Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

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Mikey1968
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Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:28 pm

I have a 1926 Touring with front Hasslers and bought a nice set of bumpers only to discover the front bumper will not easily install with the Hasslers on.

Which would you choose? Remove the Hasslers and install bumpers or leave the Hasslers in place.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mike

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Mark Gregush
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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mark Gregush » Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:39 pm

Bumpers. My OP is; front Hasslers don't do that much anyway, rears yes on todays roads.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Scott_Conger » Mon Aug 19, 2019 12:41 pm

My opinion is: "it depends"

I live on a long bumpy road and pancake hasslers on my runabout really smoothe the road out. If I did not live on this road, their existence (or not) would not be a priority to me. In many instances the wrong hasslers are on a car and the owners see no improvement or even a decriment in handling/enjoyment.

Removing them for your bumpers' installation will jazz the car up, but not all T's had bumpers...and they make starting the car with a crank to be a major pain in the arse, and a little hazardous

choose yer poison
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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:30 pm

I too live near long bumpy dirt back-roads with some smooth asphalt. I have a good electric starter. My Hasslers are the beehive type and only on the front. I think removing them could prove to be a chore best done when I do some other front end work. I do have the bumpers now ready to install. My thought was to protect that brand new Berg's radiator I recently installed.

Decisions....decisions!


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Scott_Conger » Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:50 pm

The best way to protect that nice radiator is to have good brakes! :D

Using the bumper means things have already gone wrong... ;)
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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Erik Johnson » Mon Aug 19, 2019 5:46 pm

Hasslers are UGLY and detract from the appearance of a Model T Ford.

Just my two cents....

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:27 pm

Hasslers are COOL!

That's my 3 cents worth! LOL!

DSC00923.jpg

Hank down yonder way!

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by RajoRacer » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:14 pm

I'm also a "Hassler" Guy !!! To each their own Eric - tell us how you really feel !

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by RajoRacer » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:16 pm

Where the hell the photo go ????
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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by George House » Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:24 pm

If you T would’ve been a Town Car or Centerdoor I’d advise Hassler. But since it’s a lower touring probl’y with 4.50 - 21 s I’ll advise BUMPERS.
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:47 pm

See, Steve is part of the 3 cent club!

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by RajoRacer » Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:13 pm

Yea, Baby !!!


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Wed Aug 21, 2019 2:13 pm

I like the Hasslers and the bumpers....I'm spoiled and want both! The Hasslers are winning right now as that's how I bought the T. Kinda have a night mare about swapping those spring perches as it looks like the Hasslers were put on back in the day but I could be wrong. If I pulled the Hasslers off, it would be the time to invest in a new front spring pack And straighten the axle, I would think. See how a little job gets big in a hurry? Funny how that happens. It's happening on my 64 Ford F250 truck with a 292 right now.

I have yet to drive the T...or any T for that matter so wonder on the ride difference with and without Hasslers.


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Wed Aug 21, 2019 2:16 pm

Oh, by the way, HI HANK!!!! It's your old bumpers I'm talking about. If you ever get time (HA!, I know!) you can make it where I get both! :D


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by 1925TT » Wed Aug 21, 2019 3:16 pm

I too chose hasslers
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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by RajoRacer » Wed Aug 21, 2019 3:19 pm

Double Hasslers have a very "cool" factor too !


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Wed Aug 21, 2019 3:43 pm

They do look cool, don't they!

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Aug 21, 2019 4:24 pm

Wonder Woman Breast Plates times four on mine!!!

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by kmatt » Wed Aug 21, 2019 4:43 pm

Michael Jewell : If you want both bumper and Hasslers on the front of your 26 T it can be done. This is a picture of my 26 Cp that has both,it came to me this way.
1926-T-Cp_Front-bumper+Haslers.jpg

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Aug 21, 2019 4:47 pm

Told Ya Mike! Na, Na!

LOL

Hank


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by oreofred » Wed Aug 21, 2019 8:14 pm

I love the comments....i am just back from 10 years of T withdrawal ...great to see the passon of what i left behind for business is is alive and well.... i recently purchased front and rear Hasselers for my new project, like you guys say the cool factor....can't wait to hear the beast breath fire..

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mark Gregush » Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:18 pm

Kevin's photo is a good example of both being used. Mike how about posting a photo of your setup now and the bumpers you are thinking about installing, maybe we can spot something. When this question was asked before I never could picture in my mind how the two would interfere with each other. The Hasslers are at the ends of the springs and there should be plenty of clearance.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Thu Aug 22, 2019 1:45 pm

Yes you did, Hank....yes you did!

kmatt, can you post a close up of your mount showing the frame area bolt up? Yours is the first picture I've seen with both.

Looks like my Hasslers are a little further up the springs towards the center of the car. It's not by much but maybe just enough. Is your's installed at the point recommended in the installation manual? I'll have to check mine. Mine came as it is now. You guys have me motivated to figure out how to do both....once it cools down some!

Not sure how to post pictures...guess I gotta search the forums...and take some pics.


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:53 pm

Hopefully these photos loaded up...uh hem....I had an oil leak that I fixed but haven't emptied the pan yet....that's my story and am stickin' with it! :)
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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:33 pm

Mike,

Looks like your main leaf is real weak!

Hank


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:28 pm

Hank,
So you are thinking the lack of arch to the spring is allowing the Hassler to be too close to the frame?

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Thu Aug 22, 2019 5:08 pm

Your Hasslers being flat with that front spring are taking up necessary space for clearance. Spring arch is very important.

Hank

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by kmatt » Thu Aug 22, 2019 6:55 pm

Michael Jewell : I am attaching some pictures of my 26 CP as requested. I noticed that my Cp is using 1925 type spindles but I don't think they have any effect on the Hasslers. My spring arch is higher than you car's spring pictures show but not as high as a 1925 spring, maybe my spring has a extra leaf on top as a spacer.
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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:03 pm

Thanks Kevin! Really helps for everyone.

All the Best,

Hank


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:52 am

Thanks for the pics. :D


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Mikey1968 » Fri Aug 23, 2019 9:05 am

Soooooo....the conclusion is that my spring is worn out and needs replacing. If I get the new spring, will the Hasslers and bumper fit like Kevin's or will I need a spacer on top of the new spring to clear the bumper bracket? If so, how thick?

New spring project (for next year probably) added to my to do list. Hi Hank, how ya been? ;)

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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by thom » Fri Aug 23, 2019 9:25 am

My '21 Touring has neither, but I like the look of Hasslers On Ts but I don't like bumpers on Ts, even on Improved cars. Just my 1 1/2 cents worth. ;)


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Re: Front Hasslers or Bumpers...Which Would You Choose?

Post by Burger in Spokane » Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:09 am

I am relatively new to T ownership, and have been surprised since early on at how
the hobby so likes Hasslers. I can't count the number of times oldtimers have asked
me if I am going to find a set of Hasslers to put on my T. Like Erik above, I think they
are kinda ugly, or are distracting from the overall looks of the vehicle, so I am free
from any desire to have them. I think they look fine on speedsters and other modified
cars. Just a personal preference on appearance. I am more amused by how many T
guys think they are the cat's pajamas.
More people are doing it today than ever before !

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