Hi all. i just got my hands on a 1931 chevy pick up cab and i'm thinking of doing a jimmy shine type ride. The guy i got it from has a 1928 model t truck frame, but it looks way too narrow to channel. I've got no experience in channeling or z'ing the frame. Anyone got any suggestions. thanks steve...
Wow thanks for the advice!! That was so helpful thats why i spend so much time here. Thanks again slowandlow63. Your so cool!!!
Don't know what the truck frame looks like, but in most cases you probably wouldn't want a T frame on a later body like that... Depending upon your experience maybe a T style frame (like a total performance) would work, or a later ford frame if you are up for the work. There's lots of stuff out there to get you started, so good luck.
If its a frame from 1928, it will be a model A frame.Ford stopped building model T frames in 1927. If it is a model T frame, then you don't want it. A model A frame will work, but there is so much work required to make it work correctly that you are probably better off to build your own frame from rectangular tubing. For a very good reference thread, see the thread I did on "how to build an early hotrod frame'---Brian http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...&highlight=how+to+build+an+early+hotrod+frame
I'm with Brianangus, It will be simpler and a lot less headaches to build your own tube frame rather than attempt to make the T truck frame work. By "Jimmy Shine style" I take it my mean a chopped and channeled open wheeled closed cab pickup. Nothing new about that and he didn't even originate the style as they have been around since the dark ages. Suggestion: Go to Home Depot or Lowes and grab an armload of those $2.00 2x4's and dummy up a wood frame for the cab to see how everything should fit and calculate the wheelbase and other dimensions. That will let you do a lot of figuring and planning for about 10 bucks and you can always use the wood for something else later.
I agree with brianangus, any frame you get................other than an original Chevy frame is going to be alot of hacking to get it where you want. The easiest way would be to build your own, especially if you want it to be like Jimmy Shine's. I reworked my "A" frame, which was about the same amount of time/money as building one myself......................if I had it to do over............I would build it myself. IMHO
Get a professional welder to weld it (some of the welds i've seen on home made frames still scare the crap outta me) Bob
Thanks to all that sent advice. I especially liked brianangus' thread. and the wood frame mockup idea from mr48chev.. Thanks i'll use your tips.... a couple more questions though how wide should the inside be for a sbc or maybe a flathead ford v8(if i can get one)?? And should the frame widen under the cab for channeling??? i would think you'd have to if your sitting on the floor practically. thanks again, steve
Should be 26" wide inside rails at center of engine to suit a small block Chev for a flathead Ford.--Frame doesn't have to widen under cab for channeling.
That is the best way to start things, use a good chop saw, and pickup a few Teco nail plates and 1 5/8 drywall screws.
But be careful of termites..... I think Brian(Brain)Angus has it, the wood mock up is an unbelievably great idea. I feel like a fool for never having thought of it before. Doc.
how would you go about air baging the front end of these 20s model A frames. done 80,s and up but nothing with this front end set up. thanks for any help
It can be done, but the hard part is where to put the bags, unless you don't mind them sticking out like a sore thumb. You will want to run a set of bags that are large enough to provide a decent quality ride. I have done one car by running a bar between the front spring shackles, instead of the spring, and running the bags between that and the frame. There is a member that produces a setup that looks pretty good, but I can't seem to find the thread. I will edit when I find it. *EDIT* Found it: Here's the thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170203&highlight=r14 Were I to bag the front of an A again, I'd probably just get this. It is WAY better than my last setup.
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