Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

Fred, I was waiting for you next build instalment eagerly and this bomb shell is just the coolest thing, totally awesome. JW

 

Thanks! Next up will be to get the rear shocks and be done on that end.

On a funny note about saving money, my new intention was to get the brake calipers and rotors from the auto parts store and use Speedways bracket kit to install them. That would run $286+ tax. If I go with Speedways full kit with rotors and calipers, it'll be $294. Plus, Speedways kit has all the bearings and seals. Sometimes, ya just can't beat the Hot Rod parts suppliers.

 

Oh, having never cut the arms off Henry spindles, I may have some questions for you guys. I REALLY can't afford to screw these up. I already have a brand new grinding disc and new cut off wheels. When I get in from work on Monday, the package will be waiting for me. This is worse than waiting for the brown truck!

 

Be super careful with the cut off disc !! JW

 

Why? I've got 8 fingers and 2 thumbs. Losing 1 or 2 will be okay. Right? Seriously, I'll be careful.

 

I was too, sometimes its just not enough. The funny thing about what I did was that the Surgeon that put me back together was missing a finger on the same hand from an angle grinder JW

 

Tell the parts donor that was a very good thing he did

 

Wow Fred some F1 brakes would fit so good on those.
Just had to throw that out because you mentioned me a while back.
Build your own car.
Gary

 

I started with a rusty old T touring front half, threw it on an A frame I had sitting in the shop. The look kind of grew on me.

 

A bunch of time and spare parts later it is starting to look like something.

 

Good job to the anonymous donor!

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Having had the tracking #, I knew what would be waiting for me, when I got home today. Checked the pieces out and did a quick test fitting. Drank a beverage and just stared at them for a while. Thanks again, sir. Gawd, I love this hobby!







I had already gotten a couple new cut off wheels and a new grinding disc. I'll probably cut and grind the left over arms this weekend.

 

Today I cut off the remaining arms off the spindles. Worked out great. Final smoothing will be tomorrow. HOO YAH!

 

Good lookin' work Fred!

 

So what do you do for steering arms?

 

My guess would be doped bolt on items. JW

 

Gary, the further I get, the more I'm feeling the drum brake vibe. When I get to that stage, which hopefully won't be long, I'll seriously do some heavy thinking on it. This isn't a "traditional" build, but it'll be nice. My vision for this car is awesome (if you could get in my head, you'd agree) and I'm doing everything I can to stay on track. Ideas and suggestions, as well as critiques are always welcome. This is only my second rodeo, but it'll be my best effort.

 

I'm going with the flat bolt on style mounted in front of the axle. Since I'm going with a spring behind the axle setup and wishbones, the usual steering arms won't clear.

 

Thanks, but when are you going to give us an update on yours? While I'm grateful for being allowed to piggy back your thread, I'd much rather see what you've been up to.

 

Fred like I ended my last post "build your own car" I wouldn't have posted if you hadn't mentioned me earlier. I'm sure my '50s/60s build mind works different than your '80s/90s thinking. If I were in your place I would go down to the junk yard and find an early '50s Ford truck and take the front brakes off of it, take them apart and rebuild them. Yes I know those old trunks aren't in the abundance now as they were in the past but that's still my thinking.
Here again Fred I'm just talking and I am sure your bucket will be bitchin!

 

I have the spring behind the axle Fred and wishbones.
I also have my steering arms to the rear with the tie rod behind the rad.
And as you know I have drum brakes now too.

 

Man, what arms are you using? The dropped ones I've looked at won't clear the wishbones.

 

Gary, I just like to jab at you because I know how you hate disc brakes. Trust me, if the junk yards here didn't crush everything pre 2000, it would change my direction on a lot of things. On my budget, I'm limited to what I can find and afford. So, building it my way is really a no brainer.

Nothings for sure. But I'm going at a pace that, while it's frustratingly slow, it allows me to research each and every step. Hell, in my head, I've got 2,000 miles on this thing.

 

You can see pictures on my build thread of how they worked out, they are extra long Superbell steering arms from Pete and Jakes.

 

You have a link?

 

Not sure which page Fred but it's there somewhere
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-up-build-thread.460009/page-30#post-11746984

 

Superbell suicide steering arms.
http://www.rjays.com/Pete_Jakes/PJ_steering-01.htm

 

Found the page and even the way you did yours won't work for me. No worries. I'll figure it out.

 

Good luck Fred. I scratched my head a lot trying to figure mine out.
The primary consideration for me was not pointing the steering arms to the front of the axle.
To me that just isn't right.
It took some doing but I got it.

 

Fred, I have to second the use of F-1 stuff. They don't seem to be rare, and you can buy the drums, shoes, wheel cylinders and such at any brake warehouse and most parts stores when you need them. The bonus is, not only '48-'52 F-stuff will do the deal, but also '53-'56 stuff as well. Guys have been yanking these front ends out from under these trucks for about 35 years now to modernize, and are common as dirt. I could have a set for ya by 2PM, no questions asked....
'Bout 100.00 seams to be the going rate around these parts, and Speedway sells a bearing kit for about 40.00. I say all this, 'cause man, drums look sooooooooo much better on a "T", even if "traditinal" isn't really the end game. My F-1s stop my car like nobody's business, as well as discs would, and are simple and compact. Think about it a bit....

The way to go about this is a pair of forged steering arms from all the major suppliers for '35-'48 Ford applications. Speedway's number is 702 2756 pln for 69.95, although i'd look at Super bell and others as well. hey drop the tie rod 3 3/4" and sneak it right under the lower rail of the hairpins. Use a regular early Ford tie rod. much stronger than the flat plate and heim end stuff. You can kinda see mine in this picture.