Hot Rods Lengthening a 32 Ford

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@ekimneirbo
One problem I think of is
OEM running boards have a arch the same shape as frame ,
Your going to be using IFS so that will creat a nother issue , wheel /tire to far forward in the front fender .
If low , take a picture of a stock three window printed out multiple copies cut and Tape ,
The only I think would be Less issues
But time fitment would to add 2 - 4 inches either at start of runningboards to front fender's or with in 12 inches of
Running board towards the upward slope behind where the wheel /tire would set

 

I personally think 32’s don’t look good with a long nose. Maybe you could get one inch and nobody would notice, but three would look like Pinocchio. Could you scoot the radiator and grille forward one, and only lengthen the hood? Leave the frame alone?

 

Slightly lengthened wheelbase is OK, but (just my opinion) I don't think any of these old Fords look right unless the grille is in the stock location in relation to the rest of the body. I'd do whatever it takes to install the chosen powerplant without altering that relationship.

 

Since you don't plan to run a hood, maybe just moving the grille/rad forward a couple of inches would work better. If you need to move the crossmember/axle, lengthening the front fenders and leaving the running boards in the stock place would probably be easier and look better. Probably best to not stretch it any more that you absolutely have to.

 

Then by moving rad forward & using stock or drop headlight bar , stock like 1 inch room ,
But with some custom bending
Not V bar , can bend with arch
Maybe not as noticeable Rad forward .

 

Not to be critical but that "32 Ford" roadster is a Dearborn Deuce, the ad copy says it was lengthened three inches.

https://spudsgarage.com/vehicles/32FordDearPismo/index.htm

 

First I would say the Caddy has been used many times without changing the wheelbase. Yes, this could reduce legroom or foot space.

The fenders will only fit the frame correctly by adding frame length behind the firewall.

I'll be interested to see how this progresses.

 

If @ekimneirbo post build will be in
O-T ,
Because Blown EFI & a few other parts.

 

On fenderless you can get away with moving the front crossmember forward. If you add fenders and move them forward then the curve stamped upsweep in the frame (which is the notable feature of a 32 frame) where the fenders meet will not make and will look odd.

 

I'm with Weedburner. I've done lots of deuce ch***is with the crossmember moved head from 1-2 inches. That combined with some creative firewall work should get you the room you need? Don't waste the second pair of rails just have a sheet metal shop bend what you need.

 

Just to be clear, even though it is off the original topic, the DD body fits on a stock dimension Deuce frame.
The doors are lengthened and the sail panel behind the seat is shortened a couple inches.

 

Seen the frame left the same length and the grill moved forward 2 along with the x-member

 

To my eyes, the roadster and the coupe are entirely different.
The doors on the coupe are much longer the the doors on the roadster, but the panel behind the door on the coupe is much shorter then the same area on the roadster. The curved front edge of the coupe doors are completely different then the straight cut roadster doors. Those two cars are very poor choices to determine what the car originally looked like.

I believe if I was going to add 4" of length to the 32 ch***is, I would add a splice in to the rails under the cowl, and I sure wouldn't be cutting up complete side rails for 4" of frame. That extra spliced in piece is going to have to be a couple straight sections in the shaped rails to maintain the correct width at the front crossmember. I would be adding in a piece of tubing, or have someone bend a short piece of sheet steel to splice in. After you have done that, if you choose to bob the ends of the frame rails, do that after the frame has been extended.

 

Stock is 32 & like 3/32's

 

This one runs a blown BBC. Hard to tell if it has been lengthened. (Sorry about the wheels.)
A big block chevy is the same length engine as the Cadillac 500...... 30.5".
They have been put into '32 Fords quite often.

Anyone seen a '32 with a Nailhead??? They come in at 33.5" long!!!

 

Wheels are Not off topic .
@ekimneirbo is wanting to use running boards and fenders, thats the challenge
& Leg room with straight Firewall
& be comfortable, Not young & flexible like most of us were at one time

 

I've got a Nailhead in a 32 The center section of the stock firewall has been flattened and there is a bulge in the center for the distributor which goes in/comes out on an angle. Have about 3/4" between water pump shaft and the radiator. Not running a fan but have an electric one between the grille insert and radiator on a thermo switch.
Body and radiator in stock location.

 

Iversen Originals built this 3 inch lengthened roadster, I bought it because I wanted to put in a Y block. They’re about 3 inches longer than the Chevy small black that was in there. It’s all on the nose with the length and frame and reworked front rails to bring the nose down raked grill makes it a pie shape 3 inches on top and it’s reduces as it goes down. It’s in December 2002 Street Rodder magazine revolutionary deuce frame article. Good luck anything I can help you with let me know.

 

Nicely done!

 

That upswept rail looks like how Randy Clark in Escondito was doing them.

 

Just a note about the 'how + why'
Sure we all know, but I like to emphasize that
any increase in wheelbase, gives a smoother reaction to road bumps.
The result is felt in the spine.

 

I think you are missing the point I was trying to make. A nailhead engine is 3 inches longer than the 500 Cadillac engine you want to use. If @swifty got a nailhead into his '32 without stretching the frame, you should be able to get the 500 in with 3" to spare for the blower drive.

 

Cody got a straight six in his.

 

But then there's the old fat guy factor. I grew up driving an A-bone. Fast forward fifty years and I don't fit any more. If I were building a '30s Ford today, which I won't do, I would make it fit me and the engine I wanted to use. The Packard V8 takes some real estate.

jack vines

 

Y-block...but not full fendered either

 

I like that maroon '32 in the first post as a good example of re-proportioning.

For a project where the customer was a tall guy and he wanted to us a V-10 I did some drawings of different changes to the hood and doors. The front fender mods are harder on a '34 than a '32. Putting more in the hood than the door helps retain the proportions.

A few years later while strolling around a show and shine I ran across the metal guy and the owner. I was really surprised how well the car turned out and actually looked quite natural, which is the result to strive for.

 

The metal guy shared how difficult it was. I believe he made new door skins and quite a bit of the front fenders, he is excellent. A lot easier to do on paper and see options of how it looks before costly mistakes.

 

Yep, an inch won’t really be noticeable. But three or four will.