Pickup Chain Covers

[Original Smith]

I have numerous original 1925 photos of Ford pickups, and none that I have show a cover over the tailgate chains. Did Ford make such an item, and if they did when was it issued? I have seen examples of current offerings, but dislike the appearance. I made covers for mine out of top material, which are not correct, but do the job. I sewed them into a one inch diameter sleeve, which looks presentable to me, but was a challenge to make because unlike the current offerings, I sewed mine inside out which made turning them around a challenge.

[JohnM]

I can't speak on what is correct for a T, but a simple and inexpensive fix I have used on tailgate chains is a section of a skinny bicycle inner tube slipped over the chain. Don't forget to cut a small hole at the bottom of the loop so any water can drain out. Since they had bicycle tubes back then, it could be considered period correct.

[JohnM]

People sat and stood on the hood for pictures, little scratches from the chain?

[speedytinc]

I dont have covers on my truck's gate chains. I get a little more patina with each mile driven.

[Original Smith]

Still waiting for an answer!

[JohnM]

You got a few. Maybe I wasn't clear. I don't think they came with any covers. I guess that's not the answer you were looking for. I hope you find it.

[Humblej]

I have never seen Ford publicity photos for 1925 or early 1926 pick ups that had covers on the tailgate chains. The Ford Price List of Body Parts book dated March 1927 does show covers on the express bed tailgate chains, but not for the pick up. I would conclude that the 1925 pick up didn't have chain covers. The tailgate chains in the attached picture look too short to do anything but keep the hook from getting lost.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Jeff H, I believe in the photo you posted that the chains were tossed over the tailgate to hang inside. At least the right one was.
I can't remember a reason why? But I do remember doing that on my dad's 1951 Chevrolet pickup so many decades ago. I remember liking the sound of the chains rattling in the back, and the truck was never pretty, so scratches did not matter. Why we did that a few times I don't recall, but I clearly remember doing it for some reason. I doubt that it would really help in any way, the chains would still slide around a bit and just scratch the paint in different places.
Looking at the photo, I am pretty sure I see the chains running over the top of the tailgate.
Wonderful photo by the way!

[Mike Penserini]

With my maintenance free paint job I let the chains run naked and free. Safety is assured with the "Keen Lite" tail light / stop light combo as well as the other lights and reflectors in the back, and lets not forget the Great Dane alarm.

[mtntee20]

Concerning original or not, I have no idea but Lang's sells them: https://www.modeltford.com/item/PTG6.aspx I believe these are the ones my late best friend used on the 1925 TT with express bed (can be seen in the photo)

[Humblej]

I found a Ford promotional photo in Bruces book, pg 367, of a 1925 pick up with short tail gate chains that clearly have a cover on them.

[Susanne]

I was thinking of red rubber bike tire tubes - period correct and cool. If I had to make them, it'd be something sewn up of leather. Whatever it would be, the key would be "fast and cheap" because that's what Ford would have done.

As for me - I've NEVER seen any chain covers on any pix of the Ford supplied beds...

[Original Smith]

The two photos on page 367 do appear to have a chain cover on the right side! I supplied those photos to Bruce long before the book was published!

[TXGOAT2]

I've put bicycle tubes on chains to reduce the noise and paint damage. Tarp straps hooked to the chain and bumper work well, too.

A dual cable and reel system that would allow lowering the tail gate, which would then latch, would be nice. Releasing the latch would allow the tailgate to rise and latch shut, and the reels would still hold some pressure on it to keep it from rattling.

[TRDxB2]

The two photos on page 367 do appear to have a chain cover on the right side! I supplied those photos to Bruce long before the book was published!

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By Larry Smith on Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 02:57 pm: https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/8 ... 1237954728

This post concerns '25 pickups, but is applicable to '26-7s as well. For reference, you may wish to refer to page 365-7 of Bruces book. It appears the earliest models had no chain covers, but the pictures on page 367 shows at some point they did. Also, you will notice the chains were quite short, allowing the tailgate to only be opened 1/3 of the way. On my early pickup the chains are 4 1/2" long. Even though I like to be as original as possible, when I restored my NEW pickup I decided to break the rules and make the chains long enough so the tailgate would lay flat when supported by the chains. I broke the original rule again when I sewed the tailgate chain covers with the seam on the INSIDE, instead of the outside as clearly shown on page 367. The reproduction covers for Model A's are constructed this way. I used some left over top material, and sewed the seam inside out, giving a finished diameter of one inch when turned inside out. This was the hard part. It took me over an hour to do this, but the end result is more gratifying to me than the correct way.
So much for being original! They have a nicer more pleasing appearance than having an outside seam, but we all know why Ford did it the way they did, to save time.
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--What were the original covers made of - leather, duck cloth or ? https://www.google.com/search?q=tailgat ... efox-b-1-d
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