MTFCA Forum

Since I finally acquired a suicide door Coupe(1922) after locating about 20 cars, I have not only seen several in person, but numerous more with pictures that sellers would send me. Please look at the two pictures below and if possible, inform me that they were possibly an "accessory" support rods for the running boards for maybe more strength for the climbing in to a car when putting weight on the running board? I have only seen these on one suicide door Coupe and it was a 1921. None of the other 19 or so cars I found had them from the year range of 1919-1923. If these came on other model cars, I have not seen them, but also I don't look to buy anything but Coupes. Much Thanks in advance for your knowledge!!! Walt Wise

Right running board brackets and rods for a T up to 1920.

They were deleted on our Canadian sourced cars during 1921.

Allan from down under.

Forged brackets riveted to the frame side rails were always supported by truss rods ( 1909-21 all bodies) as your photos show. Without them running boards are very flimsy, and the frame rails may twist some when weight is applied to the running board.

1920-21 forged braces were replaced by one piece stamped sheet metal braces with a different geometry and an additional strap riveted to the top of the frame rail.

The previous system may have proved problematic for ground clearance in some situations which could explain their absence on some cars.

Your rear truss rod is incorrect. It has a dip in it. Fun Projects makes perfect replacements. I put one of their replacements on my '13 rear, and it's just what I expected to get.......a perfect part!

I have never seen rods like that. They could have been an accessory or someone's attempt to stiffen the rod. They do flex a little. The rods are easily made from round bar but welding cutoff bolts into a tube or pipe may have been a solution for someone.
These show what the originals look like. (From Lang's catalog.
https://cdn.modeltford.com/i/c/2885608l.jpg
https://cdn.modeltford.com/i/c/2885609l.jpg

The obvious intent was to stiffen the running boards, the original rods may have been damaged or just weren't stiff enough, they appear to be remade somewhat stiffer than the originals. They may be better, except for the dip in the rear rod.

Thanks for filling me in guys!!! It is awesome to get an answer to your question! Much Thanks !!! Walt Wise

Please forgive the "thread drift" Walt, but now that your topic has been addressed, I have to ask,..... in the top picture, what's that cylindrical shaped appendage that protrudes downward from the radius rod ball joint? Not only don't know what it is, or what it's for, but it would seem to preclude the proper method of safety wiring the two radius rod ball joint bolt together,....??? Just wondering,.....harold

It's a "serviceable" ball cap - it's a grease cup.

Well I'll be darned! Never seen one before,....thanks Steve. Are they a good idea? I guess you could still safety wire AROUND the back side of it, huh? Kinda' ugly in my opinion,....but then not only is it not very visible, but there's a lot of stuff under a "T" chassis that's not particularly "beautiful", and I guess that could be said of most cars, right?

Okay,....I'll "shut-up" now,....at least I didn't hijack this thread until Walts question was answered,.....harold

This isn't Walt's car. It is an example he used to help with his question.

the car that the pix came from is for sale on the "For Sale" forum