Im in the process of building my self a "shop"truck.I am trying to keep it low budget,using left over parts from other projects.I wanted somthing thats driveable enough my wife can use it,but still fun and cool enough to go to runs and cruise-in's with.Its going to be a little rough around the edges,but thats the way I want it.I want to try somthing that I dont have to wipe down every time I park it some where.With that being said,here we go....... History: The truck is a 48 ford f1 pick up.I got it from a guy I used to work with.He had aready chopped the top 3",shaved the door handles and cowl vent, and had alot of the cab body work "done".It was on a s-10 chassis.He didnt like the way the cab was sitting,and didnt want to start over,so he was going to take it to the scrap yard.I offered him some cash for it but was turned down.He said if I wanted it I could have it for FREE! He even delivered it to my house! It was nice to be at the right place at the right time for a change.Heres what I stared with,still needed alot of work,but I wasnt going to complain!It was perfect for what I wanted to do,and even has a title.
I didnt like the way the chassi fit the cab either.I also thought the rear axle was too narrow for what I was going to do.I had a 70 c-10 short bed frame left over from another project and decided to make the swap. I tried to get rid of the s-10 chassis for weeks,with no takers.I was going to let some one have it if they came and picked it up.We had a new garage being built,so it had to go.Unfortunatly THIS is what I ended up having to do to it.What a WASTE!
Fast Forward to April 20,2009: Finally got to cut loose on the 48.Had already put in on the new chassis,added some new floor bracing to hold the cab up temporarily.Even manage to stick the 59 chevy dash in it that was collecting dust in the shed. I had gotten a 40 ford front axle assembly from a buddy,with the intention of building a fenderless truck.The rear was still all 70 c-10,so I was able to use "bolt on" suspension parts to lower the rear.I ended up with a 5" drop kit,springs,shocks,shock relocators in the rear.
Even with all the lowering parts,it still was not low enough.So I ended up z'ing the frame almost 4'' to get down where I thought it should be. I had also added a c-notch to the frame.
While I was waiting on the front end parts to show up,I realized that I needed a little more leg room in the cab(Im 6'3). So out came the sawzall and presto,more leg room.I ended up adding almost 5 1/2" to the cab.
The c-10 frame has a nice kick-up in the front where the stock crossmember mounts.I worked out really nice for me,letting the front en down where I wanted.I used a spring over axle set up on the front, as well as disc brakes,I like to be able to stop in a hurry.With ever thing in the garage I went to building the front end. I split the wish bones and used a simple crossmember and spring mount.The frame is almost 5'' tall,so I could mocve the crossmember up and down in the frame until I liked the stance.
After ALOT of test fitting,this is what I ended up with: I had used cardboard to mock up a bed side,so I could get the proportions that I wanted.I set the hood back on, and pushed her out side to get a good look at the profile. I thought it looked like there was somthing "missing" between the front wheel and the cab.I am thinking about making some engine side panels.....
I had alredy started putting in floor bracing when I switched the frames,so I began where I left off. The original owner had built the floor out of heavy gage galvinized sheet metal with no bracing,I ended up cutting all of that out.When it was all said and done,the cab ended up being channel 6'' over the frame.
I realized that before the floor was closed up,I needed to run my exhaust.I wanted it tucked up nice and tight in the chassis.In the spirit of using left over parts,I frankenstiened my old flowmasters for the project.These actually came off the c-10,and were pretty loud before,now theres 2ft less exhaust,so its gonna be REAL loud now,(its fun to scare the neighbors). I ended up cutting passage ways in the frame using 1/4'' wall tube and boxing the frame with plate steel.. Snaking the pipes thru the frame was a real treat.
The exhaust exits thru the back of the cab.I will probably end up angle cutting the tips at some point. In and effort to keep my wife from "melting",I put some heat insulation on the exhaust.
After mounting the seats,I had talked to the glass guy.He had brought me a sample of the windshield gasket he was going to use on the truck.Its just a simple universal style gasket,not on made for the 48.After sitting in the truck with the gasket in place,I realized the windshield was only going to be about 10 1/2'' tall. First,its real tough to see out of,especially with the 59 dash and gauges sticking up.And second,the windshield would be way smaller than the side windows,throwing off the proportions of the truck. Thirdly,the gasket sits on the pinchweld,which sets back inside the opening,which means the windshield is set back in the front of the cab,and I just didnt like the look of that. I decided to move the pinchweld out flush with the front of the cab,and raise the insider header about 2". I can cut out the rust in the header at the same time. Now its easier to see, and the windshield is as tall as the side windows.
The cowl vent was filled when I got the truck,but I decided I wanted to have the fresh air.I was going to use the vent assembly I took out of my 38 but is was a little too big.I ended up finding one actully for the 48 on the internet.I took a closer look at the truck,and realized he had only put a steel patch over the vent opening,and all the inner structure was still there.So I just needed to open it back up. I also got the main steering column mount in. The column is a tilt/telescoping one from a mid 70's oldsmobile.I just cut off all the junk I didnt need.
Before I installed the 40 front end,I move the motor back 7 1/2''.That meant I was going to have to build a recess into the fire wall.I dont remember where I heard about this trick,but I have done it to 2 vehicles now,and I think it works pretty well. I used a wheel barrel tub for the recess. In doing that, I ended up only having to make a piece for either side of it to complete the firewall. I welded up and dressed everything I could with the motor/trans still in the truck.I will have some final work to do when they are out. That brings me up to what I got done yesterday.I had already made the driveshaft tunnel,but was waiting to do the trans hump until the firewall was in. I welded a flange to the lower part of the recess to make it easier for me. I apologize for posting these up all at once,I just got the nerve up today to do it.
A lot of great thought and work, thanks for posting. Keep us updated as you go, I'll be waiting to see more. FWIW I have seen the wheel barrow used to good effect in gaining hood clearance as well. Always enjoy seeing what can be done with seemingly odd parts at hand.
funny.. my f1 was on a c10 coil spring chassis.. http://public.fotki.com/sawzallshop/sawzalls-rides-past/for_sale/ as it turned out the front end was too wide.. so the control arms were narrowed.. always wished I would have lengthened the body as you did.. (or built a panel truck out of it)
Your neighbor missing a wheel barrow? LOL. Great Fab Work, but keep moving, you'll keep coming up with new ideas and fab for the next 5 years Some common sense stuff there, fantastic!
Took a little break from the build,well,not technically,went to GG Columbus,got some parts,also found a bed off the internet.I was originally planning on making the entire bed from scratch,but I found one that was perfect for what I have planned.I think I paid a little too much for it,but the time I will save will be well worth the cost. To get it home,I cut the front panel loose from the sides.That way they fit nicely into a pick up truck bed. My plans included shortening the bed anyway.I also removed the fenders since Im not running any.The bed is a bit beat up but still very useable. I cut the sides at both ends so I could ceter the wheel arch over the rear wheels.The final bed length ended up to be 66".It took quite a bit of "persuasion" with a large hammer to get the tailgate beat into submission.I also flattened out the ford script,I have a plan for that panel...... This is how it looks after tonights work....
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