The Ford Barn

Dave in MN · 04-12-2017, 04:45 PM

I have been looking off and on for the past two years for the right '31 Slant Window. Late last week I looked at one and made an offer on it. It was located in a storage shed with removed pieces of it scattered around it. The owner's grandson removed the entire interior except the seat coverings and damaged most of it.

I brought it home this past Sunday with the help of two friends who have expertise regarding the car. Their help was invaluable for locating the strewn pieces of the interior. I plan to install a rebuilt engine, go through the drive train, install cast iron brake drums and install a new interior.

God willing, this car will be making a road trip to and from Alaska next summer pulling a home made pop-up teardrop camper. The camper has mechanical surge brakes to reduce the braking load on the car.

I have included some photos of both projects.
Good Day!

Original body with re-painted fenders.

Will Ziegler in LI NY · 04-12-2017, 05:14 PM

Looks like a great project. How are you actuating the model A trailer brakes?

Dave in MN · 04-12-2017, 05:25 PM

The hitch pole is mounted to the trailer frame with a set of rear shackles. When the pole pushes back it applies the brakes. I fitted a rear brake cam shaft and rear brake track assembly into a front backing plate and am using an equalizing bar with short brake rods to activate the cams.

The hitch pole has about 1.5" of travel and applies the brakes quite effectively from the preliminary tests I have made. I have a spring mounted between the hitch pole and the frame to create about 150# of force against the tow vehicle before the brakes are applied and may need to add a shock of some sort also. I expect to need to modify this area/forces once the trailer is complete and fully loaded.

Yes...the camper is a fun project.

TinCup · 04-12-2017, 05:36 PM

I don't know which one looks like more fun.

1931 flamingo · 04-12-2017, 05:37 PM

Lucky You.
Keep us updated with lots of pictures, please.
Paul in CT

barnstuf · 04-13-2017, 09:19 AM

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For over 20 years I used an 18 foot open car trailer with mechanical surge brakes. They worked effectively with a heavy trailer and I hope they are effective with a light trailer. The only drawback was getting out of the tow vehicle cab to go back to the trailer drawbar and insert a pin in the control so that I could back the rig up without the application of the trailer brakes.

04-12-2017, 05:14 PM	#2
Will Ziegler in LI NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Northport, NY Posts: 178	Re: Brought home a S/W Town Sedan Looks like a great project. How are you actuating the model A trailer brakes?

04-12-2017, 05:25 PM	#3
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: Brought home a S/W Town Sedan The hitch pole is mounted to the trailer frame with a set of rear shackles. When the pole pushes back it applies the brakes. I fitted a rear brake cam shaft and rear brake track assembly into a front backing plate and am using an equalizing bar with short brake rods to activate the cams. The hitch pole has about 1.5" of travel and applies the brakes quite effectively from the preliminary tests I have made. I have a spring mounted between the hitch pole and the frame to create about 150# of force against the tow vehicle before the brakes are applied and may need to add a shock of some sort also. I expect to need to modify this area/forces once the trailer is complete and fully loaded. Yes...the camper is a fun project. Last edited by Dave in MN; 04-13-2017 at 02:05 PM.

04-12-2017, 05:36 PM	#4
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: Brought home a S/W Town Sedan I don't know which one looks like more fun. __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group.

04-12-2017, 05:37 PM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Brought home a S/W Town Sedan Lucky You. Keep us updated with lots of pictures, please. Paul in CT

04-13-2017, 09:19 AM	#6
barnstuf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 2,840	Re: Brought home a S/W Town Sedan Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) For over 20 years I used an 18 foot open car trailer with mechanical surge brakes. They worked effectively with a heavy trailer and I hope they are effective with a light trailer. The only drawback was getting out of the tow vehicle cab to go back to the trailer drawbar and insert a pin in the control so that I could back the rig up without the application of the trailer brakes.