Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Bugly]

Hi all. A general query ... can anybody please tell me what the difference is between the Ford E83 and the Fordson 10/10? I am looking for a similar vehicle in Oz for restoration and play.

[Rick]

Same thing really, the Oz ones were known as "10/10" in the catalogues (10hp & 10cwt), whereas in the UK they were called Fordson or Thames 10cwt vans/pickups.

I'm not sure that I've seen them referred to as "E83W" in factory literature, even though that's what they were, and that's what the official model name was.

R
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[Bugly]

Thanks Rick ... at least I know that I'm looking at the right vehicle!

[Bugly]

Googling around a lot of sites for Ford E83W information shows that Ford geared these vehicles down to a max speed of 40mph or so. Was this done via the gearbox or the diff? And if via the diff, is it possible to change the diff centre (or the whole rear axle) to that from a car to give a better cruising speed?

[Rick]

Not really, the back axle is unique to the E83W, the diff is offset to the passenger side. Pop or Prefect bits won't swap over, the gearbox is unique to the E83W also. I remember stories of people creating diffs with taller ratios using parts from a V8 saloon, but I've no specifics and never actually spoke to someone that'd done it themselves.

You might find that a van rolls along slightly better as they had 18" diameter wheels from new, whereas pickups had 16" (wide section) rims.

R
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[Bugly]

Well ... we're still looking at the Fordson 10/10 pickup as a project vehicle, and a fun vehicle for club runs and things. Today I slowed down to about 65kmh (40mph) in my Toyota Hilux to get a feel for slower speeds, and hey, it was OK!

So ... I need one more little detail before I start the hunt for one in Australia, and that is all to do with the room inside.

I understand that the engine is off-set to the left side, to allow for forward control by the driver. I am not sure whether these vehicles were manufactured with only a driver's seat, or seating for two. I know that there are quite a few that have been fitted with a bench seat (possibly after-market) but do they have enough leg-room on the left side for an adult?

Would some kind soul please post a picture of an interior cab-view showing the leg-room inside? I really have fallen in love with these little pick-ups, but really need to ride with the Finance Minister in the cab as well.

[Rick]

I'll have to see if I have any pics to hand of the cab, they are a bit tight on the passenger side. Typically they only came with a driver's seat, the passenger one could have been an option, certainly many people did fit them but the passenger needs to either be not too tall, or else be happy sitting with their knees next to their ears

R
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[Tricky Dickie]

"Fordson" was first used by Henry Ford when he started making tractors, around 1917. His shareholders did not approve of the company entering the tractor market, so characteristically, Henry went it alone and created a new company "Henry Ford & Son" which had the telegraphic address "Fordson". Henry used the name for his tractors and later it was carried over into many of the Ford commercial vehicles produced over the years, combined with the name "Thames" for the British-manufactured vans and trucks. Like many other inspirational ideas, it was killed off by the bean-counters in 1964 and from then, the name "Ford" was applied to everything that the company made.
Tricky Dickie

[JohnDale]

[quote="Bugly"]Well ... we're still looking at the Fordson 10/10 pickup as a project vehicle, and a fun vehicle for club runs and things. Today I slowed down to about 65kmh (40mph) in my Toyota Hilux to get a feel for slower speeds, and hey, it was OK!

So ... I need one more little detail before I start the hunt for one in Australia, and that is all to do with the room inside.

Hi Bugly, at age 15 I used to ride in one of these delivering fruit & veg & seem to recall that with the passenger door closed there was an oblong hole,ie the step, where you could put your left foot while travelling, with plenty room for your right foot on the floor - don't really remember any problems sitting properly with both feet in front. It was also possible to stand in said step while travelling(you do strange things at age 15 ...... & nearly 60 years later)Cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.