The “Capri” sectioning worked pretty well proportionately with the chop. And he did it in such a way that it doesn’t look sectioned. I have never cared much for most sectioned shoeboxes and it’s a monumental job. I’m still a little concerned with how mine may look proportionately with the 4” chop, but I had to go 4” to match the F1 rear window. (I didn’t want to chop the rear window.) Time will tell...how low it sits done, color, wheels, tires, etc will all contribute to its “look”.
^^^^ I was thinking that but kept it to myself, he's deep enough into this build but a 2 or 3" section would make it even more incredible.
The Joe Bailon 1949 Ford Shampoo Truck is really cool. Don't know if you've seen it or not. Google it. Bob Drone owns it now. I remember seeing it sitting in a driveway in Hayward Ca, years ago. There was another one at The Pomona show last year, or the year before that was really nice too. I think the Shampoo truck and the other one were at the Pomona show at the same time. Your's is looking good. I did a quick Google search for Shoe box ford Ranchero conversion, and a lot of utes popped, but so did some nice home built ones too.
My advice before chopping or sectioning any vehicle is to take a tape measure, a contrasting color paint pen and make marks an inch apart up the side of the top or door/quarter panel. When you "photo-chop" or "photo-section" the vehicle the marks let you know exactly how much metal to remove.
Jakesbackyard I'm really enjoying your build. It's a cool idea well done and brings back memories of my first car/truck. My dad gave me a '56 ford with broken back window and messed up trunk lid when I was in high school. I really wanted a truck for my dirt bike and he suggested making a truck out of the '56. He cut the notches, folded the top down and welded it all with an acetylene torch including cutting out the rear window openings and carefully "hemming" the edges for plexiglass windows. I did the grinding, filing and sanding and painted it in my high school shop class. We didn't attempt a tailgate and I made a wood bed floor but it was always fun to drive and I always got the comment in the gas station - "I didn't know they made a '56 Ranchero- that's cool!" Thanks for the memories and keep up the good work.
The guys at Kindigit made hidden hinges for a nomad. If you have an extra leg they may duplicate it for you! Love
Just started following, really nice job so far! Since you all are still talking hinges, here's a thought, incorporating the hinges into a bumperette.
I like your thinking there but I see an issue. With the pivot mounted that far out the first movement of the Gate would be Up and the center lower edge would be inward. How would you cure that or should I say Latch and Unlatch it? The Wizzard
Yes it is, I tried to sell it awhile back, but no one even offered a stupid low-ball, so now I will keep it. It will be converted to left hook, and either a built 223 with a 5 speed or a Y Block/C4 for drive line. I will include all the Merc doors and chrome and the very jet inspired dash.
Wizzard, The hinges stay where Jake has them now. The bumperettes merely hid the hinge aesthetically by having the pivot point be the same diameter as the bumper bar. I added some more detail.
Honestly I wasnt sure about the whole idea, and wouldnt have thought the idea of the back of a truck cab would have looked good. I also wouldnt have thought the the ranger bed was a good idea, I also wasnt sure about the chop.... However I was dead wrong, you made it all look great.....I was ok with the simple hinges you came up with to begin with even tho the covers look good too.... No disrespect to anyone but Sorry, I dont like that bumper and I dont think I ever saw a section I liked either, also this looks 10 times better than any ute I ever saw. (but who am I?) So I think my point is, Trust your own instinct like you have been, I think you are nailin it
Thanks much for the photo shop ideas. I wish I could do some of that. I’m satisfied with my hinges as mounted. I’m confident they’ll blend in with the painted covers and I will use the stock stone deflectors and and bumpers. Thanks much...I’ll keep pounding away.
This is one of my favorite shoeboxes. If someone wants to do a little photo shopping to make this into my Ranchero I’d love it. The look of this coupe is real close to my final vision for the Ranchero. It won’t be a wild custom. I feel just being a well executed Ranchero will be custom enough. I tend to build cars clean and simple. I even like the color. My “line” for this build is “Ford should have...”.
Absolutely bitchen build, and the hinge covers look great. All the discussion over hinges made me think of a 65 Falcon sedan delivery I had, very simple hinge system, but the tailgate may be too flat. Then I thought of the earlier Falcon ranchero's, 60-63 had a rounder rear end and maybe same style hinges. If your truck looks like that grey(?) sedan no one will have the nerve to quibble over hinges.
Thinking about the trunk hinge, have you had a look at a Woody, we had one here recently and it had a piano hinge right across so it opened flat. I can't remember now where the curve of the panel went but a wide recess for the licence plate and short bumper like off a 55 Pontiac maybe. Your doing a great job there, I like it. Sent from my VFD 710 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Did the donor bed have hinges? I'd be concerned with hardware store hinges, how they would hold up over time. You'll need something to support it when open too. Chains are too ugly for all the nice work you've done so far.
Shit you guys, he has hinges he's satisfied with, lay off would you. Tubing bed rails in post 94 really dress that one up, don't you think? Might be something to consider here. Sort of streamlines it.
These aren’t plain house door hinges. They are heavy duty commercial stainless steel door hinges. I think they’ll last. Not sure what I’ll use for supports yet, but it won’t be chains.
Thanks. Yes it’s time to lay the hinges to rest. They’ll be fine. Those rails on the “Capri” are functional exhaust. I’ll pas on that.
I’m still playing with the tailgate. Narrowed (3 1/2”) and thinned the depth (1/2”) of a ‘50 license surround today.
The Jalopy Journal
