Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

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
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
User avatar

Topic author
Pep C Strebeck
Posts: 523
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:12 am
First Name: Joseph
Last Name: M
Location: MI
MTFCA Number: 0

Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by Pep C Strebeck » Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:24 pm

Not wanting to hijack an earlier thread or have it "drift-off" into another direction about different front cross members ( viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10523 ), I thought I would ask my question in a new thread. When Ford made the change in 1920 to a "new" cross member made of heavier steel, what is the thickness from the "old" to the "new" cross member? If anyone might know I would be interested in the difference. The ones that I have to measure will not be "accessible" until Spring.
"Remember son, there are two ways to do this: The right way, and your way” Thanks Dad, I love you too.

LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.
Top
User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6496
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:
Contact Steve Jelf

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by Steve Jelf » Thu Feb 20, 2020 12:26 am

On one I get .152" and another measures .168". Maybe the second one is wearing more paint. Both are post-1920. Somebody with an older car will have to measure the other one for you.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
Top

R.V.Anderson
Posts: 680
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 6:01 pm
First Name: R.V.
Last Name: Anderson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914, 1920, 1923, 1923
Location: Kennedy, NY

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by R.V.Anderson » Thu Feb 20, 2020 9:59 am

I believe it went from 0.105" (12 ga.) to 0.125". I could be wrong.
Top
User avatar

Corey Walker
Posts: 592
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
First Name: Corey
Last Name: Walker
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 runabout, 1921 homemade truck, 1921 Speedster
Location: Brownsboro, TX
MTFCA Number: 51502
Board Member Since: 2007

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by Corey Walker » Thu Feb 20, 2020 3:03 pm

These measurements are slightly larger because of rust and paint and/or inaccuracy of the cheap calipers, but they are consistent with what R.V. stated. One is an 09-13 frame and the other is 1921-25.
Attachments
32DEA494-4D53-4323-82A2-424941B100E9.png
93617822-E1A6-4690-BF3F-4163B7D21497.png
Corey Walker, Brownsboro, Texas
Top

John kuehn
Posts: 3923
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas
MTFCA Number: 28924

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by John kuehn » Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:04 pm

So are the earlier frames also a little thinner than the later frames? If the early front cross member is thinner it would seem that the rest of the frame would be the same thickness also.

Just wondering.
Top
User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3327
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:
Contact DanTreace

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by DanTreace » Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:15 pm

The front crossmember was changed to thicker steel in June 1920.

As for the chassis frame, the later Improved Car chassis frame got thicker steel too: Previous frame members were made of .125-inch steel. A letter to chassis suppliers, dated February 28, 1926, specified the metal to be the same as the truck chassis (Type “L” steel, .180-.200 inches thick).
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
Top

MWalker
Posts: 475
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:49 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Walker
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Roadster Pickup
Location: NW Arkansas
MTFCA Number: 314
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by MWalker » Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:34 am

Thanks for that info, Dan. I never knew the '26-7 frames are heavier than earlier ones.
Top

TeveS-Nor Cal
Posts: 106
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:11 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Straw
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 and lots of parts
Location: Penn Valley, CA
MTFCA Number: 12542

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by TeveS-Nor Cal » Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:02 pm

I have a later- thick frame. It measures .187 thick . The front cross member is about .156 allowing for very little paint and rust. This is a '26/27 frame. I had a '25 frame that was the .187 thickness but, the cross members were the thinner- maybe the .125. These are both stock, unmolested frames.
Top
User avatar

Topic author
Pep C Strebeck
Posts: 523
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:12 am
First Name: Joseph
Last Name: M
Location: MI
MTFCA Number: 0

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by Pep C Strebeck » Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:36 pm

Thank you for all the information and help, it is very much appreciated.
"Remember son, there are two ways to do this: The right way, and your way” Thanks Dad, I love you too.

LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.
Top

Original Smith
Posts: 3298
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Front cross member "heavier steel", thickness?

Post by Original Smith » Sun Feb 23, 2020 10:57 am

The TT trucks are a heavier cross member.
Top
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “General Discussion Forum”