I'm looking at a cheap AA ch***is w-running gear hoping it's a '28 with the p***enger car axle. The axle does look a little 'beefy' though. If it is the '29-later 'big' axle will a car axle bolt-in, in it's place? The engine block is stamped *AA3481235* any idea of year? Also wondering about the fenders on the bedside shown, kinda look like front fenders off of something really old to me. Did any AA's come with a pickup style box? Any info would be appreciated...
Looks like someone just got the cab, hot wrench marks are fresh on the pedals and steering column. That looks like a big AA front axle in the photos. Ford did offer a large pick up style box called an Express, the one in the phots isn't a factory box, the fenders on it are front fenders off something from the mid 1920's, maybe Dodge. That AA bellhousing is a worthwhile item to get. I've been told they work well to addapt modern transmissions.
Yes, Ford offered a large pickup box on their 1-ton trucks starting with the Model AA. They are pretty rare just as are the AA panel trucks. You can use that frame by shortening it. It's made just like the car/pickup frame but deeper and heavier. That engine number dates the ch***is at MAY 1930. Yes, you can replace the AA front suspension ***embly with the car/pickup ***embly. You may need to use a spacer for the car/pickup spring as the AA has wider leaves. You are correct, the 28 and early 29 AAs used p***enger car axles, shackles, perches and a heavier spring along with heavier spindles which used stock A kingpins.
I've got a '29 AA truck, and the front axle is the same as the p***enger car, and I have already adapted mine to the '46 front spindles for disc brakes. I don't know about the '30, but the '29 front springs do fit right into the pocket. What I did was have to cut about half of the leaves down to create a spacer so the spring would fit tightly into the front spring pocket. You should be able check with Macs Antique Auto Parts to verify the width of your spring and compare it to the spring of a '29 to see if they are the same. This'll clear up any confusion with that regard. Depending upon the length of the ch***is (there were at least 3 different lengths) you might consider leaving your frame intact for length. I am planning to leave my frame full length, but I had to shorten my wheelbase a bit to use the rear end setup I've got under mine. I used a bone stock '70s Ford pickup 9" that I cut the factory rivets that held the spring mounts to the frame. Then I slid it under my frame, loosened the U-bolts so I could 'pinch' the front spring eyes together a bit while expanding out the rear, then merely bolted the mounts to my new frame. I had to create a bit of a 'drop bracket' to make sure the rear shackle had enough room to bolt on at the bottom due to the AA taper at the rear, but I've covered all of that in my build thread linked in my signature. I plan to custom build a military Deuce-and-a-half style/looking bed to put on the rear of my truck. Might even make it a dump bed to show off the underside, but haven't made it that far yet. I've got some 30+ year old oak planks that'll make up the bed floor. I also plan to make it an extended style cab as well to give me more room (I'm 6'3") inside. Good luck, and check out my signature to see what I've done thus far with mine.
Thanks guys, looks like it's a "big" axle from the engine date. I was really just after the axle ***embly if it could be converted into a 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern with juice brakes... Oh well, searching is fun too.
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