No real differnce, maybe a stamp change on the rear crossmember indicating the amount of springs it is supposed to have. Some pickups had 12 leaf springs, but most had 10 like the sedans. Rod
Late 31 car frames with slant windshield would be the exception as the cowl mount holes were moved and for the fordor there was an added runningboard bracket. I have never had one of those to study the differences up close and personal so to speak. Rod
Don't know where you are going with this but remember that the '28-'29 frames had a slightly different height for the radiator mount when compared with a '30-'31. Charlie Stephens
Found a couple 30-31 frames. Thought about picking them up for future model a build. One of them is truck frame. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Unless its a AA truck frame there is really no difference unless your doing a fine point restoration.
Can't go wrong with a couple of free model a frames. If they are decent they go for around $300 a piece!
The only difference I found for a hot rod, was the hood hold down holes at the front were different. The 28/9's had the one set and 30/1's had the two sets because 30/1's were off by a half inch or so. Not a big deal. Of course these would be Canadian made frames.
Asking price is $1200 for one rolling frame w/banger and 1500 for another w/o motor, but has new wheels and front grille Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
All are functionally very similar, and the differences probably won't scare anyone. Some holes differ...since '30-31 frames became the parts counter replacement they had extra holes for the parts that differ. Some of the forward body holes are the same for all years so you can use those and drill anything that doesn't line up. Radiator holes are something like 1/4 inch lower on late frames, so a simple shim fits that to early. Ford actually did this itself on the early 1930 trucks that used '29 bodies. Going the other way you'll need some creativity. Late '31 frames got an extra riveted-on bracket on each side that supported some late intro bodies like slant window Fordors and Victorias...don't remember details but there are pics and endless discussion on Fordbarn. This frame eventually became the replacement frame just so Henry would not have to worry about this. This is very simple for hotrod purposes, a short piece of angle iron would functionally replace that piece. Most of the other variations, things like solid-mount engine in early '28 and several generations of E-brake and brake cross shaft, are seldom of much interest to rodders.
Now...here's what happens to people who stand too close to discussions like this; this guy is somewhere well beyond expert on this, and has devoted years and years and billions of electrons to describing every change he can do***ent. Besides all the Ford paperwork, he is continually tracking datable or unusually well preserved Model A's and recording details of all sorts: http://www.plucks329s.org/frame.htm
Model A car and pickup frames are the same but AA truck frames are heavier. All mounting holes ate basically the same.
I always love it when Bruce chimes in. He's on my bucket list to meet before I kick it. Of course no one mentioned rust, wallowed holes or warp and twist. The last can be checked with a tape by measuring similar landmarks in an 'x' from front to rear on both sides and noting the difference. Hot Rodders can have them freshly minted out of rectangular tubing from various vendors. I'm scrounging parts is how come I mention all this, as I am thinking of it obsessively. A couple of decent ones flew off before I could raise the blunderbuss. I'm getting up, now, when the dew is still on the gr***. If nothing else, the HAMB proves without argument that 'no one can know everything'. Well almost. I forgot about Bruce.
Yeah Pluck is King when it comes to do***enting changes in the A!!! His site is one I reference frequently!!! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Not to hijack this thread but what you guys are saying is the big trucks (AA) frames are the same just heavier? Does that carry into the 32-34 big trucks? Thanks.