1932 Ford Rear Frame Reinforcement Plates

[Gene's Hot Rod Parts]

I recently acquired these pieces with a load of 32 parts and was hoping someone could give me the history on them. I have never seen any before and no one I’ve asked has either.

They obviously were made to strengthen or repair a 32 frame. They fit snug over the outside of the frame rails and have holes to clear the rivets. The smaller piece (only have one) fits inside the frame and the shock bolts through it. There are no visible part #’s.

I’d like to know if this was a Ford factory part, a dealer item or maybe an aftermarket part.

[Ole Lou]

They are discussed in the 32 Book, Seems, if memory is correct, were used on later frames to prevent cracking of frame

[NealinCA]

They were a dealer installed item to retrofit early frames to address weak frame issues. The late frames had reinforcement inside the rails from the factory.

[Newc]

Hi; Also the rear cross member that goes with the inner plates maybe slightly shorter. Newc

[2935ford]

Ya mean the '32 was flawed! Oh my!

[JSeery]

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Lots of flaws, those were the learning years for the v8s

[bobH]

The Ford Service Bulletin for November 1932 has a discussion on the frame reinforcements, added in July, and welded in place, as shown in an illustration. Also discussed, the 'add-on' reinforcements for earlier frames that did not have them factory-installed. The shorter and longer rear crossmembers are also discussed, as well as the replacement 'spreader-bar' for cases where the spare wheel carrier is removed (for side-mounts).

[DavidG]

The small plate was used with rear shock absorbers before either the outer and later the inner large reinforcements and not used once those larger reinforcements were released. Those large reinforcements are Ford-released parts designed to minimize the tendency of the frames to bend at the point of the rear axle bumpers when the axle bottomed out on pot holes, etc. plus the tendency of cracks to appear around the rear shock mounting holes.

[Fortunateson]

So were these retrofit to the outside or inside?

[Mart]

Outside. My 32 frame is an early one, it had the small plates like in the photo, which I think were stock. It sure could have used the outer strengtheners as it was bent to buggery at the back end.

Mart.

[Uncle Bob]

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