34 Pickup Rear Spreader Bar

[jhswolf]

I'm determined to add a rear bumper to the back of my '34 Pickup. As far as I can tell, the rear bumper is the same as the front bumper, it's straight across and doesn't have a dip like the passenger cars.

I'm pretty sure there is a round spreader bar that bolts to the rear frame horns. The bumper brackets/braces then bolt to the spreader bar. Then the bumper bolts to the brackets/braces.

I have the brackets/braces and I'm looking at two different spreader bars (see photos). One is straight across and the other has a bend in it. I've asked the vendor to measure the outside length of the two spreader bars to see if they match the distance between the rear frame horns.

Assuming the lengths match up, does anyone know if either of these two spreader bars were used on a '34 pickup? I'm just wanting confirmation before I spend the dollars on one of them.

Thanks!!
John

 

[deuce lover]

Looks like the one in the second pic is correct as it has the support tabs for the pickup bed.The one with the bend in themiddle appears to have been involved in an accident or vehicle was backed into a stump or something like it.

 

[petehoovie]

Looks like the one in the second pic is correct as it has the support tabs for the pickup bed.The one with the bend in themiddle appears to have been involved in an accident or vehicle was backed into a stump or something like it.

 

[Karl Wescott]

Remember, original Ford 1934 pickup DID NOT HAVE A REAR BUMPER. Any assumptions of where a bumper bracket might mount are moot. Whatever you do for a bracket it will be CUSTOM.

My suggestions is you use the stock rear spreader for bed support, then make your custom brackets to mount to the outside of the frame using the same bolts as the spreader bolts (basically 1932 practice). You will likely need extra long bolts.

 

[jhswolf]

Looks like the one in the second pic is correct as it has the support tabs for the pickup bed.The one with the bend in themiddle appears to have been involved in an accident or vehicle was backed into a stump or something like it.

Deuce: Thanks for the reply. So the support tabs are for the pickup bed? Is that the purpose of the spreader bar, to support the bed? Was there something, like a piece of channel iron or plate that went between the support tabs and the wood bed? Seems like just two bolts directly into wood bed would wear out pretty quickly.

John

 

[jhswolf]

Remember, original Ford 1934 pickup DID NOT HAVE A REAR BUMPER. Any assumptions of where a bumper bracket might mount are moot. Whatever you do for a bracket it will be CUSTOM.

My suggestions is you use the stock rear spreader for bed support, then make your custom brackets to mount to the outside of the frame using the same bolts as the spreader bolts (basically 1932 practice). You will likely need extra long bolts.

Karl,
Good info and a great idea. I didn't know there wasn't a rear bumper. I've seen a few trucks with a rear bumper, but they were all hot rods (I'm not keen on hot rods, but I think an original "style" bumper tucked in close to the tailgate would be nice).

I guess I can assume that rear pickup bumper brackets/braces don't exist and I'll have to fabricate something that looks tasteful without calling attention to it.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
John

 

[deuce lover]

Deuce: Thanks for the reply. So the support tabs are for the pickup bed? Is that the purpose of the spreader bar, to support the bed? Was there something, like a piece of channel iron or plate that went between the support tabs and the wood bed? Seems like just two bolts directly into wood bed would wear out pretty quickly.

John

Although I have never owned a 32-34 pickup I believe that there is a framework or sub structure under the floor of the bed to support the entire bed.

 

[jhswolf]

Ok, thanks. I'll check into the sub structure under the floor. There's so many things I don't know about this truck but I'm learning one part at a time.

 

[Cool 33]

I used Model A front bumper brackets, because I had them and they had some of the shape I needed, Then I used the '33 or '34 car rear brackets to actually mount the bumper to the modified 'A' brackets. That put the bumper up close to bed. Since I wanted to have a hitch, I fabricated a new spreader bar to match the original out of heavy wall tubing for strength to support the receiver for the hitch.

 

[petehoovie]

I used Model A front bumper brackets, because I had them and they had some of the shape I needed, Then I used the '33 or '34 car rear brackets to actually mount the bumper to the modified 'A' brackets. That put the bumper up close to bed. Since I wanted to have a hitch, I fabricated a new spreader bar to match the original out of heavy wall tubing for strength to support the receiver for the hitch.

 

[Cool 33]

Thanks for the full size! I forgot to do that.

 

[jhswolf]

Cool,
Thank you for the excellent pictures. I hope my pickup looks half as nice as your does one day. Your rear setup is pretty much what I would like to do, so thanks for the pictures.
Given the bumper location, do you have any visual interference with seeing the license plate? I don't want the local PD pulling me over because they can't see the plate.
I'm a little confused as to how the bed mounts to the rear spreader bar. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks like the fuel tank sits up higher than the spreader bar. Maybe there is some sort of spacer that allows the bed to clear the fuel tank.
The spreader bar I ordered, based on fellow Fordbarner's recommendations, is on it's way and should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday and that should clear up some of the mystery for this noob. I'll crawl under the pickup and take a look. Right now, there is no spreader bar, so something must be holding up the bed.
Thanks so much!!
John

 

[Karl Wescott]

A side note on Cool33's fender to bed fitting. It is NORMAL, note the mismatch and overlap by the fender to the bead on the bed. The way Ford pickups are 1932-1937.

 

[Cool 33]

Since my truck is not a stock restoration I moved my rear license plate to the center and allowed for full visibility in positioning the bumper. I guess if you keep the stock mount you could flip the tail lite and the license plate bracket upside down to make it visible above the bumper like a '32 car.

 

[jhswolf]

Ok, I understand about the license plate. Good suggestion on flipping the bracket upside down.
As I study your picture, I forgot about the backup light. I'll have to take that into my planning too.
Thanks,
John

 

[petehoovie]

Since my truck is not a stock restoration I moved my rear license plate to the center and allowed for full visibility in positioning the bumper. I guess if you keep the stock mount you could flip the tail lite and the license plate bracket upside down to make it visible above the bumper like a '32 car.

 

[jhswolf]

Although I have never owned a 32-34 pickup I believe that there is a framework or sub structure under the floor of the bed to support the entire bed.

Deuce, You are absolutely right, I crawled under the pickup and saw that the wood floor is mounted in a framework and the spreader bar bolts to that. Amazing what getting eyes on target can do for the understanding.
Thanks.

 

[jhswolf]

Cool, I looked under my pickup and now your frame pictures make so much more sense. The bed floor framework is like a box which allows the top of the gas tank to fit inside of it. It's all coming together in my very small brain. I'm very glad you sent the pictures.
Thanks again.

 

[34fordy]

When I bought my 36 it had a flat wooden bumper which I removed. I added a 2x2 iron tube to which I bolted my bumper. I do not know what the mounts were from, possibly a passenger car. Although not a 34, the same intentions as yours.

 

[jhswolf]

That is a very nice looking and setup. Thanks for sending. It looks like yours is a short bed? My bed extends about a foot past the rear edge of the fender.

You guys are all putting me to shame. My pickup is finished in rust and primer. Lol.