Could someone please enlighten me as to whether a pickup body was a factory made option for USA made cars? If so, when?
Also, any experience with the supplier's pickup kits. see:
http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/modeltparts/pickuptruck
I assume these kits are only suitable for roadsters and that the bed for 26-27 is only bigger because of the location of the fuel tank?
Constantine
Hi Constantine,
The two pickup box kits are reproductions of accessory boxes that were available back in the heyday of the T production. I believe the 26-27 box is larger because of the change in body styles from the earlier roadsters. The 26-27 had a slightly larger rear deck where the turtle deck bolted on. To do both of these conversions, the turtle deck is replaced by the accessory wooden pickup box.
In 1925 and also 1926-27 Ford offered factory roadster pickups with a Ford manufactured steel pickup box. The 1925 box differed from the 1926-27 box in that the front stake holes were right at the front corners; the 26-27 box had the front stake holes moved a short distance back from the front corners.
Hope this helps.
Dennis, thanks for the info.
It seems steel pickup boxes are being made for Model As but not for Ts.
Are there alternative wooden pickup bed plans out there or is there someone who can make beds to order? I think it might be handy to have a 6ft long bed; is there a reason that may be a problem?
Constantine
Ray Wells in El Cajon would be worth speaking to. Goes under the name of "The Craftsman" Plans for the standard wooden ute beds are available from Langs and are produced by a friend of the Forum! I have a set and a 26 wooden Ute
Alan in Western Australia
A 6 foot bed in my opinion might be a little unruly looking on a T. I just built one from scratch using many pictures and some plans, and coming up with my own version. I think it is just over 4 Ft long maybe something like 54". I personally from an aesthetic point wouldn't go over 5 ft, but that is just me. Mine came out a little narrower too at about 34". I wish I at least went a full 36", probably could have even squeezed 38" on there.
BTW, my car is a cut off touring, so I had no wood in the back, I built a stand alone frame for the bed and built up from there. It bolts and sits right on top of the T frame.
I think A 6 ft bed would have far too much overhang behind the rear crossmember.
The early '26 pickup beds had the stake pockets up front too, just like the '25s. It was changed soon after that, because they found if you put a stake up front, it would hit the back of the body.
I want to get one of the bed kits from the vendors and have all of the black hardware stripped and then brass plated. Then I'll have a speedster-pickup. =) I think it'll look cool.
I have a NOS pick-up (slip-on) wood bed for sale, its altogether, has never been mounted on a T, has the battery hole in it, I purchased it at Chickasha yrs ago. A fellow from Florida had brought it to there. 950.00 plus pick up here, or truck freight danuser88@ktis.net
The 1925 Factory bed also had a metal rod on each side of the bed to hang the rear fenders on. The later 26/27 bed was designed for the rear fenders to be bolted against the bed. (would not work with the 25 fenders)
Thanks for the replies guys.
Think you're right that a 6ft bed might look odd...I can live with odd...but such a length would make the space useable as a bed. Thinking of a 6ft wooden bed holding a matress with some sort of canvas pop-up top but nothing fancy.
Re: 25 versus 26-27 pickup beds. I have a 26-27 box where the fenders bolt on to the box, instead of hanging on irons, and the box has the front corner stake holes like a 25, so that shoots the theory of all 26-27 boxes having the front stake hole placed a short distance (4-6 inches) to the rear of the front corners.
Constantine what you really need to do is go study under The Model T Grand Camping Master Sensei Robb Wolf: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/422459.html?1394183615
I know you've seen that thread already since you commented in it, but the craftsmanship deserves to be linked again. =)
This is the bed I made using the remains of an original 1/2 rotted away, also made a trailer to match. this would be the pre 26-27 style wood bed and should fit any roadster from 15 to 25.
"Come here often?"
Bob, looks good. What's the size of the pickup bed?
Seth, I do remember Robb's fantastic camper. I'm after something far more basic plus I want an open car (not closed) that when not being used for camping can be converted back into a standard pickup.
Found this picture while looking at pickups, I kind of like the look myself. Pickup lives in the Czech Republic and is a every day working and hunting truck.
Charley
Put in a Warford, and lengthen the frame 12" for a 6' box. Mine is 30" in front of the axle, and 30" aft of the axle.
Constantine,
The 1925 Model T pickup is a relatively rare factory model. It has always been one of my favorites. You can see me and my dad in 1959 in the lower picture. Wish we still had that one.
What about a 5 foot tray 1 foot high with a 1 foot high tailgate that folds down and is held level? That way it is 6 feet long when it needs to be and 5 feet when it's not.
Constantine
I used the measurement from the rotted orig. width OD 37" Front to back OD 53 1/4". I have drawings I did that I can send if you PM you'r address.
Bob
Thanks everyone for all the replies and information; some interesting ideas there.
Constantine,
Ralph has the right idea. Lengthen the chassis and install a Warford. Still a standard T rear end but with the extra length. Allan Bennet has done it with his 1917 and I think one of the cars on the 2008 across was a nice 1916 camper with an extended chassis. Let us know what long distance T tour you are planning???