The Ford Barn

Reds34 · 03-20-2023, 08:10 PM

Guys,

I am working on my grandfathers '34 BB. I am starting to go through the brakes and have sourced another set of rear radius rods. My question is, how do the service brake levers come out of the radius rods? I got the parking brake levers and split bushings out, but have no idea how the service brake levers come out. Does anyone have photos or a diagram of how they are put together? I am including a few photos of my grandfathers truck.

petehoovie · 03-20-2023, 08:40 PM

DavidG · 03-20-2023, 09:26 PM

Your truck's cab appears to be the '33 version without the extra molding on the back of the cab running from door to door that permitted the seat back to be mounted higher in the cab.

Brian · 03-20-2023, 11:54 PM

I like your truck! I am sure 'sugarmaker' will be along shortly to answer your question.

Reds34 · 03-21-2023, 06:35 AM

David G,

I can assure you that the cab has the extra rib for the seat back. You can just see the rib starting in the two first photos. I will snap some more photos when I get back to my parents house.

Red

GB SISSON · 03-21-2023, 11:49 AM

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The full floating rear axle says 1934 as well. That is a very beautiful example of a BB truck, and it looks like you are well on your way to treating it right and respecting it's heritage! Three cheers for you and your Grandpa's truck. Please keep us posted with your progress. Loving that factory stake bed as well!

Bob C · 03-21-2023, 01:44 PM

If the radius rod is off then it looks like you need to remove the lever or the collar
to get the shaft out.

Randy in ca · 03-21-2023, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reds34

David G,

I can assure you that the cab has the extra rib for the seat back. You can just see the rib starting in the two first photos. I will snap some more photos when I get back to my parents house.

Red

-
Like this presumably

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DavidG · 03-21-2023, 06:01 PM

Yes.

Reds34 · 03-21-2023, 06:45 PM

GB Sisson,

I'm trying. My grandfather bought the truck in 1941 when he got out of high school. I actually found the bill of sale for it!

Bob C,

How do I remove the collar off the brake lever arm? I am including photos of the levers in question.

Randy & David,

Yes, the back of the cab has that rib.

Thank you all for your help,
Red

Bob C · 03-21-2023, 09:19 PM

There is a 3/16" pin in the collar or you could remove the arm.

Reds34 · 03-22-2023, 06:33 AM

Bob C,

Thank you! I will take a better look.

Red

Reds34 · 03-22-2023, 08:13 PM

Here is a photo of the rear of the cab with the extra rib.

Red

Brian · 03-22-2023, 11:10 PM

So, it's your 'Grandfathers truck' you're working on. Are you working on it for him, or do you now own it and refer to it as your grandfathers truck? Either way, I wish you were my Grandson, none of my kids/grandkids are interested in my old Ford. Good on you young man!!

cas3 · 03-23-2023, 12:11 AM

Well said Brian !

Reds34 · 03-23-2023, 06:08 AM

Brian,

My grandfather passed in 1996. It's technically mine, but I still call it his truck. If this truck could tell stories, it would have a books worth. He has hauled trucks the same size as itself on the back of it. Most of the lumber that was used to build the outbuildings was also hauled on the truck. I certainly wish I was a young man!

GB,

Another note on the bed. The truck originally had an express bed (of some kind). I have never seen photos of the original bed. The truck got pretty beat up when my grandfather was in the service and came back to a truck with a blown engine. The bed came off an earlier truck and had to be widened about 3" on each side. It is a hand crank platform dump bed.

Red

1952henry · 03-23-2023, 08:19 PM

You are a lucky man. Looks like a nice survivor. Good luck with it.

GB SISSON · 03-23-2023, 09:51 PM

I have always dreamed of a '32-'34 131" express. I have had three AA trucks, a '32 BB and a '34 BB over the years, all stakebeds. Your long running boards are still intact JIC you ever came across another very rare express bed like your grandpa's truck came with. The Waltons had an AA express. Here are some pics from Ford Trucks Since 1905'. The 34s are very well represented, but the only express trucks shown in photos are a '32 and a '33.

Reds34 · 03-24-2023, 05:04 AM

GB,

I would absolutely love to get an express bed for it. The plan is to take off the long running boards and install short ones because it's highly unlikely that I'll find and express bed for it. Priority is brakes and tires currently and go from there.

Red

GB SISSON · 03-24-2023, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reds34

GB,

I would absolutely love to get an express bed for it. The plan is to take off the long running boards and install short ones because it's highly unlikely that I'll find and express bed for it. Priority is brakes and tires currently and go from there.

Red

I wish we lived closer, I'd help you build one! Know anyone with a big sheet metal brake?

03-20-2023, 08:40 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,149	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

03-20-2023, 09:26 PM	#3
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes Your truck's cab appears to be the '33 version without the extra molding on the back of the cab running from door to door that permitted the seat back to be mounted higher in the cab.

03-20-2023, 11:54 PM	#4
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes I like your truck! I am sure 'sugarmaker' will be along shortly to answer your question. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

03-21-2023, 06:35 AM	#5
Reds34 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Eastern, CT Posts: 527	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes David G, I can assure you that the cab has the extra rib for the seat back. You can just see the rib starting in the two first photos. I will snap some more photos when I get back to my parents house. Red

03-21-2023, 11:49 AM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,936	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The full floating rear axle says 1934 as well. That is a very beautiful example of a BB truck, and it looks like you are well on your way to treating it right and respecting it's heritage! Three cheers for you and your Grandpa's truck. Please keep us posted with your progress. Loving that factory stake bed as well! __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

03-21-2023, 01:44 PM	#7
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,754	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes If the radius rod is off then it looks like you need to remove the lever or the collar to get the shaft out.

03-21-2023, 06:01 PM	#9
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes Yes.

03-21-2023, 09:19 PM	#11
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,754	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes There is a 3/16" pin in the collar or you could remove the arm.

03-22-2023, 06:33 AM	#12
Reds34 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Eastern, CT Posts: 527	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes Bob C, Thank you! I will take a better look. Red

03-22-2023, 11:10 PM	#14
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes So, it's your 'Grandfathers truck' you're working on. Are you working on it for him, or do you now own it and refer to it as your grandfathers truck? Either way, I wish you were my Grandson, none of my kids/grandkids are interested in my old Ford. Good on you young man!! __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

03-23-2023, 12:11 AM	#15
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,577	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes Well said Brian !

03-23-2023, 06:08 AM	#16
Reds34 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Eastern, CT Posts: 527	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes Brian, My grandfather passed in 1996. It's technically mine, but I still call it his truck. If this truck could tell stories, it would have a books worth. He has hauled trucks the same size as itself on the back of it. Most of the lumber that was used to build the outbuildings was also hauled on the truck. I certainly wish I was a young man! GB, Another note on the bed. The truck originally had an express bed (of some kind). I have never seen photos of the original bed. The truck got pretty beat up when my grandfather was in the service and came back to a truck with a blown engine. The bed came off an earlier truck and had to be widened about 3" on each side. It is a hand crank platform dump bed. Red

03-23-2023, 08:19 PM	#17
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,621	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes You are a lucky man. Looks like a nice survivor. Good luck with it. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

03-24-2023, 05:04 AM	#19
Reds34 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Eastern, CT Posts: 527	Re: '34 BB rear radius rods & brakes GB, I would absolutely love to get an express bed for it. The plan is to take off the long running boards and install short ones because it's highly unlikely that I'll find and express bed for it. Priority is brakes and tires currently and go from there. Red