MTFCA Forum

Does anyone have an idea of the weight of a 1913/14 Model T roadster body? Just the body without the turtle deck or dash and unattached to the frame.
Thank you Craig

I just noticed that I spelled Body wrong, my mistake. Craig

I don't have any actual figures? But how accurate a figure do you need? With or without upholstery? Shipping? Lifting?
A few years ago working on my re-wooded and mostly restored 1915 runabout, without turtle deck, I stood in the middle of the body (where the gasoline tank goes), and with my two hands lifted and carried the body several steps to set it onto the chassis myself! It was awkward, the rough edges of the wooden sills cut into my fingers a bit, and it was very difficult to balance, but I managed to do it by myself.

However, I am a bit stupid and stubborn that way.

Here is some info from 1919

The body only weights are on lower part of the page.

Would think a stripped '13 body would be less than 300 lbs.

I would think a stripped Runabout body would be no more than 150 lbs. To me that would be the center main body section and that’s it. Adding the firewall, any wood, seat frame and a few brackets would be less than 225 lbs.

Fords figures seem to indicate a complete center section of a Runabout body less fenders and running board splash aprons. But that’s my opinion. I can remember getting the center section of my 1919 Runabout body out of a wash years ago with the help of another guy. It wasn’t really that heavy but awkward to handle without bending it out of shape if you didn’t help on the other side.

Thank you everyone. What I need the weight for is I have my 14 roadster body ready to mount onto the frame. The body is completely restored with upholstery. i have removed the seat cushion and turtle deck and wood dash to make it lighter. I am 83 and can not do what I used to. I am trying to get a work party together to mount the body and was wondering how many people I would need to do the job. Craig

I did my '25 coupe with help of a crane and several guys--needless to say the crane was overkill. It didn't hurt to have a friend who runs a steel fabrication business. I think that four guys plus yourself as a spotter would suffice.

The work party I used was me. Being a do it youselfer I restored my 24 Coupe by myself.

After I removed the fenders, running boards and splash aprons I raised up the body off the frame after unbolting it. Then raising it up enough using a small jack and sliding a 2x4 under it then placing 2 sawhorses.

I then rolled the chassis out from under it and restored it then put it all back together in reverse fashion.

I also restored my other two Model T’s the same way.

John K, Years ago, I did the four-door sedan body on my 1927 Paige that way! Pay very close attention to blocking and balance, and one person with jacks and levers and a lot of blocks or saw horses can move a mountain!

I am 78 and was able to do the body on my 1930 Plymouth myself and it probably weighs 5 time more than a model T runabout body. Four reasonably able guys should make the job easy.

I moved my '23 Coupe body from the dolly to the chassis by myself. That way, only one person is at risk.

Hey Rich! That’s the way I restored my 24 Coupe. Those pics are similiar to my removing the body of my 24. When I started with T’s I noticed in the Ford service manual how the car was disassembled and said to myself I can do that. And I did. Ford built the T in a step by step method that’s straight forward and it works!
Thinking back about it I wish I would have taken some pictures working on my cars but didn’t think about it at the time since redoing the cars that way didn’t seem like it was anything special. Live and learn I guess.

I can really appreciate your cribbing Val !

I used some pallet racking I Commandeered from the Farm made a rigging and picked it up with a chain hoist then put the cross ties back in at whatever height I wanted and rolled the frame away. As I work on it I can pick it up or down depending on what part Iam working on. Helps the back out

Craig E. Luton wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:25 pm

I am trying to get a work party together to mount the body and was wondering how many people I would need to do the job. Craig

For your runabout 4 persons is best, one at each corner, a 5th, you, would be the spotter/supervisor


I used 5 plus me, to place a heavier all steel ‘27touring.

Steve, the beauty of the blocking I used is that you can easily raise the car one corner at a time adding as you go. The other nice thing is they cost nothing. They were made from scraps that I collected at local building sites.