Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
Rob
Posts: 1431
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:53 pm
First Name: Rob
Last Name: Heyen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Models B, F, K, N, Ford racer and 3 Model T
Location: Eastern Nebraska

Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by Rob » Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:14 pm

From the National Archives: (click on the link to see the video)

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... c-3339.mp4


541885D6-D847-4C31-952C-6F8797532FC6.jpeg

User avatar

ewdysar
Posts: 223
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:48 pm
First Name: Eric
Last Name: Dysart
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1916 Touring, 1927 Runabout
Location: PNW

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by ewdysar » Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:23 pm

I wonder what the gear reduction is for the sprocket drive? And what happened to the roadster body (which looked to be in like-new condition)?

All in all, a spiffy way to build a one-ton truck...

Keep crankin’
Eric


HPetrino
Posts: 490
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:14 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Petrino
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1918 TT
Location: Modesto, CA

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by HPetrino » Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:38 pm

Eric,
I don't know the precise reduction, but I bet a race with a stock TT, although boring, would be a photo finish. :lol:


2nighthawks
Posts: 406
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 2:53 am
First Name: Harold
Last Name: Schwendeman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 Roadster Pickup, '26 Touring, '27 Depot Hack, '23 Roadster
Location: Seattle
MTFCA Number: 0
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by 2nighthawks » Sat Nov 30, 2019 6:46 pm

Just a rough guess by the quick "glimpse" of the chain & sprockets in the video, but looks like about two to one! Lots of power but half the speed, huh? Great video, and I also wondered what happened to those beautiful Model T bodies that were set aside during those truck conversions. I'm sure they didn't get wasted, but then in those days, I can't imagine that there would be too many people "in the market" for a stock "T" body in perfect condition,....???

User avatar

perry kete
Posts: 1563
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: Seth
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe 1927 Touring
Location: Jefferson Ohio

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by perry kete » Sat Nov 30, 2019 7:11 pm

Nice video thanks for posting.
I noticed that when the one fellow attached the sprocket to the axle he only hand tightened the nut to the sprocket but used a wrench to tighten the hub cap. When we assemble something on the T's everyone worries about torque wrench settings.
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6789
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by Rich Eagle » Sat Nov 30, 2019 7:15 pm

That is truly delightful!
Thanks
Rich
When did I do that?

User avatar

thom
Posts: 308
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:48 pm
First Name: Tommy
Last Name: Coffey
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '21 Touring
Location: western NC

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by thom » Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:22 pm

I can't help thinking "what a shame". I'd like to have that body they took off! :lol:

User avatar

PDGx
Posts: 233
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:12 pm
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Grohsmeyer
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘17 TT Holmes Wrecker
Location: Central Florida
MTFCA Number: 27359
Board Member Since: 2007

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by PDGx » Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:20 am

That was easy.

Looks like a mini Mack drive. Any idea what year that was ?

FA5F513B-C51F-4613-A9A9-68A86936EA27.jpeg
If my short term memory gets any shorter, I won’t even have thought about what I’m going to forget.

17 TT Holmes Wrecker
22 Mack AC Tiltbed Wkr
30 A Rdstr PU
58 Mack B-61 Semi Tractor

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2385
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Strange
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
Location: Hillsboro, MO
MTFCA Number: 30944
MTFCI Number: 23667
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by CudaMan » Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:47 am

Odd that he only tightened the axle nut hand tight, I hope that after the filming they pulled the gear back off and installed it tightly! :)
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)

User avatar

Topic author
Rob
Posts: 1431
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:53 pm
First Name: Rob
Last Name: Heyen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Models B, F, K, N, Ford racer and 3 Model T
Location: Eastern Nebraska

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by Rob » Sun Dec 01, 2019 9:14 am

Regarding the year, there is one brass T converted into a pickup (15 or 16) at the Robinsons plant. The other T’s look like black radiator with steel coilboxes. My guess is between 1917-19. After the TT was introduced I wonder if aftermarket truck kits were competitive?


HPetrino
Posts: 490
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:14 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Petrino
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1918 TT
Location: Modesto, CA

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by HPetrino » Sun Dec 01, 2019 10:21 am

Interesting question Rob. The June 7, 1921 the price of a T chassis (no starter) was $345.00. At the same time a TT chassis was $495.00. So, did the kits cost $150.00 or more installed? Of course there would be other things to take into consideration, like speed and load capacity. Also, converting a used T would probably be pretty cheap.

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3299
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by DanTreace » Sun Dec 01, 2019 1:04 pm

Actually have found a hub cap that was on one of these TruckFords. When the hand tightened axle nut falls off in side the hub cap wrenched on tightly, this is the result:



IMG_0927.jpg
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


D Stroud
Posts: 1015
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:45 am
First Name: David
Last Name: Stroud
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
Location: Mound City, MO 64470
Board Member Since: 2011

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by D Stroud » Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:39 am

Very interesting. Of all of the T truck conversions, I have never heard of a Truckford conversion. I wonder if it was marketed under other names, it sure is very similar to other conversions. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3299
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: Converting a Ford to a Truckford - video

Post by DanTreace » Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:03 am

David

Don't know how long this co. survived, could only find ref. in magazines in 1916-1917.
Screenshot 2019-12-03 09.59.19.png
April 1917





Screenshot 2019-12-03 09.53.32.png
Aug 1916
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic