Last year we picked up this 39 pickup for my father. He wanted to build a 50's style custom shop truck. We wanted a 38/39 and found a pretty solid start on craigslist. The truck had been owned by an old timer and has been sitting in his garage partially disassembled for 15+ years. When we showed up to look at the truck, it was evident he wasn't kidding. There was a heavy layer of dust and a bunch of random stuff piled all over it. The cab was off the frame and in paint that the previous owner shot a couple years before. It appeared the whole truck was there and it was a decent price, so we pulled the trigger and brought it home.
So we started tearing into the old truck and sorting through the boxes of parts. The original 81A motor turned over and we were told it ran. We decided to pull the heads and have a look. There ended up being a pretty hefty crack between a head stud and a cylinder wall that continued into the cylinder. One of our good buddies had a great running 8BA and he hooked us up for a great price...besides, we're building a hot rod, lets stuff a bigger flathead in there! So we had our motor figured out, we decided to move onto the chassis. We got the original chassis all cleaned up and painted. We used a 4" drop Model A axle which kept the stock width within 1/4". In turn, we needed to shorten the wishbone 3/4" as the perch mounts are closer together on the A axle. We used a Model A spring with a custom length and reverse eye main leaf. The brakes were all rebuilt. The rear end was disassembled, 3:78 gear ratio replaced the old 4:56 and the rear was reshimmed. Pedal assembly was rebuilt and installed. A new gas tank was also installed. Then we painted the new 8BA
After painting the new 8BA and figuring out the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate to bolt it up to the 39 trans, we dropped it in place. I powder coated the wheels and we dressed them up with some brand new Firestone white walls. We dressed up the motor and installed it. New truck water pumps, wide belt crank pulley, truck oil pan to clear the drag link, ect. At this point, the chassis was mostly done, all that needs to be done is shocks, fuel and brake lines, and exhaust. We turned our attention to the cab. We set the cab on the chassis to see how it fit with the larger 8BA. It fit well but after a quick mockup, it was still way to high off the ground.
The truck still sat too high even with about 6" taken out! So we made the big decision to channel the truck 4". It would involve wayyy more work, but will be worth it in the end. We cut 4" out of the center of the firewall to section it and keep it appearing stock from the engine by. Cut the floors out and set it in place. Much better!!! So we started building a floor structure. Sorry, I don't have picks of that. New floor panels were made next. I ran them through the bead roller a couple hundred times! Haha Then I pounded out an aluminum trans tunnel. Thanks to my buddy Steve for letting me use all of his tools! We then turned to the bed sides. The stake pockets were pretty rotted so we bought some new pockets and spot welded them on in the same factory style.
Some new patch panels on the bed and straightening of dents, it was time to set the bed on and figure out how to channel it cleanly. We installed the factory support rails and new wood kit on the frame. The plan was to then put the bed over the factory supports by 4" over stock. It worked out well and looks factory We then turned to the radiator support and lowering that 4". I cannot find the picture but will add it when I find it. Now we could finally see the channeled stance mocked up! The rear is a couple inches high still. We will be flattening the rear crossmember and may pick the front up an inch by swapping to a standard eye main leaf. After this, the cab and doors went to sand blasting. They came back and we installed the floor put them in epoxy primer
Now we're to the point of body work. There has been some questionable repair made over the years and its time to clean them up. We also had to weld up our section job on the firewall and will be building a new battery box. The firewall above the battery box was rotted due to battery acid so that will be replaced too. Extended rockers will need to be built and the base of the A pillars are pretty rough. Most of the bottom 6 inches will be getting cut out. A new rear panel will also need to be built due to channeling and some minor rust repair. That's where we are at currently. I will keep posting updates as we move along.
No chop on this one. We are going for a 1950's east coast channel/no chop look. Plus, the old man and I are both 6'4" tall, we can use all the head room we can get!
looks very cool guys, check out how I channelled my F1 . It worked out great and required relatively little welding.
Cool. Nice height and wheel/tire too. I'm doing my 39 with a stroked 283 but that flatly looks good. How's your grill/trim? Hard find stuff
The grill that came with it was a little beat. We lucked out and found this grill on craigslist 15 miles from home. The trim only has one small ding! Paint color will be Pontiac Limefire Green
It rubs a little as is. I think if we pick the front up an inch we'll be a little better. It'll never be able to go full lock this low but it should still be a reasonable turning radius
I wish my grill trim looked like that. Mine looks like crumpled Reynolds foil.. The channel is badass.
Looks great! The channeling really made a huge difference in the over all look. Good luck and cant wait to see more.
Nice truck. That tlhing is going to look killer. I like the bead work on the floor. Polish it up and put a product called shark skin on the top to show it off. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App
Thanks guys! Dad built a new battery box the other day Got the firewall all welded up and patched in We started cutting out some rot. The old rocker was cut out and the lower cowl side will also be getting replaced because it was pretty shabby
The patch panels came from Northern Classic Trucks. They are great quality and seem to fit really nicely!
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