Hello all, I'm Joe, just joined the group. I'm a new owner of an old car. We recently bought a '56 Ford Ranch Wagon. We have big plans for it and hope to gain knowledge and insight from all the experience here on the board. Anyone here from north Alabama? Later, Joe-racer
Hey Joe Racer , welcome to the best group on the HAMB ! I live in Pa. but my daughter and son in law live in Alabama too . They live down in Montgomery on the nice end . My wife and I did look at a few places up north in Alabama . Nice up there . Have any pictures of the wagon ? I love wagons alto too . now if you give Johnny--Rockabillykat666 a PM he is building a wagon for his girlfriend . Jim
Joe Racer , I just took a look at your 56 wagon . It isn't as bad as you think it is . I have seen a heck of a lot worst than that many times . The hard part will be removing all the body filler someone else decided to use . One you get all the filler out and cut the bad out , you can get most of the parts on line . The sheet metal can be bought from a few places but usually all come from the same place . EMS body panels is a great supplier of USA made sheet metal on 18ga. Then get a welder and start welding away . A 110v flux core welder will work just fine and do the job well . I have been using a 110v Lincoln 100 all summer doing floors and patch panels . I have not converted over to argon mix now and does a much nicer job but the flus core did a good job as well . Jim
Welcome Joe Racer to the fourth power ***uming that there are really four of you! Welcome to the best bunch of car nuts that you may never meet! You'll get great suggestions and information here. Enjoy!
Now that all four of you have been properly welcomed, here's a little unsolicited advice: Put your car up on a rack and check the frame for rust as soon as you can. Look especially at the front frame crossmember and at the rear kickup area. If it's rusty, fix it before you drive it any more...please. We'd not want to loose you so soon.
Make sure you get the correct information for our Group Map ! There are a lot of us around and someone might be close to you ! Jim
Thanks for all the "Welcomes"! Special thanks to Retro Jim and Missysdad1 for the helpful info. I already know that the front crossmember needs replacing but I will need to check the rear area. I want to do a brake rework and upgrade along with suspension rework over this winter. That way I will be more able to drive to local shows starting next spring. retero Jim, you mentioned information for the Group Map, where can I find that? Joe
Joe-Racer , when you do the cross member , give Chalupa55 a PM . He makes a really nice one and a good price too . He is part of the group too . He does have pictures of the one he made and is way better than the original one . He will fix you up ! Jim
Send our member skoh73 a pm to get on the group map,click on Community up top,click on members to look Him up.
Welcome to the group. Like everyone will tell you and it seems that you already have a first hand experience, this group is full of knowledge.
Hey Joe, welcome to what might be the most active social group on the hamb ! Ranchwagon looks like it will be a great project, I'm currently doing one for my wife (pics in album ) .