Making a little trailer from a junk Ford model T pickup bed

[ndnchf]

Last year I picked up a very rough 1926-1927 Ford model T pickup bed, dirt cheap. It was ready to be hauled to the dump. As a summer project a resurrected (not restored by any means) it. I made patch panels, welded up a zillion holes, straightened and beat on it. I made a new floor for it with original bed strips. All this was done a cheaply as possible. Its not pretty, but its solid and serviceable.

So I'm thinking it would make a neat little trailer for my Willys CJ2A jeep. The bed is 42" x 56", just a little thing. Been looking around at inexpensive ways to build a trailer. I found the Harbor Freight 40.5 x 48" mini trailer kit as a very close fit. Lo and behold, last night I get an HF coupon email with their trailers on sale. The mini trailer is on sale for $199.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lbs-Capacity-40-12-in-x-48-in-Utility-Trailer-62645.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiNTU2MTc0MjQiLCJza3UiOiI2MjY0NSIsImlzIjoiMTk5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p%0D%0AZCI6IjExNDEyIn0%3D%0D%0A&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3218a&utm_source=1011&cid=mEmail_s1011_3218a&sfid=c3BsaXRkb3JmQGNveC5uZXQ=

That's pretty hard to beat, I can't hardly buy materials, axle, wheels etc for that price. So with a little modification, I think I can mate the bed and trailer together.

Here is what I started with and how it looks now. More to follow.

 

[zmotorsports]

That's looking pretty cool. I'll bet that will look awesome behind the CJ2A.

 

[bad_idea]

In for the build. How do you come across a Model T bed?! Not sure I have ever seen one for sale, let alone cheap.

 

[ndnchf]

I just went up to the HF store. They don't yet have the new trailer kits in yet. I'll have to check next week. I found the bed at a swap meet, somebody drug it in from a field.

 

[matt_i]

What kind of gauge material is that on the original sides? Like 16ga? I know its far from original, right now, but I'm curious how heavy they built those. I haven't ever been up close to one that I could actually touch.

That would make a very cool small wagon to tow behind my tractors

 

[ndnchf]

What kind of gauge material is that on the original sides? Like 16ga? I know its far from original, right now, but I'm curious how heavy they built those. I haven't ever been up close to one that I could actually touch.

That would make a very cool small wagon to tow behind my tractors

I don't recall now, its been a year since I ressurected it. But it was pretty stout, maybe 14ga. For the main long, curved patch panels that run along the inside lower edges, I used beat up old Model A splash aprons I found at a swap meet for $15

 

[ndnchf]

I made good progress on the T-trailer today. My son came over this morning and helped get the bed out of storage and into the garage. I had assembled the basic trailer frame yesterday. So we flipped the bed over to see how it fit. After a little thought we decided to make adapting plates from 1-1/2" x 3/16" flat stock and 1" angle iron for stiffening. We got all the pieces cut, fitted and tack welded in place. Tomorrow I'll separate the frame from the bed and finish all the welding. I think it will work out nicely.

 

[toplessHO]

Im thinking of doing one much newer and make it look like my S10 Blazer instead of an S10 truck. Been looking at torsion axles vs traditional springs. Yours is looking good

 

[NUTTSGT]

Awesome project. Granted it'll be towed behind a Willys but what do you plan to carry in it ?

 

[ndnchf]

Awesome project. Granted it'll be towed behind a Willys but what do you plan to carry in it ?

Nothing in particular. Just use it for yard chores, dump runs or maybe camping gear for a weekend trip. Since I rebuilt the old bed last year, its been sitting around gathering dust. I just figured it was time to do something with it. Its coming along.

 

[LXCam]

That's a very cool project and it looks like all that's needed to finish it is the tongue. Keep up the good work and lits see this baby behind the Willy's.

 

[ndnchf]

That's a very cool project and it looks like all that's needed to finish it is the tongue. Keep up the good work and lits see this baby behind the Willy's.

Working on it

One small snag I'm dealing with is the slightly wider bed and adapter brackets I made are creating a slight interference with the tires. I'm addressing this in two ways. One is trimming the adapter brackets back a little behind the wheels. The other is adding 5/16" wheel spacers to move the wheels out a little. I've ordered these, they should be here by the end of the week. Fortunately the wheel studs are extra long so this will work.

 

[toplessHO]

Working on it

One small snag I'm dealing with is the slightly wider bed and adapter brackets I made are creating a slight interference with the tires. I'm addressing this in two ways. One is trimming the adapter brackets back a little behind the wheels. The other is adding 5/16" wheel spacers to move the wheels out a little. I've ordered these, they should be here by the end of the week. Fortunately the wheel studs are extra long so this will work.

or different offset wheels?

 

[ndnchf]

or different offset wheels?

That's an option, but a much more expensive one than a $10 set of wheel spacers. I finished trimming back the brackets last night. So it should be good.

Getting the fenders test fitted tonight.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Could you put a spacer between the axle and springs? Like a lifted truck. Longer u bolts and you are done. Good luck.

 

[ndnchf]

Could you put a spacer between the axle and springs? Like a lifted truck. Longer u bolts and you are done. Good luck.

Yes I could. If my current plan doesn't provide enough clearance, that will probably be my next step.

 

[Marctrees]

Great project, looking good.

I do have two concerns.. based on experience.

Some years ago I built a small enclosed box trailer on a frame kit VERY similar in all ways to you's.

#1 - No matter what you do, it will always be a chin breaker.. the tongue can violently flip up when not clamped on a ball.

Will have to be ALWAYS consciously kept in mind when hitching, or manually moving around.

This thing should NEVER be moved or even loaded unhitched by other than an Adult VERY cognizant of the geometrics.

An inherent problem of almost ALL trailers w such a short length behind the axle pivot point.

In YOUR case, with the nice larger tires, will be even worse than mine was.. w smaller diameter wheels.

They call it "Departure angle" when building off road vehicles... or for that matter, any vehicle w axles.

#2 - Due to the overall short length, I'm hoping you don't have fishtailing problems in on road full speed use.

If you do, I'm hoping you will be able to move that axle if needed.. may want to do some road test runs.. w differently arranged loads.. BEFORE final prep and painting.

Very nice project other than those concerns.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Rough estimate here, but it looks like if you put a straightedge on the tires to the rear bottom of trailer, (to simulate being on ground and tilted all the way) your tongue could go up to like 5 feet high.

Just be aware.

Marc

 

[sweet victory]

Those are some good pointers Marc!

 

[ndnchf]

Good points, well taken. I'll do some test runs with it with various loads to check its road manners. It would be pretty easy to move the axle back a few inches if needed. Thanks.

 

[ndnchf]

I made good progress today. I got the frame and running gear all done. Between the frame adapter plate trimming and 5/16" wheel spacers, I have good clearance now. Next will be to get it flipped over. Then mount the fenders, lights and wiring.

 

[ndnchf]

I really didn't like the ugly plastic lights that came with the trailer frame kit. So I looked around and ordered a pair of these cool retro style taillights. These will be a much nicer match to the old T- trailer.

 

[Marctrees]

So, I'm just really curious how the empty tongue weight will be, as well as the tongue end height above floor when tilted.

Marc

 

[jd_1138]

I just went up to the HF store. They don't yet have the new trailer kits in yet. I'll have to check next week. I found the bed at a swap meet, somebody drug it in from a field.

It's a Ford, so you gotta find a Ford 9 inch rear differential and make your own trailer.

Cool project.

 

[Marctrees]

I'm not in ANY way criticizing, just have experience using a same size trailer for years.

I think the project is great, and I would do it again, being aware of the hazards.. that have no remedy... being so short.

Marc

 

[ndnchf]

I'm not in ANY way criticizing, just have experience using a same size trailer for years.

I think the project is great, and I would do it again, being aware of the hazards.. that have no remedy... being so short.

Marc

No worries, I appreciate hearing your experience with it. So long as I don't put weight in the rear of the trailer only, I think it will be ok. I know that tongue weight is necessary to avoid fishtailing. If needed, it would be easy enough to move the spring shackles back 2" to get more tongue weight. But I'll do some testing first and see how it handles. BTW, this is what I'll tow it with.

 

[larry4406]

Nice project.

Any way to dress-up/down the wheel rims so it looks more period correct?

 

[ndnchf]

Nice project.

Any way to dress-up/down the wheel rims so it looks more period correct?

Not without spending a lot more money. But I may paint them black so they blend in better.

 

[ndnchf]

I had a small setback today. The new retro tail lights arrived and they look good. But the cups are too small for my 6v bulbs. I tried both LED bulbs and incandescent bulbs. They are a little too long to get the lens on. The lights came with compact size 12v bulbs. I looked on line for comparable 6v bulbs, but could not find any dual filament that small

So plan B is to use the big modern lights that came with the trailer frame kit, until I can find something better, or come up with a 6v LED that will work in the retro tail lights. My 6v LED bulbs easily fit in the modern tail lights.

 

[toplessHO]

put 2 12v lamps in series

 

[ndnchf]

Good news - I found the small 6v tail/stop bulbs! They are considered motorcycle bulbs due to their small globe size. It makes sense because the retro tail lights I bought are for motorcycles. I just ordered the bulbs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Volt-Bay15d-G18-5-G6-6v-21-3w-Small-Globe-Tail-Brake-Light-Motorcycle-Bulb-/252699456480

 

[ndnchf]

I made good progress last night. A buddy came over and helped me get it on its feet. We got the bed bolted down and fenders installed. Next will be to modify the tail light brackets for the retro tail lights, then install while waiting for the bulbs to arrive. I still need to add trailer wiring and connector to the jeep too.

 

[ndnchf]

I made good progress this weekend. I added trailer wiring and connector to the jeep and finished most of the trailer wiring. The hitch and chains are all set. The trailer sits close to level, but maybe an inch or so nose high. These retro tail lights are smaller than the stock lights and have different mounting on the back. So I had to fabricate mounting brackets for them. I think they came out well.

No picture, but this afternoon I fabricated a mounting bracket to hold a spare tire to the front of the bed. I just painted it, letting it dry now.

I'm waiting on the bulbs to arrive on Wednesday. Then I should be able to finish up this project.

 

[ndnchf]

All done!

I finished up the wiring tonight and took it for a 10 mile test run empty, it pulled great. I hardly knew it was back there except for the tailgate chains jangling. This weekend I'll try it with a load.

 

[shedfullatools]

Really does look at home behind the Jeep Very cool little trailer

 

[ndnchf]

It is a nice size. If I make up a hitch, I can put it behind my model T also.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Nice job! That really has character.

 

[ndnchf]

Thanks guys. I'm just glad I could save it from the scrap heap.

 

[ndnchf]

I gave it a moderate load test yesterday. Went to Home Depot and picked up 20 cu ft of mulch, that pretty much filled the trailer. It pulled just fine. No twitching or other ill manners. I'm very pleased with it.

 

[mike93lx]

nice job. too bad the axle couldn't line up with the factory wheel wells.