CONVERSION UNITS FOR THE NEW FORD.
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MI OR the past 15 years Baico Patents, Ltd., has marketed conversions for Ford chassis to enable them to carry heavier, longer and bulkier loads. As the design of the Ford has been altered—from the T type to the AA—so have entirely new Baico products been brought forward.
By means of one design, known as the Extends, the wheelbase can be lengthened to 12 ft. 8 ins., •13 ft. 6 ins. or 14 ft. 4 ins. The body space then becomes 11 ft. 6 ins., 13 ft. or 14 ft. 6 ins, respectively. The prices are £28, £37 and £46 in the order named, £5 extra .being charged for fitting.
The way in which the wheelbase is increased is as follows :—The Ford frame is cut through a little way behind the cross-member which carries the torque-tube , ball. Extension channel-section members are inserted, ample overlap being allowed. Bolts are driven into reamered holes to locate the parts. The rear of the frame is also lengthened by the addition of stamped-steel members, increasing. the.. frame overhang. Obviously, it is desirable to support this overhang , and supplementary quarter-elliptic ten-leak springs are bolted to the steel channels by two 13-bolts and one I-in. bolt in each case. A wedge is also employed between the Ford frame extremitY and the lower flange of the extension member on each side ; these make the mounting rigid and give a definite location for the additional spring. The free end of each spring bears upon i pad above the rear axle casing. The Ford tantilever sus pension is retained. There are six cross-members in the frame behind the gearbox ; all those in the original frame are incorporated.
Baico-converted AA model Fords are intended to carry 2 tons to 21 tons, and the frame construction is more than ample for these burdens. The channels are 61 ins. deep, 3 ins, wide across the flanges and -r5g in. thick. The standard Ford rear axle has a truss rod added and the roller-bearing coupling shaft is lengthened to compensate for the increased wheelbase. The steel-disc_road wheels are equipped with Macintosh
N.A.P. tyres of some 6 ins. cross-secticuL Dual solid tyres can he supplied at the same prices, or 7-in, pneumatics for £14.
When it is desired to fit semi-elliptic front springs another Baico conversion set can be employed. This costs £30, plus £5 fitting charge. We understand that it is designed to comply with Ministry of Transport requirements for public-service vehicles.
Instead of the standard transverse semi-elliptic spring a forged crossmember is fitted belew the chassis,' and its ends are bolted 'to ' the two 5-in. channel-steel members -whichare--plifeed outside the Ford frame.., The forward .extremities af :tbeSe • forte the dumb4rOni: to the ' latter are 'attached the miderslung 32-in. ,sepik. • .elliptic springs the rear
ends being carried by long U-shaped shackles.
The last-named parts are carried by massive brackets bolted to the new frame members. As lateral stresses are likely to be high these brackets are tied together by a stay, and each bracket is braced to the front of the gearbox, thus giving a triangular form of support to the rear mountings of the springs.
A standard front axle is employed, the wheels and brakes fitted thereto -being also Ford products. The brakeoperating mechanism on each side is bolted to an arm cast integral with the spring-mounting plate above the axle. The dumb-irons are •braced by a tubular cross-member.
If longer frames be •required they can be-supplied. Chevrolet chassis can also be converted.