Projects 31 AA as a real truck?

'Box the frame'! This has become a catch-all colloquialism bounced around the HAMB like a Coker tire.
Some cases advisable, but some not. 'Overkill' can occur, and will when subjected to a biased 'board of advisory'!
Boxing the frame. Framing the box. When in doubt, just...'turn it around'.

Take the truck apart, and look the frame over. It is stout, truly to truck specs.
Tow trucks, dump trucks, fifth wheelers ALL used the same chassis. (this is NOT a car chassis)

 

Here's Pete Eastwood's Model TT flatbed hauler. 327/TH400 with a 9"

 

Thanks still dreaming what to do. I know Peter I grew up in Pasadena. He did me a Huge favor when I was a young dumass. I like the way he moved engine to passenger side to make more room for things like steering? And made neet wheel adapters. Always nice work.

 

Hay Osage Orange how did the rear spring setup ride? Just pickup a Dana70 that fits with leave springs. Frame tapers maybe a little to much for perchs your set up seams eaiser. I may make lower arms longer like stock just to be more stock looking.

 

I've yet to get it on the road, but know that the spring stack can shed a few leafs and still be stiff, as it is certainly a truck. I've debated with a couple of friends whether it makes sense to put shocks on the back, and the consensus is that it would be a waste of time and effort. Another thing: I've not dropped the front axle, but will probably flip the eyes on the spring to drop it an inch. All along I have wanted this to have the stance of a farm truck more than a hotrod, look stock but with just a hint of "that ain't stock."
Here's another look at the rear end setup, if it helps.

 

Hombre, I will take your word for it on the '32 grill being no problem and done a million times. One question, did you notice the shell is a 1928-29 and not the larger 1930-31 (post #23)?

Charlie Stephens

 

Yes did notice. I have a glass grill here for friends build I will check out fit before buying steel. The Dana 70 i found fits the frame width great. Its a oddball width narrower than ford or chevy, but will still need to widen bed. It only metal.

 

I have a early 30 AA Ford (2 1/4 ton). I've owned it for 45 years. Started using stock spring setup on rear using a 3/4 ton Chevy from early 50's. Clamp on end of spring fit that axle tube so added some ladder bars for location instead of torque tube. That was with a 327 and 4 speed. Pulled a 27' 5th wheel RV. It took all of the weight of fiver and barely moved springs. Rode worse than a lumber wagon. The springs had 17 thick leaves per side.
Now has frame paralleled in back with 58 Chevy 38 (1 1/2 ton) springs.

Rides like a lumber wagon empty!!

Couple other changes over the years until last update in 2005. Went to a Corp 14 bolt C&C rear (cab and chassis). Went that route as with 225X75R16 duelly width is under 7'. My guess is your 70 is a C&C rear also which are much narrower than the pickup.

Used a 32 fat beam ford in front with offset drilled king pins to take 58 Chevy 38 series spindles that I made up my own disc brake kit using Chevy 4X4 rotors. Used stock 30 front spring with one short leaf out. Went with a Blackbird Custom 14 bolt disc brake rear kit.

Motors have been couple small block and 454 BBC. Went to a blower motor 396 with Weind 177 super charger. Pulled a 37' RV locally. That motor gave out in 2010 so went to a 350 with same type blower. That motor is now in need of rebuilding. Now pull 24' 5th wheel RV.

I do not use photo bucket so can not post pictures. There is a thread on here that has some pics of it. Think it is AA Ford trucks or something like it.

Earl

 

I've been studying aa trucks for many years and have never heard of a 2 1/4 ton aa. What Is it?

 

Wow Earl sounds like you have done it all with these things. You should tell us more especially about the chevy disk conversion on 32 axle.

 

Look on page 69 of Ford Model A/AA Ford by A.G. McMillan; copyright 1975.... "Model AA Platform Stake Body with Dual Wheels" lower left of page "Maximum Load with Dual Wheels 2 1/4 ton"

I purchased this book when first released a number of years after buying my truck. Make it even more interesting, my truck is a early 30 using 29 cab that had 1/4 twist gas cap on cowl tank. On a "30" frame with 2 1/4" wide front spring.

 

Walker makes a radiator with an AC condensor for a Model A. From the front it looks stock. I used one on a 28. A 351W will fit under the stock hood with block huggers or early 289 manifolds.

 

Thanks, enjenjo. I've always wondered about the Walker radiator with the condenser, and that seals the deal. That's what I'll be getting, even at the price. Yes, block huggers are a must for 351W. I tried several stock manifolds, but they wouldn't quite do the trick.
Langan, that Dana 70 sounds perfect. Duallies and a real truck. That's the ticket!

 

I assembled rear end today. I would need to make bed 7"- 8.5" wider on both sides. Mine is 4" narrow than a Sprint van total 86" to outside of tires.So maybe not. I will measure the Inveco type trucks tomorrow.
I really like the Walker rad idea i will look up pricing. Got to be less than 32 grill and Speedway Rad.

 

With all the room you have under the bed can you mount the condenser there with an electric fan?

Charlie Stephens

 

Walker $1016.95 spendy but great solutions. I have herd of remote condenser no personal experience. I need a rad. condenser anyway.
May need to sell something then it doesn't hurt as much. Be a real pain if does not cool well

 

Well with another guy helping O.D. of tires is 83" thats 1" narrower than Inveco. The stock bed is 73". I think if i make bed 5.5 wider each side will look ok concidering the tred is narrower than side wall. There may be narrower wheels and taller skinnier tires. I miss the Miata tire sizer app.

 

found this site yesterday and found it helpful....see what you think

http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

 

Thanks vtwhead it is a lot like site i was looking for.

 

Does anyone have AA front spindle? Want to compair to standard spindle. I guess if 2" is different than 4" show the 4. Thanks

 

Is there any other straight axles maybe off newer truck that may be better choice for bigger brakes and dually style wheels

 

I have a pair at home!

 

Why would you want dually up front? You mean Budd Wheels like on the AA?

You could look into Model BB axles and 35 up big truck axles I'd say. Maybe see what's under an old dump rig. Folks usually scrap a lot of their rolling gear. 1937 may be the best year Dump Truck to seek parts out of.

 

No not duall wheels up front just a one wheel each side. BB axle is a good idea. Here is a picture of a rear end i may use. ID between tires match stock. The Inveco fits to and are much lighter duty. The Sprinter is 5" narrower but wheels are hard to find

 

The photos explain it all. Too wide. What would it take to cut the axle housings and get shortened axles? Not cheap, but I sure like that Dana rear. Nice truck, by the way.

 

I am not oposed to wider bed. But going to pull axles and see how much shorter the short side is. If it becomes any narrowed then spring would need to go under frame.
I think its one of those things that when its rite you know.

 

Were can I find a axle comparison chart, pictures or measurements? Say 1931 to when they stopped using straight axles.

 

31 AA as a real truck?
Just saying, but a 31AA is a real truck.

 

F-ONE absolutely real truck. I guess i should say i want to make more restorod

 

I will look for a rotor tomorrow. Happy that drum unbolt and that spindle is larger than pasanger car