The Ford Barn

Joe Altieri · 01-20-2016, 04:14 PM

Is it possible to use a '32 Ford Chassis on a '30-'31 tudor sedan, and still use the fenders?
I am looking at a full fendered, '30 sedan, which is in need of a new chassis. I don't want to buy it and then stick another "A" chassis under it. I was wondering if anyone out there has used both the '32 chassis and full fenders? I like the idea of the strength of the '32 chassis which would also allow for the easy installation of a '32 gas tank.
I spent many hours trying to figure out the biggest tire I could get under my '31 wide bed pick-up and now am faced with the same situation if I buy this sedan. If anyone has any ideas on how wide and how tall a tire can be used under stock rear fenders, without tubbing, I would greatly appreciate your input
MAny thanks.
Joe Altieri
[email protected]

Rex_A_Lott · 01-20-2016, 04:27 PM

The wheelbase on the 32 is longer, so you will have to do some fitting somewhere.
You will get a lot more response if you will post this over on the HAMB.
Good Luck.

1931 flamingo · 01-20-2016, 06:16 PM

Speedway and I believe TCI (may be others), make a street rod chassis that body will bolt to. Also, a 32 frame needs to be "pinched" at the cowl area for the body to fit right.
Paul in CT

fiftyv8 · 01-20-2016, 06:44 PM

The 32 style gas tank and attachments can be purchased to fit with a model A frame.

Charlie Stephens · 01-20-2016, 06:45 PM

And the '32 frame goes up in the back. Anything can be done but I don't think I would do it. See http://wescottsauto.com/SubIndexes/Techindex.html for frame drawings.

Charlie Stephens

Mike V. Florida · 01-20-2016, 06:52 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

What's the matter with "... another "A" chassis under it"?

Pete · 01-20-2016, 07:04 PM

I have done it twice.
Once with a 30 2 door and
once with a 31 roadster body.
I did not channel either.
No pinching or body mods.
No fenders in the pic but I added them later.

Karl Wescott · 01-20-2016, 07:26 PM

The 32 frame has a kickup over the rear axle... the body is designed for a flat frame. While some of the frame will fit under the rear seat some modification will be needed.

The 32 frame also kicks up from the door hinge post to the radiator, without modification there will be a gap between the frame and body, as well as the radiator sitting too high.

1928-29 bodies are narrower at the cowl than 1930-31 or 32. They look better on 32 frames when the frame is pinched. 1930-31 bodies are about the same width as the 32 frame and no need to pinch.

To use model A fenders you would have to fix the above frame kickup, and make custom splash aprons and running boards (and lose the nice 32 frame side treatment). To use 1932 fenders and running boards... well the 32 rear fenders just will not fit the body... one or both would need to be modified.

The stock model A sedan rear fenders pinch to about 6" at the top... you could get to 10" if you "tub" the wheelwell.

It is going to be a lot of work to get thing right and looking good. Make sure this is what you want before you start cutting. This is probably not a good choice for a restorable A, but might be fun if you are starting with a rust bucket or a pile of pieces.

rexrogers · 01-20-2016, 08:25 PM

I like your idea it would give a stock A little more of a coachwork feel to the car. Narrowing the frame and modifying the rear sub-rails fro the body is fairly common for the hot rodders. Blending in the fenders into the 32 frame would take some studying to get them to flow and make it feel like the car came that way from Ford.

desotoguy · 01-21-2016, 08:39 AM

If you are buying a new frame, use one of the aftermarket frames made for the A. It will be just as strong as the 32. With fenders nor one will see the frame anyway. I guarantee you will be riding a lot sooner considering all the time and work to make the 32 frame fit.

Joe Altieri · 01-23-2016, 06:45 PM

Thanks folks for all your comments. I probably will do an after market chassis and skip the drama of using a '32.
Joe

fiftyv8 · 01-23-2016, 07:13 PM

Boxed model A frame would be the strongest easiest way to go.

01-20-2016, 04:14 PM	#1
Joe Altieri Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lake Almanor, California Posts: 44	Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 Is it possible to use a '32 Ford Chassis on a '30-'31 tudor sedan, and still use the fenders? I am looking at a full fendered, '30 sedan, which is in need of a new chassis. I don't want to buy it and then stick another "A" chassis under it. I was wondering if anyone out there has used both the '32 chassis and full fenders? I like the idea of the strength of the '32 chassis which would also allow for the easy installation of a '32 gas tank. I spent many hours trying to figure out the biggest tire I could get under my '31 wide bed pick-up and now am faced with the same situation if I buy this sedan. If anyone has any ideas on how wide and how tall a tire can be used under stock rear fenders, without tubbing, I would greatly appreciate your input MAny thanks. Joe Altieri [email protected]

01-20-2016, 04:27 PM	#2
Rex_A_Lott Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 794	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 The wheelbase on the 32 is longer, so you will have to do some fitting somewhere. You will get a lot more response if you will post this over on the HAMB. Good Luck.

01-20-2016, 06:16 PM	#3
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 Speedway and I believe TCI (may be others), make a street rod chassis that body will bolt to. Also, a 32 frame needs to be "pinched" at the cowl area for the body to fit right. Paul in CT

01-20-2016, 06:44 PM	#4
fiftyv8 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 141	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 The 32 style gas tank and attachments can be purchased to fit with a model A frame.

01-20-2016, 06:45 PM	#5
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 And the '32 frame goes up in the back. Anything can be done but I don't think I would do it. See http://wescottsauto.com/SubIndexes/Techindex.html for frame drawings. Charlie Stephens

01-20-2016, 06:52 PM	#6
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) What's the matter with "... another "A" chassis under it"? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-20-2016, 07:26 PM	#8
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,289	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 The 32 frame has a kickup over the rear axle... the body is designed for a flat frame. While some of the frame will fit under the rear seat some modification will be needed. The 32 frame also kicks up from the door hinge post to the radiator, without modification there will be a gap between the frame and body, as well as the radiator sitting too high. 1928-29 bodies are narrower at the cowl than 1930-31 or 32. They look better on 32 frames when the frame is pinched. 1930-31 bodies are about the same width as the 32 frame and no need to pinch. To use model A fenders you would have to fix the above frame kickup, and make custom splash aprons and running boards (and lose the nice 32 frame side treatment). To use 1932 fenders and running boards... well the 32 rear fenders just will not fit the body... one or both would need to be modified. The stock model A sedan rear fenders pinch to about 6" at the top... you could get to 10" if you "tub" the wheelwell. It is going to be a lot of work to get thing right and looking good. Make sure this is what you want before you start cutting. This is probably not a good choice for a restorable A, but might be fun if you are starting with a rust bucket or a pile of pieces.

01-20-2016, 08:25 PM	#9
rexrogers Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Loveland Colorado Posts: 74	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 I like your idea it would give a stock A little more of a coachwork feel to the car. Narrowing the frame and modifying the rear sub-rails fro the body is fairly common for the hot rodders. Blending in the fenders into the 32 frame would take some studying to get them to flow and make it feel like the car came that way from Ford. __________________ Rex Rogers http://www.bornintheforge.com

01-21-2016, 08:39 AM	#10
desotoguy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Greenwood SC Posts: 294	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 If you are buying a new frame, use one of the aftermarket frames made for the A. It will be just as strong as the 32. With fenders nor one will see the frame anyway. I guarantee you will be riding a lot sooner considering all the time and work to make the 32 frame fit.

01-23-2016, 06:45 PM	#11
Joe Altieri Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lake Almanor, California Posts: 44	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 Thanks folks for all your comments. I probably will do an after market chassis and skip the drama of using a '32. Joe

01-23-2016, 07:13 PM	#12
fiftyv8 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 141	Re: Using a '32 chassis on a full fendered '31 Boxed model A frame would be the strongest easiest way to go.