Actually Cedar Park, but close enough. Been itching bad for a old style rod and I finally got a small start. I've got dibs on a 36-38 Ford frame and axles I am picking up this weekend and I think I have lines to a couple of 36 truck cabs. I'm thinking I will use my 53 Cadillac's motor. Couple of questions I havn't been able to track down the answers to on the net. 1.So that I can narrow down the actual year of the frame, what is the difference between 36 and 37 spindles? 2.Will 35, or 36, or 37 hood and front fenders/grill from a car fit to a 36 truck cab with out major mods? Where do you Austinites hang out? Any local clubs? Thanks, Joey.
1/ All the 35-36 frames I have seen have round holes in the main crossmember, whereas on the later frames the holes are an oval shape. I know that is how it is on the frame that was under my 35 roadster ute, and also the frame under my 37 coupe ute shell. 2/ I believe that the cowl will be too wide on the truck cabs. I would like to put 37 p***enger sheet metal onto an old 38-39 truck cab I have put away, and was thinking about using a 38 standard hood to blend the cowl body lines in with. Just a thought. Regards Michael
The 2 most forward holes are oval, then 3 round, then another oval all the way at the back, per side. It has the wide 5 steel wheels so I ruled out 35, correct? Any way, I don't think this frame is useable now that I have it out of the weeds, lots of stress cracks and rust through in front of the rear axle. Still need to look at it a bit closer to be sure. Another bummer, both front wheels and brake drums are beyond use, wheels still turn though. That makes it an easier choice to go to juice brakes. Would love to keep the wide 5 though. When the wife gets back to work after summer, I'll start looking for some kind of body a little harder than I have been. Thanks for the tips.
Looking at different web sites and BB's, my frame is either a 37 or 38. The 36 had a shorter front spring, mine is 38 1/2". Also, the 36 had a different brake backing plate than the 37-38. I am happy its either a 37 or 38 since the 39 juice brakes will fit these spindles. Found out the short block that came with the frame is a later model than the frame. I haven't found the number on it yet, but it appears to be a 49-53 style. Anyone in Texas have a good stash of inexpensive parts? I need 39 brakes, a rear spring, a set of wide 5 rims and most anything else to mount to the frame. I would like to build a pickup but would be open to other body types.