Projects 1935 Ford Pickup Project (First Build)

Hey RC, Frank is a good source of hot rod knowledge, just don't let him talk you into running one of those brand X engines!

<--<--<--<--Look at that. Been on the H.A.M.B since the late 90's and I'm just now losing the Grenade Inspector tag!

 

Brand X engines???? I thought he was already planning a brand X engine. If anything I was prepared to guide him back to the light...............maybe a 427/454 (should I mention a 572) and T400/4L80E or an overdrive 5 spd. I'd have to size him up (we've never met) before recommending something with a blower and/or nitrous.

Frank

 

looks good .. keeps it coming ......

 

Thanks, not too much more progress. I've been remodeling the house, so time is limited. I did order some patch panels from Northern Classic Trucks and I am very impressed with the quality of the pieces. I ordered cab corners and rockers. They should get fitted and welded up here soon, the living room is almost complete.

 

looking good, keep it up!

 

Well after being in hibernation for the last 8 months, I finally have some updates on my build. Actually, summer gets in the way with fishing and fall with hunting but I'm back in build mode.

I ordered some patch panels from Northern Classic Trucks in the summer and finally got to put them on. I tacked the doors shut with gaps as good as I could get them and flipped the cab on it's nose. Les worked his magic getting the panels in the right spots and we welded them into place.


Next step was to get an inner rocker panel built up. Started with some 14 gauge that was bent at a 90. The legs measured 6"x2". We took some measurements on where the cab met the front Z of the frame and cut the cab in front of the A pillar to the firewall with that angle. I didn't get a real good pic of the cut but most of the metal was gone until the firewall.


We traced the profile of the outer rocker and cut the inner to match. There were a few relief cuts that had to be made on the short leg to match the curve of the cab and one cut on the long leg to match the frame Z. Here's me checking the fit.


Next put the inner rocker on the frame and tack the long leg relief cut to get the correct frame angle.


Finally add the the material to the relief cut and check the fit. I only had it clamped int he pic so it looks a bit off but it fits perfect when its in there correctly. Most of the lower portion will get cut off after the front cab corners are repaired.


Up to do is get the correct width at the firewall with respect to the frame and weld the inners onto the cab.

Thanks to Les, his daughter and a non-HAMB friend Bob for the help.

Thanks for reading.

RC

 

Made a little more progress on the rockers today. Drilled the inner to spot weld it to the outer, then welded the bottom seam where they meet.






Need to get the other side done and get the cab back on the frame to start a floor structure.

 

Made a little progress over the weekend. Found I had a need for a brake to make some pillar patches. I grabbed the scrap I had available and this is what I came up with.


I used a piano hinge for the pivot. I found I needed to tack the hing to the inner sides of the steel to prevent the hinge from bending outward. I may add some bolt pivot points on the ends but it works for what I'm after.


I had a rotted B pillar that needed a patch so I cut out the rot and started to bend up a replacement.


A little bend,cut,weld,grind later and here she is.


I wasn't sure what the originals looked like, but this seemed like it flowed pretty good with the cab.




Thanks for reading,
RC

 

its looking pretty good.
not to bad for your first build.
keep the pics coming.

 

Looking good!

 

looking good. I' haven't even started on my cab yet. Hoping to get started here in the next few weeks. Keep us posted.

 

I really need to get started on my wifes 36, going through your build thread here gives me some motivation, I guess I will try to get it apart and to the blaster in the next couple weeks....I think I will do the same as you and build a frame from scratch. Ours is a regular pickup but it has some rust in the frame at hte rear of the cab and after reading about the issues of boxing, modifying crossmembers and so on with the stock frame, I think building from scratch is the way to go. Also would be the best way to get the ride hight I want I think. Subscribed, Jim

 

Ahh it's been a while.....again. To rid the winter blues, not that this winter has been bad at all, it was time for the 2nd annual thrash. On the agenda was re-drill the Ford 8.8 to accept the GM mags I had. With 3 sets of wandering eyes and one set of unsteady hands we managed to drill both sides and install new wheel studs.



Finally I can get these big boys bolted up and stop them from taking up floor space.



We also located the front cross member, but still need to burn it in.



The engine and trans is also located, but it will come down and inch or two. The mounts still need to be made for both the block and the trans.



Finally the seat a buddy pulled out of a minivan that was on its way to the scrapper was mocked up. I don't know what it is out of, but it fits perfect. The sides even taper the same as the cab. It will need a new cover but looks like it is going to work great. It is sitting a few inches high due to the tracks it has on the bottom of it.



Last is the latest mock up and no thrash is complete without sitting in the beast and giving 'er hell with the sound effects!

 

Your frame is very similar to the one I built for my 36 bobber truck. If you decide to chop it, send me a PM and I will share some info with you...chopped 2 of them. Looks good!

 

Fish plates sound like the hot setup. I have done some in the diamond shape, with beveled edges.Lot more ways to make it look like it fits. Strong and safe.