photo of my 29 AA truck

[cliff wheeler]

Thanks for the ideas on the wiring and possible short within the ammeter. Think it's in the control box on the firewall, maybe.. Starts and runs fine but need to rewire the tail lights as they have the old cloth covered wiring. Do I need to hook up some turn signals in the state of Washington?

[mountstimothy0]

Nice truck!

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[Charlie Stephens]

Cliff,

About the turn signals, I don't know if they are required but they are a VERY good idea so I think I would run them. How about a picture of the control box on the firewall? Did you mean the junction box? Is it a voltage regulator on the firewall?

Charlie Stephens

[Bob C]

Nice looking truck. I think with a little research you will find that is an early 1930.

Bob

[SeaSlugs]

Agreed, beautiful early 30!

Turnsignals are not required in any state if they didn't leave the factory with em as far as i know.

Now your supposed to use hand signals in leu of them FYI

[1crosscut]

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Good looking truck. You mention that the rear wires are cloth covered and should be replaced. Yes the original wires were cloth covered but so are the new wires you get from the Model A suppliers. If the wiring in the engine compartment is "modern" plastic covered wire odds are it has been cobbled together and switching out to correct replacement wire could be something to consider.

I have turn signals on my truck and would not have it any other way. I got mine from Electro Tech http://www.turnswitch.com/ and like them quite a bit. I had some problems with them long after the warranty expired and they gladly fixed them with no charge.
If you will be doing any driving at night turn signals are a must. Hand signals especially at night in a truck are difficult to see.

[Gunmetal blue2]

For my truck was going to hang a steel plate from the wood on the back and put the turn signals and brake lights. Nice truck hope mine will look that good.

[cliff wheeler]

Thanks for the info everyone...first off I would like to keep the turn signals as discreet as possible but do want them....second, i would like to know why you think it would be an early 30 and not a 29....thirdly, I don't care to keep the wires as original because I will use the truck and not for show, cloth wire covering is not reliable and would rather use rubber or plastic coated wire. I am 73 years old worked on many model A's in my time and wished i had kept all of them, even converted one 31 to an olds engine and olds rear end with a B and M hydro auto transmission with a 46 ford 2 1/2 inch dropped axel in the front. Could get a 1/2 rack of beer in the door panels with ice. Now that was over 50 years ago. I promised to keep this in stock condition so I only had to pay $4000 for it. and was quite happy.

[cliff wheeler]

I mean junction box, will check it out for a short.

[Tom Wesenberg]

The new cloth covered wires are excellent and very reliable. Just be sure the terminals are soldered to the wires, as would be the case with plastic covered wires also.

BTW almost everything before about 1953 had cloth covered wires.

I'm also wondering why it looks 1930 to some? It has the 1929 bumpers, cowl, radiator, headlamps, headlamp bar, and everything else I see looks 1929.

[1crosscut]

Cliff - no offense intended in regards to the plastic wire. It's just been my experience that is generally what I find when wire has been replaced with "modern stuff". The reproduction wire is cloth covered but over a modern plastic covered wire (I believe) underneath the cloth.

[Bob C]

The 1930's used 28-29 sheet metal until about June 1930. It will have a bevel gear rear axle, 4-speed trans, heavy front axle with 14" brakes, the 4th cross member will be flat across the top(28-29 had a hump) 30-31 steering wheel and could have a quarter turn gas cap and 30-31 style head lights.

Bob

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Bob C

The 1930's used 28-29 sheet metal until about June 1930. It will have a bevel gear rear axle, 4-speed trans, heavy front axle with 14" brakes, the 4th cross member will be flat across the top(28-29 had a hump) 30-31 steering wheel and could have a quarter turn gas cap and 30-31 style head lights.

Bob

yup yup yup.

and yes the new cloth covered wire is just that - cloth covered MODERN wire so its just as good as new wire but looks old. it really helps when trying to diagnose issues if your truck matches wiring diagram colors and really the new made looms arent that expensive and ready to go in.

[cliff wheeler]

Very good info and thanks...will try and get the cloth covered wire. This is the info on the identification number..1929 model A flatbed, Identification no. AA2109748

Not too important to me either way, but good to know. You guys are really sharp on the model A's. Thanks again on the info.

cliff

[Tom Wesenberg]

That's a 1929 engine number, and it sure looks like a 1929 to me. The picture is quite distant, but it looks like the gas and radiator caps are the screw on 1929 style, so I still question what makes it a 1930.

I know about the first half of 1930 having the 1929 style cab, but the early 1930's I've seen had the twist gas and radiator caps and 1930 style front bumper and headlamps.

[emf]

I think the Budd wheels in 29 were dished in while the wheels in 30 were dished out. Other than the wheels, it looks like a 29...

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by emf

I think the Budd wheels in 29 were dished in while the wheels in 30 were dished out. Other than the wheels, it looks like a 29...

and the only way for those wheels to fit and look right is they have to have the larger 1930+ AA axles.

AA's got all the leftovers so they used up whatever was left at any particular factory so theres a few months of random parts.

[Bob C]

The easiest way to tell would be the number four cross member. The 28-29 has a hump the 30-31 is flat.

Bob