The Ford Barn

1Metalbender · 11-02-2016, 07:58 PM

Is there a restoration manual for the model a trucks? I bought one and it's for the cars and sedans...can somebody point me in the right direction if one exists? Perhaps the author would help as well

RonC · 11-02-2016, 08:32 PM

http://aafords.com

http://forums.aa-fords.com/viewforum.php?f=1

Charlie Stephens · 11-02-2016, 08:36 PM

Do you have a "big truck" (Model AA) or a small truck on the passenger chassis (Model A)? There is some information in the Model A judging standards.

Charlie Stephens

1Metalbender · 11-02-2016, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Do you have a "big truck" (Model AA) or a small truck on the passenger chassis (Model A)? There is some information in the Model A judging standards.

Charlie Stephens

I've got a 30-31 model a...wish I had the aa

Pickupman · 11-02-2016, 10:00 PM

Then you have a pickup. You'll getter better responses if you refer to it as a pickup. What information are you looking for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Metalbender

I've got a 30-31 model a...wish I had the aa

Charlie Stephens · 11-02-2016, 10:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

As you learn more you will probably be thankful you have the A and not the AA. The AA was slower because it weighed more. The top end was lower because the rear end ratios were low to accommodate the additional weight. The AA might be good for a nearby parade but not for a tour that involved highway driving. Having said that the pickup truck was the same as any other passenger car with a few exceptions:

The radiator shell was black instead of stainless. It was shaped like the '30 passenger car shell both years. It had a blue emblem in '30 and a stainless one in '31. Don't confuse the shell with the AA radiator shell that was designed for a thicker radiator and did not have the peak in the center. The headlight and tail light buckets were black with the rings stainless.

You need to check the judging standards for the paint colors. There were actually a few that were used on trucks only in '31. If I remember correctly you could get 38 standard colors on the trucks in '31 but the '30's had a much more limited selection.

The trucks were all standard vehicles (no cowl lights etc) except for a few rare deluxe trucks that were slab sided instead of having the usual bed.

The rear end ratio was usually lower than the passenger cars (4.11). Since they used the passenger car differential you can install higher gears (I have 3.54 gears in my '31 RDPU and they are just right for highway driving).

The trucks had slightly heavier springs. I took out the heavier springs and replaced them with ones designed for a roadster. I probably can't carry as much but it definitely rides nicer.

All trucks carried their spare in a fender well as there was no place to mount it in the rear. If something became obsolete for passenger car production it was common to use up the excess inventory on the trucks making the change over date for new parts a little later.

I am sure if I missed anything some will add it.

Please post any questions you have.

Is your truck a '30 or a '31? There might be some small differences that are also common to the passenger vehicles.

How about some pictures?

Charlie Stephens

Larry Jenkins · 11-02-2016, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Metalbender

I've got a 30-31 model a...wish I had the aa

Les Andrews Book II has some good info about the pickup wood installation.

Tom Wesenberg · 11-03-2016, 12:25 AM

There's a 48 page book titled "Restoring the Model A Pickup".
It may not be as useful as it sounds, but every bit helps.

Larry Jenkins · 11-03-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

There's a 48 page book titled "Restoring the Model A Pickup".
It may not be as useful as it sounds, but every bit helps.

Had one. Mainly pictures.

Charlie Stephens · 11-03-2016, 01:49 PM

Forgot to mention earlier that the headlight wires pass through fabric conduits between the headlight bucket and the radiator shell. The conduits are stainless on the regular cars. Still wondering, what year, '30 or '31? Another thing is the trucks have a dispatch box on the right front cowl panel. These show up in the for sale section as well as being available as a reproduction. The running boards were all metal and not covered with rubber like the passenger cars.

Charlie Stephens

Charlie Stephens · 11-03-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

There's a 48 page book titled "Restoring the Model A Pickup".
It may not be as useful as it sounds, but every bit helps.

Try to find a copy at a local vendor that you can thumb through. If I remember correctly I bought a copy and didn't find it very useful.

A good source for truck parts is (660) 263-7444, wwwmackhils.com. I think his company is the author of "Restoring the Model A Pickup".

By the way, what year is your truck?

Charlie Stephens

1Metalbender · 11-03-2016, 09:02 PM

My truck technically is a 30 cause it doesn't have the teardrop impression in the firewall...but my paperwork says 31...the reason I'm looking for the book is the wood and some of the sheet metal in the cab is different from the cars, not all of it mind you but enough to cause headaches to somebody like me that don't know the difference in pieces...

Bob C · 11-03-2016, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Metalbender

My truck technically is a 30 cause it doesn't have the teardrop impression in the firewall...but my paperwork says 31...the reason I'm looking for the book is the wood and some of the sheet metal in the cab is different from the cars, not all of it mind you but enough to cause headaches to somebody like me that don't know the difference in pieces...

The indented firewall didn't come out until about May of 1931.

Bob

31a · 11-03-2016, 10:24 PM

I didn't find the pickup book very helpful Bob

Tom from Drippin' · 11-04-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31a

I didn't find the pickup book very helpful Bob

I agree. A waste of money.

Charlie Stephens · 11-04-2016, 04:35 PM

One more thing and I make it a new post instead of burying it in an update of a previous post. The cowl band on the pickups was painted regular steel. If I remember correctly a few of the first ones for the 1930 style were painted black but then the rest were painted body color. Check the judging standards.

If you get a little more specific about what you want maybe someone will run across a body when they are carrying a camera. These iPhone cameras are sure great.

Charlie Stephens

1Metalbender · 11-04-2016, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

The indented firewall didn't come out until about May of 1931.

Bob

That's interesting! Mine also has a stainless cowl band on it...from the condition of it and the cowl I believe it to be the original...I'm only looking for a manual to know what is supposed to go where so I'll know what I'm missing and what's correct kinda thing...have always had a book for everything I've owned, just helped to have it for a reference if nothing else...

Brace Bailey · 11-05-2016, 08:06 PM

Volume II of the Mechanics Handbook has a very good section on replacing the top wood. Pictures are great. You can purchase all the top wood and the cab wood from most of the catalogs. I found a supplier to work with me on the various pieces I needed. I'll try to get a picture of my cab wood to upload,
Or check my avatar

11-02-2016, 07:58 PM	#1
1Metalbender Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Charleston WV Posts: 78	Truck restoration manual? Is there a restoration manual for the model a trucks? I bought one and it's for the cars and sedans...can somebody point me in the right direction if one exists? Perhaps the author would help as well

11-02-2016, 08:32 PM	#2
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Truck restoration manual? http://aafords.com http://forums.aa-fords.com/viewforum.php?f=1

11-02-2016, 08:36 PM	#3
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Truck restoration manual? Do you have a "big truck" (Model AA) or a small truck on the passenger chassis (Model A)? There is some information in the Model A judging standards. Charlie Stephens

11-02-2016, 10:12 PM	#6
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Truck restoration manual? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As you learn more you will probably be thankful you have the A and not the AA. The AA was slower because it weighed more. The top end was lower because the rear end ratios were low to accommodate the additional weight. The AA might be good for a nearby parade but not for a tour that involved highway driving. Having said that the pickup truck was the same as any other passenger car with a few exceptions: The radiator shell was black instead of stainless. It was shaped like the '30 passenger car shell both years. It had a blue emblem in '30 and a stainless one in '31. Don't confuse the shell with the AA radiator shell that was designed for a thicker radiator and did not have the peak in the center. The headlight and tail light buckets were black with the rings stainless. You need to check the judging standards for the paint colors. There were actually a few that were used on trucks only in '31. If I remember correctly you could get 38 standard colors on the trucks in '31 but the '30's had a much more limited selection. The trucks were all standard vehicles (no cowl lights etc) except for a few rare deluxe trucks that were slab sided instead of having the usual bed. The rear end ratio was usually lower than the passenger cars (4.11). Since they used the passenger car differential you can install higher gears (I have 3.54 gears in my '31 RDPU and they are just right for highway driving). The trucks had slightly heavier springs. I took out the heavier springs and replaced them with ones designed for a roadster. I probably can't carry as much but it definitely rides nicer. All trucks carried their spare in a fender well as there was no place to mount it in the rear. If something became obsolete for passenger car production it was common to use up the excess inventory on the trucks making the change over date for new parts a little later. I am sure if I missed anything some will add it. Please post any questions you have. Is your truck a '30 or a '31? There might be some small differences that are also common to the passenger vehicles. How about some pictures? Charlie Stephens Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 11-02-2016 at 10:30 PM.

11-03-2016, 12:25 AM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Truck restoration manual? There's a 48 page book titled "Restoring the Model A Pickup". It may not be as useful as it sounds, but every bit helps.

11-03-2016, 01:49 PM	#10
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Truck restoration manual? Forgot to mention earlier that the headlight wires pass through fabric conduits between the headlight bucket and the radiator shell. The conduits are stainless on the regular cars. Still wondering, what year, '30 or '31? Another thing is the trucks have a dispatch box on the right front cowl panel. These show up in the for sale section as well as being available as a reproduction. The running boards were all metal and not covered with rubber like the passenger cars. Charlie Stephens Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 11-03-2016 at 02:40 PM.

11-03-2016, 09:02 PM	#12
1Metalbender Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Charleston WV Posts: 78	Re: Truck restoration manual? My truck technically is a 30 cause it doesn't have the teardrop impression in the firewall...but my paperwork says 31...the reason I'm looking for the book is the wood and some of the sheet metal in the cab is different from the cars, not all of it mind you but enough to cause headaches to somebody like me that don't know the difference in pieces...

11-03-2016, 10:24 PM	#14
31a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: College Station, Tx Posts: 326	Re: Truck restoration manual? I didn't find the pickup book very helpful Bob

11-04-2016, 04:35 PM	#16
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Truck restoration manual? One more thing and I make it a new post instead of burying it in an update of a previous post. The cowl band on the pickups was painted regular steel. If I remember correctly a few of the first ones for the 1930 style were painted black but then the rest were painted body color. Check the judging standards. If you get a little more specific about what you want maybe someone will run across a body when they are carrying a camera. These iPhone cameras are sure great. Charlie Stephens

11-05-2016, 08:06 PM	#18
Brace Bailey Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Excelsior Springs, MO Posts: 77	Re: I'm also doing a 1930 closed cab Pickup. CCPU Volume II of the Mechanics Handbook has a very good section on replacing the top wood. Pictures are great. You can purchase all the top wood and the cab wood from most of the catalogs. I found a supplier to work with me on the various pieces I needed. I'll try to get a picture of my cab wood to upload, Or check my avatar