1929 Model A jack

cavalierhome

cavalierhome

Member
I finally got my model A to run great. It came with 2 spare tires, and it occurred to me that before I take it on a long trip I should be ready to change a tire if need be.

Please forgive me as I know nothing about Model A cars.

I can't find the jack? where is it normally kept? And if I can't find it where do I get one?

Thanks
Paul
 
Did you look under the front seat? That is where mine is kept.

If you want an original one, look at ebay or Craigs List. Otherwise buy a bottle jack at a hardware store and carry some 2 X 6 boards to put under it so that it can raise the axle enough to remove the wheel.
 
It took me several years and a lot of looking to finally find a good, original 29 ratchet jack, including an inquiry with Don Turley. The magic happened at the Sharon swap meet from a vendor who happened to have one on his table.
Model T jacks with the reversing toggle handle work well for Model A's and are common at flea markets and swap meets for under 25 bucks. Bought my last one for 5 bucks.
 
Do not depend on an original ratchet type jack because they have been known to collapse and hurt people. In fact, I know of 2 fatalities where Model "A" drivers went under a car supported by a ratchet jack, the jack mechanism failed and the car fell on them.
 

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Bob Bidonde said:
Do not depend on an original ratchet type jack because they have been known to collapse and hurt people. In fact, I know of 2 fatalities where Model "A" drivers went under a car supported by a ratchet jack, the jack mechanism failed and the car fell on them.
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Amen! Mine is just for show. Thanks, Bob for the warning.
 
If there is one in the car it would most likely be under the back seat unless
you have a trunk.
 
I also carry a bottle jack in my A. I welded a 2 inch piece of 2 inch channel iron to the pad on top of the jack. It straddles the front axle and cups the rear axle housing resulting in very good stability for the jack.
 
Thank you everyone. I looked under the front seats, under the rear seats, and in the trunk, but no luck, so I guess I have to find something. I am not so much worried about an original part as I want something that will actually work well in an emergency. any recommends welcome.

Cheers
 
The bottle jacks available at the hardware stores or automotive stores are the best. Just be safe and don't crawl under the car supported by any jack.
 
I carry scissor jacks in all my Model A's. By the time I really need one, the bottle jack won't work anymore.
 
Many unsafe jacks have been used over the years resulting in many accidents, injuries and fatalities. Never trust a jack with your life. Always block up the car safely if any part of your body will be under it. In the 50's and 60's bumper jacks were provided with many cars and were very unstable. When my car would get one wheel stuck in snow or mud, I found that a quick way to get it out was to jack up the offending wheel with a bumper jack and then push the car off the jack. Another common jack at that time was the screw type tripod bumper jack. I had the screw break in one just as I got the rear wheel off the ground to change a flat on my 52 Olds. The car came crashing down with no damage or injuries but I never trusted a bumper jack again. One other cautionary note, never use concrete (cinder) blocks for blocking a car up. They are not designed for this and will crumble and fail. Be safe!
 
Thank you for all the warnings guys. I truly appreciate it.

I ordered a couple of sturdy looking jacks, I only intend t o use this for an emergency tire change, never to climb under the car.
 
Whatever type of jack you carry, also carry a short piece of 2X6 with it, to keep the jack from sinking.
 
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