What are the Model AA trucks like to drive

[bluesman31]

I have the opportunity to buy a model AA dump truck in good shape for short money.

How available are parts?

How are they to dive compared to the A? Pros / cons?

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

I have the opportunity to buy a model AA dump truck in good shape for short money.

How available are parts?

How are they to dive compared to the A? Pros / cons?

Parts are available...Join the Double A'er club and have some fun.

4. www.fmaatc.org Ford Model AA Truck Club (National Club) (FMAATC)


Pluck

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I think they are a 'blast' to drive in every respect, ...well that is unless you are an impatient person that must get there in a hurry. Even that can be corrected if you have a large sack of money to invest!! You didn't mention what year it was but it may be a great "investment" as a conversation starter at a show!!

[1crosscut]

A large majority of the parts are the same as A's. Things get a bit different when you get into the rear ends, hubs and associated parts.
Most of the suppliers have the parts necessary.
With the wonders of the internet most any part can be had.
As far as driving I only have experience driving my 29AA and it is an absolute hoot! Not nearly as many of them around as the A's and they can certainly attract their fair share of interest when out and about.
Dave

[Tom Wesenberg]

AA's are nice as long as you have to room to store it. As Brent mentioned, they will be slower due to the gear ratio of the ring and pinion. That can be corrected with an overdrive in place of the intermediate shaft.

If anyone tells you Model A brakes are no good, you just show them the brakes on your AA, or better yet take them for a ride and hit the brakes.

[Doug in Maryland]

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I agree. AA's are fun to drive and they get a lot of attention no matter where you go. How fast you get there can depend on a lot of things. The 30 - 31 trucks with the bevel gear rear had the option of a 5.14:1 ratio rear. That combined with tall tires on the rear and a well maintained engine will let you cruise comfortably at 40 mph. My truck, the restored one in my avitar, has the 5.14:1 rear and seems most comfortable either a little over 40 or a little under 40. Because of the stiff springs, you will feel more of the road in an AA than in an A. But for me that's part of the fun. And I have participated in club tours and didn't feel like I was holding folks up.

[CarlG]

My first Model A was an AA 280A (Ambulance). I drove it all over Arizona when I was a kid, don't remember babying it, although it was a little slow in the hills. It would climb trees in granny gear though!

[bluesman31]

Guess I need to check the read end ratio

[Purdy Swoft]

I got my first AA in 1990.We had went to a car show and a guy had an early April 1930 AA , minus the bed for sale. Deb jokeingly commented, don't let him see it or he'll have to have it. I bought it. The AA was the 131 inch wheel base with the 6.6 rear gears. Top speed was 35mph and it was screaming, this was with the larger 6.50 X 20 rear tires. I learned not to ever bump the gear lever to neutral while going down hill or I would have to stop and start over to get it back in gear. I also learned if taking off while going down hill not to linger between gear shifts or I would have to coast to the bottom and start over. Like Tom says, the larger brakes are real good. The AA was lots of fun but probably not safe on the main highways because of the low speed. If you got rear ended, it could drive the bed right through the cab and cut off everything in between. That and the split rim wheels was two reasons that I finally sold it. AA trucks are good on the farm, they will run plenty fast on trails and dirt back roads. Another plus is, with the low gears and heavy springs, you probably will never over load it. I hauled hay for the horses and lumber to build my shop and other buildings. I soon regretted selling uncle Albert. I didn't have to wait too many years before another AA came to me, I'm in the process of fixing it up, I'll name it George, after the guy that I got it from.

[SSsssteamer]

Our 1930 AA flat bed has been an asset to us on our farm. It hauls our hay, firewood, gravel, and we even get out on the road to haul things from Home Depot. We have owned it since 1970 and we have no plans on parting with it. Nice running at 40 mph. Any faster than that, it feels like it is over reving. It steers heavier than our model A cars. The photo below was taken about 1974.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Not that's the way they should be used. That front tire sure looks big!

[Juggler]

My Dad got his AA in 1980

First 'A" I ever drove on the road and the last we'd ever sell

Just great fun

[1crosscut]

Bluesman31 - What year is the truck? 28's and 29's have the worm drive rear end. One is a low speed and the other is a "high" speed. The term high speed is somewhat misleading as top speed is pushing it at 40 mph. Low speed is something around 12 -15 mph ish. If it is one of those years it would be good to check the gear ratio. High speed rear ends are definitely more sought after.
Dave

[bluesman31]

it is a 31 and here is a link to some pictures. hand crank dump.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1037502...ordAADumpTruck

What rear end does this have most likely?

[Tom Wesenberg]

That's a good looking truck and you could have a lot of fun with it. I would think it should have duals, but am not sure.

The rear axle should have a 5.14 thin steel tag on one of the differential bolts if it's the high speed. If it's the low speed, then I think it's unmarked, (no tag).

[Doug in Maryland]

If it's a high speed rear it could also have the numbers 7 36 stamped in the housing where the two halves bolt together.

[1crosscut]

Nice looking truck and seems to be in pretty good shape. As Tom says it should have the rear duals. I'm assuming it must not be running by seeing the chain hooked up to it in one of your pictures. If you could get it running for a test drive that would certainly one way to find out if it is fast enough for you.
Lots of info on thes trucks on the AA Truck Club site. http://fmaatc.org/
Dave

[BrianBurkert]

I also have the 5.14:1 ratio in mine. Runs and stops well. Fun to drive... something different. Best to keep on the secondary roads. You can play around hauling things, too, in a dump.

[glenn in camino]

Slow but fun.

[bluesman31]

I am kind of turned off by the rusty looking engine, and thoughts on that??

[columbiA]

If the engine runs well,I would just strip the acessories of the engine &clean it up well & paint it.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

I am kind of turned off by the rusty looking engine, and thoughts on that??

That is one good point and might be a tip off that the truck just had a paint job and nothing done mechanically. The firewall should match the cab color, it has the wrong headlights and horn, but these are minor points and won't stop you from having a lot of fun with it, as long as you don't need to tear it all apart for a complete rebuild.

Ask lots of questions and try to get proof of any work said to be done, and pay accordingly.

[dennisonk1957]

Jealous I am!

[bluesman31]

The story behind this one is that the owners dad bought it 10 years ago and they drove it locally, but very little. They believe the previous owner fabricated the hand crank dump bed and installed it. It has been sitting in a storage container. The owners don't appear to know much about the way Model A's operate.

So since this is a 31 without the worm drive rear end, does that mean that is does NOT have a 2 speed rear end? Were the 2 speed rears only with the worm drive?

The drivers door does not have the recess in it to allow the spare tire to be mounted so they took the spare off the side mount so the drivers door would open, must be a replacement door?

[Mike]

Don't let a dirty rusty engine get you down, 20 hours of work and the engine can look very nice

[Aok]

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Great looking truck I like dump trucks used to own a 48 Dodge 1 ton (sorry I sold it) They are useful and get a lot of attention as you do not see too many. You can't tell a engine by its color maybe just needs paint in any case same engine as model A so parts are available

[Doug in Maryland]

There weren't any two speed rears for the AA's. The 28's and 29's could have been had with an auxiliary transmission (called a Hi-Lo or something like that) that was either direct drive or under drive. They went behind the three speed trans and were operated with a foot lever.

[bluesman31]

Thanks ALL for the tips.

I bought the truck, dust and all. It is really pissah! Carb was all plugged up but I was able to get it to run for a second on ether. It also has appears to possibly have the original engine with AA markings, I will have to verify the VIN. The owner claims it ran well and steered straight years ago.

I also verified the rear end as the high speed rear by jacking up one wheel and rotaing the engine and tire by hand. Got approx 2.5 revolutions of the engine to one of the rear tire!!

Here is a link to lot of pics. Fresh from the shipping container she has been sleeping in for 10 years... enjoy

https://picasaweb.google.com/1037502...ordAADumpTruck

[1crosscut]

Hurrah! Your going to have lots of fun with your truck. Hope you get it on the road soon.
Couldn't get the link to your pictures to work for me though.
Have fun!
Dave

[spdway1]

GREAT! Now JOIN the AA truck club!!

[Bob C]

No pictures here either.

Bob

[bluesman31]

Originally Posted by Bob C

No pictures here either.

Bob

Try the pictures now

[Mike Peters]

You can check the rar end ratio by removing the speedometer cable at the drive shaft and then turning out the speedo drive with a 1 1/8 wrench. The gear ratio will be stamped on the bevel drive gear that runs the cable. 5.14 for high speed. 6.6:1 for low speed. Or just drive it. It will be obvious.

[spdway1]

I don't trust that fan blade...Nice truck.

[FordMike]

EDIT: I didn't see there was a second page... So my comment doesn't matter. Still, Very nice truck!!!

My dad made me learn how to drive stick before I could get my drivers license, and I learned on a 1929 AA. That thing was slowww but it was still a blast to drive, it would go 40 something down hill but the worm drive is the reason for that. As for torque, it was used for a couple years as a log skidder and boy could it pull!

Parts are real easy to come by because almost every doodlebug was built out of them, and you can usually pick up a parts doodlebug for a few hundred bucks. As for the other consumable parts like the brake lining, it can all be picked up at macs.

If I had the opportunity to pick up a running, driving AA I would in a heart beat.

[Randy in ca]

If you decide you don't like or want to change the headlights, a street rodder will pay good bucks for them. They're Guide 682-c lights and have been very popular for years with rodders.

[1930artdeco]

Great looking truck and I WANT ONE TOO! I just have to figure out where I will put it.

Mike

[Mendotaman]

My dad had an old dump truck and I think he told me it was an AA. All I remember about it is that it had a cloth roof, like a roadster. Was there ever an AA roadster dump truck?

The reason I remember the top is because there was a split in it, front to back, and I stood on the seat, put my head through the split and couldn't get back out.

Could that be the case, or am I imagining something?

Thanks

[Mike Peters]

Ford did make a handful of AA's with the roadster pickup cab, same as the A pickup. I saw one in person once at the national meet in Dayton, OH. in 1997. However, the closed cab used a cloth insert in the top, which you may be confusing because it was many years ago. You could have stood on the seat of either and stuck your head through and gotten stuck. But if the truck you remember looked like a roadster top, then it was. Too bad you don't still have that truck. They are super rare.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

Thanks ALL for the tips.

I bought the truck, dust and all. It is really pissah! Carb was all plugged up but I was able to get it to run for a second on ether. It also has appears to possibly have the original engine with AA markings, I will have to verify the VIN. The owner claims it ran well and steered straight years ago.

I also verified the rear end as the high speed rear by jacking up one wheel and rotaing the engine and tire by hand. Got approx 2.5 revolutions of the engine to one of the rear tire!!

Here is a link to lot of pics. Fresh from the shipping container she has been sleeping in for 10 years... enjoy

https://picasaweb.google.com/1037502...ordAADumpTruck

You lucky Fordie ! That looks like a darned nice truck !

I'm still on the prowl for an AA express or a cab & chassis that I can build...

Keep us posted !

SC Frank

[Bob C]

Here's an open cab.

Bob

[68HILLBILLY]

That truck is very good looking. probably gets more comments, interest, and thumbs up than a high dollar show model a car. enjoy

[bluesman31]

This one is a steel top, not sure if it is original?

Picking it up on a trailer tomorrow hopefully (gotta go 70 miles or I would of tried to drive it!!)

Next step is to at least get a diagram of all the grease points, etc. I have the Les Andrews books, but I don't think they cover AA's?

[BrianBurkert]

I think a 1930-31 Instruction Book has an AA lube chart.

[rollingsculpture]

nice truck it is a mixed bunch for sure but its all functional. hope you enjoy it , most likely have the high speed gears in the differential since it is a later 1931 differential with the reinforced ribbing (june 1931 svs blt pg 568 /289) and the indented firewall svs blt pg
also reinforced rear wheels( april 1931 svs blt pg 552/275) since the frame is not tapered at the end (april1931 svs blt pg 553/276 i would have to say someone followed the directions given in the svs blt (sept 1930 pg 497/231}and cut off 15 or so inches off .

enjoy that truck they are great for hauling .

[Benson]

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Bluesman31,

If you are unaware of the dangers of Split-Rim wheels it might be a good idea to read up on them ... and safety measures to take.

I knew a fellow 45 years AGO who lost his jaw and most of his upper teeth while putting air in a split rim wheel (this was a wheel that he had just changed the tire and installed the split ring on), the split ring came unseated and hit him under the chin! The ring was not seated.

I did not mean to scare anyone!

Most gas stations "in the day" had a special re-enforced steel "cage" they put the wheel inside while airing up the tire, in case the rim came off.

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

This one is a steel top, not sure if it is original?

Picking it up on a trailer tomorrow hopefully (gotta go 70 miles or I would of tried to drive it!!)

Next step is to at least get a diagram of all the grease points, etc. I have the Les Andrews books, but I don't think they cover AA's?

I think one of the vendors, maybe more, carry a large lub chart on glossy paper like the one for the "A". Not sure of where...anyone?

Pluck

[spdway1]

Originally Posted by Benson

Bluesman31,

If you are unaware of the dangers of Split-Rim wheels it might be a good idea to read up on them ... and safety measures to take.

I knew a fellow 45 years AGO who lost his jaw and most of his upper teeth while putting air in a split rim wheel when the split ring came unseated and hit him under the chin!

Most gas stations "in the day" had a special re-enforced steel "cage" they put the wheel inside while airing up the tire, in case the rim came off.

Don't be afraid of Split Rim wheels, they are STILL Used today on MODERN Rigs. Just bring them to a big truck tire store, they have all the knowledge to help you out and they air up ALL TYPES of truck tires in a cage where I go!

[1crosscut]

Originally Posted by spdway1

Don't be afraid of Split Rim wheels, they are STILL Used today on MODERN Rigs. Just bring them to a big truck tire store, they have all the knowledge to help you out and they air up ALL TYPES of truck tires in a cage where I go!

Well yes and no. Always a good idea to have a good deal of respect for what one of these tires can do. Once the tires are mounted, seated correctly and aired up they are pretty safe. Where folks get into trouble is getting them mounted and aired up. I do the same a spdwy1 and take them to a truck tire store and have them air them up in a cage.
Dave

[SeaSlugs]

yea any semi repair place or semi truck dealer should be able to help you. Ive heard of ways to somewhat safely do it at home but not for me...

as long as your rims especially the beads are in great shape (not questionable rusted pitted shape) you should be OK and treat it like any other tire. its when the tires go flat you need to be very very cautious about airing them back up as it is possible for the bead to pop off (not likely but possible)

[glenn in camino]

They're fun, but they're too slow to drive on most club tours.

[Ken B]

Awesome truck!!!! Go through it and make it road worthy and drive it. Maybe you can use it to haul your next Model A/AA parts find.

[SeaSlugs]

i didnt realize how old this post was... i googled what the low speed AA worm drive rear ratio was. brought me here and brainfarted and posted an answer...

ANYHOO any update bluesman?

[Reds34]

That dump bed looks pretty similar to the one under my '34 BB truck.

Red

[john charlton]

They are very comfortable to drive due to the longer wheelbase even with no shocks. With the 5.14 rear end ratio my 1931 AA will run all day at 40 MPH .

John in cool overcast morning Suffolk County England.

[davehc]

This post brings up a question I have . What are the differences between an "A" and a "AA" engine . Asking , because I have a chance to buy a "AA" engine with thoughts of putting in my "A" , but don't know of any differences between them yet . Or would this be a bad idea ?
Thanks

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by davehc

This post brings up a question I have . What are the differences between an "A" and a "AA" engine . Asking , because I have a chance to buy a "AA" engine with thoughts of putting in my "A" , but don't know of any differences between them yet . Or would this be a bad idea ?
Thanks

I am not aware of any differences in the engine itself.

[kelley's restoration]

Originally Posted by davehc

This post brings up a question I have . What are the differences between an "A" and a "AA" engine . Asking , because I have a chance to buy a "AA" engine with thoughts of putting in my "A" , but don't know of any differences between them yet . Or would this be a bad idea ?
Thanks

no difference internally
they made up for the lack of HP with a 4 speed tranny and tall rear gear
tk

[lookin-backtexas]

My '31 AA Stakebed is great fun to drive. I once led a tour for the Dallas Model A Ford Club to Jefferson (168 miles east of Dallas) and lots of guys whined "it'll take us forever to follow Fred there in his AA". They were not aware that "Henry" has a high speed rearend and as we convoyed along with about 35 Model A's following him the CB lit up with people in the rear of the group asking me to slow down, they couldn't keep up in their Model A's.

The AA has super heavy duty springs and if you are fortunate enough to find one with a high speed rear end, you will discover the pleasures of bouncing along the road at 50+ mph.

On the other hand, the truck has a 4-speed transmission and I rarely use 1st gear - if you take off in 1st, you'll go about five feet and it's time to shift. I generally take off in 2nd gear. I taught my sons to drive in the AA and it's a great tool for that - being geared so low, they learned how to use a clutch and didn't have to worry about the engine stalling . . . just let out the clutch and it takes off and all they have to worry about is steering and watching where they are going (this was in my 4 acre backyard and not on a public road since they were 10 and 12 years old at the time).

I once had my youngest son's kindergarten class out for an easter egg hunt in the back yard and decided to give the kids a ride in the AA. I pulled him out of the barn and loaded 24 five-year-olds, plus two teachers in the back and one teacher in the cab with me - the kids were thrilled as we cruised around the backyard for a while and as I started back up the hill toward the barn he began to cough and sputter and the kids all started chanting "I think I can, I think I can." Once we got to the barn and the kids and teachers headed back to school I opened the hood to determine the problem and noticed that three of the spark plug wires had popped off - he had been carrying 28 people and pulling his weight (3800 pounds) up a hill on only ONE spark plug! Built Ford Tough!!!

On that trip to Jefferson we decided to go get some ice cream one evening and I had about 20 people get in the bed and I put Henry in first gear, retarded the spark and let out the clutch and stepped out of the cab walking alongside him as he Cadillaced along the quiet residential street (ta-puck-ca-ta, puck-ca-ta, puck-ca-ta, puck-ca-ta). I was chatting with the people in the bed walking beside the bed of the truck and they said, "Hey, who's driving?" I said, "No one but Henry."

At most car shows a AA will attract more lookers and admirers than most high dollar restored Model A's and at a parade, you frequently get asked to carry various dignitaries - I've carried the Mayor of Dallas, Ronald McDonald, the Hamburgler, various military officials, politicians, local radio and TV personalities, etc. Henry has been in three movies and a couple of TV commercials.

AA's are a ton-and-a-half of FUN! If you don't already own one, get one.

Fred

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by lookin-backtexas

AA's are a ton-and-a-half of FUN! If you don't already own one, get one.

Fred

haha close to my friends dog's nickname: Tons-O-Fun. Australian Sheppards dont make good lapdogs haha

[jerry of whidbey]

do not be in a rush keep it slow and fun if you are in a hurry take modern truck and miss the joy hard to steer but great fun to drive jerry

[Mike]

Our truck was hard to drive at first ten I did the following. Now it steering very easy.

• serviced tire pressures
• rebuilt steering box & new shorten pitman arm
• rebuilt front end using teflon kit in drag link and tie rod

Mike

[spdway1]

Mike,
Nice Cellar Saver! This is my friends.
Don Jr.

[SeaSlugs]

I checked my rearend: barely over 2.5 turns of the driveshaft = 1 wheel rotation! YAY!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

I checked my rearend: barely over 2.5 turns of the driveshaft = 1 wheel rotation! YAY!

With one wheel held stationary that would mean you probably have the 5.14 ratio, as exactly 2.5 would be a 5:1 ratio.

I thought your AA truck had the worm drive and was a slower speed ratio?

[SeaSlugs]

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its a worm drive but i never checked the ratio until now. aparently its a highspeed rearend. i havent had it out enough to check for stampings to verify.

i know the low speed is about 3.5 turns which this certiantly is not.

[montanafordman]

That is an AWESOME AA you got there! Congrats! The 30-31 AA trucks are probably my favorite looking Model A's. I would LOVE to have a AA someday. In my dreams someday the money and land/space will come together to have one with the wife's approval... I grew up on a farm and started driving grain trucks when I was 10. I was usually driving 70's vintage grain trucks but we did have a 51 and a 55 ford trucks that came out of mothballs once in a great while, and I loved every minute of them.

As for the split rims that were discussed, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me but I'd want them to be in pristine condition (not pitted) and either own a tire cage or find a place that is willing to work on them (and fewer and fewer shops are willing to touch them anymore). I used to bust tires as a summer job and I learned a healthy amount of respect for them. I worked on them but frankly they scared the H-E double toothpicks outa me! I usually opted to have some old eyes watching over me making sure I seat the ring evenly and properly. Our tire cage had some healthy dents in the thick steel bars and I was told it was caused by one letting go with probably 10 psi in it.... We aired a lot up closer to 100psi. The force behind that rim with even comparatively low pressure is nothing short of incredible. I had heard a rumor of a trucker swatting his dual tires with a baton checking pressure and having a split rim give way and kill him so even when aired up properly, I would treat them with respect. There is also a young forum member on here I believe who lost his dad due to a split rim shop accident. As with split rims, grinders, presses, lathes, you name it stay safe out there and happy Model A'ing!

[willymakeit]

The first A I remember seeing was a AA, I about 1970. Local guy in my home town drove it everyday and everywhere. Still sticks in my mind watching it go by.