I have seen in ads and discussions here that you talk about Southern Wide Track. Example: Model T fenders for southern wide track. What is that? I live in Norway and am wondering what this is.
60" wheelbase VS the standard 56" wheelbase on the front. I was told they made the wider axles so the car would run in the ruts caused by the farm wagons prevalent in the deep south, ergo the term "southern track (or tread). We had a southern tread front axle once, wish we still did, as I understand they're kind of rare now.
OK
Was this an assesory or did all the cars have 60" wheelbase. Perhaps only in the erly teens, when there still were a lot of horses around??
No, Yes, And No.
The standard wheelbase for a T is 56", and has been since the beginning. You could order a car with the 60" "southern tread" front axle when you bought the car, *if* you wanted it, but even though it came from the factory, it was not a standard part. If I remember right, I read the fenders were wider for these cars also. I've always thought it would make a better dropped axle for a speedster - you would be close to the standard width after the axle was bent.
It's the same as one problem I've been having - I'm trying to locate a European (German) steering box and column. These were designed without the planetary reduction box on top, and had a "worm and pinion" steering box on the bottom. They were made by Ford, but *ONLY* put into cars going to Germany. Rarer than hen's teeth over here.
"Wide track" Model T's were made in limited numbers from 1909-1916. The standard track was 56 inches. The wide track was 60 inches. The axles were longer to obtain the wider track and the fenders were modified also to cover the wider set wheels. These cars were sold mainly in the southern United States.
If you have access to "Vintage Ford" magazine, see the May/June 1996 issue for an article about them.
Susan - while you are looking for the steering gear you might also look for the cable set up that the German T's used instead of the normal brake rods. There was a pulley involved too so I think Bruce and I figured it had to be a "block and tackle" arrangement of some sort.
Thanks Stan and Susanne! I learnd a lot.
I have 3 wide track rear axles but not the housings, If anyone is interested 25.00 per axle plus shipping
Is there anything that you do not have?
he don't have the wide track axle housings