I hope you have some help - a lot of help - putting on that flatbed. Back when I still had one for my truck, it took every bit of strength of four of us to lift and position it without scratching the frame. And yeah, those tires and wheels aren't feathers, either! Oh, and thanks for helping out a fellow H.A.M.B.er.
Osage, I definitely plan on enlisting some help with the flatbed. You're right, that thing is very heavy even without all of the wood flooring on it!! As for helping a fellow H.A.M.B.er, you know, I've been helped by so many different people in my life that when an opportunity arises were I can help someone else, I jump at the opportunity. It's a joy and a pleasure to help others. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
So am I the only one who does things the hard way? As you guys know, u-bolts were used to attach the wooden stringers to the frame, well I couldn't find any local so I decided to make my own. I mean, how hard could that be? Four days later I have u-bolts!! I used 1/8" steel to make the U and 1/2" rod for the legs. My welder didn't have the amps to weld the legs to the U so I took them to a muffler shop to weld them together. Then I cut the threads into the leg. As you can see in the pics below I'm using the u-bolts upside down because I don't want the u-bolts hanging down waiting to scrape my scalp. Plus it just looks nicer this way. I marked where each u-Bolt goes because there are slight variations in frame width and such. Also, you'll notice the u-bolt on the back need their threads extended. I plan on cutting some length off the legs and adding more threads. For the front, they're a bit short but keep in mind the wood is sitting on top of the frame rivets which will give me another 1/8". Plus, one I set the bed on and find the final position of the u-bolts, I may notch the wood for the front u-bolts. One more step closer. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I cut an inch of length off the back four u-bolts and then added an inch of threads to each. This should work well. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Again looking good. I was just wondering if you used the idea I suggested to protect your running boards?
I haven't yet HOTFR8. I've been trying to focus on just finishing putting it all back together. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Dayum Dave, looks like you subscribe to at least part of the 3Ps. "Patience, Perseverance and Profanity". Looking forward to when you deliver this work of art to its owner and start a new project for yourself.
I don't know about you, but after all the great work you've put into this truck, I think I would cry when handing over the keys to the owner. Hope you get visitation rights.
I hope I get visitation rights too!! I'm pretty sure I will since he's a good friend of mine. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
So I'm pretty excited about my recent "novelty" purchase... I bought a 1948 Florida tag for the truck! It won't be able to be use as its official license plate since it has been painted and will need to be restored but it could be used for shows. Doing a bit of research, the tag is for a different county but the county is very close by. It's also for a vehicle less then 4000 lbs which I'm pretty sure this truck will be over that. But, I'll restore the tag and mount it on the front bumper. I think it will look good. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Neat old tag.I was 3yrs old when that one was issued.I was born and raised in the county that used to be ID`ed as 32. Good luck.Have fun.Be safe. Leo
Year-appropriate tags are great finishing touches. I came across an old "official state vehicle" truck tag while rummaging along what used to be a state highway that now leads to my driveway. I worked for the highway department at the time, and took it to work to see if we could figure out what year it was (didn't say on the plate) and what vehicle it may have belonged to. Didn't have any luck.
That's really cool Osage! Would've been really neat to find out the history too. Oh well. I assume you still have the tag? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Some coworkers helped me fit the bed to the truck today! Things are getting exciting!! After we got it in position and drilled all the necessary mounting holes we took it back off and delivered it to the powder coater. And the motley crew. That's me on the left in the blue shirt. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Nice fitment! Six lifting the bed is a lot better than four, and all look fit and strong. Can't wait to see the powder-coated bed nestled into place. As for that plate, yup, still got it. The backside still has most of the paint, and it looks quite similar to the color of your truck. If I recall, that was a standard plate color for Missouri in the late '60s or so. I may someday try harder to track down its origin. So when you finish this one, what's your next project?
George, you'd probably be the only one who knew the tag wasn't technically correct for the truck. [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Just a small update, I had a bit of time today so I installed the rubber bumper that keeps the door from opening too wide, I installed the freshly chromed light switch nut, the "Ford" badges on the side of the hood and the "F-4" badge. The retaining nut that aftermarket light switches come with. The factory retaining nut. So much better. It's officially a F-4 Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have an off topic comment and a small update on the truck. Off topic: a coworker of my wife's asked me to take a look at the brakes on her car because it was making a noise. Here's a before and after shot. The brakes work much better now. I've never seen a rotor that bad. It actually separated from the hat! Now for the good stuff. I bought an Eastwood polishing kit and used it on the stainless steel pieces of the vent windows. WOW! I was impressed. I can't believe the pieces turned out as well as they did. I wet sanded each piece with 1000 grit paper and then went through four stages of the polishing. In retrospect, I probably should have started with a little rougher sandpaper but I'm very pleased with the results. This was after the brown Tripoli. The two pieces in the middle have been fully polished. Polished piece compared to chromed piece. A couple of pics with the vent window frame put together (minus the rubber seal) Now my question is, do I use weather strip adhesive to install the rubber seal or does it go in "dry"? Blessings! Dave Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I am just as shocked some one could drive a car until it gets to that point. The polished parts do look the part.
Separated from the hat? Stunning. You mentioned "brown Tripoli." Is that a grade of polish, like pumice or jeweler's rouge?
Yes Sir. The brown is the coarsest. Then there was a gray, white and the jeweler's rouge. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I caught this thread over a couple years ago but failed to subscribe. Big mistake! Great job! I'm in for the finish at least.
The Jalopy Journal
