I wanted to have just one post for all the updates on my 27 Ford Modifed project. I will continue to add updates as they come along I started with the front half of a touring I got from Marshall here on the HAMB. I had thought about putting the body on my 31 Model A PU chassis (its another project) but did not like the look and decided I did not fit in it either Here is the body, it was rough as I found out after cutting the back off of it and building my own skeleton framing that is scretched a few inches. decided to build my own frame that would be similar in share of a 32 frame but to my own dimensions and would follow the contour of the body. started with a 20' piece of 2x6 tubing. (Note I am doing this with basic tools, a cut off wheel (air), a mig welder, big hammer and other basic tools) I wanted the railed to taper from 6" to 3" at the front. I scribbed a line that tapered down Next step was to build a jig. build out of 1/2" thick plywood and blocks of 2x4 or 2x6 wood. I traced the body shape on the wood to have a pattern of the frame shape.. next was a trail fit of the body (lots of one and off during the frame shaping) http://images45.fotki.com/v153/photos/8/269898/8745703/IMG_3831-vi.jpg At this point the body has not been stretch so the rear of the rails are just straight.. so off comes the rear of the body and a brace is made. [img]http://images110.fotki.com/v629/photos/8/269898/8745703/IMG_3837-vi.jpg time to strip the paint and see what I have
Next step is to build the rear body skeleton I started with 1/2 x 2 tubing. I did a lot of pie cutting and slowing bent the straight piece into a U shape. I formed the shape by placing the body on the wood, and drawing the shape of the rear I wanted (how far back and the radius of the corners) trail fit to the back of the body Next was to form the upper port of the rear of the body. I took some dimensions, made some drawings on cardboard and then just jumped in. using the same material as the body. I made lots of cuts. first attempt (did a step look).. did not like it, so i cut it all apart 2nd attempt time to weld the lower and upper skeleton on along with vertical braces. This will be the forms to eventually weld the outer sheet metal on. Time for some mock up.. always good to step back.. With the body in the shape I wanted, i next get back to the frame, relief cutting and bending in the rear of the frame to match the new shape. With the shape nailed down. I build a crossmember to hold it all in place (I still need to round the corners of the frame to match the body exactly) I also fab'd up the kick up again more mock up, this time to visualize the Model A rear crossmember, take some measurement for the rear spring and to sit the frame as ride height.
Now back to the front and time to mock up the car at ride height to figure out how I would set up the front suspension. I considered a suicide (T bucket) style front using a round tube crossmember but I was not wanting the susp out front of the grill. I really dig the look of the modifies that were on the April 2010 Streetrodder (both HAMB members)... after many days and nights of pondering I made a decision so I could move forward... My decison was to use speedway wishbones, model A crossmember and mono spring I had to cut up the crossmember to get it to fit between my very narrow rails and to also get it a little lower With the front in place (still more welding and finishing/ trimming of the rails). I moved back to the rear crossmember With the perimeter of the frame complete, I went around and finish welded all the tack welds and complete the notch for the front axle
Now its time to get the motor, tranny and master cylinders brackets fabbed up some motor mounts. (using a fiberglass motor to mock up is so nice.. good investment) MC mock up.. lots of sitting in the body and figuring out where the pedal would go.. Now on to building crossmembers and place to mount the MC and tranny I also decided at this point I would sink the floor into the frame (why I went with a 6" frame). I wanted to sit low in the game, below the windshield frame) basics out of the way.. back to mock up with the wheels and tires installed. (I am going to use a set of painted wires but the tires are correct) Here it is with an actual motor and tranny. set at ride height Now on to the front suspension and installing the wishbones still needed to install a dropped steering arm blow it apart and finish the front frame
Now back to the rear of the car. a little mock up continues battery mock up. (using a small one) Now on to the rearend...... what I wanted was not so easy I came to find out I bought another set of Speedway wishbones and my thought was to find a way to connect them to a set of wishbone brackets on the rear. I seen something like this on a RPU and I know there has been some discussion on here about this set up one HAMBer and I had lots of discussion, he gave it a try based on pictures I took and well the outcome did not allow alot of movement (one wheel up and one down like going over a speedbump) due to binding. I am using a modified version of my vison. (still not 100% complete) I had planned on using a rearend out of a 60's Ford PU because it had a 5x5.5 pattern and the width was perfect. problem was it was off center and ugly.. very big and not what I wanted to see.. so I did some saving, broke my bank account and bought a QC with all 9" inners so it will handle plenty of power without fear of breaking At the start of summer this is where the car sat.. I was burned out, pockets empty after buying the rearend and the weather was getting good so time to working on the house and let my head and car rest. With winter starting back up. I will begin to spend a little time on this while I also work on my 51 chevy..
Those Odyssey batteries are good. Spins my 401 no problems. This thing is looking very cool. How big is the rear kick? It looks big. I also want to know what you are doing with your rear set up. I know from experience that the frame is right where any wishbone or ladder bar or similar set up wants to be. I resolved mine by mounting a wishbone inboard a little so it's inside the frame. Keep the updates coming Pete
Oooh. I just looked back at your pics. With that big 6" rear frame member and the stepped in kick up you have no room in there at all. Now I'm really curious.
It's looking great Boones! I really like the stance. Keep up the work; I look forward to seeing more on this build.
Wow! what a bitchin' build! Wished I had seen this before I built mine, I really like the rear of body stuff. I used a stock body and I'm 6' so leg room is at a premium. Keep up with the updates Mods are cool!
Thanks everyone. I thought i would whip it out in a 6 month period, well my mind gets me in trouble as I tend to over think it all and my skills are not very good. I sometimes have to redo it a few times to get it right. Stripper, going under the car is not possible unless I notched the rear crossmember. but I think I will have enough give to allow movement (not much susp on these anyways). I just got my driveshaft loop so it will be going in soon. 40coupe, I am 6 ft also which is why I stretched the body about 6 to 8" and sunk the floors. (rear is sunk 3 inches and it tapers up to about 1" at the foot area. this will allow the seats to slide upwards as it gets closer to the steering wheel allowing my wife to fit (and see over the dash) or someone not as tall as me. plans are for bomber seats with padding, nothing else will fit between the trans tunnel and body (only about 17" of width.) I have to decide on a grill shell next, narrow a whippet or narrow a 28/29 (I have both sitting their for inspiration)
Awesome build so far. Can't wait to finish my wifes Mustang so i can do something like this. Keep the pics coming.
Boones, your modified project looks good. I've been hacking on mine for 5 years now and it's about as far along as yours. I have been stalled many times, some times for lack of funds, some times for lack of motivation and more than once for engineering thought. Keep up the great work, just seeing your thread will get me moving gain. Thanks .............Jack
Marshall, my empty wallet and a half finished project are all your fault... this was supposed to be a quick build to enjoy the summer sun.
I like the heck outta this Ken! Kind of a Big Boy dirt modified.....really cool. The proportions are great. The rails are neat too. Everything, actually.
Your modified is looking great. You'll be happy you dropped the x-member towards the rear. The floor dropped 4 1/2 " in mine (my avatar) and I sat nice and low. I'm 6'2" and looked through the middle of a short windshield. Keep up the good work, I'll keep watching.
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