1944 Ford 2N

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

I picked up this 1944 Ford 2N from a friend of mine this past week. I have been wanting a Ford or Ferguson tractor for a few months now. I really wanted a NAA or 600 or 800, but most that I have found were 9Ns, 2Ns, and 8Ns. I almost bought a early 50s Ferguson TO-30, but I waited too late to make my decision, it sold on me. I knew my friend had this 2N (he thought it was a 9N) and he recently told me he thought about selling it. Knowing him and knowing that he did a lot of work on it, I knew it would be a good buy. So I pulled the trigger on it.

Now, I have had so-called experts tell me it's a 9N, but the serial number says it's a 1944 2N. If you know the history of the early Ford N-series, you know that 2Ns retained the same serial number prefix as the 9N, meaning the serial number starts with "9N". You have to tell them what they are by certain features and by the serial number. Now features also may be confusing. Take for example, most so-called experts think that the 2Ns only came with the oval shaped radius arms, but that's not true. The early ones came with the I-beam shape arms that the 9Ns had, Ford changed the shape of them half way through the 1944 production run, so 1942, 1943, and early 1944 2Ns had the 9N styled radius arms. Grilles and dog legs are also another feature that will indicated what you have, a 9N or a 2N. And there are other features. This one is a 1944 2N by all things I've researched, so I'm going with what the serial number tells me.

My friend also threw in the back blade, which is very heavy. The only thing I have found wrong with it, the lower lift arm on the right side is leaking. I'm sure my friend didn't know that as he definitely would have told me. He kept it outside under a tarp, and it only leaks if you drive it a bit. Gasket is only $2.00, but it will be a bear to change as you have to pull the axle housing and the axle to get to it. Yikes.

[pfrederi 17,699]

Nice machine!! 

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Some history of the N-series and the changes made.

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20160410002816/http://www.oldfordtractors.com:80/idhistory.htm

[Pullstart 62,831]

Congrats!  That drab color sure is unique and cool!

[stevasaurus 22,713]

That is a lot of fun sitting there!!!   That color grows on you.  

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

I have always loved the looks of these ford tractors. Very iconic to me only because I grew up in the Midwest and we had one. I believe it was 9N . Looking forward to what you do from here on with it! Maybe paint it original color or........!!

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

28 minutes ago, The Tuul Crib said:

I have always loved the looks of these ford tractors. Very iconic to me only because I grew up in the Midwest and we had one. I believe it was 9N . Looking forward to what you do from here on with it! Maybe paint it original color or........!!

Even though I'm pretty sure this isn't the correct shade of gray, the 9Ns and 2Ns were painted gray from the factory.  But, I believe, they might have been a shade darker than this shade of gray.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

Nice tractor.Good to see you have the "right" brand pick up pulling it.I have a 1948 8n here that needs a valve job and a 1955 Ford 800 that is getting a cosmetic restoration.Great tractors.Have fun with your new toy.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

A 800 would have been nice.  I found a Workmaster 601 or 801 (can't remember) sitting in someone's front yard as yard art.  I would love to have rescued it.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

54 minutes ago, T-Mo said:

A 800 would have been nice.  I found a Workmaster 601 or 801 (can't remember) sitting in someone's front yard as yard art.  I would love to have rescued it.

Same sad story as my 8n.The guy had rocks and flowers all around it on his front lawn.I guess his wife didn't like the color of the ford(not bright enough} and he replaced it with a Farmall cub.I was happy to rescue the Ford for 800 bucks.

[8ntruck 6,998]

Congratulations.  That will be a good tractor for odd jobs around your property.

 

I've got an early production 1948 8n.  It has been converted to 12 volts and that conversion needs some neatening up.  The brakes also need some work, probably needs axle seals as well.

[6wheeler 603]

Nice little 2N there. Just a question? Never had one. Is the original supposed to be gray and red? Also? Did you get the emblems with it? It must have had the rims replaced. Or at least? Never had fluid in them. Have fun with it. Oh, and by the way? It is easier to put a little hydraulic fluid in it, than put those seals in .

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

The 9Ns and 2Ns were all gray from the factory.  The 8N introduced the red bodies with the silver/gray hoods and fenders.  They, the 8Ns, for that reason got the name red-bellies.

 

The emblems I had to buy from ebay.  There is a Ford logo, and a Ferguson System logo that goes on the front of the tractor.  They pot metal with speed nuts to hold them on.  The 8Ns only had the Ford logo emblem on the hood and Ford on the side of the hood.  Later 8Ns had the Ford script on the fenders.

 

The rims on this 2N are original.  The first 9Ns had a smoother rim, while the 8Ns had a different rear rim.  Here is a file showing all the differences in the N-series Fords.  I found it on the Way-back machine and did some editing to make it easier to follow.

Change history '39-'64 Ford Tractors.pdf

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

Last week, before the heat wave hit us, I got the 2N out for a drive and photo shoot.  I do have 3 implements for it, a back blade, a Ferguson 2 bottom plow, and a boom pole.  I'm on the fence about a brush hog, and I thinking about adding a 3 point carrier.

 

 

[Daron1965 644]

3 hours ago, T-Mo said:

Last week, before the heat wave hit us, I got the 2N out for a drive and photo shoot.  I do have 3 implements for it, a back blade, a Ferguson 2 bottom plow, and a boom pole.  I'm on the fence about a brush hog, and I thinking about adding a 3 point carrier.

 

 

That is a true piece of American Ag history.  I enjoy all old AG equipment.

From small to large. 

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496]

I picked up this Ford 19-142 reversible scoop a few weeks back. Just to see it on my 2N, yesterday I mounted it there and took a few pictures. Now I just need to get some stabilizer bars and give this thing a workout.

[Herder 2,354]

I hadn't seen this thread until now!!  Love it T-MO.  And I like the scoop.