MTFCA Forum

I found spool pieces inserted inside the frame rails on both sides of one frame while looking over some T frames I have. They’re at the rear portion of the frame. Instead of the three rivets being used for the corner bracket, one rivet was left out and this tubular support was in its place. There is a corresponding hole on the bottom rail in line with this unexpected piece. The frame is a 1920–1922 vintage (with holes for both early and later running board brackets). I’m curious if this was original to the frame or whether a previous owner added the spool pieces. Has anyone seen this amongst their frames? Thanks for looking. Rich C.

I wonder if it's for a trailer hitch mount...

It may have been added to allow bolting through the frame. Someone may have converted it to hold an add-on pickup bed. My '26 was converted to pickup use early in its life. There is still an angle on the frame to hold a bed extension.

Almost definitely bolted through. For what, could be any of many different things. I have seen similar boltings on speedsters due to suspension modifications. It could also be a pickup box (like Mark N said), or a trailer hitch (as Dave H said), hay wagon rails, fire truck tanks, power pulleys, or any of a bunch of other things.
One must wonder what tales that frame could tell?

Could even be a rear bumper mount?