Hello HAMB! Damn it's been a long time.... You might remember my chopped Kaiser build from the late 2000s on here. What I loved the most about that build thread was all of the encouragement and helpful tips you guys posted up. So why not do it again? Here's a pic to jog your memory. Yes, I still have it. Yes, I still drive it. (Rarely, but I do) I recently started on a '27 T Roadster build on a Model A chassis that I picked up from my good buddy @scootermcrad. Funny thing, we met on the HAMB decades ago and then a few years back we ended up sitting together in the aero department of a NASCAR team on the other side of the country. When good 'ol Scooter said was selling a pile of parts that could maybe some day resemble a T Roadster, I told him I was in. All he had to do was send me inspiration pics and I was hyped up. Then the pile of parts sat in my garage, sat some more, and occasionally grew larger. I picked up a banjo rear axle and some drum brakes from @hotrodderhaag and a running Flathead from another local guy. Last week I said enough is enough, I need to at least mock this thing up!
I cut out the nasty old, bent crossmember and tacked in a replacement that Scooter gave me. I got these bones from Iron Trap Garage, but I quickly realized the Ford perches I had were too short.
I reversed the main leaf on my shop press, which was easier than I thought it would be. I also radiused the leaf ends. I had to go aftermarket for the longer perches. Tapered nuts are on the way.
These bushings came with the front shackles but were a few thou too big to fit into the perches. I shaved a little off on my old Southbend lathe (inherited from my late grandfather-in-law who I sadly never got to meet) then pressed them into the perches on the shop press. Since I'm really just starting with a T cowl and doors, I bought some 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" and 1-1/2" x 3" .083" wall rectangular tubing to build subrails out of. I have no idea what stock looked like, so I'll just figure it out. I also got some 3/4" x 1-1/2" to run across the floor. I might drop the floor down between the frame rails to get the seating position lower. I always liked how Andy Kohler built his floors super low so you sit IN the car, not ON it.
@trevorsworth is running a T on an A, and @Tim just started on one where he's planning on forming the body. They should be along shortly. Always admired the Kaiser, so will be keeping an eye on this build.
I'm embarrassed to even be mentioned here. Whatever Keith comes up with will be miles ahead of my junker. Looking forward to watching it take shape... I have seen the Kaiser around the web and drooled over it a time or two. Had no idea you were on the HAMB... I don't poke my head in to the custom section enough.
Great to see you posting here, I have a 25 T body I'm planning on putting on an A chassis too, but it'll be a banger, Looking forward to watching your project take shape, judging by your Kaiser the T will be a ripper! I have the TRJ the Kaiser was featured in.
Don't be ridiculous! Funny enough, your thread is one I've been lurking on to see how the T body fits on the A frame, so thanks for the good info!
Nice, I have a '26 with a flathead on an A frame with an earlier turtle deck, will be fun to follow along and see what you come up with.
In case the shaft of your new longer Perch bolts is not supported in the whole axle bore, a 5/8'' unf nut turned down to the exact bore size will fix it. It needs to be full contact. This is mine. JW
The Jalopy Journal
