MTFCA Forum

Hello all! New member here, working on rebuilding a 24-25(?) TT I procured up here in Maine, and have been slowly piecing it together ever since.
So far, the old girls been pretty cooperative, and has shown no issues in the course of my inspection and repairs (save for the radiator and wheels). The engine has good compression on all four cylinders, and the starter kicked right up when I wired in the battery (Finding the battery holder straps was a real test).
The hood has the original business attire, and luckily, I found a replacement hood, as I don't plan on incorporating the original writing.
Found the cab cowl locally under a bush in someone's backyard, for a song, haha!

Anyhow, here's to further smooth sailing!

I just finished a '25 TT in October. Let me know if you have any questions, need any comparison pics, measurements, etc. I don't have all the answers, but I learned a lot getting mine back on the road. Picture is at a late October cruise night in Pleasant Hill, MO. That was its first journey out of my driveway and yard. My best to you on your restoration.

I like the C-cabs with an express bed.

Very nice! My first T was a '25 Closed Cab TT.

I notice yours has a Ruckstell, nice! All torque & no speed LOL. You can literaly crawl in a parade. Do you know what ratio you have, 5:1/7:1?

Welcome!

Daisy Mae wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:24 pm

Very nice! My first T was a '25 Closed Cab TT.

I notice yours has a Ruckstell, nice! All torque & no speed LOL. You can literaly crawl in a parade. Do you know what ratio you have, 5:1/7:1?

Welcome!

Thanks for the welcome!

I have done precisely nothing with the rear end, save for checking (and adding) oil levels to make sure it wasn't rusty inside. I can only speculate on the ratio.

Frankly, I'm looking into modifying a car diff and pumpkin to attach to the TT driveshaft and axles to attain something resembling the neighborhood speed limit! Since the old gal isn't going to be hauling a ton of rocks anytime soon, the torque won't be missed.

rwephill wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:15 pm

I just finished a '25 TT in October. Let me know if you have any questions, need any comparison pics, measurements, etc. I don't have all the answers, but I learned a lot getting mine back on the road. Picture is at a late October cruise night in Pleasant Hill, MO. That was its first journey out of my driveway and yard. My best to you on your restoration.

That's a beaut! I'm planning on building it in a fashion similar to this one, with a canvas top option and semi open cab. An important feature, being that it will *just* clear the garage door!
I'll certainly be posting questions on the forum as oddities arise, I've already found and corrected a few!

Safe travels!

Just don't junk the Ruckstell, those for TT's are not easy to come by.

Daisy Mae wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:51 pm

Just don't junk the Ruckstell, those for TT's are not easy to come by.

Not a worry, it'll get a good cleaning and greasing before going into cold storage. I'm loathe to discard anything casually that still has some use.

Hello Michael,

Welcome to the club. Love the TTs. I have a '25 TT and will answer questions. Good Luck.

FOR TXGOAT2: 1925 C-cab with Express bed.

Welcome to the madness ! Here's mine - Gramps bought it new in Seattle in '24. Use to take it camping with our 2 daughters when they were small.

Welcome to the hobby~! Glad to see another TT getting some love.

Mine has a Ruckstell and an overdrive - can get her up to about 45mph but more comfortable at 30 mph.

The thing is, the combination of overdrive and Ruckstell gives some good combined gear ratios when the Ruckstell is engaged (underdrive) and over drive high is selected, especially when I am carrying a load, so don't write off the Ruckstell ! It also gives me 8 forward gears that sound great when you work through them, even if you are swinging levers like a madman

Check out the drawing sin the Gallery section where Martynn has put up some useful TT rear end exploded diagrams.

Maineiac wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:34 pm

Frankly, I'm looking into modifying a car diff and pumpkin to attach to the TT driveshaft and axles to attain something resembling the neighborhood speed limit! Since the old gal isn't going to be hauling a ton of rocks anytime soon, the torque won't be missed.

No need to get rid of the Ruckstell. Yes, it allows you to go really slow, but only when it's engaged. Otherwise, it will drive like a normal TT.

Michael,

Great looking start on a TT! Suggest you look into how close a local Model T Ford club is. See the links at:

https://www.mtfca.com/chapters/#me

and also

https://modelt.org/chapter-directory

Sometimes depending on how close you are to another state the one in the nearby state may be closer. They along with the forum can be a great help with answering questions. Many times if you can look at one that is assembled it makes it easier to see how you can assemble yours.

Best of luck!

Hap l915 cut off

A KC Warford + the Ruxtell will give you all the speed(s) you'd want in a TT, and a gear for most any situation.

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:54 am

A KC Warford + the Ruxtell will give you all the speed(s) you'd want in a TT, and a gear for most any situation.

I was under the impression that the worm gear would be the limiting factor when it came to speed? An accessory overdrive wouldn't remove that particular bottleneck, because it's on the wrong side of the equation?

Hap_Tucker wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 11, 2025 7:15 am

Michael,

Great looking start on a TT! Suggest you look into how close a local Model T Ford club is. See the links at:

https://www.mtfca.com/chapters/#me

and also

https://modelt.org/chapter-directory

Sometimes depending on how close you are to another state the one in the nearby state may be closer. They along with the forum can be a great help with answering questions. Many times if you can look at one that is assembled it makes it easier to see how you can assemble yours.

Best of luck!

Hap l915 cut off

Canada is technically closer to me than the local chapter, haha! I'm enrolled with the Downeast Chapter, and have met with several members. One of whom was generous enough to loan me his wheel spoke press to rebuild my front wheels.

I've been meaning to stop by the local land transport museum (Coles, it's quite impressive) and ask for the chance to take photos of their preserved TT.

Maineiac wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 11, 2025 10:26 am

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:54 am

A KC Warford + the Ruxtell will give you all the speed(s) you'd want in a TT, and a gear for most any situation.

I was under the impression that the worm gear would be the limiting factor when it came to speed? An accessory overdrive wouldn't remove that particular bottleneck, because it's on the wrong side of the equation?

The accessory overdrive is exactly what's needed. It allows that worm to spin much faster, hence, more speed down the road. Zoom zoom!

Heat in the third member could be a problem if you drove the truck fast for long distances. Modern, lighter bodied lubricants would probably reduce heat buildup. But the speed limiting factor with a TT on level ground is the final drive ratio of around 7:1. The stock T engine runs best under 1800 RPM, which is 25 MPH or less in a TT. An auxiliary overdrive gear will allow higher speeds, but a stock T engine will lack power to push a TT with typical bodywork much over 35 MPH, maybe 40 + under good conditions. Adding a good high compression head and modern pistons and rings can get you 40-45 MPH under most conditions. The aerodynamic drag is very high in a TT, and it increases very rapidly as speed increases.
OTR trucks have many gears to choose from for a reason. The stock TT truck, with only two ratio options, is severely limited as to road speed. I don't know how much power it would take to move a TT truck 50 MPH on level ground on a calm day, but I'd guess it would be 30 HP or more. Probably more, and certainly more to maintain 50 MPH into headwinds or up hills or both.

Looking good. How's the weather? Can you still tour this time of year? I live in the San Diego area so we can tour just about any month of the year.
Norm

Norman Kling wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 11, 2025 11:36 am

Looking good. How's the weather? Can you still tour this time of year? I live in the San Diego area so we can tour just about any month of the year.
Norm

It's actively snowing at the moment, touring is strictly limited to those who have track conversion kits for their Ts!

I will add my vote for a KC Warford, Ruckstell, and the high speed rear end. Those, make driving a pleasure. My top speed has been 36 mph. That's because I'm a pussy. Getting out on a highway, with less traffic and stop lights, would make me feel better about driving that 2700 lb. truck. Yes, I have Bennet brakes on the rear.

Having that KC Warford, makes starting a dream since the warford has a true neutral. Slip it into neutral and there's no creep or drag on the starter.

Good news, I picked up a hood and stainless steel tank from a fellow in Vermont. The hood will require a bit of tin knocking to fit, and one minor hinge weld, but should prove satisfactory.
The tank... Is going to require me moving beaucoup detritus out of the way.

I was under the impression that the worm gear would be the limiting factor when it came to speed? An accessory overdrive wouldn't remove that particular bottleneck, because it's on the wrong side of the equation?

I had a TT years ago with a 2:1 overdrive. It ran with the others Ts with ease. 35-40 mph all day long.