Roadster trunk floor or not?

[fordt]

Converting a 26-27 roadster over to a pickup. I got a bunch of free Howells sheet metal panels early on in the restoration and have used most of them up patch paneling and such, but I noticed the other day I still have the trunk floor sitting out in the storage shed. Is there some advantage/disadvantage to putting the floor in even though there’ll be truck bed wood there? Keeps road stuff from slopping up on the bottom of the bed boards? Keeps muffler heat off them? Just another thing to rust when water sits on it with the wood bed boards above it? Makes it any easier to fit the boards and/or battery box top on? I reckon all the frame rivets have to be removed and then redone to fasten the floor to the body subframe…at least they all line up fairly well. Also, what thread pitch/bolt size goes in the radiator apron below the crank hole?

[Henry K. Lee]

No floor used on a RPU, it would only interfere with the battery access and leaf spring hump.

Hank

[fordt]

So ya reckon Henry saved a buck by not putting them in at assembly like it was going to be a roadster and didn’t just slap beds on completed roadster frames? I’ve got a spring hump for this floor. I guess all those folks who had roadsters and converted them in the late 20’s took out their floors? Seems like it would make things a little more rigid back there too. Not arguing, just thinking out loud!

[speedytinc]

I have had a couple roadster trunks. The floor was attached to the trunk.
As Henry notes, having both would create unnecessary interference issues.
The P/U bed is a complete unit with its own battery access & cover. Plus the rear frame hump is built into the bed.

[Rajo23]

If you would like to sell your extra trunk floor, I think I would like to buy it.
Contact me through my email to discuss this further:

Thanks so much!!

[Kevin Pharis]

I have had a couple roadster trunks. The floor was attached to the trunk.
As Henry notes, having both would create unnecessary interference issues.
The P/U bed is a complete unit with its own battery access & cover. Plus the rear frame hump is built into the bed.

The trunk floor was attached to the trunk only in later ‘27. The ‘26 and early ‘27 floor as seen above was attached to the sub rails. Here is a shot of the late ‘27 trunk floor. Certainly would make swapping the trunk for the pickup bed far more streamline…?

[fordt]

If you would like to sell your extra trunk floor, I think I would like to buy it.
Contact me through my email to discuss this further:
EmailPic.jpg
Thanks so much!!

Is this for me and the flat floor pictured? I’d hate to think what shipping would be on a piece this big in order to get it somewhere not all bent up! I guess UPS would wrap it successfully….

Any opinions on the size/thread pitch on the radiator apron screw on the front spring perch?

[fordt]

Then there’s this discussion, and I’d forgotten I’d asked the same question about metal floors!

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=2274

[Mark Nunn]

Does anyone know for certain what gage of steel was used in the Roadster floor panel? I am guessing 19, but being a floor, it may be 18. I am preparing to make one and I will create engineering drawings first.

[KBurket]

Radiator apron screw. Flat head, 20 TPI, 1/4” dia, mines only 1/2” long. Flat washer.

Langs sells them for a quarter (plus shipping). https://www.modeltford.com/item/3977EMB.aspx

[micshotrodgarage]

I was wanting to know if the roadster floor that fits inside the turtle deck for the later 27 cars is sold anywhere through the after market?

[ModelTGal]

I was wanting to know if the roadster floor that fits inside the turtle deck for the later 27 cars is sold anywhere through the after market?

Best of luck. No, to the best of my ability I could not find a SINGLE vendor who actually sold a trunk floor for either a 26 or 27. (Howell's says they do but I ordered one in February and haven't received word one from them in regards to the order - thankfully Hank Lee (THANKS HANK!!) made me one up based on a tracing from Ken Buhler (THANKS KEN!!))

And most of the Model T parts vendors who USED to offer one no longer do, as they also can't reliably get sheet metal from Howells apparently.

So yah, if you can find one its likely going to be the 1926 variety that Howells says they make/sell.

Jennifer
aka ModelTGal

[fordt]

If you would like to sell your extra trunk floor, I think I would like to buy it.
Contact me through my email to discuss this further:
EmailPic.jpg
Thanks so much!!

Email sent…