1930/1931 Rear Spare Carrier Wanted For 157 WB

[E.Moore]

I need a nice 30/31 rear spare tire carrier bracket for a 157 wheelbase. This is the one that is semi contoured to the shape of the tire. email aaford157@nosford.com Eric Moore

[Downunder Rob]

ther was won for sale on ebay
im not sure if its still for sale

[E.Moore]

That one on eBay was for a 131 wheelbase. I'm still in need for one for a 157 WB

[Neil Wilson]

The Spare Wheel Carrier for the 1930 AA157 platform is different than the one for the 1931 AA157 platform. The 1931 AA157 has a parallel frame from the rear of the cab to the rear of the frame and the carrier is mounted under the frame. For the 1930 tapered AA157, the carrier is attached to the rear cross member and the rear of the platform.

Both carriers are flat where the wheel bolts to the carrier.

[E.Moore]

I have a parallel 1931 157wheelbase truck with a rusty spare carrier that mounts on the left chassis rail and is secured to the right chassis rail with the latch assembly. The carrier is not an aftermarket unit, but came on the truck originally and is contoured to the general shape of the tire. The wheel mounts on the carrier as it would on a wheel drum, in that when the spare is secure under the chassis, it is not upside down.

I'd like to find one in better condition. I have several of the flat carriers that are NOS, but they are longer than the carrier that is contoured. The flat carriers will not fit, they are too long.

[Neil Wilson]

Hello Eric,
I am interested in seeing the current carrier which you have. Please send pictures to wilsmor@juno.com. I would also like to see the longer flat wheel carriers which you reference and know the length which you talk about.

Attached are two pictures of a "humped" wheel carrier. It is 33" long. I have a 36" long flat carrier on my '31 AA Express. Any information and/or pictures you have about your wheel carriers would be appreciated.

[E.Moore]

Neil, Please see the attached photos of my spare carriers. The humped one meaures the same as yours. It attaches to the left sidemember to the rear of the rear crossmember and the bolt is mounted on the right sidemember. This humped one is not the same as the ones in the parts books. The one nearest is AA-1461-BR, however the hinge end is much different than the humped ones you and I have.

Both of my AA-1461-C carriers measure the same as yours, but they both have different hinges. The long hinges mount to the 131 frame rear crossmembers and swing down toward the rear of the chassis, whereas the humped one on my 157 parrallel chassis swings down toward the right sidemember.

There is a AA-1470-B Bolt Assembly listed in some parts books and is listed for 1930 & 31 trucks, primarily for 157 wb, but the carrier is not pictured for it. AA-1470-AR has a longer bolt stud than the AA-1470-B The AA-1468-R bolt assembly is listed in some parts books for the 1930 AA 157 Platform

[Neil Wilson]

Hello Eric,
In you first picture, how is the swivel bolt attached to the frame (rivets or bolts)?

Your second picture has two wheel carriers. For the humped carrier, what do the two hinges for this carrier look like and where do they attach to the side of the chassis (a picture would be of interest).

The other wheel carrier may not be for an AA! Can a '30/'31 wheel be bolted to this carrier (wheel would be face down). I think that the bolt pattern is too large for the '30/'31 wheel. It may be for the after '33 wheel. Please let me know.

[E.Moore]

Neil, The swivel bolt is riveted to the frame. I have another 157 parallel frame that had the swivel bolt riveted to the left side member. The humped style carrier is missing the hinges. You are correct in that one of the flat carriers is for the BB wheel. The flat carrier with the long hinges is for AA.

Do you have any long flat hinges or any photos of them?

I am trying to determine the correct rear mounted spare tire carrier hinge for the 1931 - 157 wb parallel chassis.

The spare carrier on the 157 parallel chassis mounts on one siderail and swings up to the other siderail, where it is secured with AA-1470 Bolt Assembly. I’ve seen the bolt assembly or remnants of chiseled off bolt assembly rivets on either siderail. The frame siderails were punched at the factory (Indianapolis Service Letter 10-8-31) for easy mounting of the spare carriers on the 157 parallel chassis. Since the rear spare carriers were mounted, either depending on the mechanic or the owner of the truck or the truck driver, it appears that most of the rear 157 parallel spare carriers were installed, subjective to personal preference the way it would swing up under the chassis, at the dealer or service garage.

The following are Spare Tire Front Carrier Hinge Bolts from Ford parts book dated Dec 20, 1932
AA-1470-AR For 88A Platform 1928-1929
AA-1470-B For 88A- Platform 1928-1930
185B - Platform 157 WB 1931-1932
187A - Platform 131 WB 1931-1932
197A - Express Body 157 WB 1931
330A - Bus 1931

The following are Spare Carrier Front Hinges shown in the parts books
AA-1472-AR 1928-1929
AA-1472-B for 88A Platform 1928-1930

There are at least three additional front hinges that are not shown in the parts books, but are listed as part #’s
AA-1470-AR for 88A Platform 1928 & 1929
AA-1470 Used on 1930 & 1931 88A Platform
185B on 1931 157 Platform
187A on 1931 131 Platform
197A on 1931 157 Express
330A on 1931 Bus
AA-1493 for 185B , 197A & 330A (All of these body types are 157 wheelbase)

What do these hinges look like?

The front hinge on the NOS AA-1461-C carrier (the photo of the one on the floor) is 8-1/2 inches long from the rivet hinge swing centerline to the other end that mounts onto the frame. This hinge is bent 90 degrees at approximately 1-1/4 inches from the tip of the end that is mounted to the frame. The 90 degree bend corresponds to the way the carrier is mounted up under the rear crossmember of the 131 chassis. There is another slight bend approximately ½ way up the hinge. This style hinge carried over into 1932.

Are there two long flat hinge types? One that has the 90 degree bend to attach the spare carrier to the 131 rear crossmember and the other long flat hinge without the 90 degree bend, to mount the spare carrier to the 157 parallel siderail?

To add to the confusion on AA spare carriers & associates parts,
The Indianapolis Service Letters in the July 15, 1931 letter shows another AA carrier, Part Number AA-1454 for use on the 157 chassis. The same service letter also shows another AA carrier, part number AA-1453-C. These two numbers are not shown in the parts books. The 7-15-30 service letter states that these two carriers appear to be the same, except for the length of the swivel bolt AA-1468. Carrier AA-1453-C's bolt, AA-1468 is longer.



The parts books show carriers AA-1461-BR for 1928 & 1929
AA-1461-C for 88A Platform 1930
187A Platform 131 for years 1931 & 1932

The AA-1461- BR is known by some as a "humped" style carrier, but the front end that is attached to the hinges has completely different bends on both arms to make allowance for the width of the spare tire as compared to the later version which is not pictured, but is not bent at the hinge end. The later "humped" carrier would have to use the long flat hinge, in order to have enough height to accommodate the width of the spare tire.

The flat spare carrier AA-1461-BR is approximately 3 inches longer than the second version of the "humped" carrier. The flat carrier will not swing up to the bolt AA-1470 on the 157 parallel chassis, as the flat carrier is too long. The later "humped" carrier is the correct length to swing from one sidemember on the 157 parallel chassis to the bolt AA-1470.

The later "humped" style along with the hinge for the parallel 157 wb is the source of this research.

I have a 157 parallel chassis which has the original bolt AA-1468 mounted to the right framerail, but it appears to look like AA-1470-B The Indianapolis 7-15-30 service letter calls for a new bolt AA-1468, which is the same as AA-1470-B, except that the hinge is 7" long on the AA-1468 and 3-1/4" on the AA-1470-B. The parts books show a bolt AA-1468-R (for 1930 157 Platform 185-A) with a stamped hinge as compared to the A-1470-B with the forged hinge.

[Neil Wilson]

Hello Eric,
Note that when the December 20, 1932 parts list is being used for reference it only reflects what was available for service as of that date. This does not reflect what the original factory production was. It should also be noted that the pictures and/or part numbers under the pictures are not always correct. Ford did not do a 100% accurate job on keeping the pictures up to date.

The AA-1461-BR carrier strap assembly pictured is actually AA-1461 carrier strap assembly used 12/27 through 6/28. This strap assembly attached to the #4 cross member of the 88-A platform. This was because the initial AA frame did not have a #5 frame cross member.

Along about 6/28 the AA frame had the #5 cross member added and the strap assembly was changed to hinge from this cross member. The new strap assembly was AA-1461-B. This strap assembly is a humped strap assembly like the AA-1461 strap assembly.

Both AA-1461 and AA-1461-B were used for the 1928 steel spoke wheel. AA-1461-B was used for the 1929 six spoke disk wheel. Both wheels were mounted face up.

Starting in January of 1930, the disk wheel was changed to a five spoke wheel. The mounting of this wheel was face down and the carrier strap assembly was changed to the flat style AA-1461-C.

My research shows that the AA157 parallel frame should use the AA-1443 strap assembly. This assembly is flat and is 36” long. The two front hinges (or side hinges) are AA-1493. These are straight hinges which are 3-11/16” wide by 9-1/2” long. They were riveted to the outside of the frame side rail.

The information about the 1931 AA157 carrier is in the April 2002 newsletter which has an article for the A-185-B platform. Attached is a scan of page 23 showing a drawing of the complete AA-1451 carrier (which includes AA-1443 strap assembly, AA-1493 front hinges, AA-1470-B rear hinge bolt & nut assembly, plus the three wheel stops riveted to the frame).

I believe that the carrier you show on the floor is the AA-1443 strap assembly. I would guess that the two front hinges would end up 9-1/2” long if the two bends were eliminated. However, this carrier may be for the 1932 BB157 chassis.

I am sure that this will add to the confusing on this subject. Particularly since your research indicates that the humped carrier is for your AA157. Have you tried bolting a ‘30/’31 wheel and tire to this carrier???

The information in the 7-15-30 service letter is regarding the A-185-A platform for the AA157 tapered frame. The rear hinge bolt & nut assembly riveted to your AA157 is part AA-1470-B

[E.Moore]

Neil, Thank you for your information. You are correct on all points. I knew I had seen the carrier article somewhere, but I've managed to misplace it.

My AA wheels bolt up to the NOS carrier on the floor as well as to the humped carrier. The humped carrier fits the chassis much better than the flat carrier. I've not temporarily bolted the flat carrier yet, but will do so perhaps this weekend to see if the swivel bolt works with the carrier.

The flat carrier will stick out 3 inches from the side of the right framemember. I'll take photos and post them.

My frame only had one of the original wheel stops on it, the short one mounted on the rear crossmember. Since many of these spare carriers were installed in the field, it is possible that there were mix and match parts bolted and or riveted to suite the mechanic doing the installation, and in some cases, parts like the wheel stops may have been left out altogether.

The truck chassis that left the factory without bodies simply had the spare wheel bolted to a crossmember, as seen in some of the factory photos. Those trucks may never have had a spare carrier mounted to the chassis, or would have received one that was added in the field. The field is where parts get mixed up.

[E.Moore]

Neil, Thank you for your information. You are correct on all points. I knew I had seen the carrier article somewhere, but I've managed to misplace it.

My AA wheels bolt up to the NOS carrier on the floor as well as to the humped carrier. The humped carrier fits the chassis much better than the flat carrier. I've not temporarily bolted the flat carrier yet, but will do so perhaps this weekend to see if the swivel bolt works with the carrier.

The flat carrier will stick out 3 inches from the side of the right framemember. I'll take photos and post them.

My frame only had one of the original wheel stops on it, the short one mounted on the rear crossmember. Since many of these spare carriers were installed in the field, it is possible that there were mix and match parts bolted and or riveted to suite the mechanic doing the installation, and in some cases, parts like the wheel stops may have been left out altogether.

The truck chassis that left the factory without bodies simply had the spare wheel bolted to a crossmember, as seen in some of the factory photos. Those trucks may never have had a spare carrier mounted to the chassis, or would have received one that was added in the field. The field is where parts get mixed up.

[Neil Wilson]

Eric,
I just tried to mount a '30/'31 AA wheel to the humped carrier which I sent a picture of. The wheel will not bolt to the carrier face up (it is off by several inches). In the face down position, the wheel will bolt on but this is obviously an incorrect mounting and the wheel would not fit under the frame in this position. It must be that the humped carrier which you have is different from mine!

Yes, the 36" long flat carrier extends out past the side of the frame a couple of inches. The AA-1483 strap end is designed so that the AA-1470-B hinge and bolt assembly ends up at about a 10 to 15 degree angle (see the drawing in my prior note.

See the October 8, 1931 Service Letter – Ford started providing a wheel carrier for all AA chassis (with or without a cargo body). And, I believe that I have found an AA’er with the under frame carrier for the AA131 listed on this Service Letter. I have some pictures and hope to get more.

[E.Moore]

Neil, I have a pair of rusty long flat hinges and temporarily bolted them to the frame. The humped carrier was mounted on the hinges, but when it was brought up to the swivel bolt, the humped carrier would not connect to the swivel bolt. See the attached photos. Next, the 90 degree bends were straightened on the NOS flat carrier and it was bolted to the frame. When it was raised to the swivel bolt, the swivel bolt connects to the flat carrier just like the sketch you sent previously. Then an AA wheel & tire (600X20) was mounted to the flat carrier and the entire spare tire assembly hooks up to the swivel bolt with no struggle. The rear crossmember wheel stop works perfectly. I need to fabricate the two other wheel stops. Do you have any sketches other than the previous one that shows other views of the two rear wheel stops? Thank you very much for your help.

Regards,
Eric Moore

[E.Moore]

Additional Photos