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Joe K · 05-03-2026, 02:49 PM

Short retaining strap.

The vendors USED to sell a short strap in rubber just for this purpose.

But alas - the rubber straps of that era were/are noted for cracking where they fold "double" - and being used more the drivers door cracked FASTER. Low quality foreign sourced rubber no doubt.

Many doors of the 82A pickup are "punched in" as a result of banging against the spare tire. Maybe it was a common defect - kind of like "squeezing" into the cab and barely having room to place your feet around the clutch and brake pedals. And why many sell the "extended cab corners" which really mess with the vehicle layout for a bed.

Some, a rare few, have provided a non-standard "pocket" on the drivers door skin for the tire to hit into. Probably the most sensible solution for the door - but very non-standard. Anyone who owns a truck like it and sees it will be possessed of critique for the pocket - and envy for you for having done it.

I went to the Sanbornville, NH "Dust Off" at the Bean Farm last weekend. There were two 82A trucks there. One was a recent restoration and had not been punched in yet - the other the owner had provided a "non-welled" fender on the left side - and a bracket made special to allow the spare to sit "outboard" of the bed on the left and directly behind the drivers door. I think he used the same bracket as is found passing through the fender skirt - but had changed the dimension/offset and bottom where it attaches to the bed side. You could see the entire bracket unlike how it appears when used in the fender location. I wish I had a pix.

Another solution I've considered is to put the spare on the "passenger" side. But then you count on your passengers for care against denting the door.

I suspect 82A is a truck cab Ford developed using Model T parts for the Model AA truck - which has the spare in at least two other locations. See Neil Wilson's entries on the AA at his search result https://aafords.com/?s=spare+tire 5 references depending on body style. It's use in combination with the short bed on the car chassis a sort of Ford "afterthought." But it seems a very popular afterthought.

I am always amazed watching the AA Express Truck on the Waltons, how easily they slip into and out of the cab - and how it seems to generously fit three full size adults.

Joe K

05-03-2026, 02:49 PM	#2
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 5,013	Re: 1928 Ford Model A Truck Short retaining strap. The vendors USED to sell a short strap in rubber just for this purpose. But alas - the rubber straps of that era were/are noted for cracking where they fold "double" - and being used more the drivers door cracked FASTER. Low quality foreign sourced rubber no doubt. Many doors of the 82A pickup are "punched in" as a result of banging against the spare tire. Maybe it was a common defect - kind of like "squeezing" into the cab and barely having room to place your feet around the clutch and brake pedals. And why many sell the "extended cab corners" which really mess with the vehicle layout for a bed. Some, a rare few, have provided a non-standard "pocket" on the drivers door skin for the tire to hit into. Probably the most sensible solution for the door - but very non-standard. Anyone who owns a truck like it and sees it will be possessed of critique for the pocket - and envy for you for having done it. I went to the Sanbornville, NH "Dust Off" at the Bean Farm last weekend. There were two 82A trucks there. One was a recent restoration and had not been punched in yet - the other the owner had provided a "non-welled" fender on the left side - and a bracket made special to allow the spare to sit "outboard" of the bed on the left and directly behind the drivers door. I think he used the same bracket as is found passing through the fender skirt - but had changed the dimension/offset and bottom where it attaches to the bed side. You could see the entire bracket unlike how it appears when used in the fender location. I wish I had a pix. Another solution I've considered is to put the spare on the "passenger" side. But then you count on your passengers for care against denting the door. I suspect 82A is a truck cab Ford developed using Model T parts for the Model AA truck - which has the spare in at least two other locations. See Neil Wilson's entries on the AA at his search result https://aafords.com/?s=spare+tire 5 references depending on body style. It's use in combination with the short bed on the car chassis a sort of Ford "afterthought." But it seems a very popular afterthought. I am always amazed watching the AA Express Truck on the Waltons, how easily they slip into and out of the cab - and how it seems to generously fit three full size adults. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse. Last edited by Joe K; 05-03-2026 at 02:55 PM.