Tom
Yes, a '35 steering is an upgrade from a '34, which is an upgrade from '32, all of the above being far too spartan when compared to the luxury of steering of a '40, and my gosh, it's like floating on a cloud with those soft springs, isn't it?
My point is, where do you draw the line? Everyone agrees that a '37 steering box should replace a '36 if the wife wants to drive the car, most everyone agrees that radial tires are an improvement over bias ply, but why would anyone wish to buy an old car and then fix it up to be a poor second rate new car? Heck just buy a new Lincoln Towncar and be done with it. So you want air conditioning in your Deuce Roadster? How about a couple of 12" speakers in the rumbleseat also?
Me? I kind of think it's neat to stick my arm out the window to signal the guy behind me that I intend to make a turn. If I've been driving carefully anyway, my slowing down will give him a clue well in advance of my arm signal. Does my radio crackle and hum? Yes, and so did the very same radio crackle and hum back in the day. If you really want to listen to music instead of being bounced around in an old Ford, stay home and crank up the volume on your multi speaker sound system. I want to experience what it was like back then, and yes, I have also rocked my '38 forward and back to get out of a muddy plowed field. First, then reverse, then back to first again, careful, don't spin the tires...
Yes, I do upgrades too. I use brighter headlight bulbs, and I put floaters in my '38 brakes. I have tin foil in my tail light buckets, and I use an Optima battery. Do I use a nitrile rubber diaphram in my fuel pump? Yes, and I also have an electric pump hidden on top of the rear crossmember. There are some who raise an eyebrow and say I crossed the line, that I'm no longer a Purist. I should carry a bunch of wooden clothes pins or maybe a wet sponge to really get the feel of how it was in the old days.
I don't begrudge an upgrade to a later steering box, not at all. But when you do that, be sure you are aware of what you've lost on that journey to easier steering, and ask yourself if Henry, or even if Edsel would have made the change back in the day. The answer is yes, they would and they did just that many times, and they called it the new improved Ford the following year. I say, decide what year Ford you want to drive, and trade in your old car for a new improved model.
That's all I've got. I'm happy now, I said it. Maybe I said too much? How about some feedback? anybody?
Alan
I think you have opened a “hornet’s nest!” Yes, I understand your point and I am sure others also do. In some ways this is a very unending subject with no absolute answer.
Obviously, if someone buys an old car they are buying it for a lot of reasons but foremost, it is NOT a new car. Let's face it you cannot buy a new "old car." A Lincoln Town Car, yes, but an “old car,” no. Different cars, different reasons for ownership. Let’s face it, no matter how well an old car is restored it is still an "old car" with its' inherent "old car" problems.
I can only speak for myself but if I wanted to take an extended trip out West to see my kids, I wouldn't be driving my '35. No matter how well I have maintained and "quasi-restored" my '35, it is still a 76 year old car and as such as has its' reliability issues.
As for non-original modifications, well, I do drive my car on occasion and as a result, I needed to make some accommodations to the environment in which it will be driven. As a result, I have hydraulic brakes, turn signals, Lovejoy shocks and yes,'39 steering. All of these changes are bolt-on changes, which serve to meet my driving and safety needs. However, these changes were made in such a way that the car "could" be returned to its' original condition if desired. Nothing "irreversible" has been done. So in that sense, I am "somewhat" of a purist.
As an aside, the reaction of others to my '35 is interesting. It never ceases to amaze me as to the number of people who seem to be anxious to tell me "what's wrong with my car." I listen respectfully and then I usually thank them for their comments and then ask "Where is your car, I sure would like to see it?" The conversation usually ends with some feeble excuse as to why that is not possible and they quickly wander off.
The bottom line is, it is my car which I have owned for 52 years. I make no apologies as to what it is or what it is not. After all is said and done, it is still my car and nobody else's! I am sure most of the respondents on this forum feel the same way about their “old car.”
Tom
It's your Rail Road run it anyway you want!
Bill
Don't Believe Everything You Think!
Bill Wright
I do the same and I have not seen "theirs" yet. <grin>
A fellow asked me once why I didn't have a non-fuel bowl fuel pump on my '35 Cabriolet I have owned for 35 years. I told him it catches junk (some) before the carb does. He let me know it wasn't original. Heaven forbid!
So...What do you have on yours? (I couldn't help it.)
He said he didn't have a car so I asked him: "How does that work out for you if you just hold the fuel pump in your hands? Seems like you should have gas all over you." ...He left.
It is interesting for me to know that the '35's are easier to steer. You can pick up all sorts of info on this site and a person can make their choices better.
I drive three old Fords on a regular basis, '14, '25 and a '35. Non-starter to real luxury but I get a kick out of the example of "the way it was" on any one of them.
Thanks and have fun,
Ken in Texas
And if I do go to a later box does it just bolt up with the same bolt pattern or do I need to put new holes in the frame?
Bill Brown
'34 Cabriolet
) she's 99% fun and cool to drive and 1% pain.
There are several things that contribute to the "better" steering found in '35s than its' predecessors. This includes a heavier frame, longer spring, heavier wishbone with the ends closer to the wheels. But,I believe the big item is the '35 cross-steering is just a more efficient way to shift the direction of the wheels because the lateral movement is working through longer levers (arms). This creates a greater mechanical advantage using less effort than the shorter arms of the longitudinal push-pull motion associated with pre-'35 gear boxes.
The second question - If you are considering going to a later steering gear you have two options for mounting the replacing box. The first is to drill a new mounting hole in the '37-'40 replacement gear housing approximately 3/4" below the upper mounting hole in the gear casting. This will allow the replacement gear to be bolted directly to the existing '35-'36 mount. This will work but (in my opinion), looks somewhat "crude." The second option is to remove the four rivets that hold the original plate to the frame and replace it with a '37-'40 plate. Then everything will bolt together "factory-like."
Tom
If your are deciding 1934 or 1935, there are a lot more reasons other than steering to consider. The difference is minimal, but better steering in the 35.
Now, I bet nobody with a 34 Ford would trade it for a 1935 with all cars in equal condition.
The only time 34's are hard to steer is standing still
and the 35 isn't much good at that speed either.
Pick the car you like and are comfortable with the overall condition, equal cars of the 34/35 vintage is a choice we'd all like to face.
I'd pick a 34 over a 35 anyday. Now we'll hear from the other side.