Speedster body mounting

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Dennis_Brown
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:14 pm
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: Brown
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Roadster pickup
Location: Spring Hill Fl

Speedster body mounting

Post by Dennis_Brown » Sun May 29, 2022 5:19 pm

Have had a lot of time to think the last week and half as I had a knee replacement.
When they mount what appears to be a 3/4 plywood floor on a speedster do they use a bracket on the floor that lines up with the body mounts on the frame and how are they attached to the floor and are any spacers used between the mounts or between the floor and the frame.
I have a portion of a metal body that looks like it came from a speedster. It has the cowl and as the sides come backward they curve downward along the sides and then start curving up a little before would end alongside a seat. What was bolted to it behind there is a guess. I put a low metal firewall against it and it looks like it fits.
I am thinking of forming a light 3/4 inch steel framework and welding it to the inside lip of the bottom of the body to give something to attach to the floor other than some old fatigued tin.
When I amable , I will try to get the body down and get some pictures. In the meantime I am open to ideas and suggestions.
Thanks


QGolden
Posts: 87
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2021 1:53 am
First Name: Quinn
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: Dansville, NY

Re: Speedster body mounting

Post by QGolden » Sun May 29, 2022 8:53 pm

I built a Model A Speedster several years ago, in my build the plywood lay on the frame. Drilled holes through. I put some strips of rubber in between, but there were no additional brackets.

Good luck with the knee!


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7391
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Speedster body mounting

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun May 29, 2022 8:59 pm

Using wood might be a better choice for giving the body some structure.

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TRDxB2
Posts: 6262
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Speedster body mounting

Post by TRDxB2 » Sun May 29, 2022 11:52 pm

The best way to start is to consider the drivers position (height and needed width for driver and passenger.
The chassis frame year may also influence your Speedster body frame . Some pictures of what body, frame parts you have would help. Your forum profile indicates a 1926 Roadster Pickup.
Four body brackets were used on the Model T to support a beam running outboard and parallel to frame upon which the plywood deck was laid. This method can also be used for a speedster and the beam use to attach supports for the body. This picture shows some body brackets/wood frame for a Model T. This allows the frame to flex as needed and eliminates some vibration. These photos just to sho the brackets in use
22145.jpg
22145.jpg (61.32 KiB) Viewed 1493 times
Body Bracket mouting location ubder door hinger.jpg
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Here are some other methods - but my induce frame vibration. These likely were bolted to the brackets riveted to the frame and not the additional bracket for the beam
312593.jpg
718661.jpg
718661.jpg (33.8 KiB) Viewed 1493 times
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DHort
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Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:30 pm
First Name: Dave
Last Name: Hjortnaes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Speedster, 20 touring
Location: Men Falls, WI

Re: Speedster body mounting

Post by DHort » Mon May 30, 2022 1:19 am

I have never looked to see how my speedster was put together. I should do that. I can tell you that the builder used 2 pieces of plywood and cut the hole for the floorboards differently. The bottom sheet of plywood is cut smaller so the floorboards rest on the lower piece. Then he used thin door trim all the way around the base so it is nice and smooth, not like the side of a piece of plywood would be. Just a thought.

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Craig Leach
Posts: 1906
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
First Name: craig
Last Name: leach
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
Location: Laveen Az

Re: Speedster body mounting

Post by Craig Leach » Thu Jun 02, 2022 6:19 pm

Hi Dennis,
Hope the knee healing goes' well. I made my speedster body using 3/4" 10 ply plywood for the base. The local steel supply has 20 gauge angle in 1", 1 1/2" & 2" that can be easily formed to the plywood and spot or tack welded to the body giving a large area of support. I mounted mine to flat to the frame with rubber shock mounts under for cushion but rubber could be put between the mount and body keep in mind the frame is going to flex a lot.
Would love to see pics of the body when you are healed up but not before OK.
Body mount.jpg
Body mount.jpg (16.97 KiB) Viewed 1367 times
Craig.

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