1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

I have a newly acquired '28 P/U with a frame that has 4 half cylinder pieces attached. Any idea what these are? They aren't on the frame of my '30 P/U.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

Those are shocks. Often leak and non-functional... sometimes, but rarely, rebuildable.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1647984759

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1647984659
Ford Model A Shock Absorbers.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

This is the time the vacuum finds your wallet. Mine came with only two and I went for the original design replacments.

Regards
Bill

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

They are hydraulic shock absorbers and came on all production Model A's. You may find the addition of them to your pickup will greatly increase the ride.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

Houdaille Hydraulic shock absorbers, every "A" had them. It is worth cleaning them good and seeing what type those are if you wanna find a guy with an early '28 looking for those parts, don't ever toss away old parts!!

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

Easiest and cheapest way out for shocks is modern tubular shock conversion.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

IMO, the suppliers of these conversions should have done a little more work before taking them to market. Tele shockers are way too stiff.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

First, disconnect the links. Looks like one is already disconnected. Try to move it up and down. Move the arm to the one that does not have one to test that one. If it moves but easily, try adding some shock oil, available from the vendors, at the square plug at the top. It if has resistance with new shock oil, congratulations, you just saved a ton of money. If not, or if frozen solid, send them in to have them rebuilt.

They are really hard to rebuilt without special tools.

If the springs are dry and stiff the car will work without shocks but the springs should be rebuilt with dry lubrication or grease and shocks added. Because they are hard to rebuild and parts were not available for a long time and because most of the shocks were worn out, lots of cars had them removed back in the day.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

Just had a thread about this...that's why a lot, and I mean a lot a A's had no shocks or they were disconnected.
Modern shocks work great (and much cheaper) if you are into driving and not high point showing

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

Thank you for the help identifying them. I am definitely going to clean/dust them off and see if they are totally shot. If they aren't totally gone, I will see about getting them rebuilt.

Re: 1928 Model A Frame - What is this
 

Call Stipe machine shop, get on the list, might as well do it right.