Projects 1951 Shoebox Custom project with lots of pics

A bit of an update.. Will post pics soon. Had to finish two other projects before starting on this.



Question to all.... I know a Maverick rear is ideal for gearing with the flathead, but I also heard early Mustang's had the same rear axle. Any truth to this ???

I found a 67-68 four lug Mustang rear with 3:20 ratio... Not sure if that will work ??

I wanted a narrower rear axle to make it easier to take the rear wheels off, as it will be lowered a bit.

 

I'd steer clear of 4 lug axles just my .02

 

Made any progress?

 

Funny you ask.. I have been chomping at the bits to start work on her... I have been finishing two other projects before I tear into this one. Shouldn't be much longer and I will be posting again.

 

4-lug mustang rear was for the 170-200 six. a real weak sister. 5-lug maverick is a real close fit but spring mounts will need work. also most were for automatics so they're geared pretty high, so you might spend a lot for a suitable third member. good luck--looks like you have a good one to start with.

 

Im wonderin the same thing about the bear claw latch with stock handles. im plannin on doing this on my 49 and dont want to go with electric poppers. If i cant figure out how to use the door handles. Im going to mount the latch on the door post with the catch on the door. I figure it will be easyer to run a cable or rod down the door post and operate them the flick of a toe and a flip lever inside behind your head. Of course ill use my hand inside not my toe......

 

For the OP and hardluckharv, I can hopefully provide some help here. I sell the latches and have installed several sets in my car projects. I am not familiar with the exact shoebox stock latch, but generically for the latches you have a few options:
1) use the stock handle and fabricate linkage (cable, rod, etc) to hook up to the bear claw latch release lever. If your stock handle has the locking mechanism in it, you also have locking doors. The latches I sell do not have locking built into the latch.
2) use solenoids to operate the latch release lever. The stock outer handle can stay, it just will not operate the latch. You can trigger the solenoid with a remote setup, with a magnetic switch, or with a button on the car. The solenoids provide the security so someone cannot just turn the handle and get into your car.
3) cable ran to a spot on the car that operates the latch release. This is recommended as a back-up for in case you have dead battery or a solenoid failure. Kind of inconvenient for doing this every time you want to get in the car.

For inside the car you can hook up to the stock inner handle, or use the solenoid. But I think your main question was how the latch is opened from the outside. Putting the bear claw type latches in will give significant improvement over the stock latches, but it does require some fabrication work. Every vehicle is a bit different, and where you put the latch can change as well. I generally recommend the latch in the door as it is better for hooking up the inner handle for release.

 

I got all excited when I saw this had a new post.

 

Me to.. But we need pics

 

EBW you got some pros on here watching and ready to help you
If you need it. Main thing is to have fun.

 

Great lookin project!!

 

Thanks Matthew and Tedley .. I PROMISE ( or I will buy cases of beer ) I will be working on her soon !! I am actually finishing up the last project I had before I could start on the Shoebox.. Also ordering parts now.

Thanks guys. Hope to not let you down.

 

looks like a nice solid car from the pics. i have a 50 model and i am serching for disk brake kits with out alot of luck. any one have any tips on which companies make a good disk brake conversion for shoeboxes?

 

Cdmorman, I have seen these, but don't have much info. I do believe you CAN NOT use them with dropped uprights... ??

http://ecihotrodbrakes.com/catalog.html

 

Yep, I think ECI and Fat Man are the only options. At least Fat Man will "steer" you the right direction what to use with their dropped uprights... pun intended.


Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

ABS Power Brake also has a power disc brake kit for shoeboxes.

 

where are all these pics you talk about ???????lol