Thanks! When I bought the body I thought it was no big deal and a lot of the mess was done already but I have had a hard time getting any real reference as to how to put it all back together, especially with not being on a stock frame
Yeah, I quit saying not big deal a long time ago. It takes a lot of researching. I saved a lot of pictures off the web and joined the Ford Barn to gather info. There are a bunch of books out there, but I've yet to buy any. Lately, I've been getting up to speed on windshield frames and wiper motors. Keep up the great work there. I'm subscribed.
Okay im going to start jumping around a little bit now on progress because i wanted to mount the steering box finally. Im 6'2" on a good day so positioning of the seat, pedals and steering wheel is crucial to me being able to fit comfortably. I mocked up the stock seat platform and quickly realized i was going to be cramped. I also didn't think about the steering column locating in a different spot, im going to be sectioning a 37 dash with a 35/36 drop. So here is the start of cutting the dash-
Cleco'd back together and clamped in place to figure out what it needs. Im keeping the dash rail as a separate piece still, and fitting the dash into the same profile underneath. The Dash panel will also be removable cause i dont want it to look street rod with a molded dash.
I have a set of 37 oldsmobile gauges that im going to graft into the 37 ford dash. Actually they were one of the first things i bought years ago when i decided to build a car for myself so its a long time coming to use them. I really like center gauge clusters, in order to make them work with this dash the glove box needed to be sectioned 2" and patched, stock gauge area cut and patched up, and removed the arched radio piece. I plan on doing something cool with it later on.
Refit the corners back on and added some extensions to fill the top corners, Im not decided yet on how im going to finish the corners of the dash to the body yet. welded and metal finished out.
Fully reshaped, I didnt take any pictures of the mounts, but the sides have tabs that bolt to the horizontal cowl supports, and the top i welded in a flange under where the dash rail ends. The corners tuck in pretty good, just need to decide how the edge will finish.
Here are a few photos of the dash fitted back in the car with the 35/36 drop, column and wheel. Im really happy with the look so far!
I hope the Hamb isnt turning into every other social where people just "like" stuff instead of actually interacting, or maybe its just not that interesting. Anyways, with the dash panel mounted i got my steering box in its final position and welded the flange onto the box and bolted in this beautiful fully functional tube mount i got. Im going to make the steering tube out of 16g stainless, with sealed bearings at each end. Also bent and mocked up my 32 pedals. These Need new bushings made and the mounting bracket straightened out a bit before i do the final tweaks but could wait to put my feet on something.
For the steering column, you only need a bearing at the top. There’s a common wheel barrow bearing available at hardware stores with the correct OD and ID, and a shoulder (?) that will keep it from sliding down the tube. But it’s not sealed.
I'm also 6'2, on my Roadster I don't use a seat riser at all. I'm using a sport coupe seat with the bottom cushion on the floor and moved back from the stock location. I also don't have a package tray, so I could tuck the seat back a little under the lip of the rear tub.
I had some sealed bearings laying around that were the right size already so was going to put one down low just because. Maybe I won’t if it’s useless, but wouldn’t hurt either.
The bearings I’m using are 3/4 ID, 1-3/8 OD flanged. they’re perfect for my 1.5” 16g Column. Not sure how much thinner the stock tube is?
The bottom of the shaft is held by the box, and the tube is clamped there too. No bearing needed on the bottom.
Nice build and nice work. Looks like you have a good plan together to work from. As far as the seat goes, I'm 6' 1 and it's hard to get comfortable. My seat bottom is only 9" tall and the seat is mounted to the floor with no risers. This is the second foam and upholstery job. I found if you make the seat back as thin as possible and have the foam a bit taller in the front on the bottom you can sit more comfortably since your knees will be up anyway. I also bent my shifter to the right so I can lean my leg against it when cruising. Not a very good picture but it gives you an idea. The more miles I drove the more critical I got about being as comfortable as I can, but I'm getting old.
Your set up looks good too! Im with you on being critical on seating positions. I build early Harleys for a living and having no suspension on rigid frames the seating position is so important to not getting your back wrecked.
The Jalopy Journal
