30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

Hello again everyone!
I have a couple more questions for those with 30-31 open cab pickups/ roadster pickups. My cab's back panel was deemed too far in disrepair to save or use as a reference, so I have ordered a brookville cab back. My questions are: Were the cab back panel and quarter panels stamped as one piece originally, or were they assembled as the reproduction is, with the quarter panels separate and attached to the rear panel with a welded seam at the cab corners? Were there visible seams on the inside of the cab that I could replicate to make the truck look more correct (even though the interior will cover this up)? A picture of these seams, if they exist, would be fantastic!(if it's not too much trouble) I was also wondering how the back panel and quarters were attached to the subrails/floor originally. I am confused by the series of cuts/tabs on the bottom of the quarters(What was the purpose for this?). I would contact a few folks that have these trucks, but I wanted this info to be available to future restorers searching here. This may seem insignificant to most, but i'm just a detail guy! Plus i'm going to keep this truck forever so it is very important to me. Thanks so very much for reading this and for any and all information that you could offer.
Sincerely,
Braxton C.
aka 31open-cab

Re: 30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

Just wanted to simplify my thread. It's pretty wordy!
My main questions are:
For a 1930-1931 roadster pickup
#1 How was the cab back attached to the floor/subrails originally? (this question is most important to me)

and

#2Was the cab back made as one piece originally or 3 pieces welded together like the new brookville cabs are?

Thanks again for any and all help that may be provided!
Y'all have been extremely helpful already and I am very appreciative of it all!
Sincerely,
Braxton C.
aka 31open-cab

Re: 30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

rustyrim,
I am a big fan of Flop's work and have actually been following that thread! I was just hesitant of using a hard top pickup as a guide for an open cab/roadster pickup. I wasn't sure how different they would be. I will definitely look at his pictures again. Thanks very much for the point in that direction.
Sincerely,
Braxton C.
aka 31open-cab

Re: 30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

The answer to question 2 is the back was formed from one piece of steel.
Question 1, the back was attached to the rear subrail by rivets.

Re: 30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

all one piece. on a closed cab truck the back of the cab is spot welded to the underside of the rear most crossmember .

Re: 30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

Herb and Flop,
Thanks very much guys. I usually take pictures of the parts as I remove them so I will know how they should be re-attached, but in this case that wouldn't help; my cab has been cut and welded like crazy in the rear portion(lower 4" replaced, top 1" replaced and both door jams grafted on from a roadster) Hence my purchasing a new cab back. By the way, when the cab back is attached, what happens with the tabs on the bottom of the quarters? Do they just fold under the subrails? Ive always wondered that, but never saw how they were used. Once again thanks very much for taking the time to help! It is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Braxton C.
aka 31open-cab

Re: 30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

On a closed truck I know its just about a 1 inch 90 degree break at the bottom and that is where it gets spot welded with no fold .

Re: 30-31 open cab back panel and quarters
 

Thanks a bunch Flop! I have learned more about this roadster pickup in the last month on the Fordbarn than I have in the last 20 years growing up with it in our garage! (dad bought it when I was 2 years old)
Man, this site is great! Thanks again everybody!
Sincerely,
Braxton C.
aka 31open-cab