[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra in NEW THREAD: EARLIEST DND PATTERN TRUCK TYPES on 28 January 2002:

David,

I'm not (yet) convinced by your theory how the "C011WQF" came into being in the UK. Your picture indeed shows Cab 11 Ford with what looks like front-wheel drive axles. But from this picture I cannot tell if these are G.M. banjo of Ford split-type axles. Further, I concur with what Pete has said: G.M. axles under F15As must have been due to delivery problems during assembly of either vehicles or CKD-packs in Canada. (Note: later rebuilds of F15A and C15A trucks might have mixed up axle combinations even further.)
It is not easy to build 4x4 trucks when parts for 4x2 trucks are delivered. Of course a good deal of scrounging could turn out a couple of 4x4 trucks, but not without severely disrupting assembly of the other trucks. I seriously doubt if it was worth the trouble, if possible at all.

Here's what I can tell from my references: Ford Illustrated Spare Parts List F15-A 15 cwt-4x4 (SE. 114, Issued May, 1943) which "applies to the 15 Cwt. 4 x4 15A model designation C011WQ and C291WQ". Two pictures of the F15A are included, one of the "old design" and one of the "new design". The "old design" is a F15A with Cab 11 without radiator shell vents (just like the trucks in your picture) and 2A1 cargo body. The "new design" is an F15A with Cab 13 and 2C1 cargo body.

This manual states that "Ford design front axle C111WQF-3000-A2 and G.M. design rear axle C011WQ-4000 were used with the following motor serial numbers", followed by a list of only 43 numbers, all in the 2G-5...-F and 2G-6...F range.
This confirms the F15A was designated C011WQ and C291WQ, and a small number (43, to be precise) of F15As were fitted with a combination of Ford front and G.M. rear axles.

Part number *C011WQF 3000 B2 is a "G.M. pressed steel design " front axle. "When stock is depleted supply front axle kit" *C111WQ 3014, which is a "Kit - front axle complete to replace G.M. pressed steel axle in service with Ford cast axle". (Note: the use of an asterisk (*) before a part number indicates the part is peculiar to CMP vehicles.)
As Ford catered for a kit to replace G.M. front axles when they ran out of stock, it seems to confirm G.M. front axles were fitted in numbers and/or regularly. But the question remains how many, how often and when?

Regards,
Hanno

David,

As requested, further to the above, here are some parts numbers for axles and transfer cases:

Front axles:
*C111WQF-3000-B2: Axle - front assembly - complete. G.M. pressed steel design. With hubs, brakes, drums, spindle connecting rod and ends. 6.5- ratio. Has removable housing cover. When stock depleted supply front axle kit C111WQ-3014

*C111WQF-3000-A2: Axle - front assembly complete. Ford cast design axles can be identified as a two piece housing bolted together at center. Includes C01Q-3350-1-C2, 4-7/16" Rzeppa joints, hubs, brakes, drums, spindle connecting rod and ends - 6.5-1 ratio. When stock depleted supply C111WQF-3000-D2

*C111WQF-3000-D2: Axle - front assembly complete. Ford cast design axles can be identified as a two piece housing bolted together at center. Includes C11Q-3350-1-A2, 4-7/8" Rzeppa joints, hubs, brakes, drums, spindle connecting rod and ends (6.5-1 ratio). Used to serial #21565 with old design cab.

*C111WQF-3000-A2: Axle - front assembly complete. Ford cast design axles can be identified as a two piece housing bolted together at center. Includes C11Q-3350-1-A2, 4-7/8" Rzeppa joints, hubs, brakes, drums, spindle connecting rod and ends. 6.5-1 ratio. Used with C21QF-3590 and C21QF-3305 from serial #21566 with new design cab.

*C111WQ 3014: Kit - front axle complete to replace a G.M. pressed steel axle in service with Ford cast axle.

*C111WQ 3017: Kit - front axle less steering ends to replace a G.M. pressed steel axle in service with Ford cast axle.

Rear axles:
*C011WQ 4000: Axle-rear assembly with hubs, brakes and drums 6.5-1 ratio - G.M. pressed steel design can be identified as a one piece housing and removable housing cover. When stock depleted, supply Ford cast design axle kit C111WQ-4014

*C011WQ 4000A: Axle-rear assy. with hubs, brakes and drums (6.5-1 ratio) - Ford cast design axles can be identified as a two piece housing boted together at center.

*C011WQ 4000A: Axle-rear assy. with hubs, brakes and drums (6.5-1 ratio) (Ford cast design) Includes Thornton-Welles automatic locking differential (when specified)

*C011WQ 4014: Kit - rear axle - complete. Used to replace a G.M. pressed steel axle in service with a Ford cast type axle.

*C011WQ 4017: Kit - rear axle less hubs and drums. Used to replace a G.M. pressed steel axle in service with a Ford cast type axle.

Transfer case:
*C111WQ-7199, *C291WQ-7199-A, *C291WQ-7199-B and *C291WQ-7199-C: Case - transfer assembly. Used with 9.00 x 16 tyres, without PTO.

Hope this helps,
Hanno