VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 36 truck wood frame

I started to inspect my 36 T-14 to compile a to-do list.
In looking at the hinge posts, both are rotted as well as the panel behind the dash.

Where do you guys source out the wood frame parts for these old vehicles? Do you make your own replacements? Is there a reliable source for them? Do you update to metal pieces?

This truck will not be fully restored or brought to up to show standards. I intend to repair or replace the broken bits and keep driving it.

That is exactly what I do with mine. I have a 1936 Pick Up. The old door post were carefully removed. I cut new ones and placed them in. The main area of concern will be where the dash connects with the door post. Looking up under the dash you will see a plate of metal that has bolts. It is evident that the bolts must be removed and then re-connected to the new post. As these door post are curved; starting out with a larger piece of wood is a must. I simply took a pencil and retraced a pattern onto the new wood. I used my imagination for the part that was rotted away. I made it longer and thicker than needed. Then cut to fit by trial and error. I used a jig saw and (4) Four-in-Hand File. It was not all that hard to do if you know how to work with wood.

Look under and above the running board toward the side panel in the cowl area. Above the running board... There should be a short piece of wood in that area that may also connect to the door post bottom. This may be rotted away and only a small part left. This may prevent you from removing the old door post. (Removing all the attachment screws at the bottom of the door inside the cab.)

How bad are the pieces? Are they rotted to pieces or still whole? if in pieces can they be arranged to show how the wood needs to be? Depending on condition of original wood I may be able to make new pieces.
Regards

"It was not all that hard to do if you know how to work with wood."

'36 GMC,

Terrill is right. Duplicating the wood pieces is pretty easy to do if you're experienced in working with wood. Mine is a '36 high cab PU and I made all the wood pieces using the old, rotted wood as patterns. A bandsaw and shaper were required.

There are many horror stories out there about ill fitting wood made by "professionals". Buyer beware.

Ray W

Thank you for the info. I will work on getting out the old wood and see what I can do to copy it.

If I end up ordering anything, I will post on here how the experience went.