Who makes the best Model A truck complete chassis?

I'm gonna bite the bullet and order a complete chassis for my 30-31 model A truck soon. Seems like all the ones I can find on the web are more street rodder than traditional style. Anyone know who makes a good traditional style complete roller? I was thinking since it's a pick-up, I want it to sit up some. I really like the stance on these 2 truck's below.

Stole these pic's off the H.A.M.B. awhile back.

Thanks in advance...

-Ron

 

SO-CAL makes the only aftermarket frame that resembles something original with a Model A Spring in the back and a buggy spring front. Have one here assembled in the shop that I can get pics if you need some. PM me for details- could bring you a roller to the Round-Up if you are interested. Thanks Jim

 

I guess the first question is why don't you build your own?

If you want a real traditional Model A chassis, I think there are a number of people here on the HAMB that could build one for you.

You could also give Vern Tardel's son, Keith Tardel a call, as he makes some very traditional
chassis.


http://www.rexrods.com/?page_id=2

 

I'm a big believer in knowing your limitations. Some days you got skill, some days you got money. When it comes to chassis fab... I got money.

 

I'll shoot you a PM later to see what you got...

 

Thanks, it's just one of the options you should consider- look at them all. I am thinking because of your pictures you want a stock Model A style chassis. If you want a '32 SO-CAL and many other builders here do those as well. Thanks Jim

 

ford makes a good one if your going for "Traditional". Like said above get the Tardel book and its pretty strait forward from there. The minimal welding could be farmed out for cheap if your afraid of the fabrication.

 

Yeah, I guess I should have been a little more clear. I can buy a stock frame and build it up from there but by the time you order everything front & rear, how far off are you price wise from buying a roller? My cab is so shot that by the time I get through patching it, I don't want fight the chassis. I can do light welding but getting the geometry right takes skill & knowledge. I'm a little short in that dept.

 

Lets push that So-Cal stuff Jim! Let me see.. you work there, right? pigpen

 

another great shop is LASTREFUGEHOTRODS.com..I just got in my 30 roadster[all steel]and I ordered the frame just the way I wanted,and plus if your like me Ive build plenty of cars but never a model A so I didnt know where to start but norb at last refuge helped me alot,hope I helped you dave

 

How long did it take to get your stuff? I've heard Norb's a good guy but by his own admission he gets behind and stuff can take awhile to get shipped.

 

Bttt for the AM crowd.

 

Dgcustoms
Is last refuge now offering a 30? All I have seen on their website is 28-29.
Thanks

 

Ummmm, I thought all A frames interchange.

 

Oh geez I'm sorry I read it as maybe he had gotten a 30 roadster body from Last Refuge.
Thanks

 

He doesn't WORK there... he has his own shop that is an authorized SOCAL dealer.

Nothin'wrong with pimpin' your stuff when it's good stuff...IMHO. When's the last time you saw a Chevy dealer tell you to buy a Ford?

 

doesnt cal customs (or something like that) offer chassis ? maybe speedway ? what the heck do i know ... steve

 

Is this true? Do all A frames interchange? Is the 28-29 the same as a 30-31? Even the pick-ups?

 

WEEDETR Street Rod Components builds a pickup specific Model A chassis. They can build it to your specs or looks. Give 'em a call.

 

Henry decided not to reinvent the wheel ,so to speak, the Model A chassis are essentially the same.

Frank

 

All model A frames and light trucks from 1928 to 1931 are interchangeable. There are a few very minor holes that are changed, but thats all. The pickup beds had a couple of oak risers that set on top of the frame and cantilevered out past the back of the frame to support the rear of the box. I have build pictures from my avatar that I can show if you are interested.---Brian

 

I would like to see that if it's not a hassle. Most pick-ups I've looked at have been on Z'ed frames and the oak has been removed.

Thanks...

 

What, I wonder would make any A frame "Pickup specific"?

I thought Chassis Engineering in IA made a good original style frame and with a stock rear crossmember if you send them one!?

 

Kinda negates the pickup description, doesn't it?

 

Here are a series of pictures from when I built my roadster pickup. this shows very clearly a model A frame (which I have boxed full length). On this one I have burned out the original style arched rear crossmember and put in my own design of coil springs and shocks, but the part which you are interested in is the "stepped" section at the rear. I made my stepped section from rectangular tubing and welded it in place with a welded cross peice at the outer end. On Henry's original pickups and roadster pickups, this was a peice of 2" wide x 3 1/2" high oak that bolted to the top of the car frame and cantileverd a couple of feet out past the rear crossmember to support the box.---Brian (You have to realize that my truck box is about 18" shorter than a stock Model A box ----6" at the cab end and 12" at the extreme rear end.)

 

Here is a link to the model A wooden sill.
https://www.modelaparts.com/catalog...7&Description=&FirstRowNum=21&ImageSearch=Yes
You want to look at part #A970AB

 

WEEDETR'S pickup specific frames eliminate the wood bed support by using a steel tubing support that also mounts the rear spring and gives a little more suspension travel room.

 

These photo's help a lot. The coils are really nicely done. Great lookin truck.