Page 1 of 1

Headache/Lumber Rack

Posted: August 11th, 2011, 8:34 pm
by Bruce Howe
I want to put a rack on my 1928 AA Express Pickup. I would like it to look era correct, but have not seen any pictures of one. Ideally it would be a lumber rack that I could use to make my Home Depot runs and hold a 4' x 8' plywood sheet The inside of the bed is just under 4 feet so a rack could solve that problem.
Should it be angle iron, round tubeing, square, or what what look right? It might look hokey, but I had even considered including some Model A parts such as engine rods or whatever into the design. It will be removable, so I will not be hurting the truck. It is one I use in my Lemon Grove.
All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Bruce

Re: Headache/Lumber Rack

Posted: August 11th, 2011, 10:03 pm
by modeleh
My 2 cents of advice would be to stick to simple materials like angle iron, flat iron, and wood. Do not weld any of it, use nuts and bolts, square head if possible, or solid rivets if you have the energy. That is how something like that would have been cobbled up back in the day. It would be great if you could find some old rusty, pitted metal to start with, then when painted, it would give it that aged look. I would stay away from incorporating any old Model A parts, besides, I would think it was mostly Model Ts and early cars that were being discarded and hacked up during the 30s. Sounds like a cool project though. Post pictures when you get it finished.
I had an AA express dream for awhile. I always thought the wood canopy with the roll down screen sides would be neat on one of those trucks. With the canopy, it used wooden uprights that went into the stake pockets. If a person were to load plywood sheets into the truck on edge, the stack would lean on the canopy uprights with the majority of the weight on the floor of the bed, then you wouldn't have to build a rack with the strength to hold the weight of plywood, which can get pretty heavy when it starts piling up, and would end up being fairly high up to reach.

Re: Headache/Lumber Rack

Posted: August 12th, 2011, 8:07 am
by Neil Wilson
Just a suggestion - put side stake racks on which are about 4" tall. Use removable cross boards at each of the three pockets to support the plywood load. Put a stop board across the front (to keep the plywood from hitting the cab). The plywood load will overhang the rear by about 10". I would use all wood (hard wood for strength).

If you want a rack to put the plywood above the cab roof, then that is another story. I have some pictures of the canopy top used for the '31 express if that is the case.

I have been thinking of some way to put a top on my '29 express which will keep the weather out of the cargo area once I install a new floor.