rear of the fender about 1/4 to 3/8 inch and than rise the front about 3/4 inch. I just hate making holes bigger than they were originally intended. Theres sure to be more I need to learn .

Still working the front sheet metal an still scratching m head. I had a chance to get a Quick Change rear today. New with bearings, axles, seals retainers and the tags and book. Speedway list this rear at 3200.00 I got this out of a guys garage for 2k. Very happy, just slight surf rust on the tubes.

Very cool rear diff for the truck!

Nice quick change! From everything I've seen and heard on these early fords as far as sheet metal alignment, is basically there were no tight specs at the factory, at all. That's why some doors don't fit well on some bodies. We repainted a 39 Ford when I worked in a body shop years ago. When we got to fitting the front sheet metal, we welded a new inner lip on and then drilled new holes. We had to add some to the back of the hood to get the hood to meet the grill and for the hood to sit correct at the back near the cowl. It was a PITA, but I learned a lot, bled a lot too.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Nice quick change! From everything I've seen and heard on these early fords as far as sheet metal alignment, is basically there were no tight specs at the factory, at all. That's why some doors don't fit well on some bodies. We repainted a 39 Ford when I worked in a body shop years ago. When we got to fitting the front sheet metal, we welded a new inner lip on and then drilled new holes. We had to add some to the back of the hood to get the hood to meet the grill and for the hood to sit correct at the back near the cowl. It was a PITA, but I learned a lot, bled a lot too.

Yup it looks like the hood is going to need a little custom work to look good. Thanks for sharing your experience, I was beginning to think I had some really bad parts.