That Crazy Dash 

(Somewhere after Serial # 382xx until somewhere prior to 40647)

The Cub started production in 1947 with what is known as the long ear dash panel and ended its production run many years later with the short ear dash.  However, sometime in 1948 Farmall used a dash that was different from the long ear and the short ear.  In fact it looked like a “no ear” dash with the sides trimmed.

 

The 1948 model started out using the standard long ear dash, but for some reason an odd “no ear” dash showed up for a short run.  The chart below shows the confirmed serial numbers of the last known standard dash prior to the change and the next known serial number the  standard dash reappeared.  In between those numbers are confirmed Serial #'s of trimmed dashes.  No serial numbers between the high and low have been for the long ear dash.

 

382xx - Long Ear Dash 388*9 - trimmed - Ohio 39811 - trimmed - Missouri
     
38571 - trimmed 38947 - trimmed  - Maryland 39869 - trimmed - Illinois
     
38595 - trimmed - Harrison, Ohio 38966 - trimmed - Indiana 39912 - trimmed - Kentucky
     
38607 - trimmed - Indiana 39420 - trimmed 39925 - trimmed
     
38707 - trimmed - Ohio 39581 - trimmed 39939 - trimmed
     
38709 - trimmed 39661 - trimmed - N. Hampshire 40000 (Trencher) - trimmed
     
38798 - trimmed 39700 -trimmed - Illinois 40406 - Long Ear Dash
Now it is a matter of filling in the blanks.  And yes, this chart could become very large as more of these are located.  If you have a 1948 and the serial number falls between the first standard dash and the last standard dash listed, drop me an email and let me know what you have.  Even if you have a standard dash your numbers will help close the gap.

 

 

When the long ear dash reappeared is not known for certain, but it was sometime after serial #39939 and used until some time in 1949 when the short ear dash made it’s appearance.  The short ear dash was used in all Farmall Cubs until their production run ended in 1963.  This odd dash panel may have been the prototype for the short ear.

 

Could it have been they were changing the panels for the 49’s to the short ear and was testing these on the 48's and it didn't work out? That is my theory, but who knows! It would be interesting to see if there are more of these out there and what the serial numbers are and what area of the country they are in.

Does your Cub dash look like this? If so, let us know by clicking Here.


Another thought:
...this could be an item that was initially meant to be on the first Cubs but was scrapped. They could have laid in storage for a couple years (steel was still somewhat in short supply after the war). It's possible they needed to use these if their supply of regular panels ran low for some kind of production reason.

 

According to a retired Farmall employee living in Grayson County Ky who remembers installing these, McCormick had them manufactured at a different plant for the Cub.  McCormick used the stock they had and decided they didn't like them so they went back to the long ear style.  The gentle man does not recall how many were installed but does remember it was in 1948.

 

I believe that as we locate more of these we will find serial numbers that are close together or more probably in consecutive order.

 

What about your dash? Do you have the style shown?   Even if you have the long ear but your number is close that will help close the gap. If your number is close to these or you have a "no ear" dash, drop me a line and let me know the year and if it falls near the serial numbers we already have.

 

 

 

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