Features Traditional Track T or Bucket Build Cost Under $5000??

Yes, please post a pic of your parts pile!! Excited for ya!


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I ordered from Spirit Industries. I'm also getting stuff from other places, but the bulk of it is coming from them. It's supposed to rain here, so unloading two 300lb. skids without a forklift should be fun! Let the games begin!

 

The question was asked about Mopar bolt patterns and what year used what, etc.

ALL B-, C-, E-, F-, J-, M-, and R-body cars used a 5-on-4-1/2" BP. For A-body, it's SOME '72 and all '73 - '76 cars. For trucks and vans, it's generally 1939 through 1983, though there ARE exceptions to this! If you can find the Ramcharger 15x8 wheels (1975 - 1979), they are fairly rare, but still affordable. Imperials used a 5-on-5" BP, and 1984-newer trucks and vans use the Ford 5-on-5-1/2" BP.

 

Thats a really expensive windshield. I bought a stick of 3/4 aluminum from mcmaster carr for $38.00,machined it at my buddies shop,and had the local glass shop cut and install the glass for $40.00 They paid $299 for the glass to put in the$499 frame.

 

The parts arrived in good condition and are very nice overall. I started to mock it up to see how it will look. I am waiting on a few more parts to make it a roller. Hopefully within a week or so I should have most of the chassis components mocked up. I had it made with a 2" drop built in to the front spring perch and rear kick up. I'll start a new build thread soon.

 

more

 

Nice! Thanks

 

In reference to the above pics. : no offence to the assembler , but isn't this 1-800 build a rod??
dave

 

Very cool seeing the body. Did you glass in the floor yourself or have Spirit? How do you like the dash in Spirits bucket? I like the straight across dashes but I like working with Spirit. I also like RPM.

 

I love it when somebody says "no offense", then makes a statement intended to offend...like calling me an "assembler". Not that I'm offended by that. I suppose that's what I am.

Question: If a guy takes a stock '32 coupe body and mounts it on a stock '32 frame (like thousands of builders have done) and completes it as a hot rod, does it not make it a "built" car? I guess not, because he didn't "build" the body, frame, axles, engine, trans, etc., etc. The factories did. He must be an "assembler" then. So that makes 99% of the hot rods on the road "assembled" and their builders "assemblers". That puts me in good company and I'm ok with that.

Yes, I bought the frame, body and components from manufacturers and I will assemble them, as well as fabricate lots of stuff myself. And I'm sourcing other parts from other suppliers too. Some will come from my scrap metal pile. Some from my donor car.

Call it what you want. In the end I will end up with a cool rod, and that's what it's about.

Oh, and they didn't have an 800 number...

 

Keep going! I really wish I would have kept mine.....

 

Like I stated, they splurged. They're not going for a budget build. I believe it's an exercise in the EASE of the build. But a T Bucket goes together like another car '34 and below. The main structure is fairly simple actually. It's when each person does his thing with it that the magic begins to form.

 

HAHAH Classic.

 

The body came with the floor installed.The dash seems fine so far.

 

I wouldn't worry about someone saying its a 1-800-Build a car type of deal. I see no difference in what you did then a lot of other guys. You still have a build on your hands, just because a frame came together with some of the parts on it and a body ready to go doesnt mean you are not wrenching on it.

The hot rod world is a good world and one that building is up to you and your imagination.

I really can't wait to see this build come together. I'm still on the fence of straight dash or the spirit dash. I think its a 32 Ford dash if I'm not mistaken.

I want to build so bad! Keep us posted on the build man and have fun because that is what this is all about.

Oh the other number to call if you have the cash is 1-800-HaveSomeElseBuildItForMe <---a lot of guys go that route lol.

 

Spirit cars are very well engineered and you will have LOTS of your self into the car. Keep going.

 

I will, thanks.

 

Well said.

 

I made a little more progress. I am continuing to mock up and pre fit things so I can get a feel for how it will go together. There are a few things I will need to modify, but overall I think it will be a relatively easy and fun build.

New 15x5 front wheels.



My ebay Vega box fits



I won't be able to use this upper steering arm



Getting a feel for how it will look...

 

looking good man I am hoping to start on mine soon. theres a swapmeet in a few weeks and I'm going to try to score a body and frame at least there.

 

Just a thought---have you tried turning the steering arm 180* to see if it fits that way???

 

2old2fast........how about some pic's of your hot rod. Build pic's would be even better.

No offense, but you spelled offense wrong.

 

Why can't you use the steering arm?

Also where did you get the wheels? I have been stuck on what to use and get for wheels. I really want that skinny look up front and back.

I really like the frame and the mock up on it. I need to look for a steering box and I"m seeing a few companies with them and one is using something other then a vega box.

Keep us posted and the rod looks great man.

 

A-bone , if I knew how to post pics. I'd be happy to ... just so you know , I built my T from a pile of steel , begged & borrowed stuff & stuff that I collected over nearly 40 years.... all the welding & fab work , bodywork , painting , engine & trans assy. , interior work etc. was done over a 5 year period at home by myself.. total cost less than $4000... if you like , go to t-bucketeers & look in the "how to post pics for computer illiterate" heading... those are the only ones I have on the net [thanks to my wife ] ...dave

 

Everyone has a different way of doing things (different ways to skin a cat). You collected parts for 40 years, he bought a body and frame, and is well on his way, and saved 39 years. If there was Ebay, 1-800 numbers, and catalog parts galore, 40 years ago.......you probably would have been driving your hot rod sooner. It's all a balance of time...money...skill...resources...ambition...an understanding wife, and more, that is involved in building a hot rod. The fact that you stuck with it for all those years is great.

Some 1-800 parts are great too!

 

I did, yes thanks. It won't work that way either. It hits the axle. I will have to use one that goes straight out from the mounting holes to get the drag link more level with the hairpins.

 

The steering arm is offset too high which makes the drag link not parallel with the hairpins (radius rods), which it needs to be for proper suspension geometry.

I got the wheels from Summit. They are Wheel Vintiques Gennie wheels.

 

Great! let us know how you make out

 

You hit the nail on the head. Sometimes guys (like me) don't have the time or the resources to build a car from scratch. I absolutely could if I had the time. I have built and rebuilt race and street cars many times. But that was long ago before children and responsibilities. If I had to do that now, it would never get done. Doing it this way allows me to realize my goal.

 

Are the wheels, tires and rims the same size both front and back?

I would like to run skinny tires both front and rear and I'm on the fence of channeling the body right now. I want the extra space.

Keep going on this Bucket! I'm loving it and right now living through you lol. It is going to be a sweet ride when done.

Hey can you get shots of the rear end?