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Post by agshelby on Dec 7, 2012 18:44:39 GMT -5
Chassis Build has started with the Rear Suspension. The overall goal for the truck is for it to appear as built in 1962. The newest part will be the 57 Ford 9" rear. ( I am sneaking in a AOD, but is hidden). The chassis fabrication is being done by Rusty at Dirty's Speed Shop up in Converse, Texas Here is my inspiration - Dean Lowe's 1929 Roadster Pickup, as seen in Hot Rod Magazine in 1962:  Here is My Starting Point - Bare Brookville Model A Chassis:  Cutting out the coil-over setup on the frame (too modern)  Z'd rear frame kickup:  Welds on New Cross Member:  Rear Spring Mount:  1940 Ford Rear Traverse Spring Setup, along with Ladder Bars:  Another Shot of the Rear:  |
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Post by v8vega on Dec 7, 2012 19:01:01 GMT -5
Nice. Looks like a cool project.
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Post by 65stang on Dec 8, 2012 3:10:37 GMT -5
This should be awesome! I love the idea of using all vintage parts. I never saw that black and white picture of the inspiration truck before. Now I really get the idea of what its going to be. Is yours going to be open top or are you keeping the roof?
I want to see more pictures of that 67? Ford truck. Who does it belong to?
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Post by agshelby on Dec 8, 2012 3:33:42 GMT -5
This should be awesome! I love the idea of using all vintage parts. I never saw that black and white picture of the inspiration truck before. Now I really get the idea of what its going to be. Is yours going to be open top or are you keeping the roof? I want to see more pictures of that 67? Ford truck. Who does it belong to? There is no top or windows. It is a factory roadster. They did come with a non folding canvas top, but i dont have one. |
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Post by 65stang on Dec 9, 2012 21:17:58 GMT -5
That sounds familiar. I remember you said something about that. The picture really helps with the visualization of your project.
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Post by agshelby on Dec 13, 2012 17:56:41 GMT -5
A few updated photos. The chassis should be done before year's end. Wishbone mounts under construction:  Finished wishbone mounts:  Split Wishbone End:  Transmission Mount under construction:  Fitting Engine/Transmission in order to fabricate mounts:  Another View of the Transmission Mount:  |
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Post by agshelby on Dec 20, 2012 14:03:24 GMT -5
A few updated photos - chassis is about done. Front Shock Mount  Brake pedal and booster Mount  Front End  Master cylinder mount  |
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Post by agshelby on Dec 23, 2012 11:03:19 GMT -5
With the exception of the rear shock mounts - chassis is done. I am now looking for a way to get it back down here from Dallas since I had to sell my truck. Looks like a U-haul day in my future. Some more photos: Steering   Rear Spring Mount: (40 Ford Spring on a custom cross member)  Rear Frame reinforcement Plate  |
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Post by agshelby on Jun 11, 2013 19:14:11 GMT -5
Well this one has been sitting idle for far too long. I have been side tracked with the other cars and feeling guilty about not getting anything done on this project. I haven't been completely idle, I have been scrounging parts and managed to pull together just about every part needed for the build. The major missing components are the engine build up (I have a short block), brake and fuel lines , driveshaft, wiring, interior and the steering column. Have been debating on the gas tank options and will deal with that once I am further down the road. I will most likely go with a model T style tank at the front of the bed. For interior the floorboards will be varnished oak and I am going to build a seat myself that will allow me to sit way down low. The windshield is chopped 3" and I need all the room I can get in that tiny cab. My goal on this truck is not to use any part that was not available in the early 60s - so the plastic saddle tanks are a no-go for me. I will make some concessions with powdercoating and paint, but dont want to doll it up with a bunch of modern stuff or go the sloppy rat-rod route and just throw something in there. Other than these items - I have all of the body parts and the chassis is ready to go.
So I decided to get serious on the build and see if I could get some progress going week by week.
This weekend I modified my front spindles to fit the '56 ford truck big brakes. The spindles are for a 46 Ford Sedan and there was some grinding to do on the steering arms and some bearing work necessary (thanks for the internet and the HAMB - it was a breeze). The benefit of the 56 brakes is added stopping power and they have been modified to be self-adjusting.
I am going to paint the chassis with POR-15. I have used it in the past and can cut and brush and then finish with a foam roller and it looks great - as good as powdercoating. I decided not to powder coat the chassis as I may have to touch up some parts. Powdercoating is not kind to touch ups. The POR-15 is on order and will be here tomorrow. I plan on getting the chassis cleaned and painted as my weekend project.
For the bolt off components I am going to powder coat. I dropped off the brake backing plates and front drums Monday. Tonight I took apart the front suspension and steering. I am taking the split wishbones and my drilled/dropped model A axle in to get coated tomorrow. I am going to hold off on the arms until I see how much the coating adds to the interference with the steering arms - I might have to shave off a little more for a right fit.
Onward !
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Post by agshelby on Jun 17, 2013 8:43:52 GMT -5
So-so weekend. I have the truck torn down to the bare frame. I have sanded about 90% of the minor surface rust and it is all shiny new metal. The frame is new - but left unpainted and the humidity and fingerprints caused minor rust. I am almost ready to wipe it down and prep for paint. I am going to try and get some more work done this evening.
I am using my power sander on the flat surfaces and an assortment of wire-brush wheels on the tight spaces. After the sanding I will wipe down with acetone, then acid etch the surface prior to applying the POR-15.
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Post by TexasEd on Jun 24, 2013 10:26:29 GMT -5
Looks great. I'd love to do a project that ambitious but it would have to wait.
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Post by gm4ever on Jun 25, 2013 18:08:19 GMT -5
Sweet! Looks like a fun project!
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Post by agshelby on Jul 4, 2013 15:34:10 GMT -5
Chassis painted, all suspension parts at High point for coating. Will be sourcing the differential and axles next. Goal is a rolling chassis with running drivetrain in 3 months.
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Post by agshelby on Jul 6, 2013 19:08:40 GMT -5
Some photos of the chassis. That is the original model A pickup bed sitting behind the chassis. Low quality, from my ipad .    |
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Post by agshelby on Aug 6, 2013 22:58:34 GMT -5
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Post by sYc_Nova on Aug 7, 2013 0:42:22 GMT -5
Looks like it's coming along very nicely.
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Post by agshelby on Aug 15, 2013 21:14:30 GMT -5
Axles!!! The ford locker differential will be ready Monday  |
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Post by sYc_Nova on Aug 15, 2013 23:40:03 GMT -5
It hasn't progressed to the living room floor yet has it?  |
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Post by agshelby on Aug 16, 2013 7:05:01 GMT -5
It hasn't progressed to the living room floor yet has it? No, but I received a home depot gift card recently and vought a portable a/c for the garage. I am in a cool and dry heaven. |
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Post by sYc_Nova on Aug 16, 2013 7:55:27 GMT -5
Awesome.
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Post by agshelby on Aug 17, 2013 23:43:24 GMT -5
More progress: 3:70 detroit locker and Moser axles:   |
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Post by agshelby on Aug 21, 2013 11:57:00 GMT -5
Received shipping notice that the engine is on it's way. I went with the 330HP crate engine from GM Performance. I am going to dress it up like a mid-60s corvette small block. With 330HP and a car that will weigh less than 2,000 lbs - should be fun.
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Post by gm4ever on Aug 21, 2013 14:47:50 GMT -5
MAN it's going to FLY!! Please keep the updates coming!
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Post by agshelby on Sept 5, 2013 9:07:46 GMT -5
Have the engine sitting in the garage. I am going to pull my hoist out of storage and get it connected to the transmission tonight. I might even drop it into the chassis if all goes well.
I was very pleased to find that the engine came painted gloss black. The paint job is very nice and needs only some dress up parts (corvette valve covers, etc) to look great. I bought a Pertronix distributor that matches the original, and have a Edelbrock performer intake. I also have some reproduction ram-horn exhaust manifolds on order. It is coming along ...
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Post by agshelby on Sept 14, 2013 22:41:29 GMT -5
Dropped in the engine and transmission and finished the install of the rear suspension. The motor is a GM crate engine - I got a good deal and will be a good driver engine. I am going to dress it more in a traditional early 60s style once I get the cab back on. I am painting the intake black and have some rams horn exhaust manifolds ready to go. I ran into a problem with my front brakes when I tried to push the truck out of the garage today. I am running 46 spindles with 56 Truck brakes and hubs. I have all new hardware and the brakes installed and adjusted. However, when I tighten the lug nuts the drum is pushed back and makes contact with the backing plate. Not sure what the issue is as the brakes/hubs came off the same truck. It seems that I need a spacer between the hub and drum. It doesn't make sense as there was not a spacer before. I am going to take it apart tomorrow and have another look and see if I can find the issue. My next project is to finish out the build of the engine (water pump, intake, exhaust, distributor, etc - do some minor detailing) before setting the cab. Trying to get the little odds/ends taken care of so that I can get the truck into the body shop within the next few weeks.       |
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