Projects AA 29 pickup to regular pickup differences?

I have done some searching and it seams that the frames are the same dimensions. Just taller rails and beefier construction. What I need to know is what are the differences between the rest of the trucks? I will be getting an AA truck with a good cab and front fenders. The motor has run recently and I plan on keeping it. They are also including a car transmission so I imagine they were different. Do I need to swap the frame out? Front axle? I know the rear. If I keep the AA frame, could it be hidden under the fenders and splash aprons?

My goal is to turn this AA into a regular pickup. Full fendered and banger powered. So please teach me what I need to gather and know.
Thanks!

I have included a picture of a random AA off the internet for refrence.



These are my motivation pictures! From the HAMB

 

Are the splash aprons longer/taller on the AA?

 

OK? Bump!

 

The cab, hood, and front fenders should all be the same. There are some differences in length in the running boards and splash aprons though.

 

Most of your sheetmetal will be interchangeable, with the exception of the splash aprons and running boards. They look shorter. The frame is different, The AA loos to be taller, and the rear springs are different also. Regular pickup had a buggy style spring. Not too up on my AA front ends. But guessing with Henry, its probably not all too different, Probably just WAY more leaves. The front brakes I believe, but dont hold me to this, are different. They look to be bigger in diameter. The trans is hard to say. Some AAs had the regular 3 speed. I have seen some with a PTO, and I thing some with an ultra low 1st. Like a 3 with a granny gear. Engines are the same. You may be farther ahead to find a running ch***is from someone building a hot rod that way you get all the bits and pieces you need to make it work. They for all purposes are the same from 28-31.

 

If you want a Truck use the AA frame. If you want a pickup, use the A frame.

 

The AA frame is a tick under 1/4" thick. At it's deepest it is 6". Fender braces are same, running board brace, only front is in a stock location to match pickup running board. The rear would need to be moved back.
Fenders/cab are same as pickup.

Truck in my pic, I've owned for 40 years. Hard to see, but it is running the pickup splash sheild and running boards. Both are trimed at edge of flatbed. For reference the bed in picture is 8' long with the cab set back 6" to allow stock firewall with the blown BBC (396). 147" wheelbase.

And yes, it really does pull that camper along with a older 30' 5th wheel enclosed car trailer. The '27 roadster needs a house too.

Earl

 

AMAZING AA and 5th wheel. Gary

 

Anyone ever turned an AA frame and alll into a pickup?

 

i hate you because i have been looking for the 28-29 style cab for awhile and im not haveing any luck.
on that note thoe congrats on the find.

 

My new pickup was delivered today! I cant wait to start it up!

 

i have seen AA frames used under 28/29 roadsters, i can't see it being much trouble to add an A rear cross member, are you going to lower the front end any?, looks like a fine start.

 

best bet is to change the whole ch***is.
axles are different
brakes are different
body and fenders are the same
tk

 

On the cabs the rear window is smaller on AA then the 1/2 ton pickup cab

 

I had an AA frame under my 36 pickup/bobber and I loved it, very strong and thick. Never had to box it, and it never twisted (running a flathead). Go with it. From the first pic, you can tell the aprons will cover because you can't see the frame. Nice score.

 

The front axle is the same, I need a front spring, and rear cross member. The guy included a car ******, a car rear end, fenders and rough running boards. Anyone have a measurement of a model A frame? I need to know were to weld in the new rear crossmember. Will a car rear bolt to a AA ******?


Its got some cool lettering on the door

 

You don't want to run that AA ******, find a 39 top loader and buy the adapter kit from Clings. I can measure my coupe for you if you need the rear measurement for the crossmember.

 

Thanks, I need the measurment from front to back.

 

i just happen to have a frame outside the door, so from the back edge of the front spring center bolt hole, to the front edge of the rear center bolt hole is 102-5/8".

 

The difference is that the AA truck has done meetings and has accepted that they have a problem.

 

are you going to drop this rig a little, 4" drop front axle and weld the rear cross member back a little so you can run the rear spring behind the dif, thats if the frame is long enough and your thinking of lowering it.

 

The wheelbase of the Model A is 103 1/4". The springs are mounted above the axles front and rear so that is also the center to center measurement for the front and rear spring center bolt holes.

The AA frame can be used under a regular 1/4 ton pickup by simply shortening it and adding a standard rear A crossmember in the appropriate location.
The cabs/hood/radiator/shell/apron and front fenders, hood shelves and bracketry are the same as the samll truck. A pickup and AA runningboards are different in length as are the slash aprons which match the r/b length. Bracketry is same but rear must be moved.
Use stock steering, change front axle/spring/sprindles etc to A version rather than AA. Change transmission to small A or early V8 for improved shift, conversion kist available from many Model A suppliers. Change rearend to standard A rearend.
Drive, drive, drive.

 

I believe the front crossmember is different, it arches down further so it will sit up higher to clear the larger AA wheels and tires. Swap it out with a p***enger car crossmember. I'd use the AA frame, just add a A rear cross member. Personally I wouldn't cut the rails off at the A member but let them extend all the way to the tail end of the pick-up box, for that extra protection if you were ever rear ended. Some 28-29 AA trucks have an offset rear window, rather than centered like the pickup.

 

I will lower it plenty,
The front spring is about 6 inches thick! So I will swap that out and see how it looks. ***us drops axles in the cities so thats a possibility.
I like the spring behind the axle idea!

Like I said, the front axles are the same, I have to change the brakes and front spring. And he included a Car rear and ****** that seam to be in really good shape. The rear even has the spring on it yet.

 

cool trucks...

 

The early AA had the same axle as the p***enger ch***is. Later axles don't work with anything but AA perches and king pins. later AA's also used a 2" wide spring up front.
If you plan to keep the banger, a standard A ch***is would save a bunch of weight for the four popper to lug around.
If you think you may sometime in the future switch to an 8, the AA would be a great strength advantage.
The other benefit of using the AA frame cut down is the fact that you can run the frame rails back past the axle if you would like to run a hitch or sturdy bumper.
Henry made a pick up version of the AA called an express, it had longer boards/ aprons and a longer pick up box.

 

'29 frame plans.Should give most measurements you need.Found them on here a while back.

Mark.

 

Hey thanks mark!

I want to work with what I have. I have 200 dollars into this at this point. And I should be able to get her running with just a battery and some tinkering. I just want to drive it! I might even keep the stock brakes for a while just because they are so easy to find and cheap! I have my go fast car, but now I want a put put truck.

Hey Olskool! Is that a model A car visor? That looks good. I have one, but I dont know if I wanna use it or not.

 

Here is a picture of dad's 31 with a AA frame, He cut out about 2 feet out of the center to reduce the weight and get back to stock model A dimentions as well as retain the tapers that are at the rear of the frame. The front suspention was a heidits unit intended for a model A, and fit perfect
oneshot completed at the salt

and one while he was in my shop building it,

 

I built my pickup from a '31 AA. I took 33 inches out of the middle and welded the ends back together. All of the cab mount holes are in the right places but if you reuse the cab that's not an issue. The AA has a cross member about mid-ship. I moved this and lowered the center (made it deeper) to mount the transmission tail shaft. I cut some triangular openings in the cross member to lighten it. I used a Speedway "Mustang" front cross member but kept the AA front cross member to mount the radiator. Once again I skeletonized it to save weight. I used the Eaton axle from the 86 ranger pickup that I got the 2.3L and Mazda M5OD-r1 from so I used longitudinal elliptical springs. The rear shackles are mounted to a 2x2 tube welded to the ends of the AA frame. Front perches were fabricated to allow for the frame's getting narrower going forward.

My pickup is a fenderless highboy so all of the frame is visible. The Factory taper at both ends looks better (to me) than square tube. I did not box the frame and it seems plenty strong.

Don't through away an AA frame.

My front axle and springs was wider and a lot heavier than the auto parts.
By the way I have read that the spindles from a F150 swing arm will fit on the AA king pins.