The Ford Barn

Tom Endy · 08-16-2017, 11:54 AM

can anyone provide information about the 31 town sedans that have a tool compartment under the front seat that extends down such that it requires a Mitchell overdrive that has a shortened rear tube and stub shaft to allow clearance for the tool box.

Tom Endy

RawhideKid · 08-16-2017, 12:03 PM

Tom, in all my years of removing parts from Model As, I have never came across a sedan that had as a factory installed item, a tool box under the front seat. I have found a couple cars that had an after market box installed under the rear floor, but never under the front seat.

Tom Endy · 08-16-2017, 12:16 PM

In all the years I have been rebuilding rear axle assemblies and installing Mitchell overdrives I have been aware that the Victoria, A-400, and the 31 two door phaeton have a dropped floor pan under the back seat. This requires a Modified Mitchell overdrive. It has the gear box positioned four and a half inches further forward and the top rear of the housing is machined down somewhat in order to clear the pan.

I recently did a job for a customer who has a 31 town sedan that he says has a factory tool box under the front seat. The overdrive he received from Mitchell has a longer front tube and a shortened back tube with a corresponding shorter stub shaft. On the data plate of the Mitchell housing the words "tool box" are stamped.

I have not seen the car, only the rear axle assembly and the overdrive. The owner doesn't know if his car is a Briggs or a Murray, or Ford. He said that when he ordered the overdrive Sue Mitchell asked him if the car had the tool box under the front seat.

This is new to me, that is why I am asking the question.

Tom Endy

Synchro909 · 08-16-2017, 05:35 PM

When I fitted the Mitchell O/D to my 1929 Phaeton, it was was going to hit the under floor storage compartment put there by Ford for the side curtains. I was unaware of a special setup by Mitchell that might have overcome this. Maybe they didn't know about it themselves back then. Anyway, I modified the compartment and made a decent sized one for tools etc which saddles the torque tube just in front of the O/D unit. Access is through the floor in the back.

Brian SATX · 08-16-2017, 09:31 PM

I have never seen a factory tool box under the seat. There is a depression under the front seat. I think if you take measurements, you will that like the Victoria, the rear seat floor pan is the culprit.

Jacksonlll · 08-17-2017, 05:45 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Out on the road, you dont want to get under any seat to get to your tools. Maybe a young man, but your hands will be dirty, the seat is hard to move and it would be a real pain. Put a tool box behind the front bumper.

08-16-2017, 11:54 AM	#1
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	31 town sedan tool box can anyone provide information about the 31 town sedans that have a tool compartment under the front seat that extends down such that it requires a Mitchell overdrive that has a shortened rear tube and stub shaft to allow clearance for the tool box. Tom Endy

08-16-2017, 12:03 PM	#2
RawhideKid BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Lower Left Coast Posts: 469	Re: 31 town sedan tool box Tom, in all my years of removing parts from Model As, I have never came across a sedan that had as a factory installed item, a tool box under the front seat. I have found a couple cars that had an after market box installed under the rear floor, but never under the front seat. __________________ Before Walmart you had to buy a ticket to the fair to see a bearded lady!

08-16-2017, 12:16 PM	#3
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: 31 town sedan tool box In all the years I have been rebuilding rear axle assemblies and installing Mitchell overdrives I have been aware that the Victoria, A-400, and the 31 two door phaeton have a dropped floor pan under the back seat. This requires a Modified Mitchell overdrive. It has the gear box positioned four and a half inches further forward and the top rear of the housing is machined down somewhat in order to clear the pan. I recently did a job for a customer who has a 31 town sedan that he says has a factory tool box under the front seat. The overdrive he received from Mitchell has a longer front tube and a shortened back tube with a corresponding shorter stub shaft. On the data plate of the Mitchell housing the words "tool box" are stamped. I have not seen the car, only the rear axle assembly and the overdrive. The owner doesn't know if his car is a Briggs or a Murray, or Ford. He said that when he ordered the overdrive Sue Mitchell asked him if the car had the tool box under the front seat. This is new to me, that is why I am asking the question. Tom Endy

08-16-2017, 05:35 PM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: 31 town sedan tool box When I fitted the Mitchell O/D to my 1929 Phaeton, it was was going to hit the under floor storage compartment put there by Ford for the side curtains. I was unaware of a special setup by Mitchell that might have overcome this. Maybe they didn't know about it themselves back then. Anyway, I modified the compartment and made a decent sized one for tools etc which saddles the torque tube just in front of the O/D unit. Access is through the floor in the back. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

08-16-2017, 09:31 PM	#5
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	Re: 31 town sedan tool box I have never seen a factory tool box under the seat. There is a depression under the front seat. I think if you take measurements, you will that like the Victoria, the rear seat floor pan is the culprit. __________________ Brian SATX

08-17-2017, 05:45 AM	#6
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: 31 town sedan tool box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Out on the road, you dont want to get under any seat to get to your tools. Maybe a young man, but your hands will be dirty, the seat is hard to move and it would be a real pain. Put a tool box behind the front bumper.