Truck Platform Body Bed Questions

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dlevy
Posts: 187
Joined: April 12th, 2016, 9:20 pm
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

Truck Platform Body Bed Questions

Post by dlevy »

Hi,

I have a 1931 AA and I am working on the platform body style bed. I could use a little guidance please.

1. What are the dimensions of the wood sills that go on the frame? The wood on the existing looks to be not original.

I came across this number, but my frame from the cab back is only about 84"
(AA-185031 Sill (floor side) assembly Left Hand (2-1/8 x 5-1/2 x 134-6/16))

2. What type of wood is correct?

3. Is it one piece of wood per side sill (left and right) or are 2 pieces bolted together to form the sill?

4. I have these original metal bed cross members (see below). Is there a specific distance between them when they get mounted on the wood sills that rest on the frame?

5. Would this type bed take the wood slats with the metal skid strips to form the platform?

Thanks,
Dave
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Last edited by dlevy on September 24th, 2018, 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: Truck Platform Body Bed Questions

Post by Bob C »

Neil posted this it may be what your looking for.
https://aafordscom.ipage.com/aafords-pdf/187a.pdf

Bob
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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: Truck Platform Body Bed Questions

Post by Neil Wilson »

dlevy wrote:
September 24th, 2018, 4:57 pm
Hi,

I have a 1931 AA and I am working on the platform body style bed. I could use a little guidance please.

1. What are the dimensions of the wood sills that go on the frame? The wood on the existing looks to be not original.

I came across this number, but my frame from the cab back is only about 84"
(AA-185031 Sill (floor side) assembly Left Hand (2-1/8 x 5-1/2 x 134-6/16))

2. What type of wood is correct?

3. Is it one piece of wood per side sill (left and right) or are 2 pieces bolted together to form the sill?

4. I have these original metal bed cross members (see below). Is there a specific distance between them when they get mounted on the wood sills that rest on the frame?

5. Would this type bed take the wood slats with the metal skid strips to form the platform?

Thanks, Dave
Dave, Your pictures are parts of an 88-A platform which was used through February 1931. Your reference to AA-185031 is not for the 88-A platform. The 88-A overview is at http://aafords.com/open-bodies/platform ... -platform/. There are lots of details for the 88-A platform at http://aafords.com/open-bodies/platform ... m-details/. The floor support structure is at http://aafords.com/open-bodies/platform ... tails/#fss

From your pictures it looks like it is a 1929 88-A. The 88-A for 1931 would be basically the same except for the wheel carrier rear hinge jam nut size.
Regards, Neil Wilson
______________________________________
aafords.com@gmail.com - use this email for contact
https://aafords.com/
dlevy
Posts: 187
Joined: April 12th, 2016, 9:20 pm
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

Re: Truck Platform Body Bed Questions

Post by dlevy »

Hi Neil.

That is really great information you put together. Very impressive and thorough.

So you are correct I have a January 1931 truck and the 88A platform frame is from a 1929 AA.

I have a question to clarify on the size of the wood sills from what is in the articles.

The text states, "Floor Side Sill – These sills were 1-7/8″ thick (reduced to 1-3/4″ in early to mid-1928). They were 5-1/2” high by 100” long."

The picture captioned, "88-A Platform Side Sill d3 front detail" indicates the width to be, "1-3/4 to 1-15/16".

What would be the correct width for a January 1931 AA (1-3/4" of 1-15/16")?

Do you know offhand of anyone who makes the Floor Side Member Assemblies that I am missing?

Regards,
Dave
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: Truck Platform Body Bed Questions

Post by Neil Wilson »

dlevy wrote:
October 9th, 2018, 8:59 pm
Hi Neil.

That is really great information you put together. Very impressive and thorough.
So you are correct I have a January 1931 truck and the 88A platform frame is from a 1929 AA.
I have a question to clarify on the size of the wood sills from what is in the articles.
The text states, "Floor Side Sill – These sills were 1-7/8″ thick (reduced to 1-3/4″ in early to mid-1928). They were 5-1/2” high by 100” long."
The picture captioned, "88-A Platform Side Sill d3 front detail" indicates the width to be, "1-3/4 to 1-15/16".
What would be the correct width for a January 1931 AA (1-3/4" of 1-15/16")?
Do you know offhand of anyone who makes the Floor Side Member Assemblies that I am missing? Regards,Dave
Dave,
From my observation, 1-3/4" was the later width (likely for economy reasons). I prefer using original fasteners. The 1-15/16" width leaves less of the bolts sticking out passed the square nuts. I also prefer using a hard wood (like maple) for the side sills since this supports the fasteners better long term.

I don't know of any manufactures of the floor side members. I have a pair of the six pocket side members and some of the floor cross members to sell. Email me for pictures/prices if interested. Possible transportation to California last week of October by a buyer of a TT platform!

Note - I am gone 10/12 - 10/17.
Regards, Neil Wilson
______________________________________
aafords.com@gmail.com - use this email for contact
https://aafords.com/
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