EDIT: Photobucket took a dump as I was uploading the pics, so I dont know if you will be able to see the attached ones very well. If not, I will update it tomm. Hello all, it isnt here yet, as she is on her way from California, but soon! She is a brookville body/bed (the streched 6" cab) on a good 'ol A ch***is, with a 36 Flathead/3 spd, running a banjo out back. It uses an F1 X-member and pedals. (I was told by an old timer these fit almost perfectly.) Also F1 column, box. Big F-truck wheel. Steel 32 Grill shell (also brookville, have you checked the price of originals lately?!!?!?) Juice brakes, I believe they are also F1 if I remember correctly. The cluster in the dash is a dodge something or other, but it looks like it was MEANT to be there! The seat is a something or other from the junkyard. It runs and drives, but needs a couple fisnishing touches. Dont worry, I plan to do only the bare minimum, and drive the bejesus out of it! Plans for the short term: Shocks/Shock mounts. I really want to model A stockers, (Friction) but I will have to see what I can score a set for. I have a set of F1 front tube shock mounts on their way. Gas tank. As you can see, it has a plastic tank off of a lwanmower or something in the back now. As I am paralyzed and in a wheelchair, I want full use of the bed. This is why I got a RPU, it should be fairly easy to throw my chair in the back! I need to see what kind of space I have to work with, but I would like to put a tank under the bed, even if it is only around 4" deep, then the width between framerails, and several feet long. I want it to be very unnoticeable however, so I will have to check on this. If all else fails, I like the look of a Late model T tank (oval, upright) for this. I am a Tig welder, and can weld aluminum like the wind blows, so I am not too worried about it. Wiring Harness. It runs and drives, but it sounds like the lights and such need to be wired up, but I will have to check on all this when it gets here. I was told it has a 12V battery and coil in it now, but I am unsure If I should go back to 6V. Some input on this would be helpful. I am pretty darn sure those gauges are 6V, so I may have to go with 6V, or have some sort of voltage drop to feed them, if this is possible. Gauges wired (see above) Put chains/latch on tailgate I beleive this bed was set up for some sort of hidden latch, (although I have never been able to find a pic of one) but I prefer the look of the old-school chains with mesh/rubber covering on them. Hand clutch setup As I stated above, I am a paraplegic (paralyzed from the ****** area down) so I cannot work the clutch. My short term plan is to install the hand clutch setup I devised with the help of other disabled HAMB'ers (special thanks to Amphicar) but if itr doesnt work as good as planned (what does?!?) I am going to do the flat-o-products adapter to an auto. As much as I want to keep my ford ALL ford, I will probably put a 700r4 in it, as the flatties dont like to be revved to death, especially the stockers. Longer term plans: 7.00" Rubber in the back most likely Door panels, Model A stockers Correct A Seat Lakes pipes W/caps, also attached to the Full exahaust. I am sure I am missing something. But most importantly, DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE IT!!!! Gotta get her all squared away for Sins of Steel, and Billetproof Detroit. I WILL drive it there, if I gotta use a damn broomstick, I have done this before! ANy other suggestions, comments? Thanks!!!! James I found an older pic when the car (Truck?) was in grey primer with the full hood. I am usually a hoodless kinda guy, but it looks pretty good with the full hood too! MG]
Oh, proper exhaust hangers too. I had toyed with the idea of using a couple connecting rods..... James
Very cool... That truck is sharp. I was eyeing it another thread you posted in. Personally I think the trans and seating are going to be key for you. Also, what about the brakes? I have a friend whom drives with hand controls and touchy brakes seem to be helpful, although he may have less usage of his arms than you... still getting the brakes to work well would be high on my to-do list. I look forward to see what becomes of this project. I think you'll have a blast with it. I know I would.
Thanks for the kind words fellas. Well, I just sold my 8-second mustang (street car) with manual brakes and hand controls. Now THAT was a ***** to stop. One of the reasons I off-'d it. As light as the car is, I think I will be just fine with the juice brakes. If it really came down to it, I could hide some power brakes, but I kind of think I have balls of steel after making 150mph+ trap speeds and praying I could get that mustang reeled in before the second turn-off at the track! After I posted, I was thinking, and I still could put the tank in the cowl, if it had been there in the first place I would of just left it there..... I will have to give it more thought. I really want full use of the bed, and if I put the tank under the bed, it will only be as tall as the frame, and painted black.... It will be in aluminum, and if I cannot hide it and make it look unnoticeable, I will do something else.... Thanks! James
I like it, looks cool! I think I have seen that RPU on youtube!!! Why would you want to pull your/others attention to a exhaust hanger bracket??? I dont get this way of thinking! Paint that primer patch in the firewall, get her set up for yourself and drive the **** out of it
Yeah I dunno about the exhaust hanger, was just a quick, dumb thought I had for a second. I agree, primering that grey spot on the firewall is high on the list too, it bugs the **** outta me! Yes, you have seen it on youtube! Sounds like a little tuning may be in order, tuneup, maybe a carb rebuild, plugs, etc..... Anybody know what the recommended plugs would be for a 36 flathead? How about the Gap? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v9fOfcE5Ik Thanks, James James
Thanks guys!!! I am going nuts looking at the empty spot in my garage, waiting for it to get here~! James
I checked it out personally in SJ a couple weeks ago. It's a sharp piece. Add your touches and be Golden! Congrats. If i was in the market for one,I would've snagged it.
I had been eying that RPU for a very long time, went with an A coupe instead. Glad you have big plans for it, can't wait to see the finishing touches you add along the way.
Wolf, what a *****in rpu, one of my fave rods in the world. Like your plans a lot, love the red oxide. We are brothers you know, you da one wolf and I am the sololobo, ie lone wolf. However I am lucky to have a band of brothers and am a proud member of The South Omaha Turds, but we are all operating as loner renegades as well. Good luck with your mods bro, just a super sweet rod. Man, I dig your 31 coupe as well, what a knockout, my bro is just doing one and would love to have a body that nice. ~sololobo~
Bought it last friday, it got picked up yesterday In CA, it will be here next thurs... I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have toyed with the idea of putting the tank back in the cowl..... Anybody got one that isnt a rusted piece of ****? (Wishful thinking after 80 years, I know!) JAMES
james. take the origional tank and have it dipped. theres a place in newboston called international paint striping they are very reasonable. i am running my cowel tank in the sedan and works fine (electric fuel pump) that rpu if frickin sweet man cant wait to peep it at billet next month
I will check into that place. Keep your eyes peeled for a tank for me please! Thanks for the kind words, I am already ordering a wiring harness and other **** to get her road worthy! (permanantly, it runs and drives now, but needs wiring for tailights and ****) I will be at Billetproof one way or another, lights or no lights! James
I have a couple photos of a 32 Brooksville RPU that just had it's maiden outing at the Oklahoma NSRA show a week or two ago-Kinda street roddy but shows a round Model T gas tank in the bed. Seems like if you used an Oval tank and mounted the tank kinda high in the bed it would allow you to slide a portion of your chair under the tank. The pics are too large to post here but if you want I can email them to you. I'll need your email address if so. Ted
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