The Ford Barn

james heider · 06-27-2011, 06:36 PM

Has anyone converted a leatherback 4 door or Victoria to a steelback?
I have a leatherback and I am considering converting it.

Richard Wilson · 06-27-2011, 08:53 PM

Obviously all those tack holes for the leatherback top material will have to be welded up. The metal panel around the rear window will have to be replaced. The metal top pieces where the gutter attaches would have to be changed out. You might be better off to try and swap your leatherback body for a steelback body?

Roadster62 · 06-27-2011, 09:10 PM

I have a 1929 60C Steelback rear section that I'd like to build a body around. Found four doors locally that I'll pick up this weekend if all goes well. I need a 60C cowl and visor, they differ from the leatherback 60A&B.

jw hash · 06-28-2011, 08:22 AM

it is pretty easy if you can find a back half of a steel back, but if not don`t do it, the whole back half from the belt up is different I have built both body`s, the wood is different even the inside brace for the spare tire is different the rain gutter are welded on, good Luck John

james heider · 06-28-2011, 08:57 AM

Thanks John and Richard for your reply. I was working on the body yesterday and was wondering how difficult it would be to convert it to a steelback.
I didn't realize that the rain gutters were welded to the body.

Jason in TX · 06-28-2011, 09:10 AM

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I had always thought I would be a steel back owner until a leatherback came along at a great price. One of the immediate benefits I saw in my leatherback which was stored outside for 2009 and 2010 was that because the leather wraps over the metal roof opening and all the way down to the driprails, the interior and headliner was not damaged by water. Ive been in a few touring sedans with waterstained upholstry. Its difficult to seal those tops. Also the light colored vinyl reflects a lot of heat as opposed to the black insert. So far I've been quite happy. You might find that all that work might not be necessary

Brian SATX · 06-29-2011, 07:18 AM

Another differencein the leatherback/steelback Victoria is the size of the rear window. One is taller than the other.

jw hash · 06-29-2011, 07:23 AM

the rear windows are the same size and use the same inner window frame

metalshapes · 07-01-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james heider

Has anyone converted a leatherback 4 door or Victoria to a steelback?
I have a leatherback and I am considering converting it.

I just did this conversion, and posted about it on the HAMB.

I'll copy the Thread here on the Ford Barn later, but if you want to see it right now here is the link.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=603835

D-Russ · 07-01-2011, 08:38 PM

I've done it. Here's a link to my thread on the HAMB:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=321871

06-27-2011, 06:36 PM	#1
james heider Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 125	Converting a leatherback to steelback Has anyone converted a leatherback 4 door or Victoria to a steelback? I have a leatherback and I am considering converting it.

06-27-2011, 08:53 PM	#2
Richard Wilson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 908	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback Obviously all those tack holes for the leatherback top material will have to be welded up. The metal panel around the rear window will have to be replaced. The metal top pieces where the gutter attaches would have to be changed out. You might be better off to try and swap your leatherback body for a steelback body?

06-27-2011, 09:10 PM	#3
Roadster62 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ridgefield, Ct Posts: 3,441	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback I have a 1929 60C Steelback rear section that I'd like to build a body around. Found four doors locally that I'll pick up this weekend if all goes well. I need a 60C cowl and visor, they differ from the leatherback 60A&B. __________________ They don't have to run to be enjoyed. I'm here to enjoy the hobby, and enjoy the cars no matter what they look like. Most of the worlds problems are electrical.

06-28-2011, 08:22 AM	#4
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback it is pretty easy if you can find a back half of a steel back, but if not don`t do it, the whole back half from the belt up is different I have built both body`s, the wood is different even the inside brace for the spare tire is different the rain gutter are welded on, good Luck John

06-28-2011, 08:57 AM	#5
james heider Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 125	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback Thanks John and Richard for your reply. I was working on the body yesterday and was wondering how difficult it would be to convert it to a steelback. I didn't realize that the rain gutters were welded to the body.

06-28-2011, 09:10 AM	#6
Jason in TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ⓉⒺXⒶⓈ Posts: 2,047	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had always thought I would be a steel back owner until a leatherback came along at a great price. One of the immediate benefits I saw in my leatherback which was stored outside for 2009 and 2010 was that because the leather wraps over the metal roof opening and all the way down to the driprails, the interior and headliner was not damaged by water. Ive been in a few touring sedans with waterstained upholstry. Its difficult to seal those tops. Also the light colored vinyl reflects a lot of heat as opposed to the black insert. So far I've been quite happy. You might find that all that work might not be necessary __________________ -------------- Drive it like you know how to fix it! DMAFC / OILERS CC-MC

06-29-2011, 07:18 AM	#7
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback Another differencein the leatherback/steelback Victoria is the size of the rear window. One is taller than the other. __________________ Brian SATX

06-29-2011, 07:23 AM	#8
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback the rear windows are the same size and use the same inner window frame

07-01-2011, 08:38 PM	#10
D-Russ Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 28	Re: Converting a leatherback to steelback I've done it. Here's a link to my thread on the HAMB: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=321871 __________________ Now taking donations of money, parts or both. Inquire via PM.