What to do? 1930 Ford pickup

So I picked up this truck, she runs pretty good. But my wheels have been spinning ever since I got it home. What to actually do to it.
1. Lets start with brakes, rebuild them as is? Juice brakes with 40ish backing plates? 9" rear and discs up front?

Drive train, rebuild the 4 banger? 49ab? 302? Trans, stock trans? c-4?

All these parts listed above, I have including new powder coated 35 style wire wheels and tires.

So what do I think of as far as finishes, well I'm thinking all body work done and a satin black paint job, clean stock looking exterior and interior. I just can't put my finger on the rest. Looking for Ideas, pics, past do's and don't, Is the stock equipment safe? Can I do some mods to the 4 banger to make it run with traffic?
Any help, suggestions,and pics would be greatly appreciated.

 

AV8 with a 255 Merc and juice brakes, '39 trans and rear end. The banger won't hack highway speeds for long, even with lots spent on it.

 

Thanks. I'm kinda new at this, What is with using the 39 trans and rear?

 

the stock A rear end won't hold up to the flathead V8. And you can't bolt up an A trans to the Flathead V8.

I would keep it as stock looking except for the drivetrain and wheels.

 

Ok. That makes sense. So I should find a 39 trans and rear up to what years will work? Also is the 39 rear the same width? And up to what year or the rear also?

 

Have a look at the Bishop/Tardel book if you are thinking along the traditional style.

 

Thanks 2935ford, Just googled the book and looks good, so I ordered me one.

 

You'll find lots of good ideas to work from.
Flatty V8, big n littles and a nice rake.....makes a really nice pickup!
Enjoy your build.

 

please not satin black

 

If you do decide to Hop-Up your truck I agree with the others, The Tardel/Bishop book is a great tool. Lots of great info! That being said.....

I'm begining to wonder if I'm a true hot rodder........, because I look at your truck and see a great little pickup ,just the way that it is. I would really have trouble changing it. I've been sitting on a 30 ford coupe( nice old running survivor) for 3yrs and hav'nt had the heart to cut it up. I like stock vehicles but I know there not always as safe and practical for todays driving.

maybe your build will inspire me to do something with mine.

 

Just hop up the banger, juice brakes and some big and littles.Done! That's a really cool truck.

 

You know a 32 Ford V8 or banger is really just a model a rearend. The later 32's changed a bit but not much and just made the pinon gear solid and shaft doesn't go thru and it has same ring gear and axles like a 33-34.
I my opinion the model a rear will hold up to a flathead and the 39 trans will bolt up to the model a rearend. You will have to change the u-joint and mounts for the t-tube to a f bolt V8 and loose the 4 bolt.
The truck looks cool and congratulations.
Hey Flatford39 how the pheaton going along?

 

I would warm up the four banger, my 30 has an inserted Model A motor with a high compression head but is still a 50-55 mph car. I used a Model A rearend behind a flathead in the 28 coupe in my avatar with no problems, the only difference is the size of the ring and pinion gears. The axles are the same size, use same bearings and the hubs will interchange. A 39 trans will bolt right to the Model A touque tube and uses the same U-joint. Have a Model A rearend in my 30 coupe with an 8BA flathead and 39 trans I'm building now.

 

To me, the first thing to decide is what purposes said vehicle will serve.

Cool little truck.

 

And whats wrong with satin black? For gods sake don't make it a trailer queen you will have to stand guard against everyone who looks at it, its hadr to enjoy when you are on guard all the time.
I vote you do what makes you happy and gives the most enjoyment at the same time.

 

build the 'banger, different trans, rear, brakes and wheels and drive that sucker.

 

Nice little truck you have there and it would be hard to hotrod it. There is an Model A Woodie in our group with a 4 banger, a few goodies to add to the punch, a Mitchell Overdrive with 16" tires and he can run down the road 60 mph without any problem. Without knowing what the bottom end of your engine looks like it may not work for your engine. I have a 30 pickup but it was rough when I got it so didn't have to make the decesion you are facing. People in the know swear by the mechanical brakes IF they are in good shape and adjusted right. You have a hard choise to make, feel for you. Below is mine when I got it and after. The before picture doesn't show the rust, dents and tears in the fenders, couldn't use any of them in the build.

 

I have had both stock and hopped up A 4 bangers. To me stock is stock and 40 - 45mph is to slow for me even on back roads. I like the ability when and if I need it to "go around" or just keep up with traffic and not worry about hills.
The hopped up 4 banger was better but.....nothin like the sound of that V8 flatty out of dual Smithy's!

The A rear axle treated properly will take a warmed up Flatty. I know several that have them.

Either way....enjoy what your going to do and have fun with it.

 

Nice work!

 

A banger can do highway speeds. I have a friend in Texas with a 31 Coupe, he has a Brumfield head, B grind cam and a few other goodies with overdrive (and A/C) and it cruises 65 all day long, has been doing it for years. He also knows how to build stock A brakes to work and those will lock up all 4 wheels without much problem.

 

My '30 pick up with a '39 Merc engine & gearbox with stock model A rear end. In ten years of daily driving only broke 1 axle. Nothing wrong with a banger either, will sit on 60mph no problem.
Cheers Charlie.

 

Wow! Thanks for the ideas, opinions, and Great Pics. Felix40 and Dago 88, Awesome stuff! This is what makes the H.A.M.B. a great tool.