Projects 26 T Roadster Pick Up build Thread

I like the look of the bomber seats without the pads, bare bones, not so much with the pads. I think the divided lower seat would get old pretty quick. I think I agree with Dana that there could be more comfortable seating as well as space for some storage with a well designed bench. I would want the back of the bench to fold down to access any space behind the seat. At any rate seeing you pictures has made me think I'm going with a bench in my roadster.

 

In a little T roadster, how much closer can she get while your driving ?

 

I just went out to the garage and pondered some more on the seats.
A few things became apparent.
1) There would be no room for anything behind a bench seat or under it for that matter either.
The base would be pretty much right on the floor and like the bomber seats the back of the seat would have to be right up against the rear of the body like the bombers are now.
2) Sitting and riding in the bombers without any upholstery pads would be crippling for this old body
3) There is very little room to be gained in the rear of the body at the outer sides with a bench seat, 2" on each side.

Ultimately at this point the only difference with a bench would be appearance.
Function would be pretty much identical from either of the seat styles.
And it's true, she will be very close in either case.
I just have to decide if I like them well enough to keep them and so far it's moving in that direction.
Larry

 

Hey Larry, I tend to agree with you as I like the look of those bomber seats and the way you have done the upholstery, trim for Chip,, they are practical and look awesome. I would like to do something similar in my T but would look at purchasing something from a small jappa and modify to suit.

 

I'd use them. You already have them and the cushions. And you have the rest of the bed for storage.

 

I see on yours were I think keeping the buckets are the way to go,there both nice an fit great.

Seeking some inside space on smaller bodys may not even be posible in some cases.
This is a photo of my son's 23T when I was putting upholstery in it a few years back. You can see the braces for the bench seat back and bottom , the bottom has a small space just under the forword lip that turned out big enough for to hold a radio sunk a little into floor at angle,the back of bench at top rested only 1/2 in. off body back,but at the bottom was about 4in. off back of body=just room enough for Fire-X and fix-a-flat,some small tools ect, in that little clear try at the bottom. We came up with the angle of back of seat by trying out things tell we got the most comfrible seat poisble with out a thought of any space behind it,just ended up with the space,put it to use. My Ford Modal A roadster is much bigger in side ,so it's got about 8in.+ at bottom of back up to about 1in. at top of back of seat,it could of been bigger,but I'm 6ft. an like the leg room I got at those sizes in both rods. Nether rod has a bed like yours,so only tiny storage is behind beach seats.
PS;the tiny little shelf at very top behind beach holds a mark off GAS Stick for checking fuel level,thats about as hightech as I got for a gas gage

 

I wanted to have a front panhard bar to control sideways movement.
I had a space of about 2 1/2 " between the front axle and the grille shell and thought " I wonder if I can sneak a panhard bar in there ?
After a bunch of messing around and head scratching I fabbed up a bracket to weld onto the front corner of the frame and a couple of tabs that attach to the passenger side wishbone.
It uses a couple of 1/2" heim ends and it all just barely fits in the available space.
It's at a tiny angle forward on the wishbone end just to allow clearance from everything.
The bolts have to be accessed through the holes drilled in the axle
I think it will work.
Once I tacked it in place I started building my aluminum gas tank.
(.100 thick 5052 aluminum bent into a box so the corners and top are the weld seams.)
Larry

 

Very tidy! Most will never notice it but those who do will admire your craftsmanship.

 

Larry, that panhard bar looks very trick and it appears to have been designed that way from the start and the tank is looking as well. JW

 

Ho hum, so you are building some more parts that will be just as fantastic as the rest of your build
When are you going to get around to doing something that is unexpected?
Just kidding Larry, you've set the bar so high with your workmanship, I don't know what you can pull off to top what you've already done.
By the way, it is looking good!!!!

 

In total agreement with the above statements, perfect fit and excellent been able to use the hole in the axle for placing the socket through. And as Six Ball mentioned, those that do notice the panhard rod will be simply amazed at your skill of making it and how well it works in with everything.

 

Thanks fellas The building part is fun, I'm thinking that the driving will be fun when I get there
Larry

 

Now that's using' your noggin! Make the bolt heads nice 'n' shiny and watch the people bow over to try to figure out what's going on in there.

 

Went out and welded some extra 1/8" material into the underside of the tanks top to strengthen it at the places the sending unit, vent and fuel pickup along with the gas cap will be mounted.
Welded the tank up and next will be the mounts for it and a drain etc.
Larry.

 

Looks good Larry, have you pressure tested it yet?

 

No, but I will do so soon and expect no leaks. The aluminum Tig welds are usually very clean and solid.
The only welds are the corners and top.

 

First of all sorry for the blurry picture It's not your eyes. Don't know why my camera does that at times
I pressured up the tank to 5 psi air pressure and used some Snoop liquid leak detector and go figure
One little leak, a tiny pinhole in the bottom end of the weld on a corner seam.
Let the pressure off, fired up the TIG and welded it up.
Pressured up again and no leaks.
Started in building the mounting brackets.
Larry

 

Just the one pinhole isn't bad and now that it is fixed, time to move on to the next job.
Excellent work, as usual!

 

I figured out and built the cradle with stainless steel straps to mount the tank into the front of the bed.
It bolts in from underneath with 4 - 1/2" bolts.
The tank will sit on 1/8" neoprene rubber glued to the cradle and straps to cushion it.
Next comes the drain, the fuel pickup, rollover vent and the sending unit. Also mounting the filler cap.
Larry

 

Larry, that should hold it securely and it looks good too, just as I expect from you.

 

Great work as usual, no you just need to polish that sucker!


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Hell yes Larry!

 

Got the fuel pickup tube made today with the fuel pickup screen ( a Jaguar part ) that I ordered online.
Installed the fuel pickup tube and the rollover valve-vent along with the gauge sending unit.
Gas cap also, for all these I installed 10-32 rivnuts and used stainless steel button head hardware.
Larry.

 

Looks good! What's the plan for a finish on the tank? Polish, paint?


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Larry, everything you do is top notch, it is fun to be able to follow along and watch the great build you are doing.

 

In total agreement with Mr Stevens comment and just a little envious of your skill, Okay, I admit, a huge amount of the green eyed monster at your weld skill and planning, fabrication and just about every other thing you accomplish on your build.

 

Not really sure at this point.

Thanks

Thanks also.

 

Scored a nice find today in a local Pawn shop for $200.
Larry

 

Great find Larry, I have no experience with a system like that, hope it works well for you.

 

Hey Larry, if you decide you wanted the tank polished and have a reason to come north to the peace country let me know, I'd be happy to make it shiny for you! Then I'd be able to say I had a tiny hand in your awesome build!