The Ford Barn

Mike/Nebraska · 10-28-2015, 12:13 AM

I have a running Model A chassis and drivetrain that I would like to put my 26/27 coupe body on. Anyone had experience with this kind of swap. I'm wanting to build a prewar style T hotrod. Also, does anyone know where to find sub rails for the coupe? Mine are pretty hacked up from being previousy modified to lower the body...wheel wells and subframe mostly.

Karl Wescott · 10-28-2015, 09:44 AM

1. Subrails: Not reproduced to my knowledge. The crossmembers are. As this is obviously pretty far gone and going to be a street rod consider making the subrails out of rectangular tubing, cut the outside to profile, weld it up, and straighten the warps.

2. Mounting on a A frame. With body blocks installed both model A and Model T basically have a flat mounting surface on the body mounting to a flat mounting surface on the frame. The body bolt hole locations are different and will have to be moved. The rear crossmember on the A frame will be taller than the T and require a little more trunk clearance, and the crossmember will be slightly too wide and will need to be trimmed with the body mount hole relocated.

The wheelbase is about 2" difference so you will have extra motor room, and if you use a hood you will need a custom extended one.

What are you going to do with the radiator and radiator shell? If you are going to use the T there will be interference with the front crossmember ahead of the spring, and the front of the frame will need to be modified. If you are going to use Model A the top of the radiator will be taller than the top of the cowl. A 4-1/2" chop 1932 is about the right profile for a T, we make fiberglass shells and Walker makes a great radiator.

What about fenders? If you use T fenders (matching to the T radiator with the above modifications) you will need custom extra length aprons and running boards. If you want to use 1929 A fenders we make fiberglass rear fenders that look like 1929 fenders yet fit the 1926-27 body. They still require special running boards and aprons but we have these available too.

I have seen a few of these done, and done right they look fine. With the wrong mix of parts they can look like a hash job.

Hotrodfil · 12-29-2015, 12:59 PM

This one is mine.

Hotrodfil · 01-09-2016, 11:08 AM

Still not on a reliable internet connection (I moved in October but we still have no phoneline) but if you need to know anything about it drop me a PM and I'll ty and sort some photos for you.

It's pretty much a copy of how I put the '27T Tourer on the Model-A chassis in my last build.

mike657894 · 01-24-2016, 11:50 PM

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oh man. that looks wild. it took me a minute to wrap my head around it. i also like what your doing with the wheels. that is a cool looking car.

10-28-2015, 12:13 AM	#1
Mike/Nebraska Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern, Nebraska Posts: 354	T coupe on a Model A frame I have a running Model A chassis and drivetrain that I would like to put my 26/27 coupe body on. Anyone had experience with this kind of swap. I'm wanting to build a prewar style T hotrod. Also, does anyone know where to find sub rails for the coupe? Mine are pretty hacked up from being previousy modified to lower the body...wheel wells and subframe mostly. Last edited by Mike/Nebraska; 10-28-2015 at 12:35 AM.

10-28-2015, 09:44 AM	#2
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,283	Re: T coupe on a Model A frame 1. Subrails: Not reproduced to my knowledge. The crossmembers are. As this is obviously pretty far gone and going to be a street rod consider making the subrails out of rectangular tubing, cut the outside to profile, weld it up, and straighten the warps. 2. Mounting on a A frame. With body blocks installed both model A and Model T basically have a flat mounting surface on the body mounting to a flat mounting surface on the frame. The body bolt hole locations are different and will have to be moved. The rear crossmember on the A frame will be taller than the T and require a little more trunk clearance, and the crossmember will be slightly too wide and will need to be trimmed with the body mount hole relocated. The wheelbase is about 2" difference so you will have extra motor room, and if you use a hood you will need a custom extended one. What are you going to do with the radiator and radiator shell? If you are going to use the T there will be interference with the front crossmember ahead of the spring, and the front of the frame will need to be modified. If you are going to use Model A the top of the radiator will be taller than the top of the cowl. A 4-1/2" chop 1932 is about the right profile for a T, we make fiberglass shells and Walker makes a great radiator. What about fenders? If you use T fenders (matching to the T radiator with the above modifications) you will need custom extra length aprons and running boards. If you want to use 1929 A fenders we make fiberglass rear fenders that look like 1929 fenders yet fit the 1926-27 body. They still require special running boards and aprons but we have these available too. I have seen a few of these done, and done right they look fine. With the wrong mix of parts they can look like a hash job.

12-29-2015, 12:59 PM	#3
Hotrodfil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norfolk UK Posts: 213	Re: T coupe on a Model A frame This one is mine.

01-09-2016, 11:08 AM	#4
Hotrodfil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norfolk UK Posts: 213	Re: T coupe on a Model A frame Still not on a reliable internet connection (I moved in October but we still have no phoneline) but if you need to know anything about it drop me a PM and I'll ty and sort some photos for you. It's pretty much a copy of how I put the '27T Tourer on the Model-A chassis in my last build.

01-24-2016, 11:50 PM	#5
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: T coupe on a Model A frame Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) oh man. that looks wild. it took me a minute to wrap my head around it. i also like what your doing with the wheels. that is a cool looking car.