1952-59 Ford Hi, just bought a 58 wagon so wanted to say hi!

Also I will need a trailer hitch to pull my little camper. I'm guessing I'd have to have one custom made or finagle a universal?

 

You know when you post something about buying a car, it's required to post photos.

 

It hasn't made it here yet but here's a pic.

 

Nice! I can't wait see more.
Thanks for posting!

 

Nice looker

 

Looks like a nice one, congrats.

 

very cool wagon mate....well done

 

Nice! Wagon! Ithink you would have to get a hitch made, but I doubt it would be terribly expensive.

 

Now that's a nice wagon!!!

 

Custom made. A Bumper Hitch would've been standard fare back in the day....

 

Nice! What's under the hood?

 

It has a 390 4 speed. There's a 14 part youtube on it's history and partial restoration. It's from California to M***achusetts back in the late 60's early 70's and was in a garage for 40 years. Then it was sold to a gentleman in Nevada and now on it's way to Ohio. I plan on a dual carb setup and interior rework. Paint etc. It's a great car to start with.


My camper.

 

The wagon is cool, the camper is way cool, together-priceless!

 

I agree with black back then bumper mount was standard you would not believe what they towed with those I did too it was the norm.if you have a trailer shop near you with competent welder he or she could be able to make one.the only thing that may happen is in this day of suing for a hang nail they may be afraid to attempt.I have friend I worked for years ago that was a certified welder and owned a trailer shop and he made custom hitches on occasion

 

Very very nice. Clean look to it. The Ranchwagon models are great.......(I'm ***uming they still called them Ranchwagons in '58. ?). What are your interior plans? Were you able to have it checked out before you bought it?
The www.57fordsforever.com forum is a must do for '57-58 owners. There have been threads there in the past on correct way to do the towing hitches. One of our members there is very knowledgeable about all that, as he also restores vintage trailers. My memory is failing me again, but I'm thinking it was John Palmer.
Nice you have all that history and video on it, that's a biggie!!

 

Thanks Texas57 I will go there. The ***le says "Del Rio". For the interior I'm thinking buckets with center console. Adding Bluetooth/GPS screen, backup camera. Sound deadening material under carpet.

 

Nice wagon, not many '58 Fords around at all and good ones are hard to come by. I have a '59 Custom 300 and am considering the rack and pinion conversion. Someone on here did a '56 conversion, but not from a kit. You could do a search for it. The '58 and '59 used steering boxes have some market value if they are in good condition.

 

It has disk brakes up front and a dual master but no power brakes. I'll find out if I need to upgrade that. The rears are drum and I hear 57 drums are impossible to find so I don't know yet about 58's. The rack and pinion is a great idea.

 

http://www.unisteer.com/ Has power steering kits.

 

I have power rack and pinion in my '57. Worlds difference over the stock setup. I love the R & P setup, but with that said, had I to do over again, I'd research the Borgenson power steering box. It's close ratio like the R & P, which is the main reason you want a later setup, but the Borgenson box does not increase the turning radius like the R & P setup does. The Borgenson box was not yet available when I decided on the R & P.
If you end up going R & P, check with me first. The '57 forum had a supplier that did mine, not sure if he's still making them. Excelent kit, definite bolt on with no issues, much cheaper than compe***ors.
Biggest handling improvement you can make on these, ***uming the suspension components have been rebuilt, is a HD front sway bar. Concourse or SWTbirds sell the same kit. You wouldn't believe the difference a 1 1/8 bar makes!

 

I think you meant " decrease", right?

 

Oops! Scratch that last remark. Had my head on backwards!

 

Very nice looking ride!

 

LOL..I had it backwards when I first typed it, then thought, no that's wrong and changed it before posting it. The max physical turn, or angle of the wheel is decreased, increasing the radius it takes to turn the car. Anyways, with the R & P, you cannot turn the tire/wheel as much, so it makes for a bigger turning radius. A pain in the **** sometimes in a tight space, like parallel parking, but at least you're not turning the steering wheel 42 times (seems like). "Holding the road" feel at speeds is much much better also....none of that constant back and forth to keep the car tracking correctly. Honestly, I kinda miss that part.....it's what made an old car feel like an old car!

 

I have the SW TBirds sway bar on my '59 and it made a huge difference on how the car rides.

 

If you could post who makes them that would be great and if they fit a '58 and '59 even better. I just need the rack and steering shaft, the pump is different on mine. I want to put headers on the car and this would help. The clutch is already hydraulic.

 

What size did you use? Still trying to decide for my 56.

 

Another FE powered 58! I have a 500 Hardtop..but I don't have a cool trailer to tow with it.

 

Very cool. Welcome.

 

1 1/8". I posted pix on my build page but I'll attach a couple here. A very reasonable price too. NASCAR Dave may make them for the '56, check with him first. One thing to watch is not to break off the grease fittings on parking lot curbs!