1944 Ford 2N

[T-Mo]

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.

[T-Mo]

Two more pictures.

[ricky racer]

Nice looking tractor!

[Gary Dotson]

The 9N, 2N thing is interesting. The 2N is simply a continuation of the 9N. The only reason that model exists is that the war was on, although we were not in it yet, and there was a price freeze on tractors and such. Henry wanted to raise the price of the tractor but couldn't. His solution was to introduce a new model (2N) at a higher price. There were a few minor changes, just enough to call it by a different model designation and changes that would have been applied to the 9N, anyway.
The easiest way to determine if it is a 9,2N, the starter button stands straight up, on the 8N, it leans toward the operator. I'm not a Ford guy, that is just my one observation, looking at them at shows and such. I could be wrong but I'm thinking the 9N, 2N are 3 speed trans, 8N 4 speed, feel free to correct me.

[Jim Becker]

A was going to make essentially the same comments Gary did. But he is an hour ahead of me. As I recall, Ford was challenged by the government on whether the 2N was really a new model. In their defense, Ford produced a detailed list of the differences to justify the model designation. (It even got down to material changes that can't be seen by anyone other than a metallurgist.) That list is probably floating around somewhere on the internet.

[T-Mo]

Both of you are correct. The 2N was introduced as a war time effort. Some materials were not readily available or were only available to the war effort. So, the 2N first came out with steel wheels, not rubber, no electrics, and had a magneto. These are very rare now, as Ford quickly convinced the government that farming was essential to the war effort, so it wasn't long until the 2Ns had electric starters, rubber tires, etc.

Here is a good summary of the changes of the N series tractors.

https://web.archive.org/web/20160410002 ... istory.htm

[SONNY]

still have this actual 53 golden jube. here. numbers match so its a real one. ----most useless tractor ever made. ground speed too fast to do any work.
Ya, I know millions of them were sold, but ONLY because they were cheeeeep made and money was scarce back then but that didnt make them a quality tractor! just my findings from the few I have been around.
everybody has their prefs. as to brands! LOL!!

[dgrapes59]

Good looking tractor there! I joined the ole Ford "N" club recently with a '51 8N. They have a cult like following, similar to the Cub's! Amazing to see how many are still running, at work and play. Also amazing to see the easy availability of parts, at very affordable prices.

Best of luck with your new "toy",

[T-Mo]

Good looking tractor there! I joined the ole Ford "N" club recently with a '51 8N. They have a cult like following, similar to the Cub's! Amazing to see how many are still running, at work and play. Also amazing to see the easy availability of parts, at very affordable prices.

Best of luck with your new "toy",

Thanks. I believe all brands, all tractors, will have pros and cons. I have been told, if you want a tractor for shows, get a Cub, if you want a tractor to put to work, get a 8N. Rather or not that is true, doesn't really matter to me, I like what I like. I like Farmalls, Fords, John Deeres, and for different reasons.

[ajhbike]

Really nice looking Ford. Con is that the speed are generally too fast in first, but man....they are good yard tractors like the Fergusons, they have a 3 point and can lift a house.

[T-Mo]

Speed can be solved by a Sherman or Howard transmission, though both are pricey. The step up transmissions seem to be more popular than the step down or combo transmissions from what I have found so far.

[Gary Dotson]

Back when, the neighbor had a 9N, (I think) with a sherman overdrive, that thing would run (they said) about 40 mph. That might have been an exaggeration, but it would get right down the road.
I had an 8N for a while, that I took in trade for Cockshutt 20. I moved it along to a fellow Cubber. I didn't need it and wasn't very interested in it.
Dave's right about their popularity and parts availability, parts are everywhere, for them.

[T-Mo]

The N Tractor Club has a lot of manuals, brochures, literature on the N Series tractors. I've downloaded about all I think I need. And I have found links to several places that have parts for these. So, yes, they're everywhere. Maybe I should trade my No. 8 Little Genius 2 bottom plow for a Dearborn 2 bottom plow to pull behind this 2N.

[Gary Dotson]

And those Dearborn plows are also very easy to find. Having said that, the supply probably just dried up.

[dgrapes59]

Speaking of cheap parts... FYI, I have made several orders to Yesterday Tractor, they have about anything, seem priced fair and have fast shipping. Last order I had a shifter boot cover, was going to also order a new knob, figured with my luck I would break it removing it. Couldn't find it and placed the order without it. Did a Google search and one popped up at Tractor Supply, clicked on it and was available at my closest store "limited quantity special $1.39" ($4.99 regular). Was going right by so I stopped in, they had one. Shelf price didn't reflect the cheaper price, but it rang up correctly. About a fifth of the section (appeared to be mostly basic Ford N stuff) had clearance tags. So, it appeared they were liquidating things, possibly making room for more pet food or clothing? Anyhow, might be worth checking out if they are indeed clearing out everywhere. I don't typically go there looking for parts (especially with the reputation the carb rebuild kit for Cubs has), but I've read their strainer screen/gasket is a preferred one.