The Ford Barn

Bruce Adams · 02-05-2017, 11:53 PM

This post is five years old and YES, leather belts, even at MArshalls are around $25 for a 36 inch one which is much more popular than twice that in thick, untreated leather.

5window · 02-05-2017, 11:55 PM

If you were like me and lived in Amish country, you could probably get one for less at a harness shop. But, leather's expensive.

DougVieyra · 02-06-2017, 02:59 AM

If you rarely use your accessory trunk, then the two straps make an nice 'finishing touch' of nostalgia - a visual piece of frosting that enhances the appearance of the trunk.

If you use your trunk frequently, you will most likely find it a real pain-in-the-ass to constantly have to buckle and unbuckle to gain access to your trunk's contents.

40 years ago I removed my leather straps and stowed them in the trunk. The four clasps and two latches work just fine to secure the lid. At the same time I removed the leather straps, I also bolted my accessory trunk to my original fixed trunk rack, so I don't need the straps to secure my trunk to the trunk rack.

JDupuis · 02-06-2017, 08:17 AM

I live in Menonite area. My friend John just had 2 straps made, using his original buckles. The buckles are sewn in place at a harness maker. $30. For the pair. Jeff

5window · 02-06-2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDupuis

I live in Menonite area. My friend John just had 2 straps made, using his original buckles. The buckles are sewn in place at a harness maker. $30. For the pair. Jeff

Yeah, if you live in those areas, there are a lot of very interesting things at the harness and farm shops you wouldn't think were available anymore.

As an aside, my Mennonite-steel wheel tractor- neighbors now put up my hay. Instead of my wife and me struggling with 70 year old equipment and taking a chance of work vs weather, they cut it (ALWAYS on time and dry and I don't know how), bale it, take it away, buy what I don't need out of my half and pay me a good price right away. Great folks to be neighbors with. Don't ask me how my "English" neighbor screwed it up the one season I let him do it.

CarlG · 02-06-2017, 01:14 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

If you rarely use your accessory trunk, then the two straps make an nice 'finishing touch' of nostalgia - a visual piece of frosting that enhances the appearance of the trunk.

If you use your trunk frequently, you will most likely find it a real pain-in-the-ass to constantly have to buckle and unbuckle to gain access to your trunk's contents.

40 years ago I removed my leather straps and stowed them in the trunk. The four clasps and two latches work just fine to secure the lid. At the same time I removed the leather straps, I also bolted my accessory trunk to my original fixed trunk rack, so I don't need the straps to secure my trunk to the trunk rack.

My friend has a trunk in the bed of his pickup. It's one that Snyder's sells. He does use his trunk often and it was a PITA to buckle it all the time. He fashioned the straps so that it "looks" buckled but really isn't. Just uses the latches to keep it closed. Pretty neat setup.

old31 · 02-06-2017, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/

I had Tandy Leather in Elgin, Il duplicate one of my trunk straps. I think they had scraps from other jobs that they used so it was cheap.... I believe they have facilities all over the US.. $12.00 for 72 inch leather strap as an example.

I also heard Tom Brady could make you one out of old deflated pig skins...

Oh boy, don't you be picking on my boy Tommy after yesterdays game, yikes

DougVieyra · 02-06-2017, 01:53 PM

CarlG, post #26:
"He fashioned the straps so that it "looks" buckled but really isn't."
_______________________________________________

Yes, Carl, I have seen a couple of original (circa 1920-'30s) trunks that were factory made that way. And for forty years, I have been meaning to 'getting around to it' to do the same thing on my trunk.

Your friend did not wait 40 years - smart man.

ronn · 02-07-2017, 07:51 AM

Man, you want cheap beer,too?

For you beer men in the Northeast-try Yards All out of Philadelphia-a very nice Microbrew-in the low 30's for a case-better buy 4 of those belts so you can save enough for real beer..

Yuengling, the oldest brewery in America tastes fine by me.............

on ebay- I buy leather strapping material often and use a rivet gun to install.

02-05-2017, 11:53 PM	#21
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Wow! $35 for a leather strap? This post is five years old and YES, leather belts, even at MArshalls are around $25 for a 36 inch one which is much more popular than twice that in thick, untreated leather.

02-05-2017, 11:55 PM	#22
5window Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewisburg,PA Posts: 938	Re: Wow! $35 for a leather strap? If you were like me and lived in Amish country, you could probably get one for less at a harness shop. But, leather's expensive.

02-06-2017, 02:59 AM	#23
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: Wow! $35 for a leather strap? If you rarely use your accessory trunk, then the two straps make an nice 'finishing touch' of nostalgia - a visual piece of frosting that enhances the appearance of the trunk. If you use your trunk frequently, you will most likely find it a real pain-in-the-ass to constantly have to buckle and unbuckle to gain access to your trunk's contents. 40 years ago I removed my leather straps and stowed them in the trunk. The four clasps and two latches work just fine to secure the lid. At the same time I removed the leather straps, I also bolted my accessory trunk to my original fixed trunk rack, so I don't need the straps to secure my trunk to the trunk rack.

02-06-2017, 08:17 AM	#24
JDupuis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maryhill Ont Canada Posts: 834	Re: Wow! $35 for a leather strap? I live in Menonite area. My friend John just had 2 straps made, using his original buckles. The buckles are sewn in place at a harness maker. $30. For the pair. Jeff __________________ Let's let pylons, be pylons!

02-06-2017, 01:53 PM	#28
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: Wow! $35 for a leather strap? CarlG, post #26: "He fashioned the straps so that it "looks" buckled but really isn't." _______________________________________________ Yes, Carl, I have seen a couple of original (circa 1920-'30s) trunks that were factory made that way. And for forty years, I have been meaning to 'getting around to it' to do the same thing on my trunk. Your friend did not wait 40 years - smart man.

02-07-2017, 07:51 AM	#29
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Wow! $35 for a leather strap? Man, you want cheap beer,too? For you beer men in the Northeast-try Yards All out of Philadelphia-a very nice Microbrew-in the low 30's for a case-better buy 4 of those belts so you can save enough for real beer.. Yuengling, the oldest brewery in America tastes fine by me............. on ebay- I buy leather strapping material often and use a rivet gun to install.