Projects 31 Model A pickup (re) Build

Looks Great! Well done.

 

Ill spare y'all of all the details of the issues of the initial firing and road test. but there were many a battle tooth and nail. After a week of chipping away I'm finally winning. And holy cow is this thing turning a riot to drive. This might actually work..... Bear in mind I did drove this truck the 20 miles home when I bought it, but barely. It ran like ****, overheated many times (it was like 30deg out), barely stopped, and didn't shift out of 2nd. I hoped much of it was repairable but wasn't sure

Commuted one day to downtown to work. Did my first hiway runs tonight. The kid approves too....

Still a lot of loose ends and some big things to finish. Interior, top, bed liner, e brake to name a few. And my heater core was leaking all over the inside. Any suggestions on economical way to get this remedied?

I have a new problem though. Keeping fuel in it and back tires on it is going to be tuff.

That said I read so much **** about the trans, I was pretty worried. Aside from weight and size and the whole "hotrods need 3 pedals" thing, I'm impressed. This is a full on pickup after all. Shifts smooth and good, but strongly. Don't sleep on these things.

Last thought is I have a new appreciation for how tiny it is, when compared to my compact pickup ideal for city use.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Nice truck, well done!

 

So cool, congratulations.

Aaron

 

Wow!

 

-cleaned up and stained some of the wood in the roof.
-first wash and wax
-sprung ring pulls in the two access panels
Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

That's sharp looking. Awesome job. Are you going to put a cover of some sort over the hole in the roof?

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Great looking truck...... You"ve brought it a long ways and will for sure get the "LOOKS" cause you hit it dead on!!

 

Very nice truck! Very cool!

 

the plan is for a removable cover. Planning on using slotted rail up front (like jeep or early bronco soft tops) to keep the wind/weather out.

Thanks all. I'm pretty stoked with how things are turning out.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Got the bed lined. Roof wood back in. Fixed my door latch problem (see recent thread by me). And got the trans dust covers installed (thanks hamb cl***ifieds). Small stainless bracket to support fuel filler. T******* interior panels fo upholstery. List getting shorter.

Driving is great at this point. Running good. Rattles gone. Tracks straight. Folks. No bump steer or suspension issues. Been cruising the beltway like it was made for it

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

looks great man

 

Wow! From where you started to where you are now! Looks like your plan was great and worked out great!

Thanks for posting pictures and keeping us out here updated.

 

Getting a little interior done.

Not intended to be fancy or anything. Although one bummer is I shopped for quite some time to get "sewn" pleated vinyl. Not sure how I messed up the order but I got welded vinyl. So, that's what the car is getting......

I am wondering how long the white will actually stay white. I contemplated other colors but couldnt envision anything else.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

By no means professional, or plush, but space was at a premium. Interior done. Havent touched a sewing machine in at least 20 years.

Also mounted e-brake. I deliberated for months about position and really didn't want to cut a hole in my freshly painted cab.... Seat decisions were also hinged.

Redid trans tv cable which was a nightmare.

Did some errands today.

Next up is a cover for the top, then some odds and ends.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I love your truck!

 

X2

Inspiring for my build, I hope it turns out as nice as yours.

Aaron


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

thanks guys.

aaron, absolute non sense. i've been following your build and it's plenty nice. tons of great details.

 

Revival!


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

This is awesome....cant believe the transformation...very nicely done.

 

Trj revival came and went. It was in my backyard and I made Thursday night, Friday run, and Sunday. But I missed Saturday (sounds like biggest day by far) because of some familial stuff. Truck has been good and without issue in the interim.

Replaced lost dipstick (don't ask).

Work resumes.

Bought some exhaust tubes and baffles from Matt at gear drive since he was at the show and I figured I was saving on shipping. That will be yet to come.

Started on the top. Cut plain vinyl (inside) and more of the same pleated vinyl for the top. Glued together then Sewed on edging. Leading edge will be an awning/marine type slide in rail to keep elements out. The corresponding welt will need to be sewn in by someone w/ industrial machine. The rest will be snaps with Velcro strips to keep reasonable seal.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Ended up having my heater core recored. I gambled on an off the shelf model that was an rch too tall. Oh well. Its in and not leaking. Yay.

Dropped the sewn roof cover off at upholsterers to sew in vinyl welt for front (too heavy for my machine). Then I can get the top done (although I hate the thought of drilling all those holes in my sheetmetal for snaps)

Finished some carpet. I knew when doing the floors it would be problematic for carpet, but it was necessary for structure and space in my opinion. Ain't perfect but I'm very happy with it, but I've had my fill of sewing for the year.

Took a little road trip to the last amca swap of the year. Swap was kind of a bust but Truck did great on both hiway and back roads.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Nice job on bringing it back, that truck will love you for it. JW

 

Exhaust was always on the long list. But I never really had any ideas that would work with susp and such that really spoke to me . Lake style headers (like 32 grills on A's, no offense to anyone) just seemed so p***e. I liked the manifolds and they were probably the best option for fit. but I never felt the cherry bombs

P*** side tubing front section hung a little lower than my eye liked, but there's really no other way to route it because of starter and oil filter.

At the trj revival Matt from gear drive had a trailer full of stuff so I got a pretty good deal on on a set of his chrome driveshaft tube style megaphones and baffles.

The megaphones fit real nice in place of the cherry bombs. Still have to weld them up, but this it what it will look like. And as an added bonus I lose the big old mounts in favor of little rubber ones under the cab.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Started affixing the top. Pained me to drill snap holes in the cab, but I went excrutiatungly slow to avoid mistakes.

Still have the sides and center ribs to do. Plus get stainless screws for front edging,as well as Velcro to help seal between snaps.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Gorgeous Truck. Awesome save and redo. Hats off to ya!

 

Nothing really picture worthy. But a couple updates.

Wrapped up everything for Small road trip to Jalopyrama a few weeks ago. Lost a hubcap on the way: Baltimore's streets are horrendous. Truck did well but seemed like it was pinging a bit cruising around 40-60 with virtually no load, but never under acceleration (or deceleration) like i'd expect from timing. Plus I know timing and dwell are dead on. Also had a little roughness off idle until I gave it some go juice.

Understanding carbs but not well versed in strombergs, I did some reading. Based on what I read it seems like power valves were ample but jets were probably a little lean, which I knew might be case when making swap initially. So I upped the jets from 45 to 48, but haven't driven it yet. I was pleased too find that I could change them without removing carbs. One other note is that was first drive after swapping gl*** packs for Matt's open (baffled but unpacked) 35-36 driveshaft style megaphones. so its possible I created that probelm because they opened the exhaust just enough to lean it out a hair.

Also been tinkering with brakes. They worked but just weren't "right", despite repeated bleeding etc. By accident I noticed a bad rear residual pressure valve (speedway), the checked front which was even worse. Replaced those with wilwoods, and bled tonight. pedal feels 100 times better. Tomorrow a test drive will tell. Also tested a new bleeding method tonight; loved it. More info here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=378639


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Still wasn't stoked on brakes. Tore some stuff apart and shoes were basically new and definitely weren't contacting drum well. Drums showed no real cause for concern. And I did find one side of rear had front and rear shoes reversed. Couldn't find anyone local that could arc shoes and could turn the front ford drums. So I took the time to get the shoes to fit by hand. Used adhesive backed sand paper on drums and did shoes until they fit each drum then readjusted. Very pleased. I'm DONE messing with the brakes now.

Lost a hubcap on the way to jalopyrama and I'm kinda liking it. Thinking about spider caps or nothing at all, now.

Any errand that requires driving I now volunteer to do. Each drive getting better and better. This thing is just silly to drive.

Let my neighbor take it out today (car guy so I felt comfortable). I had a smile ear to ear getting to see car rolling in third person. and better yet was he was way more stoked than me, and very complimentary about performance.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Spider caps would look good.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!