wire wheels t,s and a,s

I recently got a Model T chassis with four Model A wire wheels on it. I have to conclude that somehow, somebody put Model A hubs/drums on the Model T axles, but so far I haven't figured that one out.
 
without modification they will not, they are different bolt patterns.

Southfork, I would like to see how they put brakes on the front T axle. Can you give any more details? Pictures?
 
There aren't any brakes on the "T" front axle. What it kind of LOOKS like is '26-27 T wire wheel hubs on the front axle, but it oddly enough it has Model A wheels mounted onto the hubs and the Model A wheels have not been re-drilled to the '26-27 Model T lug pattern.
 
It takes a little work but the A front hub can be mounted on a T spindle. The T inner bearing is used and a shoulder is cut on the spindle to receive the A outer bearing. The threaded part would be cut back as it would stick out to far to mount the hub caps and a new cotter pin hole drilled. This might be what was done.
 
A very popular conversion kit was available for several years that used Model T wood wheel hubs, adapters, then Model A wheels would bolt right up. I believe the adapters were made by a Larry Noller and were called "Noller Conversions". Likely there were others making these conversions also.
 
southfork said:
There aren't any brakes on the "T" front axle. What it kind of LOOKS like is '26-27 T wire wheel hubs on the front axle, but it oddly enough it has Model A wheels mounted onto the hubs and the Model A wheels have not been re-drilled to the '26-27 Model T lug pattern.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I misunderstood. I wish someone would come up with a good option for front brakes. I have an idea but it is still in that stage.
 
In thinking of front brakes on a T it would be wise to look at the T king pins & radius rod set up. The torque directed by the braking action would be very likely too much for these parts to handle.
 
This is a San Francisco picture and you can see the drums up front. I have owned 2 sets of these over the years. Recently I viewed a third set that I last saw in the early 1960's, they are resting quietly on a shelf. Great stuff is still out there!
The king pins are strong enough but Yes the wishbone is not.
 

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Layden, thank you for the information on the McNerny brakes. There is quite a discussion on them on the MTFCA forum - search under "McNerny four wheel brakes".

There is some talk of making the special king pins out of 4140 steel which I have used with good success on axles - actually many new cars have 4140 axles.

The wish bone can be doubled up which would help & the external contracting set up would not be as agressive as a modern hydraulic adaptation.

The main consideration is your success with them. In actual use do they really make a considerable difference? Are they activated by the brake pedal or do they work in conjunction with the rear drums somehow?
 

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Hi boys, I bought a T chassis a couple years ago at auction that had the T hubs welded to the inside of 28-9 A wheels. It had been converted into a tongue pulled trailor, I have seen several like this at farm sales.
 
Sure, but they will slip right off......

The A rear axle and A rear hub are not compatible with the T rear axle or T rear axle housing backing plate.
 
Here is the comparison:
 

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Thanks for the pics, tmodelman.

Guess that I'm going to have to do some disassembly to figure out how the recently acquired T chassis has Model A wheels on all 4 corners.
 
Yeah, OK, I'll try to get some pics. The T chassis is currently out on the back 40 and under 5 inches of snow right now. Hopefully we'll get a melt before Winter set in for good. By the way, there's another similar situation I need to check out at a back-country salvage/wrecking yard nearby. Under a home-made '40-'47 pickup bed trailer is a Model T rear axle with 16 inch steel wheels on it. I don't yet know what the bolt pattern is on the wheels, but it is 5 lug. If the weather improves a little, I'll go check that one out too.
 
Many times rims were welded, bolted, or just Jerry rigged on the hubs for rolling purposes only. Those wouldn't make good wheels for actual road use at speed.

Here is a '15 chassis I once found that had some modern rims added for rolling only.
 

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