This is a thread to document the joys and challenges of building my early T roadster. I've wanted an early T roadster ever since I saw Eric Anderson's original build thread on here. A few weeks ago my buddy Dan in St Louis was selling a bunch of Model T parts, I messaged him, which led to a spontaneous-next-day trip to St louis. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 1:18 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 1:18 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 1:18 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 1:18 PM I was really only interested in the early t body, but had to buy all of it. (and as of writing still have a 26-7 touring to sell) Once home I couldn't help myself and by the next night I was planning and mocking up. Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM As I started walking around my shop and dragging out all the early t parts that I have slowly been accumulating over the years, it started to look like something. (I also stole some parts from projects laying around the shop) Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:37 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM The next week was spent scouring Marketplace and convincing my buddies into helping drag parts in from all over. I found an S10 rear end with disc brakes, and it started looking like a car! Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM I had to sit in it to determine how I wanted things placed, and to make motor noises. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM Just for scale, this has all been happening in the back corner of my shop so far, while I work on a trike motor for a friend, and store all my stuff.
Once the next weekend rolled around, I had to go to Kansas City (a little over an hour away) to pick up engine parts for the aforementioned trike project, and while in the city, lined up a few parts for the T project. I picked up a new Vega box (to be misused into traditional steering), and the guy had a stock 2 barrel manifold off a 283, with a running small base Rochester carb, that I could have for free! Score! Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM I also was able to pick up a cheap aluminum radiator, and a buddy brought by a stock late t firewall for me to adapt. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Starting to look like a thing.. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM I then continued the mockup, digging out my T5 and bellhousing. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM by this point I stopped working on the T , to knock out building the motor for the trike.
The moment I rolled the trike out and fired it up, I immediately started moving T parts to its spot, including the TT truck rails that I had squirreled away for it. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM a buddy came over and knocked all the guts out of a sbc I had in the corner, in preparation to be mounted in the car. I didnt get any pictures of the motor going into the chassis, mostly cause it was a calamity, and also cause I moved it like 14 times till it was in the right spot. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM I also wanted to see how it felt with two people in it. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Packed in for the night. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Ive had this dash in my display case, or on a shelf since high school. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM
With the motor and trans in place I started mocking up the steering and clutch linkage, I'm planning on using a set of swing pedals and a manual clutch linkage. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:43 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:43 PM I found this piece of Sheetmetal (tractor maybe?) that when cut in half was perfect to fit the cowl to the frame without pinching the frame. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:43 PM I mounted the steering box on its side, so as to use traditional steering. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:43 PM aren't plasma cutter's magical? Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:43 PM Then I started to load up to go to Oklahoma for the gathering at the roc, and like always, I had multiple other deals tied into the trip.
So I packed up my Tamale wagon, and got ready to go on wednesday night. I was delivering a track nose to Flat top bob, who would then take it to Ben D in texas. packed for GATR 2022 by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 10:34 AM I had an uneventful trip from a mechanical point of view, and met lots of people from Instagram and the HAMB. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM Photo by @J.Ukrop Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:43 PM I had been following Mark Gadberry and his dad, Dave, thrash on this thing in preparation for the show, and after some late nights, they made it. he took me for a ride late saturday night, and it got me all pumped up to get back home and work on the T. around the same time, a package showed up thanks to @redzula Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM So I strapped it down and went back to my plush accommodations. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM Sunday morning i went on the 300 mile journey home, this time with a sweet spoiler! Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM This brings us up to now, yesterday I worked on some front suspension, but had to stop awaiting an order I made to speedway.
#gatheringoftheroadsters2023 Thanks Dan, hope to have more pictures up today, its in pretty complete mockup phase now.
If you want to have room for your feet (and pedals) add 6" to the length of the cowl, you can make one cowl out of two or adapt the cowl from a 26-27 sedan/coupe. Lack of feet room is the only serious issue with the Anderson car. Best of luck with your project, looks great so far.
Joey likes cramped spaces he’ll be ok. his blue car shown is so small that when he drives he can use both sides arm rests at the same time. TINY little car
lol! @Tim in that picture I'm actually using my left foot to work the throttle, and resting my right foot. That's the 'spread out' position!
Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 5, 2022 at 2:38 PM Big news! Or at least, wide news. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 5, 2022 at 2:38 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 5, 2022 at 2:38 PM I believe that headers set the tone for the car, and so i went with a set of headers that are kinda in your face. they will look even better when I run the slicks on the back. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 5, 2022 at 2:38 PM I also mocked up the rear deck, and got a feel for wheelbase. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 5, 2022 at 2:38 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 5, 2022 at 2:38 PM With the headers came in a new set of spindles and hairpins, so I can start assembling the front end with the real parts, not just mockup pieces. (the front hairpin/bones are for another car, One day. ) Also in the order was some shackles so I can put together my quarter elliptical setup. I've been cutting the front frame rails up for it, I just have to decide how I want the front axle attached to the perch. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 4, 2022 at 12:44 PM This is just a mockup of it, I have more figuring and testing to do.
Nice proportions on your build. I'm just wondering what the distance is between front and rear axles??? I guess that is called the wheel base. Keep up the good work,
hey, thanks Russ! Im still figuring out the exact wheelbase, but it is mocked up right at 100 inches.
Your shop is resembling mine: That is, 3 hot rods (Ts, one and all!) still in setup forms, '27 roadster on Deuce rails, '27 T tub on 'A' rails, '27 Coupester stacked up... O.T. BMW R60 motorcycle w/1600 VW engine (!) Building a 283 Chev engine and a '46 59A flattie, first T to need it gets the flathead...(my tub)
The other day I started to build the front spring crossmember, and as I am running Quarter ellipticals, its a little funky and I had some trial and error to sort through. ever wonder why people use traditional spring over/behind setups? because they work and are easy. If you hate yourself and like the feel of your head banging against concrete, try quarter ellipticals! I started with a set of the speedway springs, that come with everything to just weld the nifty bracket to the side of your frame and have a happy life. but if you , like me, are constantly trying to 'out-trick' yourself, you may decide they have to go in the frame so as to hide from the world. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM So I did some rough measurements and started welding a tube to the spring ... perches? anyway, I placed it in the frame after welding it solid (don't solid weld mock up parts, learn from my mistakes) and of course it hit everything, the shackles hit the radiator, the springs hit the frame, all bad stuff. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM So I did the only sensible thing, I cut it apart... And then promptly got distracted by shiny things. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM I don't know where this axle is from, but it is HEAVY. I then re-mocked up the spring perch crossmember, and after more frame rail hacking, figured out where the perches needed to be on the axle. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 7, 2022 at 10:23 AM we mocked it all up, and then promptly disassembled everything off the axle, so my buddy can mill some holes and TIG in the perches. We plan to actually assemble the front axle and suspension on Monday, and attempt to set the car down on the springs. hopefully my measurements work right.
the bad part is, Mike, this is only part of my garage. currently in the other part I have most of the parts for another T, a C-cab/panel body, two vw bugs, and no less than 7 motors. I may have it bad... and then there's the two lofts....
Wonder if you could put the perch pins in upside down and use them for a lower shock mount? mount them behind the axle and use a headlight mount upper and it would all kinda tuck away. Don’t know if you’d have room to hide friction shocks behind the grill shell and hide them ala rolling bones. Sure you’ll figure something out to to keep it looking like it’s just floating there
<<the bad part is, Mike, this is only part of my garage. currently in the other part I have most of the parts for another T, a C-cab/panel body, two vw bugs, and no less than 7 motors. I may have it bad... and then there's the two lofts.... >> O.K., Big Joe... I'll see your 2 VWs, and raise you 1 more; On the hot rods, I have a '23 turtle all apart, a 'glass '27 R/PU apart; Engines, there's 5 flatheads, 1 Chrys hemi, 1 DeSoto hemi, 3 SBCs, 1 454 Chev, and 2 BMW car engines: (2 liter types with Weber and DeLorto intakes, 4 VWs, 1600 & 2 larger, and a dual carb Datsun 118! I would commit sins for your lofts!!! Really like your T project, but please consider mounting your front axle more 'traditionally'...If you MUST 'hide-a-spring', possibly shackle a transverse leaf between the wishbones, about 3"? Feel like I'm preaching to the choir...
I like the way this is starting out and will be following along Joey! Oh, and good hanging out with you at the Gathering at the Roc. It was cool seeing the tamale wagon all over too. Even with our trip to the ER Friday night, the weekend was still good.
Fresh back from a weekend with my wife's family in Iowa, I called a couple buddies to come over on Monday and help out, thanks to the holiday. we started off when mike got there and brought the axle back to me, with beautiful TIG welds holding the perches in, you will note he poked them all the way through and welded the front sides. he said the axle was at least 1/4" wall. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:12 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:12 AM nearly as soon as he handed me the axle I had it bolted up for a test fit, and i quickly cut the ends of the framerails off to clear, and after some time spent double checking the frame for squareness, i laid a couple heavy tacks on the crossmember. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:12 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:12 AM at this point i was on a roll and decided to tack the center crossmember in better and start mocking up the rearend. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:12 AM to properly line up the wheelbase we set it at 100" and clamped the axle to the frame rails with a 2x4 spacer. then we ROLLED it outside. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:08 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:08 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:09 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:09 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:09 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:10 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:10 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:10 AM we had to roll the rearend forward a few inches to where it looked right, so its somewhere under 100" wheelbase. I also had to hop in and try out the space. I'm excited to start figuring out pedals and foot placement. I always like a challenge. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM with the fun part done, it was back inside to start building the rear crossmember and spring perch area. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:12 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:10 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:10 AM As you can see I'm doing the same technique on the rear that I did on the front, build a crossmember (measured better this time) and set it in the chassis, this time attached to a set of coilover style perches. once the ride is set I'll cut the tube down and weld it in so the nut engages. Once the rearend is clean of all brackets and crust-y-ness I will mount the perches and cut the rear of the frame off. then I'm one hairpin mount (per side) away from a full roller. needless to say im stoked. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 11, 2022 at 9:09 AM
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