Pickup box differences

[karasmer]

What if any differences are there in Model A pickup boxes, I see some with and without logos on the tailgates, wood and steel floors..? I am looking for one that is correct for a 1931 and have little idea on what's what. Thanks

[CarlG]

The '31 "Wide-Bed" did not have a logo on the tailgate. It had 3 hinges with a metal strap that went up the center of the tailgate, right across the area where the logo was on the earlier models.

Narrow bed with script . . . . . . . . . Wide Bed no script

[Charlie Stephens]

I would suggest calling MacK Products and have them send you a catalog showing the reproduction beds they sell (they also have a lot of other truck unique parts), (660) 263-7444. There are two beds, the narrow bed and the wide bed. The narrow bed was basically the same 1928 through early 1931. The wide bed was introduced May 1931 (ref "The Ford Model A As Henry Built It"). The narrow bed had a wood floor with strips of metal between the boards. The wide bed had a steel surface on the bottom of the bed. If your truck's build date is such the you have a choice I would go with the narrow bed. I think they look better and they use coupe/roadster rear fenders. The wide bed is more square in shape and had fenders attached to the bed that fit the wide bed only ($$$).

Charlie Stephens

[Joe K]

The narrow bed was basically the same 1928 through early 1931.

Some minor differences in the detail of the two hinges between 28-29 and 30-31. To the casual observer the difference is not noticeable. To judging - a BIG difference.

IIRC, the reproduced beds are in the "later" version.

Joe K

[flatford39]

And don't forget about the AA Express bed. It's about seven feet long and it doesn't have a logo on the gate either. If anyone knows where one is I would be interested.

[karasmer]

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Great information guys, thanks.

[karasmer]

[karasmer]

What is this box in the above photo?

[CarlG]

Looks like a 28 to early 31 that someone has put a steel floor in over the wood. Also has some peculiar holes in the front left and the forward right side.

[karasmer]

Ok bringing this thread back up, did all the narrow bed boxes have the z channel (half round) between the rear fenders and the bed, and what are the differences between the 228/9 and 30/31 hinges? Thanks

[Charlie Stephens]

Karasmer,

You need to narrow down the date in 1931 that your truck was built since the change to the wide bed was late '31. Serial number, flat or indented firewall, soft or all steel top, etc.

Charlie Stephens

[CarlG]

In 1931 it seems that the Pickup was configured every way possible. Ford was notorious for making vehicles out of just about what was left on the shelf at that particular time. Three major components could be had in any and every combination:

• Flat firewall vs Indented firewall
• Fabric top vs Steel top
• Narrow bed vs Wide bed

All 3 of these changes were introduced sometime in 1931, but not all 3 at once.

My Pickup has the Indented firewall, Steel top, and Narrow bed.

I have seen just about every combination possible, and they aren't always tied to a particular assembly date or engine number.

[Mike V. Florida]

The Fenders on the wide bed were 10" wide and I believe the bed is 46" wide. The cab had one style number and the bed another.

The all steel cab was introduced in Aug of 1931.(82B) could be matted with a wide bed (78B). The cab was made by Budd and the bed by Briggs.

This is from past posts;

"The '31 "Wide-Bed" did not have a logo on the tailgate. It had 3 hinges with a metal strap that went up the center of the tailgate, right across the area where the logo was on the earlier models."