COE 1941 Ford COE build

A couple more pics

 

Looks kinda like the fender contour is off.....the patch panel may be off a little as well.
I would install the grille and align the sheet metal off of that. You may have to modify the fenders....

 

I can see getting the steering back to where you want is very tricky and the double boxs make it possible, I was looking at a similar situation a while back but if you go one step further and look at the steering rack, by using one isuzu box it will turn the wrong way but if you could find a steering rack from the other side of the crossmember, this will steer the other way. If you understand what Im getting at, a rack behind a crossmember turns one way and a rack in front of a crossmember steers the other. This may be a bit late as you look well under way with your set up, just thought I'd mention if it helps. Nice job your doing with the truck too, cheers.

 

My thoughts...

1. mount the grill.
2. fit the lower chin to fit the grill.
3. Use your new shrinker to curve the patch panel in slightly...VERY slightly since the bumper hole won't twist.
2. cut the fender right at the edge of the mounting lip, from the bottom up a few inches past where the contours meet. Apply light pressure to spread the bottom of the fender out to align (it won't take much force with the lip cut free). Grind the inside of the fender with 36 grit, feathering the edge back 2 inches, and fibergl*** it back together on the inside. (use aluminum foil sandwiched between the fender and body as a mold release). You might want to remove much of the lower lip and reform it from gl*** and resin.

 

Hmmm... that's 2 votes to align from the grill outward... The guru I talked to mentioned making the truck fit the fenders... I think I have alot more homework to do...

Notice how the "legs" on either side of the patch panel's bumper opening are different vertical lengths?? Is that right??

 

Is that an EMS product? If it is, that would explain a lot. Form my experience, there is a lot of tweaking you have to do to their panels to make them work.

 

Yes, the different leg lengths are correct.

Make sure that you take time to align the edge of the patch panels with the grill shell. That curve detail is a real pain to get just right. I do not believe that either the grill or the chin should stick out, but don't hold me to it since my grill is so different.

 

I had a set of stimpled dies for my Horror Fright Shrinker made by someone on metalmeet.com and that was the best upgarde since sliced bread

 

no it is not, ems does not make cab over parts

the ems guy

 

Wetskier, can you put a twist into that coner patch panel to pull the lower fender side corner inwards?

 

I'm playing with patch panel, gravel pan and fender placement to see if things can line up w or w/o changes...

Does the running board have 1/2 gap to the lip on the filler panel/valance in the stock setup??

 

It's at least 1/2in.I would like to mention that the original fenders have large mounting holes for adjustment. Do start with the grill surround fitment,also the gap under the doors is important.IMO Looking good!

 

BTW: The patch panels came from Northern Cl***ic Trucks... Also got door inner and outer patch panels and rear cab corners... Just gotta put it all together somehow..

 

You can pull it together... After everything else you've tackled, this will be easy. just put the radio on loud, and crank it out dude!

 

Small adjustments and I'm MUCH closer now... I haven't m***aged any metal yet, but I still have a small area that doesn't line up that may need a little shrinking as KS aluded to.... Pics soon...

 

Just moving the panels a bit and cutting the old metal up further to better handle the patch panel and I'm MUCH closer....

Thanks for telling me to put in the grill... I see I have wider gaps on the sides near the bottom than I do at the top. I think both sides of the cowl need to come in towards the center...

 

That's looking better. Since your grill does not fit perfectly, just thow it out and buy a new one...Oh, and let me know when trash day is so I can come by and pick it out of the pile...!

 

Getting real close. I made 2 of the patch panels and mocked them up above the Northern Truck cab corner patch panels... Making progress... Does the grill line up pretty poorly right from Henry? Notice the gaps, they are tight at the top but pretty big at the bottom... Ideas??

 

Here's how mine fits

 

Thanks! I'm going to look closer... Maybe the hood "clip" attachment points and subsequently the cowl mounting points have been spread apart...

 

The grill surround can be manipulated a little to tighten up the gap at the top. on the first c.o.e i did i had to put a brace accross the grill surround towards the top to help keep its shape. On my 39 i cut the edge at the top on one side and added 3/16in to even up the gaps. I've seen some nice restored trucks and the gaps were not great.

 

No intention to hijack this post but this seems like a good place to post since most guys here seem to have Fords ...

I need a front roof section from a '39-47. In fact just the front corners would do - email me if you have these to spare. The attached photo shows what I need them for to repair. Thanks. email: stanton_giles(at)hotmail.com

Thanks

 

Fixing the right rear portion of the wheelwell.. Rotted pretty bad. Had to strain my melon to figure out how to make the part... I did it in two pieces...

 

2 pieces becomes one...

 

Pics aren't showing for me?

 

Sorry... I pasted the pics instead of Albumming them... How's this??

 

Oh, those bring back memories...before you install them, while it is easy to access, can you try to get some kind of rust preventer up and inside the wheelwell arch.

 

Aren't my new nuts pretty?!?!?

McMaster-Carr had them for 10 bucks a box and $5 shipping brought 2 boxes to my door the next day. They call them Weld nuts or Bridge nuts. I was mistakenly calling them Cage or Captive nuts. They go inside the wheelwells and the fenders bolt to them.

 

You braggin or complainin. Course new ones might help old guys. LOL

 

How many in a box? FYI - Mac's also sells them.