What are the Model AA trucks like to drive

[bluesman31]

I have the opportunity to buy a model AA dump truck in good shape for short money.

How available are parts?

How are they to dive compared to the A? Pros / cons?

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

I have the opportunity to buy a model AA dump truck in good shape for short money.

How available are parts?

How are they to dive compared to the A? Pros / cons?

Parts are available...Join the Double A'er club and have some fun.

4. www.fmaatc.org Ford Model AA Truck Club (National Club) (FMAATC)


Pluck

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I think they are a 'blast' to drive in every respect, ...well that is unless you are an impatient person that must get there in a hurry. Even that can be corrected if you have a large sack of money to invest!! You didn't mention what year it was but it may be a great "investment" as a conversation starter at a show!!

[1crosscut]

A large majority of the parts are the same as A's. Things get a bit different when you get into the rear ends, hubs and associated parts.
Most of the suppliers have the parts necessary.
With the wonders of the internet most any part can be had.
As far as driving I only have experience driving my 29AA and it is an absolute hoot! Not nearly as many of them around as the A's and they can certainly attract their fair share of interest when out and about.
Dave

[Tom Wesenberg]

AA's are nice as long as you have to room to store it. As Brent mentioned, they will be slower due to the gear ratio of the ring and pinion. That can be corrected with an overdrive in place of the intermediate shaft.

If anyone tells you Model A brakes are no good, you just show them the brakes on your AA, or better yet take them for a ride and hit the brakes.

[Doug in Maryland]

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I agree. AA's are fun to drive and they get a lot of attention no matter where you go. How fast you get there can depend on a lot of things. The 30 - 31 trucks with the bevel gear rear had the option of a 5.14:1 ratio rear. That combined with tall tires on the rear and a well maintained engine will let you cruise comfortably at 40 mph. My truck, the restored one in my avitar, has the 5.14:1 rear and seems most comfortable either a little over 40 or a little under 40. Because of the stiff springs, you will feel more of the road in an AA than in an A. But for me that's part of the fun. And I have participated in club tours and didn't feel like I was holding folks up.

[CarlG]

My first Model A was an AA 280A (Ambulance). I drove it all over Arizona when I was a kid, don't remember babying it, although it was a little slow in the hills. It would climb trees in granny gear though!

[bluesman31]

Guess I need to check the read end ratio

[Purdy Swoft]

I got my first AA in 1990.We had went to a car show and a guy had an early April 1930 AA , minus the bed for sale. Deb jokeingly commented, don't let him see it or he'll have to have it. I bought it. The AA was the 131 inch wheel base with the 6.6 rear gears. Top speed was 35mph and it was screaming, this was with the larger 6.50 X 20 rear tires. I learned not to ever bump the gear lever to neutral while going down hill or I would have to stop and start over to get it back in gear. I also learned if taking off while going down hill not to linger between gear shifts or I would have to coast to the bottom and start over. Like Tom says, the larger brakes are real good. The AA was lots of fun but probably not safe on the main highways because of the low speed. If you got rear ended, it could drive the bed right through the cab and cut off everything in between. That and the split rim wheels was two reasons that I finally sold it. AA trucks are good on the farm, they will run plenty fast on trails and dirt back roads. Another plus is, with the low gears and heavy springs, you probably will never over load it. I hauled hay for the horses and lumber to build my shop and other buildings. I soon regretted selling uncle Albert. I didn't have to wait too many years before another AA came to me, I'm in the process of fixing it up, I'll name it George, after the guy that I got it from.

[SSsssteamer]

Our 1930 AA flat bed has been an asset to us on our farm. It hauls our hay, firewood, gravel, and we even get out on the road to haul things from Home Depot. We have owned it since 1970 and we have no plans on parting with it. Nice running at 40 mph. Any faster than that, it feels like it is over reving. It steers heavier than our model A cars. The photo below was taken about 1974.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Not that's the way they should be used. That front tire sure looks big!

[Juggler]

My Dad got his AA in 1980

First 'A" I ever drove on the road and the last we'd ever sell

Just great fun

[1crosscut]

Bluesman31 - What year is the truck? 28's and 29's have the worm drive rear end. One is a low speed and the other is a "high" speed. The term high speed is somewhat misleading as top speed is pushing it at 40 mph. Low speed is something around 12 -15 mph ish. If it is one of those years it would be good to check the gear ratio. High speed rear ends are definitely more sought after.
Dave

[bluesman31]

it is a 31 and here is a link to some pictures. hand crank dump.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1037502...ordAADumpTruck

What rear end does this have most likely?

[Tom Wesenberg]

That's a good looking truck and you could have a lot of fun with it. I would think it should have duals, but am not sure.

The rear axle should have a 5.14 thin steel tag on one of the differential bolts if it's the high speed. If it's the low speed, then I think it's unmarked, (no tag).

[Doug in Maryland]

If it's a high speed rear it could also have the numbers 7 36 stamped in the housing where the two halves bolt together.

[1crosscut]

Nice looking truck and seems to be in pretty good shape. As Tom says it should have the rear duals. I'm assuming it must not be running by seeing the chain hooked up to it in one of your pictures. If you could get it running for a test drive that would certainly one way to find out if it is fast enough for you.
Lots of info on thes trucks on the AA Truck Club site. http://fmaatc.org/
Dave

[BrianBurkert]

I also have the 5.14:1 ratio in mine. Runs and stops well. Fun to drive... something different. Best to keep on the secondary roads. You can play around hauling things, too, in a dump.

[glenn in camino]

Slow but fun.

[bluesman31]

I am kind of turned off by the rusty looking engine, and thoughts on that??