Projects My 40 Ford Pickup Build

I have been working on this pickup project off and on for a couple years. I just recently decided to get a rolling frame before the snow falls. Here are some catch up photos of what I have done so far. Please don't post until I have a chance to post a few of my photos.

I'm doing this project with out a complete truck to start on. Here is the beginning by buying a good cab.

This is another cab I bought for the doors.

Here is a 39 car frame I picked up. Not bad but will need some work to repair a little side rail rust.

Instead of the stock dash I cut the old out and fit a 40 car Deluxe dash to the cab.

40 steering column I had chromed.

 

I put a flip up speaker grill to hide some of my controls.

I took a couple inches out of the seat riser so I could look in the rear view and see out of the rear window. I still want the extra storage under the seat for tools etc and a battery box. I also put the emergency brake under there.

I used a S-10 pickup seat and cut a little out of the front corners to clear the door panels.

I have gotten used to sholder belts and added mounts in the cab corners.

 

For the rear suspension I like to use the front springs and hangers off of the 49 to 54 Chevy pickups. I have used this system on several of my 40 builds. The rear end is a Mavrick 8" and will be running 3.40 gears.

Upper shock mount.

I have a tear drop trailer I tow and sometimes I need a little extra support when loaded for traveling. I put these air bag assists on I had lying around. Here is a thred I did on this complete spring and hanger install.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557363

 

I usually jump around a little on my builds. I removed the front crossmember because I will be using a Mustang II in this one because it will be a daily driver

I wanted to upgrade the hood latch system a little.

My motor of choice for this one is a 401 Buick Nailhead. I will be running a 700r4 transmission.

I had to pocket the frame to clear the trany pan on each side.

 

I mentioned earlier that the frame had a little rust but wasn't as bad as I thought. I took the body mounting pockets off the sides because pickups don't need them and that area was rusted just enough I decided to replace those areas.

Because I'm using a torque monster motor I have boxed the frame in the rear shackle mount areas.

Enough for tonight. I will add some more photos tomorrow.

 

Im not seeing the pictures

 

im not seeing em either

 

I do see a bikini...oh wait, thats outside.

 

No pics---11//4 and now i can se them. ??????

 

Humm, pictures coming through from my side. ?????

 

..........can't see the pics, but I do see a parka......

 

try photobucket

 

I used photobucket and their tinypics to reduce the photo size for posting. 640x480

 

No pics here either MJ. As you can see I have the same combination of cars you have. Like minds think alike? I have a '39 pickup in my pasture I have been trying to decide what to do with. Keep us posted on your build, I just might follow you.

 

Those pictures are really small???????????????

 

just copy a shortcut from your photbucket album title thats the easiet way to do it

 

Took a look at your progress in your profile MJ and it looks good. Have you used the airbag assist before as I was thinking on the same for my 40 pickup? I want to pull a trailer also with it. I had to scrap my original frame so I am building a new chassis from a set of aftermarket rails. Keep us updated on your progress.

 

Nice start. Tom (Tired Old Man)

 

.......No pictures yet......will check later

 

I have a 05 GMC pickup with the bag assist and works well. I had this kit that I had bought for a Suburban I sold. I adapted that to work on my 40 project. It should work fine and as long as you only run the minimum air pressure, it should ride fine unloaded.

 

I like your dash treatment; I assume the radio goes behind the grill. Very clever; I'll follow this build for sure.

 

Like what your doing. Keep posting the progress.

Frank

 

Large pictures did not seem to work so I edited it all and added the small ones. A couple days ago I had the frame setting on my homemade rotisserie and have been hitting it hard. Yesterday I mounted the engine, transmission and cab to check for clearances. All looks good except for a header steering column conflict. But I knew using a nailhead would be a challenge.

 

This is where I'm at now.

 

Radio, is that HAMB friendly? Maybe but will use that space for something.

 

I can see the pictures now. I really like what you are doing, in particular the way you dealt with the tranny pan & dash. The nailhead is just icing on the cake.This will be one cool daily driver. Looking forward to following the build.

 

Yes I know you can buy those frame kits for a 700r4 but I really enjoy the build and a little or a hole lot of money can go elsewhere.

 

Today I'm just standing back and looking for those small things that seem to go wrong. You do one change and that leads to another. Mounting a few things and checking for clearances. The adapter is 1 ½” thick and that has caused problems with mounting through out the build. The brake pedal will hit the trany adapter but would almost have to be to the floor to do that. I tacked the motor mounts in before I mounted the cab. Guess I need a new tape measure. Didn't allow for the staggered heads. Moved the motor ahead just over an inch. That meant I had to redo the trany mount as well but easier than firewall work. I knew I wouldn't be able to run a fan because of the length of these nailheads but look I have 3/4" clearance to the radiator.

 

A little Nailhead porn. Just to get the heart pumping!

 

I need one of these exhaust headers. The back two ports go up and over to give me column clearances. They came off of a 364 nailhead from 57 to 60 but not sure of the year or body style. Anyone have one or info or help on year or part numbers would help.