MTFCA Forum

Not wanting to hijack an earlier thread or have it "drift-off" into another direction about different front cross members ( viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10523 ), I thought I would ask my question in a new thread. When Ford made the change in 1920 to a "new" cross member made of heavier steel, what is the thickness from the "old" to the "new" cross member? If anyone might know I would be interested in the difference. The ones that I have to measure will not be "accessible" until Spring.

I believe it went from 0.105" (12 ga.) to 0.125". I could be wrong.

These measurements are slightly larger because of rust and paint and/or inaccuracy of the cheap calipers, but they are consistent with what R.V. stated. One is an 09-13 frame and the other is 1921-25.

So are the earlier frames also a little thinner than the later frames? If the early front cross member is thinner it would seem that the rest of the frame would be the same thickness also.

Just wondering.

The front crossmember was changed to thicker steel in June 1920.

As for the chassis frame, the later Improved Car chassis frame got thicker steel too: Previous frame members were made of .125-inch steel. A letter to chassis suppliers, dated February 28, 1926, specified the metal to be the same as the truck chassis (Type “L” steel, .180-.200 inches thick).

Thanks for that info, Dan. I never knew the '26-7 frames are heavier than earlier ones.

I have a later- thick frame. It measures .187 thick . The front cross member is about .156 allowing for very little paint and rust. This is a '26/27 frame. I had a '25 frame that was the .187 thickness but, the cross members were the thinner- maybe the .125. These are both stock, unmolested frames.

Thank you for all the information and help, it is very much appreciated.

The TT trucks are a heavier cross member.