Are all model A frames the same?

What are the differences between the 28-29 and 30-31? Any differences between pass car and pickup?

Thanks

 

Pretty sure they are all the same from 28-31, all passenger cars and pick up's included. Model AA is obiously different.

 

For all intents and purposes, yes.

 

the front crossmember is slightly different where the radiator bolts up. '28-'29 is different than a '30-'31

 

For body mounting hole dimensions, no..From what I have found is that if the body is original to the frame then all lines up; take the body from one frame and try to put on another and the body mounting points may or [odds are] not be the same, as much as couple inches off..

 

I am currently replacing a front crossmember on my '29 cabriolet with another I have had for 40+ years. I found a few differences in the 4 corners near the top edge. My "new" crossmember has more metal in the stamped corners; but a short stress crack in each where the extra metal was added. My old one has a lot less metal in those corners and minimal stress cracking in only two corners. The differences would not be noticed until the rivets are out and the crossmember is removed from the main rails.

The original crossmember I removed was cracked in the middle by the spring mounts and had been repaired by welding. I am sure the welding was done by my now deceased uncle probably 50+ years ago. His welds have lasted, but they have the appearance of hardfacing, like on the blade of a CAT bulldozer! But hardface welding is what he used to do for a living, back in the '50s and '60s. This crossmember, as stamped, would have been more flexible to the twisting of the frame, than my other one before it cracked in the corners.

I have also been looking at several rear crossmembers. Two I have, have a more pronounced lip at the bottom than does the one on the summer of '29 cabriolet frame. Minor differences, but still different. I guess Ford just made these minor changes as production continued.

The body mounting bolt holes are slightly different between the '28-29 and the '30-31. My reference says that the 6th bolt from the front is in a different location. That bolt hole is only used by the closed cab PU in '28-29 and various Briggs and Murray body styles in '30-31.

 

No, there are quite a few differences. For a hot rod 99% of them will not matter. Cowl mounting bracket on the side of frame is farther forward on a 30/31, center crossmember is different, E brake shaft and mount is different, front crossmembers are different, ect

 

I have a wierd front crossmember (looks like it has some grooves stamped for the U-bolts) and cast/forged body brackets on one, anyone know what it's deal is??

 

As long as we're asking, any difference in an AA front crossmember? I know the frame itself is thicker(taller) and the entire rear suspension is different (although it has a crossmember in the right place that could probably be modified to take a transverse spring).

 

Thanks. I am looking into another project and I have always built my own frames.

 

If they were made by the same builder, they should be the same, Ford as others, used different builders for their cars. Coupes made by one, 2drs made by another, and so on and so forth. Some of the body styles had more than one builder, they could be way off. The same with the bodies, I have seen a 32 roadster trunk lid over an inch bigger from one body to the next.

3w

 

The major difference to most hot rodders is the radiator mount on the front crossmember. 28/9 is taller there than 30/1, and will cause alignment problems with your hood if used as-is on a 30/1. Everything else (side body mounts and hood latch holes) is cured with a drill.