MTFCA Forum

Hi, I have a 1925-27 rolling chassis that I would like to build up into a T Truck. To start, how can I get a TT cab body and a bed? How do I get an engine?

-- IV

Is your chassis a TT chassis ? While the front suspension is the same as the cars,
the frame and rear end/suspension is totally different.

What kind of cab do you want ? Aftermarket wood ? Factory C-cab ? Factory "box"
(closed) cab ?

What kind of bed do you want ? Flatbed ? Express bed ? Other ?

-Hi, Ivaldes-
Often misunderstood, "TT" is the nomenclature for "Ton Truck", indicating a more heavily constructed frame/chassis and load capacity. The wheelbase for a Model T was standard at 100", while the 'TT' wheelbase (at least for our TT stake-bed) is at 117" if I am remembering correctly. Many car chassis have been converted into various truck configurations. If you're planning for a pick-up style, the car chassis will work fine. You'll need to watch the classifieds and swap meets for parts. As Raoul stated, there are alternatives to consider. Good luck in your adventure

How do I tell if a chassis is a TT? Probably a factory box cab with express bed.

You'll want to identify 'what' you have. Measure your wheelbase for a start, also, the depth of the c-channel frame rails at the middle of the chassis are (thinking here) about 5" deep/tall, while the car and small truck rails are about 3" tall. You will quickly identify what you have.

Frame is tall and LONG, compared to a regular T frame. Rear wheels are thick and heavy.
Regular T's use the same wheels front and back. Rear end on a TT will have an over-the-top
worm gear input. T's have a more "normal"/modern looking rear end.

I can get measurements in the AM, if you like.

C-cab was introduced in 1923. This example wears the early TT 23" rear wheels, that look
more like the front wheels.



This example has the box cab, introduced in 1924 and wears the later (post-1924) 20" wheels
that look much heavier than the front wheels.

A number of people have installed TT cabs to regular T chassis. The T frame would be too short
to attach a factory TT bed, but as many T and TT trucks wore aftermarket cabs and beds, a
fabricated bed is nothing out of the norm, and with a little thought, could be done to look period
correct.

Igancio,
You may not be able to easily recognize if it is a TT frame unless a TT chassis and a car chassis are side by side or you have a tape measure, but an easy way to ID a TT chassis is by the rear end. The car rear end has the drive shaft in the center of the differential, the TT rear end has a worm gear so the drive shaft is on the top of the differential. Engines, cabs, and beds are around and can be acquired, but if you are missing that much it may be more economical to start with a complete truck rather than buy the individual parts and build one.

Igancio,
You may not be able to easily recognize if it is a TT frame unless a TT chassis and a car chassis are side by side or you have a tape measure, but an easy way to ID a TT chassis is by the rear end. The car rear end has the drive shaft in the center of the differential, the TT rear end has a worm gear so the drive shaft is on the top of the differential. Engines, cabs, and beds are around and can be acquired, but if you are missing that much it may be more economical to start with a complete truck rather than buy the individual parts and build one.

Here is a link to a post on the 2012 forum, shows 2 car frames and a TT frame, not the best for comparison but will give you an idea.

http://www.mtfca.com/cgi-bin/discus/sho ... POST445569

The reason to make the rolling chassis into a model t truck are sentimental, fun, and to advertise a business. There is a in project in pieces on the classified's and I plan to go to Chicksha so here we go...

Frame is not a TT it is a regular frame. Will a C or box cab/express or flat bed fit?

As others have stated, a TT cab will fit a car chassis but a TT bed will not fit a car chassis.

I see that Runabouts can be converted back and forth to a light truck bed by changing out the turtle deck so sounds like Runabout it is.

Model T's were made into every imaginable configuration and then some, back in the day.
Can you do the same ? Sure you can ! Your project is only limited by your imagination.

There is a fellow on this forum who built a pickup truck around a TT box cab. The proportions
were a little large for the cab, compared to a regular T truck, but it was cute as hell ! I think
he was trying to sell it, last time I heard.

Cabs can be found, as can beds. The frame of a T just isn't long enough to support a stock
flatbed, but that doesn't mean a guy has to go that route, or could not get creative.

The T has a lot more speed potential than a TT, without spending cubic dollars, so the T is
a lot more practical to drive, ... unless you want to toss a buch of money at a TT. But is sounds
like you have a T base to build on. Run with it !

Car chassis trucks were made back in the day, all wood bodies.
And some owners go all out to put Ford factory Ton Truck (TT) metal enclosed cab on the T car chassis too! Bed is car metal bed

Dan that last picture is just amazing how perfect it looks. I cannot imagine what it takes to get them to look that good.

Ignacio

Sure we can imagine, just takes $$ and some time, skills help, depending on how the finished T is invisioned

Another on T car chassis to view.....before and after of the green one. Today its fully finished now.