How to Build a Model T Four Wheeler Truck
This version of the pickup truck uses many of the features and measurements of the Model T sedan. And, if you look at the tank truck, you’ll see a lot of things in common with this pickup. If you haven’t the tank truck, check out these instructions and make extra parts for them while you're making the pickup.
BUILDING PROCEDURE
1. BASE ASSEMBLY
Cut the stock for the base to length and width. If you’re making several of these trucks, rip long boards to 3" wide; then cut them to 6-3/4" lengths. The base stock is the same width for the pickup truck and the tank truck, but lengths on each model vary.
Next, cut stock to length and width to form the 3/4” x 1" x 3-3/4" axle holders. Clamp the axle holder stock securely to a drill press table and drill the 5/16"-diameter axle holes where indicated in the images provided.
After the holes have been drilled, lay out and cut the notches on the ends of the holders.
CAUTION: Because of the small size of this stock, use only a coping saw, scroll saw, or bandsaw to cut the notches. DO NOT attempt this cut on a table saw.
After the notches are cut, drill the 1/4"-diameter exhaust pipe hole and glue the exhaust pipe in place. Glue and clamp the axle holders to the base; then set the base assembly aside.
2. BODY
Make the complicated shape of the body using a compound cutting method. Glue up four pieces of 1x4 stock to form a 3"-thick block, and orient the block so the glue lines run vertically. Cut the stock to length to yield a 3"-wide x 3-1/2"-long x 4-1/2"-tall block; then transfer the top and side patterns from the images on this page to the block.
Next, drill a 1 "-diameter hole through the block from the back for the back window (this only needs to be drilled 2” deep). Turn the block on its side and drill three 3/8" holes in the corners of the cutout as indicated in the images by the little crosses on the drawing detail. Cut out all the side contours with a bandsaw or scroll saw.
To get the 2-1/4" width on the front, tilt the bandsaw or scroll saw table 10° and, keeping the front of the body on the table, bevel the sides.
The 1/4'- diameter steering wheel hole is drilled by turning the body upside down and resting the block on the rear slope of the roof.
Complete the body assembly by using a 1 -1/4"-diameter hole saw to cut out the 1-1/8"-diameter steering wheel. Insert the steering column into the steering wheel hole and glue the steering wheel to the column. Set the body aside.
3. ENGINE
Cut the stock for the base to length and width. If you’re making several of these trucks, rip long boards to 3" wide; then cut them to 6-3/4" lengths. The base stock is the same width for the pickup truck and the tank truck, but lengths on each model vary.
Next, cut stock to length and width to form the 3/4” x 1" x 3-3/4" axle holders. Clamp the axle holder stock securely to a drill press table and drill the 5/16"-diameter axle holes where indicated in the images provided.
After the holes have been drilled, lay out and cut the notches on the ends of the holders.
CAUTION: Because of the small size of this stock, use only a coping saw, scroll saw, or bandsaw to cut the notches. DO NOT attempt this cut on a table saw.
After the notches are cut, drill the 1/4"-diameter exhaust pipe hole and glue the exhaust pipe in place. Glue and clamp the axle holders to the base; then set the base assembly aside.
2. BODY
Make the complicated shape of the body using a compound cutting method. Glue up four pieces of 1x4 stock to form a 3"-thick block, and orient the block so the glue lines run vertically. Cut the stock to length to yield a 3"-wide x 3-1/2"-long x 4-1/2"-tall block; then transfer the top and side patterns from the images on this page to the block.
Next, drill a 1 "-diameter hole through the block from the back for the back window (this only needs to be drilled 2” deep). Turn the block on its side and drill three 3/8" holes in the corners of the cutout as indicated in the images by the little crosses on the drawing detail. Cut out all the side contours with a bandsaw or scroll saw.
To get the 2-1/4" width on the front, tilt the bandsaw or scroll saw table 10° and, keeping the front of the body on the table, bevel the sides.
The 1/4'- diameter steering wheel hole is drilled by turning the body upside down and resting the block on the rear slope of the roof.
Complete the body assembly by using a 1 -1/4"-diameter hole saw to cut out the 1-1/8"-diameter steering wheel. Insert the steering column into the steering wheel hole and glue the steering wheel to the column. Set the body aside.
3. ENGINE
Glue up and clamp together three pieces of 3/4" x 1-3/4"x 10" stock to form the block for the engine. The extra stock is for safe handling while machining, but it s not wasted because the extra stock can be used for engines Model T four wheelers.
After the stock is the proper thickness and width, chamfer the top edges with a bandsaw, scroll saw, or power sander. Cut the engine(s) to length; then measure 3/8" from the end and form a 1/16"-deep "radiator" line with a bandsaw or scroll saw blade.
Finally, drill the 1/4"-diameter radiator hole and glue the radiator cap into place. Glue and clamp the engine to the base and sand the front flush. Next, glue and clamp the body in place.
4. BED
The easiest way to form the bed is to prepare a 3/4" x 1-1/4" x 10" piece of stock. (The extra length is for safe handling when resawing later.) Next, locate and drill the two dowel holes for the bed front; then resaw the stock to form 1/4' -thick pieces. Cut the sides to length; then glue the dowels in place. Glue and clamp the bed assembly to the base.
5. FENDERS
Make a cardboard template for the fenders from the image below. Transfer the pattern to the stock; then use a bandsaw or scroll saw to cut them out. If you’re planning on making the tank truck, make extra fenders for that at this time. Next, drill the 1/4"-diameter holes in the front of the fenders for the headlamp columns.
Make the headlamps by taking a 12" length of 5/8"-diameter dowel rod and drilling a 1/4" hole near the end of it for the headlamp column. Once you’ve drilled the hole, cut the headlamp to length. Repeat this process for the other headlamp. Glue the headlamp columns to each side of the truck. Glue the reinforcement dowels into place and sand flush.
After the stock is the proper thickness and width, chamfer the top edges with a bandsaw, scroll saw, or power sander. Cut the engine(s) to length; then measure 3/8" from the end and form a 1/16"-deep "radiator" line with a bandsaw or scroll saw blade.
Finally, drill the 1/4"-diameter radiator hole and glue the radiator cap into place. Glue and clamp the engine to the base and sand the front flush. Next, glue and clamp the body in place.
4. BED
The easiest way to form the bed is to prepare a 3/4" x 1-1/4" x 10" piece of stock. (The extra length is for safe handling when resawing later.) Next, locate and drill the two dowel holes for the bed front; then resaw the stock to form 1/4' -thick pieces. Cut the sides to length; then glue the dowels in place. Glue and clamp the bed assembly to the base.
5. FENDERS
Make a cardboard template for the fenders from the image below. Transfer the pattern to the stock; then use a bandsaw or scroll saw to cut them out. If you’re planning on making the tank truck, make extra fenders for that at this time. Next, drill the 1/4"-diameter holes in the front of the fenders for the headlamp columns.
Make the headlamps by taking a 12" length of 5/8"-diameter dowel rod and drilling a 1/4" hole near the end of it for the headlamp column. Once you’ve drilled the hole, cut the headlamp to length. Repeat this process for the other headlamp. Glue the headlamp columns to each side of the truck. Glue the reinforcement dowels into place and sand flush.
6. WHEELS
Prepare 3/8"-thick stock for the wheels; then use a 1-7/8"-diameter hole saw to create the “rims." Next, cut out the wheels using a 2-1/2"-diameter hole saw; then sand. Cut the axles to length; then glue the wheels and axles to the truck.
Prepare 3/8"-thick stock for the wheels; then use a 1-7/8"-diameter hole saw to create the “rims." Next, cut out the wheels using a 2-1/2"-diameter hole saw; then sand. Cut the axles to length; then glue the wheels and axles to the truck.