the process is low, but here's an update. Today, clutch and trans bolted to the engine, ans a new mock up to check some details... next step, ****** crossmember. It will not be really roomy inside ! and I need 3 pedals ! And the steering box to make a cowl steering, from an german Opel rekord E from the 80's.
God Bless Henry Ford and the standardisation ! 1st reason: Model A pedals can be easily be mounted on a Ford F-1 PU pedal support (I get the A pedals without the spport, and the f1 support without the pedals) Pedal must now be modified with some torch heat to fit, but sounds good. 2nd reason here's the same f-1 front end from a junkyard F-1. Strange, the King pins gone easily. and wow, good news, the f-1 spindles can be bolted on the '37 I beam ! brakes will be reconditionned, and the whole thing will be bolted with a new king pin set. Good thing, because I also use the rear end from the pu, so, the 4 brakes are from the same donor car. the steering arms must be a little bit torch heated and curved. Tie rod must be shortened. And Voilà, the front end, with also a front spring from the F-1 front end ! I've just a little problem of shackles angle, i need to find a solution. and here mocked up on the frame
Some little progress today Front end almost finished, lever shock in place, spring bracket welded, weld bungs/rod ends in place & bracket welded... and some fun with headlights...big ones are 30's Renault, bullet ones Citroen Traction.
cool project.. i hate to say that i'll miss the roof too but i'll probably love it just as much without. very cool project.
Just out of curiosity: do you plan on leaving the spring on top of the mount??? I've never seen one done like that - and I think that it would create a problem with the movement of the front suspension. basically you are "flattening" the bottom spring in the middle by clamping it down to the perch - I think that it should be under the perch - if you need the truck lower than cut the perch off and move it up the thickness of the spring. the way you have it will limit the amount of travel the spring has I'm not trying to make a big deal - just looking out for your safety.
seams to be ok I believe. I've saw lots of setting with the perch on top, but without U bolts, but 4 bolts and a flat bracket under the spring, creating the same "flat" problem... will see... Anyway, thanks for the attention and advices. here's a pic of the latest progress, slow progress: rear crossmember welded, rear spring perch started.
I like your build. I've seen the spring mounted like that before on some vintage pics. Also, the Niekamp roadster ran the spring over the top of the spring perch. Don't know how reliable it is, but it does get it low. On your spindle to axle setup, shouldnt you put the bearing between the bottom of the axle and spindle? Best, Ralph
the bearing is here because of some mockup clearence with the spindle arm, but will be change later... Update today Rear end and brackets tacked, final weldings and some reinforcement bracket will be done soon. rear end angle is not definitive. i've used the ladder bars "outisde" frame because my fram is really narrow around the rear end, and the body larger, so, no problem to bolt the ladder bars outside. Panhard bar will be also added later.
looks good, ive been following this build up and enjoying it. my ch***is set up is very similar to yours...actually. almost identical! so its kind of neet to watch. as far as the spring on top of the perch goes im doing it as well...ive also seen it done with a flat plate under it as well as u bolts. ive been told its fine both ways. the u bolts would be the same as the plate minus about 1/2" in width on the bottom of the spring. keep up the good work!
Roof has been cut ! I will use the roof to make the rear panel, need just lots of body work. I need to cut a little more and make a smoonth round quarter between the 2 parts. But sounds good, and seams to be now roomy, and the Tire clearence will be just ok. Just need a lot of body work now Start to be cool !
Freekin Awsome i love modifieds and plan on buildin one after i finish my A truck. Super happy you didn't give into the preasure about leaving the roof on, That would have been a huge mistake.
some work today on the body. the body will be a little bit "unchanelled", maybe something like 1inch front, 2 rear, to match the frame line. Seat postion is not the good one, the final will be lower.