31 hard top conversion

AA Ford Discussion Group relating to the repair and restoration of your AA Ford.
Post Reply
wild4679
Posts: 80
Joined: July 8th, 2017, 7:14 am
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

31 hard top conversion

Post by wild4679 »

I'd like to convert the cab on my 31 82-A to a hard top and therefore eliminate the fabric top. I found a company that sells the sheet metal to fit inside the original top. It's my understanding the late model 31's had a hard top option from the factory. Does anyone know if the hard top requires the same top wood as the fabric top models?
wild4679
Posts: 80
Joined: July 8th, 2017, 7:14 am
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

Re: 31 hard top conversion

Post by wild4679 »

To add to my own post, I think I have an 82-B cab.
User avatar
Neil Wilson
Posts: 3062
Joined: February 5th, 2003, 9:42 pm
Body Type: 82-A/89-A
Model Year: 1930
Location: Boulder, CO
Contact:

Re: 31 hard top conversion

Post by Neil Wilson »

wild4679 wrote:
November 16th, 2017, 9:39 pm
I'd like to convert the cab on my 31 82-A to a hard top and therefore eliminate the fabric top. I found a company that sells the sheet metal to fit inside the original top. It's my understanding the late model 31's had a hard top option from the factory. Does anyone know if the hard top requires the same top wood as the fabric top models?
The 82-B steel top closed cab does not have the same top wood (see attached).
Attachments
034on27Apr2013-bq8.jpg
034on27Apr2013-bq8.jpg (118.18 KiB) Viewed 3886 times
Regards, Neil Wilson
______________________________________
aafords.com@gmail.com - use this email for contact
https://aafords.com/
wild4679
Posts: 80
Joined: July 8th, 2017, 7:14 am
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

Re: 31 hard top conversion

Post by wild4679 »

Thank you, Neil. The interior picture you posted shows a very clean inside with two metal support pieces. To make a fabric to steel conversion without those support pieces would be a challenge. Does anyone know where to buy those metal support pieces?

The conversion piece of sheet metal I have found would require some interior covering to make it look finished. It might be that I need to install the wood interior and the lining to finish it.

I have not seen the finished interior of a 31 pickup or AA with a fabric top. If someone would post a picture of their finished cab I would be most appreciative.

Greg
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: 31 hard top conversion

Post by Bob C »

Here's a picture of the soft top, the bows are exposed.

Bob
v3_slide0001_background.gif
v3_slide0001_background.gif (130.3 KiB) Viewed 3836 times
Ray in La Mesa
Posts: 2
Joined: March 16th, 2012, 2:20 pm
Body Type: roadster pu
Model Year: 1928

Re: 31 hard top conversion

Post by Ray in La Mesa »

Looking at the photo of the interior of the steel top, to make the braces, could you find a a pair of roof rack channels , the kind that used to mount to the drip rails, and modify them to fit? The stampings look close and the flat ends that fit the drip rails might a close fit.
Post Reply