28-29 Bed Wood Dimensions
- Thread starter SoCal32
- Start date
Joe K
Well-known member
A non Ford interpretation of the bed wood dimensions is shown in the book "The Ford Model A" by DeAngelis/Francis/Henry. Sketch at lower left p. 112 gives the OAL and details of the wood, including their perception of the "groove detail."
This is slightly at odds with other "cross section" drawings of the floor segments shown on a couple of other online sites.
The DeAngelis book drawing shows the groove done as a simple "groove" cut into the flat surface of the bed board. No relief provided for the actual metal strip.
The online reference shows the groove done similarly (a bit wider perhaps) and the wood between the groove and the between board slot "relieved" so the metal strip top sits "even" with the wood bed surface.
This second is more how I imagine Ford would have done it.
https://www.cstreetsupply.com/produ...28-1929-1930-1931-model-a-pickup-truck-planks
A GMC provider offers the following pix which perhaps how Ford's wood provider did it also?
Anyway. Hope this helps. My boards bought in the 1980s show the DeAngelis/Francis/Henry take. (i.e. Just a groove, no relief.)
Joe K
This is slightly at odds with other "cross section" drawings of the floor segments shown on a couple of other online sites.
The DeAngelis book drawing shows the groove done as a simple "groove" cut into the flat surface of the bed board. No relief provided for the actual metal strip.
The online reference shows the groove done similarly (a bit wider perhaps) and the wood between the groove and the between board slot "relieved" so the metal strip top sits "even" with the wood bed surface.
This second is more how I imagine Ford would have done it.
https://www.cstreetsupply.com/produ...28-1929-1930-1931-model-a-pickup-truck-planks
A GMC provider offers the following pix which perhaps how Ford's wood provider did it also?
Anyway. Hope this helps. My boards bought in the 1980s show the DeAngelis/Francis/Henry take. (i.e. Just a groove, no relief.)
Joe K
Last edited:
CarlG
Well-known member
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Keith True
Well-known member
The strips are supposed to sit proud of the wood,not flush.That way boxes and barrels can be slid in and out,If the groove is cut at the right depth,the strips will sit up just the right amount.It's not much,and somewhere there is a drawing showing the finished heighth.
Joe K
Well-known member
My boards from before (aftermarket ca. 1980ish) are removed currently, so I could measure the grooves.
The depth of the groove is a mere 1/16th. Surprisingly they are 1/4" wide. The distance from the board edge to the FURTHER edge of the groove is 1/2"
I measured the metal strip. Distance from top to bottom is 5/16. Width is 1-1/2 maybe a skosh more. Distance from the "horns" to the underside is 7/32nds. Thus when the strip is in place on my boards, it does not touch on the underside except at the horns.
The strips I believe are shown in the Body Parts List (i.e. 78A and 78B p. 92) as "retainer" of which there are two entries, A-78068-R, A-78070-R. Of these I expect one has a square hole where a carriage bolt is used, and the other a round hole for the rivet at the center pan. Two of each for a truck bed. Since I don't have the drawing this is a guess, but perhaps a reasonable guess.
I can't find the part number for the "bed boards." There should be four numbers, one for the 7-1/8 outer board (s), one for the "notched" board to either side of the center plate, one for the "shorter" of the middle boards, and one for the longer. No find.
I checked both 76A, 76B (roadster pickup) and 82A, 82B (closed cab) for any entry on boards. No find.
Also checked the "Parts Price List" for boards or even parts to the truck bed. No find.
I checked the MAFFI Database on Microfiche entries https://www.maffi.org/WSContent/Parts.html using "Floor Boards," "Boards", "Pickup", "78A", and other potential source terms. "Floorboards" shows the greatest number of entries, but with over 4K responses, it's hard pick out the 78A bed boards. I got a lot of correlation with the established Model A Floor Board for the body (A-35130-revisions) which at least proves out the veracity of the search method.
(Note the MAFFI search engine above you enter simply the "number" under drawing number, "prefix" and "suffix" numbers are the numbers which precede/follow the part number.)
Given the varying details shown at many sources, wouldn't it be nice to have the part drawings for these parts? $30 a drawing IF the original microfiche exists.
I'm now thinking the George DeAngelis "Model A Ford As Henry Built It" sketch drawings may be the most accurate and available. Mr. DeAngelis was pretty "spot on" on most everything he was Model A connected with.
https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/remembering-george-deangelis
Joe K
The depth of the groove is a mere 1/16th. Surprisingly they are 1/4" wide. The distance from the board edge to the FURTHER edge of the groove is 1/2"
I measured the metal strip. Distance from top to bottom is 5/16. Width is 1-1/2 maybe a skosh more. Distance from the "horns" to the underside is 7/32nds. Thus when the strip is in place on my boards, it does not touch on the underside except at the horns.
The strips I believe are shown in the Body Parts List (i.e. 78A and 78B p. 92) as "retainer" of which there are two entries, A-78068-R, A-78070-R. Of these I expect one has a square hole where a carriage bolt is used, and the other a round hole for the rivet at the center pan. Two of each for a truck bed. Since I don't have the drawing this is a guess, but perhaps a reasonable guess.
I can't find the part number for the "bed boards." There should be four numbers, one for the 7-1/8 outer board (s), one for the "notched" board to either side of the center plate, one for the "shorter" of the middle boards, and one for the longer. No find.
I checked both 76A, 76B (roadster pickup) and 82A, 82B (closed cab) for any entry on boards. No find.
Also checked the "Parts Price List" for boards or even parts to the truck bed. No find.
I checked the MAFFI Database on Microfiche entries https://www.maffi.org/WSContent/Parts.html using "Floor Boards," "Boards", "Pickup", "78A", and other potential source terms. "Floorboards" shows the greatest number of entries, but with over 4K responses, it's hard pick out the 78A bed boards. I got a lot of correlation with the established Model A Floor Board for the body (A-35130-revisions) which at least proves out the veracity of the search method.
(Note the MAFFI search engine above you enter simply the "number" under drawing number, "prefix" and "suffix" numbers are the numbers which precede/follow the part number.)
Given the varying details shown at many sources, wouldn't it be nice to have the part drawings for these parts? $30 a drawing IF the original microfiche exists.
I'm now thinking the George DeAngelis "Model A Ford As Henry Built It" sketch drawings may be the most accurate and available. Mr. DeAngelis was pretty "spot on" on most everything he was Model A connected with.
https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/remembering-george-deangelis
Joe K
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Joe K
Well-known member
When I have more time, I'll examine the MAFFI drawing microfiche database closer for search term "Floor Board" (i.e. 4200 entries, possibly more)
Earlier today I found using search terms "Composite Pickup" what MAY be a drawing of the assembled bed (Drawing A-2121 dated 1928-01-01) This would be one of those $30 drawings IF it exists - a listing in the database is not guarantee that the drawing/microfiche actually exists. This drawing probably tells the reference drawings for the each of the components that make up the bed.
Just hovering around my critique of the MAFFI database. I suppose it was set up this way to "protect" Ford intellectual property. But it ends up hurting the hobby, promoting the suppliers, and protection of Ford Assets becomes very secondary to a product which they will NEVER market ever again
Still, an agreement to non-commercial use shouldn't be hard to enforce. The hobby is still a generally small marketplace.
The "digital revolution" in most other areas has severely "cheapened" information generally. I have bought the DVD-CD set for the entire 9 seasons of "The Waltons", but these same shows can be seen online for free. Paramount has apparently "walked away" from attempting to exercise their intellectual property right.
For now with MAFFI and FOMOCO it is what it is.
Joe K
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Joe K
Well-known member
Note that even the "high end" $500 plus boards I cited above are made with 3/4" stock. Original according to DeAngelis was 13/16.
The `1980s vintage boards I've removed from my truck are 13/16 (-) A little shy possibly because I sanded them before polyurethane? I don't plan on re-using them (they've "cupped" in time. Possibly from the Model being stored under a barn while my own barn/garage was built.)
Note also that the boards AND their mounting strips/hardware were all painted body color (whatever that was for that truck) and NOT left natural or clear coated.
But it's your truck - please yourself as I did in the 1980s.
Joe K