Identification of F15 2WD?

[Ganmain Tony]

G'day all

Wondering if David Hayward & others of vast knowledge can expand on this trucks Id plates.

Does "VAN" mean that this truck had a van back (such as a wireless van?) or is it just co-incidence, and the letters signify something else and just happen to spell van?

[Keith Webb]

Don't get too excited Tony. It was a common import here and in this case was based on the Canadian 2C1 body.

[Ganmain Tony]

Thanks Keith for the quick reply,

Wasn't excited as in jumping up and down, clapping my hands together and making odd noises.

Have you got any pictures of the Canadian back it had on it?

In this instance - common is good. Means I might have a shot at finding a back for it (or making one).

Ive already got the rare one....

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Hi Tony,

A "Van" is the GS body with hoops and a tilt as opposed to just a canvas cover over the GS body. See attached pic courtesy of Keith.

HTH,
Hanno

[cletrac (RIP)]

Hanno's right as far as he goes but a Van 6 can be the 2C1, 2H1, or 2J1 body. The following is from Gregg's Military Vehicle Profiles. Which type was used depends on the year of the truck.

[Ganmain Tony]

Thanks fellahs,

Don't they look sensational!!!!

How can we find out exactly which of those three backs it had? The year is on the first ID plate isnt it?........ 42???

[cletrac (RIP)]

If it's 1942, it would have had a 2C1 box on it. The other two were later developments. 1942 likely didn't have a spare tire either. This is for a Cab 13. If it's a Cab 12 it would be a 2B1 box since I've never seen a picture of a Cab 12 with a 2C1.

[Ganmain Tony]

Finally pulled my finger out & took a photo of the ARN. Should be able to track down the vehicles history.

I'm fairly certain the original colour is Desert on this truck as well.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The engine number, which was the serial number, will identify the year.

[Keith Webb]

By chance the page your F15 is on is one I have photographed in the AWM 126 series.

http://gallery.me.com/oldcmp.net/100...12677780380001

There was a 'Q' to the left of the entry (not shown in the picture). This indicates a Queensland delivery but as you can see the information is fairly basic. Looks like it was taken on charge in 1942 which is borne out by the engine number 3G43973F. The entry in red is to whom it was sold after it's army service which is the Ford Motor Company, SAN = Sales Advice Note.

Hope this helps but it looks like it was a standard delivery.

Shame the records don't show more, but that's about it for the surviving records. Amazing really after 68 years we have this much.

[Ganmain Tony]

Here you go David

[Ganmain Tony]

Now I know why I thought it may have been desert not Khaki.

In fact it was both at the same time!!!

[Keith Webb]

bingo!!!!!

It has the original engine!!

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I agree..1942 Model!

[cantankrs]

Well Done Chaps!

Pretty satisfying result for you Tony.

With help like that I'll have to have a look at my 'Van' and post some info up!

Regards

Alex

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

The engine number, which was the serial number,.......

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

bingo!!!!!

It has the original engine!!

At the least, we can say "It has it's Original GEARBOX". The very reason why the Engine/Serial number was stamped on the bellhousing was to facilitate engine changes without having to alter vehicle ID records. If that were not the case, everytime the vehicle had an engine exchanged, the "serial number" and therefore the identity of the vehicle, would change. But in order not to disappoint GTony, I'd say it's quite likely it's still got it's original engine.

[aj.lec]

So where are the pictures of the rest of the vehicle ?????

[Ganmain Tony]

All in good time Andrew......all in good time

[Ganmain Tony]

Alrighty then!

Truck has been paid for & delivered. So its time to reveal some pictures.

Obviously it came off a farm & was modified by this Cocky's father. Back was tossed (bloke had no idea what happened to it) and fertiliser spreader installed.

It was all done on the farm, drive for spreader coming off a sprocket off the drive shaft and was engaged by a single speed gearbox.

Engagement was on a set of rods & levers operated from the cab.

[Ganmain Tony]

Righto - Question time

Does anyone know what these front wheels are off???.

They look very original & fit perfectly to the Blitz front 2wd axle. But they aint like any Blitz rim Ive seen before.

They are 20inch and about the same wall thickness as a Blitz 20"

[Ganmain Tony]

Pictures of Gearbox setup on spreader.

The farmer was telling me about the last night the truck ran (they used it up until only a couple* of years ago).

*Note - I do realise what a 'couple' means in old truck language

"She had a bit of Radiator leak and we were aware of that, but it was getting dark and the dash lights werent working" (Uh Oh ) "So I couldnt keep an eye on the temp guage"

"Suddenly she started to make some funny noises & the cab got really really hot and she just stopped".

Well we knew we'd boiled her but we had to get the paddock finished so we hooked her up to the old tractor and dragged her round the last few laps.....she's sat in the shed ever since. (Well.... at least she was shedded)

[aj.lec]

Shes a "super" little truck you have there Tony
Interetsing roof mod
There is quite a few trucks with the same bolt pattern as a blitz ,chev ,bedford etc.. even some of the Mercedes benz

[cletrac (RIP)]

Tony, you asked about a body like my 2A1 for your F15. These two pics show an Aussie type wood box for a 1942 15 cwt so I'd say that's what you should go for. These boxes differ from mine in that they're wider so don't need the metal rear fenders and they don't have the drop sides. They look to be about the same size as a 2B1. In the pic with the two trucks the top is the Aussie body and the bottom is the 2B1. I'll take some measurements off my 2B1 and you'll be able to go from there.

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by cletrac

Tony, you asked about a body like my 2A1 for your F15. These two pics show an Aussie type wood box for a 1942 15 cwt so I'd say that's what you should go for. These boxes differ from mine in that they're wider so don't need the metal rear fenders and they don't have the drop sides. They look to be about the same size as a 2B1. In the pic with the two trucks the top is the Aussie body and the bottom is the 2B1. I'll take some measurements off my 2B1 and you'll be able to go from there.

Thanks David, really appreciate the help as I am a dead set novice when it comes to the trays/backs on these things. So this will be an awesome education I am looking forward to.

I was inspired by the fantastic timber back youve done on your Cab 11. It is a work of art with a really practical application.

Do any of the Aussie Blitz guys have the metal fabrication bits off an old timber body? Something I could copy???

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Tony,

Excellent find. May I suggest you try to recreate the Australian No 1 GS Body? That is the composite body (angle iron/wooden planks) as pictured by David.

Forum member Rod Diery has one you could take measurements from - see quote below.

Hanno

Originally Posted by Rod Diery

Hello Keith and Co,

These are the details of yet another cab I have in my yard. The pic is of this cab as I found it in a salt lake near Kulin, WA.

Note that it is a WO1. I have anecdotal evidence that the wooden body the cab is in is the original one. Maybe this will fill in another WO gap.

Chassis Serial 2842100116M
Engine Serial SR3781572
Model WO1

ARN 60108

Regards
Rod

[Ganmain Tony]

Thanks Hanno - was hoping one of the senior forum members would give me a steer in the right direction.

Rod...... are you around? I'll send a PM.

[hrpearce]

Looks like a nice project Tony I haven't seen rims like that on any truck I've come across.
They certainly went to a lot of trouble to set up the spreader drive, all the ones around here had a drive cog bolted to extension nuts on the rear wheel and an over centre dog clutch to engage the spreader.
I would like to see some photos from underneath to see all the drivetrain

[Ganmain Tony]

Will take some more photos tomorrow Robert.

Looks like that will be the last time I'll be able to. Because tomorrow, it'll all be coming off........

[zemsi]

Hi Tony

Wonderful find. Good to see another cute little F15 back on the road

Greetings
Chris

[cletrac (RIP)]

Here's the measurements off the 2B1. These measurements should be the same as you need since everything is in the same place.
-width to outside of box sides 83 1/2"
-length to outside of box ends 79 1/2"
-floor surface to top of box 22"
-height of wheel wells 12 1/2"
-front of box to front of wheel well 21 1/2"
-rear of box to rear of wheel well 21 1/2"
-length of wheel well 36 1/2"
-top of box to top of wheel well 12 1/2
-width between insides of wheel wells 45"
-distance between sills above frame 28 1/2"
-distance between outside of sills 36"
The side boards will be 6 1/2" by 1" so you'll have to start with 2x8s and plane them down to size. The floor planks are 1 1/2" thick so 2x6s will work. It'll likely use those 1/4" x 1" strips like my 2A1 uses. The panels will use those 1/8" x 1" flat irons for edging too.
This pic shows some of the construction techniques. You can see how they made the angle iron uprights.