MTFCA Forum

My friend is considering building a Depot Hack but has height issues with his garage door. He saw this on Youtube where a fellow hinged the uprights on his hack body so the top could be dropped more than a foot. With this arrangement it would fit in the garage or a enclosed trailer. Anybody ever seen this done? Any idea what the hinges look like?

Not a big fan of the concept, but at least I would hinge them opposite such that they were not trying to collapse when hit with wind from driving. I'd sure want them to "lock" under wind pressure, not fold down. That looks like a great way to get a head/neck/back injury with little warning.

I would have to go with what Scott said on this. When I built my Huckster the top was too tall so I cut about 4" off the post and dropped it down. Ended up look a lot better too. If he is building one, I would built to fit the door opening and not worry about if it will fits a closed trailer.

Looks like a strap hinge. " barn door hinge".
Looks like a PIA but if he is building it and not cutting an original, maybe a telescopic setup could be designed?

I'd agree with Mark G.

Cut the uprights.

I'm 5-7" but have a 27 inch inseam...so that makes me sit at about the height of someone 6-1 or so...on my Hack, we allowed for 2" head clearance with me in the driver seat, cut the uprights to suit that, and I can pull into and back out of just about anyones garage. On Bills Auto Works closed trailer with a drop door, there was about an inch to spare once inside...but it fit!

Also, to me the proportion works so much better....most Hacks look top heavy, this one doesn't

I built mine at 6'11" to fit in a standard garage door

I saw one once that had a telescoping arrangement and it seemed to work good. I'd be wary of a hinged arrangement.

Keith

I built a T hack body years ago and used it on a 1924 chassis. The plan I based my body on was purchased from Hudson Wagon Works. I dropped the height of the body from the dimensions on the plans to clear my garage door. The springs settled a little once the body was completed and on the frame giving me a couple inches. I also would let air out of the tires when going under the door. A thin seat cushion restored my head to roof clearance. By using an old seat spring to support the seat, ride comfort remained very good. In any case this worked out well.

You line the hack up with the door, back that sucker up about two hundred feet and put it in high gear. The first time you go into the garage it may be a little rough but after that it will fit every time.