For my upcoming modified build I plan to use the front half of a '26 T touring car. I bought a model A frame that I planned to use. Then I decided that by the time I got through filling all of the original Ford holes, sandblasting, boxing, and repairing the one crack that it had I'd be better off just buying 2x4 steel tube and start from scratch. Then I decided that I'd use '32 rails so bought a new set, thinking I'd use from the front frame horns to the back of the body and cut off the rest or z the rear as necessary. Now I'm wondering if it would look odd or out of place. That is; will the proportions be out of whack when I set a T body on top of a '32 frame rail. I don't plan to channel the body. In fact I'm pondering getting the seats down inside the frame between the rails and a driveshaft hump. I've got a LOT of modified pix stored on my computer and looked through the Modifieds only!! thread trying to see examples. I've not found many. SO; do any of you have pix of modifieds on '32 rails??? Or can anyone photoshop one (or some)? If so please post to this thread. THANX!
I think it will look great. Mock it up on the rails, take a picture of it from the side, and cut the picture up to make it look like you want it. Of course if you have a good photo editor program you can do it on the computer.
Thanx, Dean. Unfortunately, when I get it mocked up it'll be in a small shop and probably can't get far enough from it to take a full side-on shot. Also my point in this thread is that if it's gonna look like s**t I might just sell the 32 rails and go with a thinner option ("A" or rectangular tube). I'd like to know before I go to the trouble of getting it mocked up. I'm hoping and thinking it'll be good, but it'd be nice to see it on paper first.
Can't go wrong if you build one like this one. Not the best pic, wish I had some better pic's and some info on it. Maybe someone will know more about it.
The Deuce rails will work fine. My rails came from Lions and are approximately the same depth as the 32's. Hard to see in the pics but you can grasp the proportions
This, without the hood and with a painted 28/29 grill shell is pretty much my plan. Of course I can't imagine that I have enough talent (or time left in this lifetime) to make it this nice. Are these 26/27 windshield posts that are leaned back? Oh, yeah; thanx for the replies so far.
Man, do yourself a huge favor..... follow your dream. Figure it out. It might take more work than you thought, but nothing..... NOTHING beats the day when you see your dream a reality. Do it.
Model A or '32 rails make no real difference, you'll have to bend them to follow the shape of the body, they have to sit at the outside edge. When the rails are moved outboard you'll have enough room to seat below the top of the framerails. mine are 1 1/2" below the top of the framerail. The problem is that there isn't room beneath the car for suspension, that is why most modfieds use the radius rods outside the body. I use quarter elips and 4 link. My next one will have jag IRS. One thing about a modified is that they are not highboys (mine's under 40"), very tiny and no extra used space. You'll have to plan every 1/4" of it. The picture of my frame, see how it widens to match the body? and those diagonals past the trans crossmenber are what the pockets in the floor sit on, thats how you get your ass low enough to look thru the windshield and not over it.
The pic of the modified with the 32 frame is not mine. My modified (avatar pic) has a conformed to body shape, 2"x4", rec. tube frame with a 5" deep belly pan under the frame, and the seat pan is below the top of the frame rail, for more interior room. Here is my favorite pic of my modified.....it has a 105" wheelbase.
Thanx for all the responses, comments, pix, advice, and the link. I've been away from home (& computer) for about a week and am happy to see the progress this post has made. b-t-w; I've always assumed I'd re-contour the frame rails to follow the body regardless of what frame I use (steel tube, Model A, or '32).
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