As promised, here are some photos of the progress dis-assembling the box. I had to chisel two 1/4 square nuts to open them up a bit as the flat head bolts (I think they are called step bolts?) were turning in the wood, but in the end the step bolts themselves are fine.
Shrinkage on each side was about 1/2"so none of the holes are going to line up with the metal.
Now working on removing the backs. Some success but the nuts on the carriage botls underneath are a little snug. I have wire brushed them and oiled the threads....they will come.
Measuring the rear door and it is nowhere near square...considerably wider at the top. There is a shim on one side and not the other which may have contributed to that state. I also note they installed a wedge shaped spacer on the door jamb to make up for the extra width. So the question comes: do you rebuild with the flaw, or correct it. I think I know the answer....it doesn't sit well with me but it's not my job to change their 100 year old build.
Wood screws are generally a problem on this one. They were unplated, so some will turn, most won't, and some are the thickness of a finishing nail now. Photo below shows two that are in different states yet only 5" apart.
It is a tough call on whether to replace the wood or not. For instance the floor boards are simple 3/4" x 5" wide tongue and groove flooring pieces which I could buy off the shelf at the local home depot store. The ones in the truck now will likely not support the weight of a person on them, and some are missing. But to replace them will destroy the patina and the heritage. And if I replace the floor boards (I could distress them a bit I suppose) then what about the other boards? None of them will really support a screw as they stand.
I wish the whole truck could be as easy as the wheels were.
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