Hot Rods Tech Week:Rear Model A Crossmember in a 34 Ford frame

Ok, I have been holding off doing this but since it is tech week I thought I would jump in the fray since the prizes are so enticing. This is pretty basic hotrod stuff but I figure someone might enjoy my take on putting a Model A rear crossmember in a 34 Ford frame. This could be adapted for other early frames as well.
First, Start off with one virgin 34 Ford frame. This is my recently completed frame jig for this build.

 

Next is a picture of the victim of this build. My 34 Ford 5 window coupe. This will be a very radical Bonneville/Drag race style build for the street. I have a great body to start off with. I have a lot of cool modifications to make on this project that should be very entertaining for the board. Full project build will be forthcoming.

 

Couple pics of the shop to set the mood.

 

Stock crossmember stripped of primer and ready for the knife.Please do not respond to this thread until I get all the pictures up. My computer is really slow tonight and I am having trouble downloading pictures. I will get everything up as soon as possible.Thanks

 

The shop looks great. Keep the tech coming.

 

Glad to see you are working on the 34. Hope everything is good for you down there.What motor and trans? Steve

 

Alright, I took 9" off the ends of the Model A crossmember to line up with the 34. Pictures may take a little while to post.

 

Center of 34 crossmember cut out. Model A center part test fitted in initial mockup. As you can see the 34 ends will have to be raised at the rear to come anywhere close to the Model A. Relief cuts will have to be made to raise 34 ends. I used a jack to lift after cuts were made.

 

Next 34 ends that are attached to frame will have to modified to mate up with the skinny lil' Model A center section. Make relief cuts in the 34 section as shown to start to bring it into alignment. I marked it with a sharpie in the general area for the relief. I apologize. The computer will not download the pictures evertime I post. I am having trouble doing this.

 

Use the "attach image" icon when you post pictures. This thingy here in the message toolbar:

 

After you mark the lines where it needs to be cut make your relief cut to lift rear portion of 34 crossmember up so it comes up straight with the Model A section. I made a second relief cut closer to the frame rail to help align the metal.

 

Keep the ends level from front to back as you raise up this section.Next I welded up the relief cuts making sure the ends stayed level with the frame jig. Keep measuring everything as you go to insure both 34 ends are staying level with each other. Weld slowly to keep warpage down.

 

Fit Model A portion in and align. Remember to keep level from front to back. I use a 6 inch bubble level to keep it in check. Check measurement from side of frame to center of Model A crossmember to insure it is centered.

 

Next I addressed the misalignment on the front side of the crossmember. I marked out a wedge shaped area to remove to help align the front side.

 

Here is a picture of the relief cuts to help align the 34 section to the Model A center portion.

 

Next I heated the areas to be able to hammer them into submission. This aligned the 34 section to the Model A section.

 

Next I welded up part of it. I still needed to heat some sections and move them into place. You will see the flange areas that need to be heated to align with the center section.

 

Here is the finished Model A crossmember installed in the 34 frame with the 34 crossmember ends grafted on. It looks like Henry intended it to be that way. Bottom side of crossmember will be metal finished when I turn frame over to finish weld other areas. I have a lot of modifications that I will be making in the near future on my build thread. Stay tuned for more interesting details to come. Hope this tech thread is helpful to anyone that is planning on putting a quickchange in their early hotrod frame. I will be using a Rodsville quickie in this project. Simple hotrod tech. I will plate and box the ends on the bottom side when I get the frame turned over for structural integrity. Hotrods Forever---Curbspeed

 

Thanks Steve and Ron for your nice comments. This car will get a 1958 371 J-2 motor and Muncie 4 speed. I need a four speed if any one has a good one laying around for a reasonable price.

 

BTTT for the dayshift that might have missed this last night.

 

all tech week to the top 32

 

That looks very good Dale. Very nice five window.

 

Thank you, I am really looking forward to getting this project going. Next thing for me to do now is knock the rivets out of the crossmember and move it back to were it needs to be.

 

Cool shop, nice coupe body, cool project! Looking forward to the rest of the build.

 

Looks right at home!! Nice job!!

 

Nice job Dale, that looks super clean....I wish I would have seen it done this way before doing mine for my roadster! I just boxed the stock crossmember about 2" from where it meets the frame with some flat plate and welded in the A crossmember. It looks clean and simple from the back, so thats all that matters, right?? I really like the way that you did that, I will put that one in my memory bank for the future for sure! I hope you enjoyed the ginormous pics of the roadster I sent you. I hope to see you and your brother soon man, now get this car on the road and drive with us!!!!!

 

Thanks Rory, I am going to try like hell to get it up and going. I am going out to the garage again tonight and and weld it in. I had to move it back to get the WB right. When are you going to post regular size pictures of your 34 roadster for everyone to enjoy. . Thanks for nice comments. Your car turned out perfect. I can't wait to roll with you Peckerheads!