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-   -   I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354705)

Old Redneck 12-26-2025 12:01 PM

I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

What parts will I need to complete the job. Plus where do I get them? I have been thinking about this for a long time.

Karl Wescott 12-26-2025 05:39 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

First, what do you have?


Second, check carefully to see if the car was originally a trunk lid car. Cars were often converted to rumble either at the dealer or in a 1970's era restoration. If they were converted the holes for hardware mounting will be threaded, if not you will have to install nut inserts.


1932 Roadster/5 Window... Trunk hinges, Vintique (one of their OK items). Check the lid to see if there is a reinforcing plate riveted into the upper corner, this is the bearing for the hinge, if not one will have to be fabricated and installed. Latch Wescott for US, Drake for OK import. Latch striker, Vintique (also OK). Lower drip channel (bolt on), Tom Bay. Prop and shoulder bolt, Snyders. Bumpers, Drake or Carpenter. Handle, modify original or Vintique (die cast chrome). Handle pad, Drake or Carpenter. Handle lockwasher, Snyders.


1932 3 Window... Trunk hinges, Brookville. Check the lid to see if there is a reinforcing plate riveted into the upper corner, this is the bearing for the hinge, if not one will have to be fabricated and installed. Latch Wescott for US, Drake for OK import. Latch striker, Brookville might have it, not sure. Lower drip channel (bolt on), Tom Bay. Prop and shoulder bolt, Snyders. Bumpers, Drake or Carpenter. Handle, Vintique (die cast chrome). Handle pad, Drake or Carpenter. Handle lockwasher, Snyders.


1933-34... Trunk hinges, Wescott. Check under the body for two brackets with slotted holes for mounting the hinges, if not Tom Bay makes these. Latch Wescott for US, Drake for OK import. Latch striker, Tom Bay. Lower drip channel (bolt on), Tom Bay. Prop, Tom Bay. Prop shoulder bolt, Snyders. Bumpers, Drake or Carpenter. Seal, Drake or Carpenter. Handle, reuse original or Vintique (die cast chrome). Handle pad, Drake or Carpenter. Handle lockwasher, Snyders.


1935-36... Trunk hinges, Wescott. Check under the body for two brackets with slotted holes for mounting the hinges, if not you will have to fabricate these. Latch, Ecklers. Latch striker, Wescott. Lower drip channel is welded in, not reproduced and must be fabricated. Prop, Modify the 1933-34 from Tom Bay. Prop shoulder bolt, Snyders. Bumpers, Drake or Carpenter. Seal, Drake or Carpenter. Handle, reuse original or Vintique (die cast chrome). Handle pad, Drake or Carpenter. Handle lockwasher, Snyders.


I, or any good dealer of your choice, can aggregate all of these parts if you don't want to make 20 phone calls.

Old Redneck 12-27-2025 09:18 AM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Sorry I have a 3 window

cas3 12-27-2025 09:46 AM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

1932

oldford 12-27-2025 12:44 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

If that car came from the factory with a rumble seat then that's a rare car (I think).

325w 12-27-2025 12:50 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Mr. Wescott covered it!

DavidG 12-27-2025 01:26 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Karl?Ken,


My bad, what Karl wrote is correct for '32 deluxe coupes (3 windows).

glennpm 12-27-2025 02:20 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325w (Post 2429322)
Mr. Wescott covered it!

He sure did rather nicely!

ford38v8 12-27-2025 02:34 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325w (Post 2429322)
Mr. Wescott covered it!

that's why this thread has 4 stars

BoxCar Tom 12-27-2025 10:17 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

corner guide (rub) plates?

is there such a thing as a factory deck lid weather strip?

cas3 12-28-2025 12:47 AM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

No weather strip. Ford, as did everyone else in that era, designed it to run water down the gutter and dump onto the trunk floor, then hopefully make its way to one of the drain holes. Ever wonder why all the trunk floors are rotted out?

ford38v8 12-28-2025 01:14 AM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by cas3 (Post 2429393)
No weather strip. Ford, as did everyone else in that era, designed it to run water down the gutter and dump onto the trunk floor, then hopefully make its way to one of the drain holes. Ever wonder why all the trunk floors are rotted out?

And the same with the windshield drain hose stopping short just above the floor. It makes no sense at all.

tomfish36 04-23-2026 02:42 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Redneck (Post 2429172)
What parts will I need to complete the job. Plus where do I get them? I have been thinking about this for a long time.

Hello, I too have a 3W, that I am converting from rumble seat back to trunk. It appears it was a trunk car to begin with. The lid has the factory threaded inserts in it. The problem I'm having, is the "cast pivot blocks seem to sit to high above the "C" channel brace, by about 3/8" - 1/2". I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I have both a complete original set of hinges, and a set of Wescott hinges too. They both seem to be identical. Yes, I can modify and resolve my problem, with a good amount of tedious work. Seems like there must be a better solution? Thank you for any help you can provide.

47topless 04-23-2026 04:45 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

If you have a rumble seat but would like the storage space of a trunk, just remove the bottom and back cushions. Access on the side is not as convenient as a top hinged trunk but very doable. Then store the cushions in a safe place so you can convert back to the rumble should the need arise.

BoxCar Tom 04-27-2026 03:27 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Tomfish36,

By "cast pivot blocks", do you mean the cast iron pieces that are riveted into the upper corners of the deck lid? Those pieces were designed to rotate on the rivet, that movement provides adjustment of the deck lid.

Old Redneck 04-29-2026 11:10 AM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

I have given up on the idea on doing that. My wife think I should sell the 32 and buy a 32 with a trunk lid.Being 86 is not good I guess. I have had the 32 for8 years and only put 28 miles on it getting it ready to try to get a Dearborn award. Now to get it ready to make a driver out of it. I put turn singles, Electrict full pump, Shimmy shock, dual tail lights, and a push button starter under the dash. That to be safety on the road. My driving days are about over anyway Wife says.She won't let me buy any more Junkers she says.

Farley's34 04-30-2026 08:17 PM

Re: I wan't fo convert Rumble Seat to Trunk
 

Enjoy it and have fun!


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