1923? Ford Doodlebug

[Rob J. 1,941]

I recently picked up a new to me

tractor and the gentleman I bought it from has one of these. It’s not something you see very often. From what I understand these were kits to convert a tractor into a car/truck. I need to find more info. How cool is that? 

[Rob J. 1,941]

Well it’s actually a 1929 1/2. 

[WHX?? 48,814]

That one looks nicely done. Usually their all ratty. Be a show show cruiser fer sure. 

@wallfish

[tunahead72 2,412]

1 hour ago, Rob J. said:

... How cool is that? ...

 

VERY! 

 

[Ed Kennell 38,135]

Lots of Model A Ford doddlebug tractors in my area.    They usually have a second transmission in series or a Ruxell 2 speed rear  to supply lower gearing.   Most were built in the 1940s when new tractors were not available due to the war.      This is the first parade queen iI have seen.   Beautiful work.

 

Here's a local one made from a Chevy body.

 

 

[Darrenw85 605]

Here's one I seen at a local show. 

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by Darrenw85
Updated image

[oliver2-44 9,732]

13 hours ago, Rob J. said:From what I understand these were kits to convert a tractor into a car/truck. I need to find more info. How cool is that? 

The kits actually converted a car or truck into a tractor. 

[953 nut 55,189]

22 hours ago, Rob J. said:

From what I understand these were kits to convert a tractor into a car/truck.

Most Doodlebugs were built from late '20s/early '30 trucks. They were not from kits, just good old farmer ingenuity. Wish I had a picture of ourrs. It was built from a 1929 Ford AA truck.. The cab and doors were removed, frame was shortened and a four foot by four foot slab of concrete about eight inches thick was over the rear axle for added traction. Ours had two transmissions as @Ed Kennell mentioned and we used it for pulling hay wagons from the field to the barn. The brakes were the biggest shortcoming on the Ford doodlebugs, no front brakes and mechanical brakes for the rear wheels. The transmissions have square-cut gears so down-shifting to slow down was nearly imposable and a loaded hay wagon weighs in at about five thousand pounds each. Quite often we would be pulling two wagons at a time toward the end of the day to save a little time.

In the winter the Doodlebug got a good workout pulling sleds and old car hoods loaded up with firewood or a load or kids from the surrounding farms.