Ideas on moving old chassis?

[colonelpowers]

A friend of mine passed away a week or so ago and at the funeral his brother asked if I could possibly remove a 17 chassis that was in the back yard. He is needing to get the property cleaned up soon. I hadn't looked at it closely in years but I said that I would get it. 20 years ago that chassis was pretty nice with a newly rebuilt engine. Yesterday I went to look to find that all four wheels are completely rotted away. It now has only hubs and rims from what had been good wood felloe wheels. The rebuilt engine is stuck and several small trees are grown up through the frame. To make it better the chassis could not be in a worse location, down behind the house where no other vehicle can get within 50 yards of.

I wanted to ask if you all have any cheap, jerry rigged, ideas to get it rollable so that I can get it out of their yard. I have considered trying to roughly cut some spokes out of 2x4 and screwing the rims on just well enough to roll it. I also thought about trying to cut out something that would halfway work as a spacer to allow me to bolt the hubs into the center of some old trailer wheels. After looking at the chassis there is a distinct possibility that it is only worthy of being scrapped, though I will take a good look at whether or not that engine is salvageable, so I don't want to spend any more than is absolutely necessary to get it rollable enough for it to be pushed up the hill and around the house to a trailer.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. On a side note, I do have 2 21x4.5 wheels without rims that I could possibly use if you can think of a way to fashion something to cover the felloes and act as a rim so that they don't just cut down into the ground when we try to move it.

Thanks and God Bless

[Mike Silbert]

Man, I wish you were closer to me.
A challenge like this gets me excited and curious.

I have helped get 2 trucks with a chainsaw and skid loader.
The first job was to cut a path to get there, but that is another story.

Then there was another time when I was driving through the woods dragging a car behind my car......

From your description I would cut the trees out first.
A tractor with a lift or other equipment would help make it easier.
It can hang from a decently strong loader bucket and be dropped right on a trailer.
Then take some wood and make a cheap quick "sled" from 2x4's and plywood and drag it out.
You can also borrow wheels from somewhere else and roll it out on them.
Wheels without rims in soft ground can roll slowly without damage but not preferred.
Someone nearby might even have a set of wheels to let you use if you don't have spares.
At worst break it into big chunks and load it into a truck.

I bet there is a lot of good stuff still left and it might even be the start of your upcoming speedster project.
Scrapping it is a last resort if it really is useless.
When you build it post pictures!
Mike

[Gene_French]

you may be able to cut circular disc from 3/4" plywood and screw these to the existing rotted spokes to make a rolling assembly ... the trees and other obstructions ...a chain saw or crosscut and good helper ... good luck and Happy New Year ...gene french

[Cruby]

Two fence posts attached to what is left of wheels, front of post cut on an angle.

[John kuehn]

From your description of the chassis location the cheapest and less time consuming way to get it out the size of the trees and brush would be the factor.

I would use a chainsaw and clear a path down to it, rent or use a tractor with a front end and load it on a trailer and haul it off.

You didn’t mention how big the trees are getting to it or how big they are growing through it.

With all that said does the brother have the money to help with the cost of removing it?
Unless he could help with cost tell him it wouldn’t be worth the effort. Just trying to be practical for all parties concerned. He did tell you he needs to get the property cleaned up and that would be his part to help clearing a path down to the chassis.

[Scott_Conger]

"It goes with the house"

[George House]

Yep. Tractor w/ front end loader, chains and chain saw is all you’ll need. Once the frame is on jackstands at my house, I’d love to be the one to get the “newly rebuilt engine” running. OP said the deceased T owner was his friend so, in my estimation, theres no getting around his brother’s request.

[TXGOAT2]

I'd borrow or rent a tractor with a loader, maybe 50 HP or larger, and then remove only the trees and brush needed to get the tractor in and the chassis clear. Use chains or straps to lift the frame assembly and then drive the tractor to your trailer and set the whole thing on the trailer. One of the fork lifts with larger, tractor-style wheels would also do the job. A plywood sled would also work to drag it out. I've dragged all kinds of VERY heavy stuff up on a light 2 axle car trailer using come-alongs and chains or a hand crank boat winch. Some assorted 4X4 scraps and a few pieces of 3/4 plywood can be very helpful when loading odd-shaped, heavy stuff.

[Humblej]

Joshua,
Perhaps you could post some pictues of the chassis and the route it has to be moved.

[Tim Moore]

They come apart into manageable pieces quite easily. 2 guys with hand tools and a cordless impact make it as small as you want and much lighter. I did it once in a barnyard alone. I even took the motor apart where I could load it into my truck. You probably want it apart at home anyway so no reason to fight it in one uncooperative piece with unusable junk attached. I wouldn't want to tear up the land and cut trees and brush when you can take just a chassis apart quick and neat.

I'll bet a scrapper wouldn't have any problems.

[michaelb2296]

Two 12” wheels are $20 bucks on amazon. 4-$40
With 4 lag bolts , 2 2x4’s , you could have a ready made dolly
For about $50. Even steerable. But, as others have stated, we need more information and pictures.

[big2bird]

They come apart into manageable pieces quite easily. 2 guys with hand tools and a cordless impact make it as small as you want and much lighter. I did it once in a barnyard alone. I even took the motor apart where I could load it into my truck. You probably want it apart at home anyway so no reason to fight it in one uncooperative piece with unusable junk attached. I wouldn't want to tear up the land and cut trees and brush when you can take just a chassis apart quick and neat.

I'll bet a scrapper wouldn't have any problems.

Agreed. Just tear it down.

[ModelTWoods]

Josh, you say you would be afraid to roll wheels without rims in the yard for fear of cutting up his yard. Where you are you must have gotten plenty of rain or snow to make the ground that soft. Here in central Texas, my yard is so hard and grass is so dead, I can drive my F-150 on it and not leave a rut. If the guy wants it out of his yard bad enough, he shouldn't be upset if you leave ruts, and I think you said that you couldn't get a vehicle to it to pull or tow it out. If that's the case, wouldn't the chassis be to wide to clear obstacles when rolling it out? If the chassis will clear, put the 2 21" wheels on the front and borrow 2 more from someone for the rear. Worst case, drag the chassis out by lifting the rear and dragging it on the front wheels. Maybe a small tractor, even garden tractor size would be able to pull it out.

[Scott_Conger]

The entire situation sounds like a complete mess. If you feel it is your duty to move this thing for the family, then good for you...that's a noble gesture. However, be aware that from the description you've given, you are going to end up with something that is pretty much worthless in today's market even though the brother is almost certainly thinking he's doing you a favor by giving you something of value. Numerous similar setups have been offered for sale on the forum and absolutely no one wants them.

Friend or not, if there was a single demand of care or remediation needed on the yard or it cost you anything for equipment to solve this conundrum, I'd walk away from it and let the family call a scrapper. The original owner cared not one whit for this thing and placing value on it now is a losing proposition.

[TRDxB2]

A couple of Model Trees & Ashes
Which one do you think you could save without the help of tree removal service?

[ModelTWoods]

I agree with Scott, however another alternative would be to bring a cutting torch and a small wagon or cart, or even a wheel barrow, and cut and remove the front axle/spring assembly, the rear axle/spring assembly, and the engine/trans assembly and haul them out of the yard. Then, if the bare frame was too heavy to move, you could cut it in half. P.S. In the 1970's, I bought a Fordson tractor from a man for $50.00, needing full restoration. In had trees growing all around it, completely blocking its removal. After thinking about it. i just gave up on removing it and lost $50.00.

[TXGOAT2]

# 3 is worthy of a Rich Eagle painting.

[TXGOAT2]

One ans a half sheets of 3/4 plywood would do for a sled to pull it out. A utility tractor would pull it over grass, weeds, or light brush. I'd go get it. Lap about 18" of the half sheet over the full sheet of plywood, and use 16 carriage bolts and washers, in 2 rows of 8, to bolt the sheets together. Cut an 8" wide X 48" doubler and bolt or nail it to the front edge of the sled and use a hole saw to make 2 - 2.5 " holes through the forward sheet and doubler to put a chain bridle through. You might need two blocks to keep the rear brakes off the ground.

[John kuehn]

A PICTURE of what you’re up against will say a thousand words. People will have a different picture in their mind what you are talking about. If you can walk down to the car and take a photo there and another couple of shots to and from the area will say two thousand words.

[varmint]

Joshua, if I still lived in Virginia and this was nine years ago when we were looking for a T, I would personally go for it. Ours was said to have a rebuilt engine sitting on top of a pile of rust. Looking back nine years, it was worth it. I made plywood wheels that do not attach to the spokes, because they would not turn. Someone has to walk along side and tend to them. I agree with John, that a photo is worth a thousand words.
Dragging it out is a legit option.

DSC00730b.jpg (75.51 KiB) Viewed 748 times

[TXGOAT2]

It looks a lot better today!!

[colonelpowers]

I wanted to write again with an update on the chassis. I don't have a cell phone or I would post some pictures. I went over there the other day with the intention of putting the 2 wheels that I have on it and bring the rear hubs and rims home in hopes of using some scrap wood to fashion some kind of spokes and put together to have something that might roll. It was easy enough to cut back the briars and get the front end jacked up and set on firewood blocks. I thought that I would look into the transmission to see what it looked like inside and to my surprise it looked as good as new. I then opened the draincocks on the pan to have clear water pour out onto the ground. I already knew that the engine was stuck but was hopeful that that could be dealt with. A rebuilt engine that wasn't broken in would be easier to stick up with the tighter fit of the new parts. With a pan full of water I don't think that there is any hope for the engine.

I am almost certain that the chassis is going to stay there in the weeds. I don't know how it was ever put where it is now. I don't have a tractor available but I think that there would be a high chance of rolling over. It really is an awful location and after inspecting it I can find nothing that would be of benefit if I could get it out of there.

[TXGOAT2]

The water may be condensate. The engine may be OK, especially if there is any oil on top of the water. If the transmission isn't a mass of rust, the engine probably isn't either.

[Mike Silbert]

If the inside of the transmission looks "as good as new" then it is probably salvageable.
When the water gets in it starts to collect at the bottom (drain plug) then as it says in there longer it starts to rust the parts all over inside the engine.
The oil on the engine parts protects them, for a little while.
I have seen engines stuck for as little as one valve stuck stopping it from turning over.
It's always a gamble but looking good on top is a great sign.

Look at this guys videos of a burned up, abandoned, and left for dead in the weeds Model T running.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=50392

I have retrieved vehicles and parts from 100 ft away to get to good ground before.
It just takes more chains and tow straps.
If you were closer I would help get it out just for the challenge of it.
Mike

[varmint]

Never give up! There is hope. We are driving this engine that had water in it from Hurricane Katrina and another flood.

[Scott_Conger]

who among you Perky Fellows is willing to give Joshua $500 sight-unseen for this thing once it's liberated?

[Tim Moore]

Nope but some of these ideas would be fun to watch.

[Mike Silbert]

Scott,
I feel like you are also are also directing your question to me.

Nope, I would not buy it. I would go help and come home with nothing but memories and the experience of doing it.
Joshua would keep the chassis for himself.
I don't need any more spare parts, some say I have too many already
My limit is 1 hour away or less and he is more than 3 hours away.
I've been an hour away helping (working) multiple times this year (2025)
When I go help people there is no charge other than if I am there when it is time to eat I get fed also.
In the past I have hosted and presented 8 free technical day long seminars where I paid out of my pocket for materials and snacks.
This year I hosted and ran (with the help of others) a free 3 day long weekend repair event open to broken Model T's and Model A's
Plus over the years I probably ran or participated in 100 different club tech repair days helping members all over.
I even wandered over and helped my neighbor today on his cars for a while.
To expand and move forward in life you have to do new things and challenge yourself.

It's about the cars, not about money.
Mike

[colonelpowers]

You have inspired me to at least make a little more effort to try to save the chassis. I was thinking, I have a yard cart that I move firewood around with and I know that it will roll 1000 pounds over fairly muddy ground . It is not large enough to use for the chassis but it is for the engine. The engine is basically just sitting on the chassis anyway. There isn't a good option for hoisting the engine but it could probably be lifted out with a few people. Once it is out I think that the chassis could have my two wheels on the front and two skids under the rear axle and could probably be drug by hand if need be.

[George House]

Good choice colonel. Plan the work and work the plan. A ‘17 engine is valuable (especially if spark plugs were installed). Even Alan from Down Under admitted to using JB Weld to change casting date on a late teen T engine to use in a brass T. …….

[TXGOAT2]

I'd get it. Like farmland, forest, "raw land", and open pasture, old car stuff "in the wild" is rapidly being destroyed by expanding urbanization.... and massive "environmental" projects.

[Rich P. Bingham]

. . . There isn't a good option for hoisting the engine but it could probably be lifted out with a few people . . .

My first T (1962) we two teenagers pulled the engine by slinging a chain around a corral pole and between the cylinders. It will do to get it into your cart !

[Scott_Conger]

No, Mike, my response was not aimed at you.

My point was this: on the For Sale Forum, there is a fellow who is trying unsuccessfully, to sell a restored chassis, clean engine and a truckload of parts for $500. He has unfortunately and inexplicably been unable to raise any interest at all in what he has for sale. That was the genesis for my $500 figure. If his stuff is not worth $500, then this thing isn't worth a fraction of $500. And if it was me, that would be the baseline for me as to whether or not I'd be inclined to potentially hurt myself or someone else for that - the juice wouldn't be worth the squeeze.

In addition, we also now know that it is not worth a 3 hour drive to help him get it out of there...so now we know that if recovered, it isn't worth $500 nor a car drive. So this leaves us with a noble gesture to help out a friend's family with some risk of injury if any tractor or similar item is used or just for the thrill of it... If it's a noble gesture, or simply the thrill/challenge of it, well, I suppose that's priceless, but if anyone wants to believe it is for the "good of the hobby" then they're kidding themselves, or the fellow with very nice parts would have sold his the first day.

It's a nearly inaccessible, rotted/seized partial Model T...not a Hispano Suiza residing under a carport next to a mobile home.

Joshua asked for ideas and based on his description, mine was "I wouldn't do it". He apparently isn't taking that advice and that's just fine with me...he's a big boy, has a better understanding of the situation than me, and it was simply advice, not a demand.

[TXGOAT2]

Are Hispano Suizas allowed to be near mobile homes?

[tdump]

who among you Perky Fellows is willing to give Joshua $500 sight-unseen for this thing once it's liberated?

If I were closer to him I would be tickled pink to help him get it out, with a good transmission, that is worth the work to me to get it out. after all the effort I went thru to put new bushings in 1, to have 1 that just needed rinsing out and bolting on, sheesh, that would be SWEET.

[Scott_Conger]

Are Hispano Suizas allowed to be near mobile homes?

No, and that's precisely why that car would HAVE to be rescued.