Viability of using 1915 running gear in a '27 truck

[Donkey]

Hello everyone, a few years back I bought a 1927 with no motor/trans, front or rear end. I was recently offered 1915 running gear, how hard would it be to adapt to my truck?

I fully understand that most of you are purists and don't care for cars with mix matched parts, I prefer stock as well but this is what I can find and afford.

What issues will occur with this? I know I'd have to use rim adapters to run the later wire rims. But what else would be glaring problems to overcome?

[TXGOAT2]

Do you have a Model T roadster pickup or a TT one ton truck?

[Tim Moore]

I think you could trade the 15 parts for 26-27 parts fairly easily.

[Donkey]

Do you have a Model T roadster pickup or a TT one ton truck?

A roadster truck, sorry for not making that clear.

[speedytinc]

I think you could trade the 15 parts for 26-27 parts fairly easily.

Better idea.
Bonus: You end up with better brakes, parking & transmission & a tougher/better motor, not to mention a more valuable/correct end product.

Adapting 27 wire wheels to wood wheel hubs with adapters is a bad/less safe idea. Get the correct wire wheel hubs.

[Donkey]

Dang, I was hoping it wouldn't be a divisive issue. I just want to get my truck back on the road, stock or not. This is local, available, and most important it's affordable.

If I still want to marry it all up would I still be welcome here to ask technical questions?

[Kevin Pharis]

Are later production parts “improved”… yes. But that wasn’t the original question. Simple answer is yes. While there were changes in the chassis throughout production, the motor mounts and running gear were dimensionally interchangeable

[Allan]

You would loose the starter/generator that is usual in 1927 T.

Allan from down under.

[schwabd1]

Not sure how that would look with the different wheel tire size of the '15 on a '27, not to mention the lower spindles the '27 should have. As was mentioned before, I think you could somewhat easily trade the early parts for the correct running gear. I know someone I'm sure would love to trade, but you're on the other end of the country.

[Steve Jelf]

How about advertising 1915 parts in trade for 1927 parts?

viewforum.php?f=5

[Donkey]

I get it, I proposed utter heresy and the Ford gods would smite me for such behavior.

But seriously, I'll probably buy it and then hope I can trade it for later running gear.

[Wayne Sheldon]

I get it, I proposed utter heresy and the Ford gods would smite me for such behavior.

But seriously, I'll probably buy it and then hope I can trade it for later running gear.

Seriously? It isn't that half as much as a lot of people would think you were a fool for wasting a much more rare and more desirable engine and other parts in a vehicle where the right pieces can be had for much less?

Is the 1915 engine fully rebuilt? That "might" make a difference if the cost of rebuilding the right engine were balanced against the depreciation of an older rebuild of the 1915?

Are you located in the arctic circle? Or some island in the Atlantic? The cost to ship either one might be more than the worth of both?

Decent 1926/'27 engines or bare blocks are fairly easy to find and get, for a reasonable price. If you are somewhat mechanically able, a basic overhaul can usually be done on the cheap for not much money out of pocket.

Again, seriously, MOST model T people are NOT purists! Easily half of all running model Ts aren't even close to purely correct. And only a few "holier than Thou" types care about it.

The 1926 and 1927 model Ts are called the "improved" cars for good reasons. People like me that prefer earlier cars prefer them in spite of their deficiencies, and because we WANT earlier cars as they were. And a lot of earlier looking model Ts actually have later engines and rear ends in them because people like the look and having the better more reliable later improvements. (Sort of having one's cake and eating it also?)

A mid 1920s engine block can be used in a 1927, and still have the later better transmission and brake if one wishes it. And the mid 1920s engine block is the easiest and cheapest to find and get.


If you choose to go ahead and use the 1915 parts in your 1927? I doubt anyone of the regular model T people would hate you for it.
I do find myself wondering how much someone wants for those "1915" parts and what condition they really are. Maybe you aren't looking in the right places for later and more correct parts? And how did you come across the "1915" pieces that so many people are wanting to buy and often cannot afford when they do find them?

[TXGOAT2]

Good advice based on experience and common sense is NOT "divisive".

[George Mills]

Whether or not the OP goes for it....or not...

To Marry 15 'bits to his already mounted on frame '27 complete body...

Motor and tranny and rear?...a direct swap out...the springs may be your issue as the 26-27 frame rear crossmember is different and made to ride 1" lower or so. If he has 27 floorboards, two panels will need to be changed to accommodate different pedal spacing.

Front end? . Again the 15 should bolt up, even with '15 spring but probably should be changed to an under the axle 'V' if not already.

Tires?. 4.50x21 'balloon' demountable what the poster really likes will fit earlier spindles all the way around. The '15 would probably come with 30x3 fronts and 30x3-1/2 rear clinchers.

An easier approach just may be to just leave the '15 down to a bare chassis...move the radiator, hood, firewall, body, interior, fenders and splash shields over from the '27. I've never actually seen that done myself ...but...should be doable?

From a guy that has a '15 Roadster that is absolutely pure...a 25 Fordor that has a '26 rear...and a lovable Hack that probably has at least one each of every year part on it somewhere with the majority of the frame being '27.

Good luck to the original poster in whatever he decides to do...I remember when I first came in...what I wanted for a first T and what was available at my budget were two totally different universes. One of the reasons when why after going full circle over the following years and decade and having arrived at that low mileage near perfect '15 as a Historic Preservation and cringed at people at car shows...I went and bought the Hack specifically because it didn't matter who knocked it about and any needed part in my 'stores' would fit...just sayin.

[YellowTRacer]

Direct answer; just us the 1915 parts. they'll all fit okay and be usable as is.

Ed aka #4

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Direct answer; just us the 1915 parts. they'll all fit okay and be usable as is.

Ed aka #4

What he said.

(How many forum folks does it take to screw in a lightbulb ? Hint: All of them. )

BTW, your question was not devisive, but many of the answers were.

[WayneJ]

You might consider placing a Want To Buy ad in the classified parts section of this forum for the 26-27 parts you ar Ed looking for. Many folks have collected spare parts that they may want to part with.

[Ed Fuller]

It's not worth the trouble of trying to sell the '15 parts and locate some usable '26-'27 parts. Use the '15 stuff and enjoy your T! Who cares what people think.

[Norman Kling]

Less likely to break the crankshaft with a 26-27 block and transmission. Reason is the ears of the hogshead bolting to the block and the reinforcement straps from the top of the hogs head to the frame on each side. This prevents sagging of the rear of the transmission which puts a strain on the crankshaft. And the transmission brake drum is wider giving more powerful foot brake. It would be correct for the year of the body as well.
Norm

[Shrshot]

For what it's worth, I have a 26 Tudor sedan. Far from pure/original. It has a 24 engine/trans and a 25 rear axle. I enjoy it a lot, and will continue to. They're just the most fun you can have going slow.

[WayneJ]

Ford sold the Model T as just a bare chassis. In the day, many folks either built their own pickup body or purchased a ready made body.

Today you can still do either. A pichup express body would not be that difficult to build yourself. Although they can also be purchased.

One of the vendors sells a truck body similar to an early mother in law roadster. One could put a roadster top on this body and have some weather protection.

No one could say a truck body on a Model T chassis isnt authentic, as it was done all the time.

Regardless of which direction you go, have fun with your project you will learn alot. If your not already a member of a local Model T Ford Club chapter, consider joining. It will be a great resource to you on your adventure.