Jack it's looking good, nice job on planning the fuel/roll bar mounts in the rear too. If you go inside with the fuel cell don't forget you'll need to fill it and a bulkhead.
Phil, If I have measured correctly on a 8 gallon cell, it will fit down kinda below the floor and I think I can use the original filler neck. I'm too old to climb in the back to fill the tank. getting back there to do the welding is almost too much now. LOL
A little progress today. The front spring hangers are made and the front hanger with shackle is welded on. Just waiting on the brown truck from Speedway.
Waiting on springs for the front end so I decided to fix some floors and the door jams. Did a patch on the passenger door jam and got the rusty floors out. doing one side at a time. Advice is welcome. LOL Finishing rocker panels tomorrow. \
Had a good day in the shop. While waiting on a sheet of 18 ga. steel, I got the passenger door sill fin9ished, cut out the rear wheel wells. and got the front axle kinda tacked in place. Gotta do some final checking on the caster angle then weld it up. I plan to get the passenger floor pan in tomorrow.
The rear fender cut outs will make good patch panels if yours is rusted out. These have no rust problems at all. Let me know if you need them.
looking good Jack, Im shopping for tires atm looks like Im going to use Towel City tires again for this build, what kind are you going to run ?
Esbit, It's looking good. I figured I wouldn't do mine any damage that somebody couldn't straighten out. LOL Gonna start back on it tomorrow.
Didn't get much shop time in today but I did get the steering hooked up and working great. I still have to replace bolts with proper sizes and put half nuts on the heim joints but so far so good! Gonna try to get the passenger side floor pan in tomorrow.
I also had a decision on the axle on top of the spring or under. The axle under the spring put the front end a bit higher than I wanted. On top is just about right. Now, I have to order round u bolts to replace the square spring u bolts but all is well.
What steering box are you using Jack? Can you post some pictures of the drivers side of the front end as well?
I'm using the stock steering box. I will get some pics of it and post. Worked out well. I'm going to drill out the pitman arm for 5/8 bolts for the heim joint. I got things bolted together temporarily. still have to get the brake caliper brackets bolted on.
Thunderbolt, here are some pics of the steering box and pitman arm. As I said, I still have to get proper bolts in but I have it "dummied" up to see if everything works ok.
I said this on my post & haven't had any responses yet so I figured I would ask it here. One thing I'm noticing here & on other threads is that everybody is putting the axles over the springs. What (besides ride height) is the difference in driving & riding between putting the springs on top of the axle or below it? If I remember correctly didn't most of the old school gassers have the axles under the springs?
One floor pan in and one to go. Chip Foose probably wouldn't like it but I doubt he'll be looking at it. LOL I tried to make it look clean on the bottom too.
David, I would have preferred my axle be on top of the spring but it made the front end set a little higher than I wanted. As for driving and steering, it doesn't make any difference that I know of.
David, I said that wrong. I'd rather my axle be under the spring but was too high. It's on top of the spring.
You're making good progress there Jack, you guys keep up these staright axle builds and I might take another look at that econoline axle I have..lol The truth is I won't change mine unless it shows me it needs to be changed.
JACK!!!!! Your project is looking AMAZING!!! It takes some big kahooonies to take a frame and just have a wack!! Keep up the good work. My old yellow Henry still has the original front suspention under it, a spring out from under an old falcon or somthing, and a set of front small block chevy engine mounts!! I have a decent roller for a project like yours but the kids keep eating up my time and$$$$$ ! I'll just watch you for a while and take notes!!
Well, I got the passenger side floor pan without much problem. The driver's side ain't gonna be so easy but it's going in. I was standing in front of the car feeling proud of myself and realized when I moved the axle from under the springs to the top, I welded the darn thing in upside down. I cried tears big as horse turds for a while, took it out and cut the brackets loose and welded them in like they should have been. Oh well, that's hotrodding! LOL
Stewed, I know the feeling about kids eating up time and money. I have four girls from 17 down to 4 and my wife's starting Med school. BTW, I'm pushing 64 LOL I've learned to just stay out of the way and mind my own business. Life is ok for an old gunmaker/police officer/ helicopter pilot.
Guys I know exactly what you mean about the kids. I have a 22 year old daughter with a son & two boys. My oldest son plays baseball year round & is playing in showcase tournaments trying to get his way into college. My youngest son keeps me gong with basketball & baseball. That's why I talk about trying to do everything on a budget. I never have any money.
I got the driver's side rocker panel mostly finished today. About ready for the floor pan. This rocker panel was rusted completely through. Had to rebuild the "V" shaped sub frame before making the outer rocker panel. It'll need a skim of body fille4r but all will be ok.
Wow,,Jackie,,I had no idea that rust was hiding under that rocker panel but you sure have it looking good now! What are your plans for the new floor pans to keep them from oil canning? HRP
The Jalopy Journal
