1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

HELP please! I need help from someone who has installed the tool box shown.



I need closeup photos of the support brackets, of the tool box shown, that are attached to a 1930-31 Model "A" so I can determine the hardware I need to buy.

Please post some pictures here or email them to me at [email protected]



A search of the Fordbarn yielded no joy in my quest to learn about this tool box installation.



I do know that the apron attachments screws are 1/4-28, and it appears that there are a lot shim washers needed and much longer screws / bolts necessary to get the support brackets in proper alignment.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

It looks like it might use the screws holding the front apron to the frame horns.
Sorry didn't see last part of your .

Check out Bratton's: https://www.brattons.com/metal-tool-box.html

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I have that box on two of my A`s , no extra hardware is needed. when you install the side brackets remove the nuts and lock washer on your front bumper brackets install the brackets install the nuts and lock washer but do not tighten them. now install the box there is four screws that go down inside of the box. now you can tighten all the bolts and nuts. I added a nice little bracket to hold the lid open.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

JW, you have the correct way to go. My confusion was the location of the brackets. As you say, they pickup the bumper arm attachments and not the screws holding the apron on.
Shortly after posting this thread, a friend sent me some photos of his car and as happenstance would have it, it has the tool box.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I love my front tool box.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Bob
I have a front tool box on my 160B sedan. I have the box support bracket on the outside of my front bumper brackets, The 4 bumper brackets bolts hold the support on.

No, you cannot use a hand crank to turn over the engine with the box installed.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

No. Not with that tool box.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I must confess that I have only been involved with these in actual use on a couple of vehicles (-seen them on many, just not been involved with a couple) however the issue I saw in both examples was you could not have placed the stuff inside both of those tool boxes any better with a dump truck. :) As I recall, neither driver could locate what they thought they had inside. Since both of these were not being used as a tool box but more of a catch all, my question to others is just exactly what do you carry in these that is such a necessity to have?

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

The link page says:

"The box does block the crank hole in the radiator shell."

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

You're right, sorry. :D

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Easy to cut a spare crank handle and weld a large nut on the end. Match the grille hole with one in the box with a rubber plug and you can crank the engine over. I never tried to start the motor but it’s probably possible.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Good idea! divcoone

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I carry 2 gallons of gas, a pair of coveralls ,a quart of oil, a roll of paper towel,and a pair of gloves. Any of the long tours where I may need gas before the rest, I can pull over and add if needed. I don't want to put the gas in my rear trunk,where it may cause a smell. Works for me.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

The tool box is on my Victoria, and it is loaded with a tarp, 1 gallon of water, a full bag of tools and some spare parts. I took the car out for a run yesterday and I noticed an unintended consequence. The mass of the box and its contents has dampened some of the vibration levels in the frame.

Thanks to all who posted.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1533903189

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Looks like it hangs down enough so you could hang your license plate on it instead of blocking the radiator.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

A license plate on the face of the box below the bumper should work.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Hey Bob. How you be? Hot and rainy here in DC area. My tool box is full of tools and parts. So is the under seat area. For the front box, I found a cardboard box that exactly fits in the steel box. Perfect for stopping rattles. Under the seat of my 30 Cabby, I have plastic small parts box(Fishing lure box) the little stuff stays in plane view.

I have a list of what is where stored in each site as CRS has set in. You may remember it did many a tour in the A and carried a ton of spares for any occasion. Always carried instant beer and an 8X10 glossy on Momma.
Stay well

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I know one Second Amendment Model A guy that keeps a loaded 1930s pistol there.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/files/201...0300-MAT-2.jpg

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

And I'm not referring to this true American Oldboy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7i9HcheVio

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Click on this link it will take you to Bratton's page where it shows how we mounted this box on Walt's pick up.
https://www.brattons.com/metal-tool-box.html

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Bob
That streamlined box of yours looks great.
I'm going to see if I can add one to my 32 B

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Hi Clem,

I am fine and it appears Lymphoma is behind me. Long time no see. I am still running trains on my O-gauge railroad, and it occasionally makes me think of you (see photo). It's a scene on my railroad.


My Coupe has a significant amount of room under the front seat relative to Model A's that is, but my Victoria has no storage room except for some horse blankets behind the rear seat. So that front apron tool box is Godsend!

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Since I am the original designer and manufacturer of the contoured tool box, I'll comment here. My daily driver is a '30 CCPU and as you know, in one of those, unless you add door pockets and kick panel pockets there isn't any storage room in the cab, not even any place to put your hat. Under the seat I keep bigger tools, water pump, distributor, jack, coveralls, rags... The bed is packed with a couple spare tires, camping gear and some car care products and has a snapped-on tonneau. So for me, the storage in the front tool box is very handy to carry a gallon of coolant, a quart of oil, break-over bar with 13/16" socket and extension, distributor tools, small tools, tire gauge, rags, hand cleaner, etc. and a folded-up piece of tarp to use as a creeper. And yes, for some of us types, it can become a catch-all. I don't manufacture them any more, so try MikesAfordable if you're looking for one. You can see some of its capacity on my website olympicspeedsters by clicking on "Design and Fabrication" then "Tool box". I may be retiring soon, so this is not a solicitation to sell parts or services.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Jim,
I looked on your web site and couldn't find the tool box. And on Mike's A Ford Able, they only list one for the 28-29 models.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

My box came from Mikes and it was for a 1930. Why don’t you give them a call.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Carl G - I looked at my website www.olympicspeedsters.com and it is truly difficult to navigate and needs improvement by one of my sons. However, I found the tool boxes by clicking on "Gallery" then on "Design and Fabrication" then on "Tool boxes". I hope I can get the site much simplified and also somehow add more images from the hundreds of "How-to", "Design and Fabrication", "Procedures", "Completed Projects", etc. photos. If anyone has suggestions for simplification and improvements for my website, please let me know. Thanks.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I made my own like that and put it on my 1928 Tudor. It is VERY handy for carrying a few tools, some rag, jack and block of wood. The only drawback is not being able to crank the engine but I keep things in good nick so I haven't needed to crank it yet other than when I timed it. Oh, yeh, there is one other drawback. When driving for hours through rain, things inside can get wet. I will make a canvass cover for it like I did for the trunk. absolutley no leaks since.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Synchro99- If you put a 3/4" drip lip on the bottom side of the lid, surrounding the box, but not visible when the lid is closed, the rain will drip off the lip and can't get into the box. Then you won't need to make a cover. You should still drill a couple of 1/8" holes in the lowest part of the box, just in case. Weatherstrip on the top edge of the box won't hurt either.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I made the lid on mine open the other way. Better or not as good - I don't know but you're right, Y-Blockhead. Having to use a key every time I want to open it is a pain.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

Jim - just wanted to say "Thank You" - I really like your toolbox, and it was just the thing I needed to carry the spare parts & tools that otherwise were taking up space in the passenger area of my car (stuffed inside toolbags), and a lot cheaper than buying a rack & trunk.

Re: 1930-31 Front Apron Tool Box
 

I contacted Mike’s. The 30-31 has been discontinued. The 28-29 will also be discontinued when current stock is exhausted.