Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

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Channel1tv
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Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Channel1tv » Sun Jan 09, 2022 4:27 pm

Has anyone seen one of these Livingood 4x4 conversions for sale?
Would love to buy one, but I suspect they are rare and stupid expensive.
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Steve Jelf
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Steve Jelf » Sun Jan 09, 2022 4:30 pm

I suspect you're right. I think I've seen one, but never any for sale.
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Ed Baudoux » Sun Jan 09, 2022 4:40 pm

His grandson had reproduced some of them a few decades? ago. Seems like I remember him being in western lower Michigan. White Cloud/Hart/New Era?
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Norman Kling » Sun Jan 09, 2022 4:50 pm

I remember seeing one in the San Diego area about 25 years ago. One of our club members had it on his car. However, I don't remember whose car it was.
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:23 pm

You could probably more easily build one than find one. Outer ends of an old Jeep axle could be grafted to a T rear axle. Some kind of divorced transfer case could be used, maybe an old Jeep. You might need to split the wishbone to handle the drive/braking stress. Roxor?


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Petrah Phyre » Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:37 pm

If you build one, make it even more of a challenge and make it out of a ruckstell. I want to see the double handed shifting on that one.


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Luxford » Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:41 pm

The Livingood 4 wheel drive unit was being built in Grayville PA by his son Jesse Jr Livingood.
I visited him and did an article on the 4 wheel drive unit and got to drive Jesse's speedster equipped with the 4 wheel drive.
The article is in Volume 33 No 5 from 1998.
His address then was PO box 125 Grayville PA 15337 and phone No 412 428 3618. That was over 23 years ago don't know what the situation would be today.

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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Oldav8tor » Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:43 pm

I know a couple of guys who have one installed on their cars....neither would consider parting with them.
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Dropacent » Sun Jan 09, 2022 6:01 pm

I drove that one pictured a couple hundred feet to the street and back. Got out and told the seller that there was something really seriously wrong with it. He fluffed me off, got in and proceeded to get it stuck in his yard. My elderly father and I pushed him back onto solid ground and both walked away soaking wet.
Perhaps I just drove a lemon, but that took care of my desire for one, forever.


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Dropacent » Sun Jan 09, 2022 6:02 pm

And by the way, that pretty body is white pine assembled with drywall screws. It’s a hundred footer, for sure!


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by JohnM » Sun Jan 09, 2022 6:13 pm

This has probably been posted before, but it is a good video showing one in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmHoUKq0sC8


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Dropacent » Sun Jan 09, 2022 6:21 pm

After that video I’m convinced I drove a very poor example. It would not have handled 2” of snow.


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Luxford » Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:52 pm

The speedster Livingood I drove was nice, I would think if one did not know it was 4 wheel drive you wouldn't have known it.
I drove it through 2"deep snow on grass up and down a fair slope no problem. These pictures were in my files of one being put together for those interested.
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4X4 LIVINGOOD03.jpg
4X4 LIVINGOOD 02.jpg
4X4 LIVINGOOD 01.jpg


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Bob Pilkie » Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:48 pm

I have a livingood 4x4 kit I’m putting in a 23 roadster/jitney. I don’t really care how well it works just so cool tho. I’m in Edmonton Alberta


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by JohnM » Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:20 pm

I'm very curious, is the transfer case belt driven? And is it full time four wheel, or can you disengage it? Thanks


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Herb Iffrig » Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:58 pm

There used to be one at Mount Pleasant on display at the Old Threshers Reunion.


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by JohnM » Fri Jan 14, 2022 9:35 pm

Thanks Herb, I should inspect one first hand, seeing is believing. :)


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Luxford » Sat Jan 15, 2022 12:54 am

John, Depending which series Livingood 4 wheel unit it is depends on whether 2 wheel drive can be selected.
The transfer case is chain driven. The later version which had a Warford box installed behind the motor is constant 4 wheel drive.

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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by TRDxB2 » Sat Jan 15, 2022 1:09 am

One sold on the Forum in 2019 viewtopic.php?t=4257
Transfer case.png
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A bit of history https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/129-0 ... dster-4wd/
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Gotta see this YouTube video of one driving in snow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmHoUKq0sC8
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Last edited by TRDxB2 on Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:49 am

The reshaped front spring looks problematic to me. Ford steering might be a handful with 4X4 engaged.


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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Bryant » Sat Jan 15, 2022 6:35 pm

Are there any good pictures of the steering set up?
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by One390 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 6:34 am

The patents are out there if you want to get a feel for what Jessie Sr did. The steering is same as he T it in terms of connections/tie rod. He used all model to parts. There are original advertisement out there as well. As someone said the transfer cases are chain driven with simple engagement. Like anything else if it is set up as intended it works fine. If you have something not right you have to fight a second driveline. Trying to compare it to a modern 4x4 is tough at a functional level just like trying to comparison a T engine to a modern 4cylinder. They are very cool with a very neat history and a hard to come by. He used to make them but unless the 3rd generation picks it up there won’t be anymore made.

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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by Angmar » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:33 am

I would think that there would be a market for the original conversations if someone took it up again. I certainly would want to have one
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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 9:38 am

I'd love to have one under a late roadster pickup.

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Re: Livingood 4x4 conversion for Model T

Post by TRDxB2 » Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:09 am

More Pictures
Patent number  1158137.png
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365361.jpg
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still checking out on the internet
724-428-3618
Jesse R Livingood Graysville, age 82, male
104 Stringtown Rd, Graysville, PA 15337
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