Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

Maybe it is just the perspective of the pictures; but it looks like your spring is too wide.

 

...and the shackles should hang down from the perches to the spring.
Not from the spring down to the perches.
I bet you know that already, but I say it just so someone who doesn't know will understand that isn't correct.

 

Things like this happen when your not bolting together a kit. I'm sure Fred will take care of it after he gets it all mocked up. It's an easy thing to do to take the bottom leaf to any spring shop and have it shortened. On the other hand when I built mine my bottom leaf was too short so I had to have a new longer one made. $15 in 1990 money. I then just painted it black.
Fred it looks like you might have too many leaves in the spring anyway so if you have to take out a bottom it's no big deal. You know if it ends up too high in front you might be able to lower it an inch or two by mounting the spring on top of the hanger. Just a thought.
Gary

 

Wow, you guys are quick. It's not the perspective or a spring that's too wide. I tossed things together for a few quick photos. Then, this morning, I tightened things up and all is good. Well, except for one small thing. Not in the photos is my shock set up. It bolts to the frame and I was too tired to or lazy to do it today. But a quick setup showed me that I ordered the wrong shocks. So, I be returning them for the correct length.

On a side note, my engine guy surprised me with the delivery of my block and crank from the machine shop. She's gonna be a mover!

 

Better. After a 2am thrashing. Couldn't sleep, so....



If you enlarge the pic, you'll see where I zip tied the wishbones up to the frame, in order to get an idea where the brackets will go.

 

Sorry Fred , springs still too long ...
dave

 

Okay.

 

Fred
Don't worry about the spring now. You have got a lot to do. When you get it up on wheels with the engine and tranny weight on it you can make it right. I like the look of it so far.

Gary

 

Ok does someone have a photo of how the perches set with the proper length spring?
I'm asking because we've been looking at the front end of our bucket and something is off with the spring. I say that Only knowing what a standard model T front spring looks like hanging in place.
Here's a pic of our bucket spring (it's crappy but all I have at the moment ignore the Red Arrow...it was for something else)


This bucket is just a roller right now. The engine and trans are not in it.
Thanks,
CBB

 

CBB, that will probably settle to the right position (about 45 degrees down from the perch) once the weight is back in the car.

Steve

 

Thanks, Rebel. I find it laughable, yea.... I laughed out loud, that people viewing a "mock up", on the internet, would be so anal. Shit, maybe I'll post a pic of my present rear end set up. It's 2 cut down bar stools and a 2x4. That'll get 'em wondering.

 

Right on....but I've SEEN people do it several times and so I thought it important to inform others.
A good laugh is always nice though.

 

Hacker, if they're on the HAMB, it's a sure bet they either know or have access to the info.

 

Fred
That front axle looks good.
Is that painted, what color?

 

It's painted raw steel color

 

Thanks blue
After I typed that, I enlarged the photo and came to that conclusion.
The way the light hits the axle, gives it a look I'm after.

 

Fred, you need to make the trip up here to Decatur for the Swap meet this week, heck I drove 1850 miles, under 350 for you, and over 3000 vendors and supposedly 4 days of sunshine. I'm hoping the find the rear of a Dodge roadster for my bucket.

 

Fred , if you don't want your setup analysed / critiqued , I'd suggest you not post pics on the 'net..If you look at the shackle position in the pic posted above by crazybillybob , that's correct , shackle's parrelel to the axle when unloaded , that's the only way the axle is kept centered to the frame..
dave

 

Have I stated I mind? I don't mind at all. What I find ODD and FUNNY are the critiques of an unfinished car in it's mock up stages. Now, when I call it DONE, if there are things that need to be addressed I'll be right on it. See, unlike the internet audience, I'm the one who'll be driving it. I'd never take an unsafe car on the road. So, post what you like, say what you like. Relevant comments are saved. Everything else is filed under CS.

Now, see the position of my wish bones? Can you see how they are under the frame rails and not outside of the frame rails? Now, when I have my brackets welded on and in the proper place, that will position the wish bones out ward and thus the spring pivots (which are NOT screwed all the way in). Physics is a mother fucker. NONE of what I have posted is in it's final resting place or position. I posted these pics to let you guys see what I've been up to. That's it.

And just in case I do need a shorter spring...... I can get one here. Good prices too.
http://www.truckspring.com/trailer-parts/trailer-suspension/double-eye-trailer-springs.aspx

And to think I was asked to post a build thread. Popcorns getting cold.

 

I don' know about you , but I hate doing things twice , especially if someone around me has a soluion to an impending/avoidable problem , of course , I'm not nearly as smart or experienced as others & tend to listen & investigate when someone points things out to me & even if it's a false alarm , I'm grateful that somebody gave a shit & tried to help.. 'course that's just me...
dave

 

Me too. Just be patient. When someone brings something to my attention, I check it out. After the repeated posts about the spring, I checked it out. And I also reminded myself that the front end assembly isn't done yet. I really don't see why that's so hard to get. When it's all said and done, if it's not right, I'll make it right.

Didn't I say this all before? Come on, man.

 

Fred... Looking at your front setup, I have to comment on the extreme clean of design.
I P.M.'d you awhile back, to see if you were 'getting along', and can see you are!

Nice you found the trailer spring man, I had a 'genius' in that field in '59-'64, when after work I was installing tube front axle setups for the 'Los Gatos Gassers'...(a self-promoting group of 'Tennis Shoe M.F.s that were for the most part 'parentally pampered'. Money was good, and my spring man helped me figure out the perfect solution. ('55-'57 Chevs, most ran small blocks)
Axles were made 'in house', from Shelby tubing I got wholesale from the Steam Fitter in San Jose, 1/4" wall D.O.M. $ $6 a foot!
Chassis is looking 'tasty'...

 

Thanks, Mike. I found that company a few days ago, when the discussion became my set up. And in doing the research for this build, I have found a LOT of manufacturers of parts and pieces that a lot of us get from "Hot Rod Suppliers" that can found on the cheap. Hell, they might be the folks who supply our favorite companies. All that info is saved, in case I need it.

Look. I read and check out every little bit of info that gets tossed out. I use what I can and file the rest. To me, that's a part of the journey and I live for the journey.

Oh....... speaking of Gassers, wait till you see my rear ladder bar set up. That'll get the troops talking. It ain't traditional, as far as T Buckets go, but it will do the job X10.

Where the heck is Chip?

 

Maybe he misbehaved,and Miss Judy has him on lock down.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

butcher: Or before an erection!

 

So, I had an early day off and my land lord had several 100lb. bags of concrete for a patio foundation. We set a few 2"x4"s on the front frame and put a few bags on. The spring shackle angles got worse and way off. So, a new spring is on the way. Should be here Tuesday. Pics, when it shows up.

Thanks, 2OLD2Fast and everyone else who said it was wrong. You were right and I was wrong. But doing this stuff is a learning experience and we usually learn from our mistakes. Now, while I'm waiting for the new spring, here's a look at my my shock/headlight brackets. Someone noticed the lines of the brackets and the axle. Purely by accident.

 

Sorry guys, your advise to Fred about his front spring was better than mine. You younger guys build your cars differently than I do. I buy most of my parts from swaps and junk yards. I never thought about just taking it back and exchanging it for another shorter one.

Gary

 

Gary, if the new one I ordered doesn't work, I may be seeking advise on places that can shorten mine.

 

Fred I didn't know you were building another car, what happen to the white one ? Here's a photo of my shackles on mine when first going together, I put them straight out.

 

Sold the white one back in August to take care of family troubles. Thanks for the pic , Swade. I learned my lesson and the new spring should yield the same results. If not, I'll find a place to make one or redo mine. Nuff' said, as far as I'm concerned. I mean, that's what we do, right? Try something and if it doesn't work, come up with the right solution?