Technical Ford: How big are the interiors year to year between 1928 to 1934 pickups vs 1928 to 1932 cars.

I'm 5'10" (at least I used to be) and had a Model A coupe ('30) channeled the depth of the frame with a full height top. The package tray was removed so the stock seat could be moved back. Full sized '40 wheel and it was a little snug sliding in and out but once in, it fit like a glove. Perfect!

 

I had the pickup out this afternoon for a run to Home Depot, so I decided to make a quick video on getting in and out of it. See for yourself.

 

Dodge and Plymouth coupes and pickups have more legroom than the same year Fords. The early to mid '30s Dodge Brothers truck cabs are longer front-to-back and wider at the cowl than the same year Fords, and they have suicide doors.

 

I may be asking too much, but I was driving my 31 roadster pickup really for the first time yesterday and I really cannot get in or out easily. I want to keep the original column but would like a wheel that is smaller and possibly dished. I also want to keep the column controls and horn. Has anyone done this using what wheel and what adaptor if necessary?
Warren

 

You guys are making it hard. Just get shorter. I'm 5'4" and fit perfectly in old Fords. This works fine for me, until I go to sell one, and nobody any bigger than I am can fit behind the wheel...

 

Heading to a car show today and will hopefully sit in one. Abbotsford Tradex in case anyone sees a guy walking around with single minded focus looking for an A to climb into. Give me a shove.

 

At 6'1"....Had my '34 Ford PU at age 40 in the 80's...Drove it many years and many miles comfortably...
Always loved them chopped but KNEW it would not work for me.
At age 75 had a '34 Dodge PU and felt like a Frog on a Lilypad driving that thing. Don't get me wrong, loved them both...but aside from old age I could not believe the difference in the comfort and visibility between the two brands.
Sold the Dodge but the Ford is in DP40 waiting to be put back together...if I can still do it !

 

At 6’3 I fit in or out with no problem in a 1934 truck but stock seat springs and no chop. It’s comfortable to drive on short trips but after a few hours (3 to 4)your foot ankle get sore because of the short or steep angle to a 13 foot. I just have to rest it and throttle lever would be great and my 32 has it stock..
I had a 1929 truck and chopped it 10 inches and Z ed the frame 14 in the rear and swept the front at the firewall. Truck was waist high and was going for the Keith weesner truck . It was cool but impossible to get into being so low and chopped.

 

Went to a car show today where everything was roped off. Stepped into a booth where they were showing a 28 roadster. That door looked ridiculous to get by. Dude in the booth was just a bit shorter than me and his opinion was I'd fit fine. Need to go to a good sized street park show to get a seat op but, I sure like the 5 window coupe for it's seat setback. There were a couple of 34's that were stunning. The only pickups were stretched which I couldn't see myself doing. Gotta find one that's chopped to sit in. Keep the pics rolling guys, I really appreciate it. I need to resolve this itch.

 

I had a channeled 1931 Ford truck and I am much happier with “Effie” , my 1948 F1 .

 

Limits of stock size cockpits,an your own body size n skills to adjust all of it together.
I've said before,I often see way too little time used on mock fitting up,by most builders.
Followed by a lot of bitching about how small a cockpit is.
Now some times,I find it funny ,when the same guy bitching is the same guy loving over chop[ OC]{ That amount to me is anything under 7in. of open view glass hight} or some other thing done by the same guy that is part of his prob. We each have an odd way of setting those limits.

Time you use on a lot of mock-up,is not wasted,except if,you rush it.
The only thing I don't like to move* on a build is the stock outer factory proportions=I find that ,if those are off,it looks very wrong to my art eye.
So driver body fit,I think needs to be done with:: Seat,pedals,steering column n steering wheel all moved around tell driver can see well out the windshield when sitting with some comfort,that can be done for a hour plus.
That,has two things that seem hard to tell others,but often must be done. The first is,some idea*they have,that can't fit with there own body size an car they picked*=No cartoon looking car.. The other is that the steering column must move an that they must use a steering wheel size that gives them real control< not some under 13in. go cart wheel.
Those are a good place to start a mock-up with. Then seat hight n angles. Bench seats are far better,having room to wiggle as needed on longer rides.
All need to work together,so all need to be played with at the same time. After getting an owners ideas move into the real world<yes that was often very hard,when they came to my shop for help.
For those that only can in for advice,how much they followed of it was based in,things like="They thought moving the steering column was too hard,even though it needed to be done for room. Same thing with pedals> Oh no,that's too hard to do.
Again> mock-up,lots an lots,your enjoyment of your car depends on comfort of driver,not some cartoon idea copyed from not knowing anybetter.
I'm retired a long time now.
Owned my own shop for over 40years,Hotrods/ Customs/Sportscars/Racecars of all types. "CompTech"
Seen a lot of cars that didn't get driven much and often just sold over an over to the next guy that didn't fit in it ether.
Each thinking,well ,I can just squeeze in ,an look cool driving=that gets old too fast.
Make it fit right in ever way,only cartoon bodys squeeze with out pain.
OK,I rambled enough maybe. Take out of that what you like.

 

I would love to own something like this one since I'm 5'4" tall.

 

I have a 29 with a 5 speed. Definitely crowded. I am 5'9 and have to put on my ballerina slippers to drive the truck. One thing I did was bite the bullet, spend about $400 & put in a tilt column. This helped tremendously. I had added extra padding to the seat and the steering wheel was on my legs.

 

My advice is to sit in one or test drive before you build one. My 29 Coupe is small enough. I love the closed cab pickup, but now I know I couldn’t fit.

 

4 inch chop, 9 inch channel, very tight.

 

The 32-34 are less front to back than the A trucks last time I measured... So there is that... I'm 6'-3" and drive an A coupe with a van seat, I actually could use to move the seat forward another inch as I am tip toe to push the starter button. The Coupe is a huge difference vs the truck in interior room with package tray removed... BUT the truck and the 2dr sedan share the same door that is longer.

I saw at the roundup last weekend, Hilton Hotrods put a truck/sedan door in a coupe and stretched the body... Looked real good the way they did it.

Coupe only downfall is the b pillar is a bit tighter than the 2dr sedan for shoulder room. Partly due to the body being shorter in the door also but the backhalf of the car is quite a bit narrower than a sedan.

Best I can tell you... Trucks and coupes 30-31 are the largest of the A series... 30-31 A trucks have more length but less shoulder room than 32-34 trucks. 28/29 trucks are almost the same in the legroom department and the 32-34.