Just bought a 32 Tudor and I need some guidance on which way to go. Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Ch***is or body?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
To have bought that nice of a body and have a built Frame you must have already have had a pretty good idea as to what you wanted. Why do you want people you don't even know to try to change your directions?
No ones changing my direction. I just want to know if it makes more sense to get it rolling before the body work is started or the other way around? Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's good to know. Generally speaking a Body should be bolted down, shimmed properly so all things fit as well as you can get it. Door Gap done the best it can be, then start bringing around the rest of things. Rolling is nice but not as important as having the Body mounted to what it plans to live on.
It looks like the ch***is is all welded together, so you should be safe getting the body squared up on it and making it solid. After bodywork is closer to done you could set it to the side to do your suspension work. Sometimes it's easier to do the body resto and fab without axles to trip over.
Being a admitted Deuce nut I always get the car rolling and have the engine & transmission in place, basically build the car then dissemble it to do the finish work. Looks like a great start. HRP
BTW, I see some kind of book about hot rods on the spool under the thermostat instructions,resist the urge to use independent front & rear suspension. Stick to traditional engines and no huge rime with rubber band tires. HRP
Ya that’s just for reference and maybe some info for maybe something I’m missing. This style I’m gonna shoot for— Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have seen so many far too many never finished hot rods at estates in 50 years. I would get the body restored first, before building any of the ch***is. If you put tons of money & hours in the ch***is first, you may end up stalled when finally realizing just how much more time & very difficult work is involved in getting the body ready for final primer, and then tons more time in woodwork, roof, and fitted & working windows, etc. My point is that if all that tedious hard stuff is done first, ....then you won't give up. Ch***is stuff will seem easy and very fast after that. .
I like the suggestion and can see how this plays a huge mental part of a project stalling or not getting finished.. thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The body looks like is has a two inch or so channel, if so, do you like that look? I'd be sure the ch***is was square and set level then start on the bodywork. Finished body in primer ready for final paint should be goal #1. Time well spent and if you do decide to bail a few years down the road you have a salable item. Engine & tires last is how I look at things. Bob
Our tastes vary, but if it were mine, I would do something like this because I like fenders, I sedans look goofy without them.
Full fenders gets my vote. As far as body work, or ch***is work first for me is determined by the time of year-winter (cold shop), ch***is work, body work warmer seasons..but you may be fortunate and either have a heated shop, or live in a warm climate. A good idea to fill in your location on your profile..people in your area, may offer to give some needed ***istance.
even if you focus on metal first, keep your eyes & ears open for other parts - deals on stuff that you need may pop up and need to buy when you see 'em
Appears to be the kit from Juliano's in Vernon, Ct. Same as the 32 Chevy next to that Ford. It is padding & covering held down by a bendable aluminum perimeter strip that gets a vinyl strip snapped in place. Bob came out with it 40? years ago. https://www.julianos.com/Top-Insert-Kit-s/182.htm ^^^^ This really paid off on my budget build. The vintage ch***is parts all showed up local while I was doing the rest. Ok, you already have people trying to change you goal of the fenderless one you posted. Never let others crush your visions. I had to put up with that ******** during my waaay toooo long build. It's hard enough to build a car from scratch, and I got really pissed off at some so-called friends. I was constantly told "just get it on the ****ing road"...when I was struggling with adding what I wanted. Mine was a totally junk roofless 5w shell, and I wanted a car with properly working windows, heat & defrost, twin wipers, old school drive train. Now, I drive it as my only daily, ...........and they still don't have anything at all, that THEY built. I've had other rods over 45 years, but that just made me know exactly what I wanted..... on what turned out to be my last build. .
Spot on! Everyone has a preference and that’s good but I have a vision and no ones changing that!! Already got in mind what I want for the front end when the time comes! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When you are looking at front axles, spindles, perches and such, make sure to only buy forged parts. Cast parts are not as strong for our uses.
Nobody ever successfully picked out a wife for another guy. What matters is what kind of car do you want? If it turns out the answer is "not a 32 Ford" then sell it and buy something that suits you better. I say this because if you were a real gone 32 Ford fan you would not need to ask what to do. Maybe how to do it but not what to do.
I agree with getting the body work done first. from the looks of that picture it seems you have a sound body to start on, and it isn't going to need a ton of body work. The chop for me is a fun deal so I would get that out of the way first. I also like the car you pictured as being the look you are going for. I don't personally like fenders on the type car you are planning, and I NEVER ever feel that a open wheeled car looks GOOFY without fenders. We all should feel like we have a choice without others opinion's clouding that. Open wheeled cars are cool wither they are coupes or sedans, notice I didn't put down cars with fenders as I also think they can be cool. Also be careful with Speedway. On some stuff they have damn good price's but they also sell "SOME" junk. There front axle's for instance as has been mentioned be sure you get a Forged front axle. Speedway sells them but they also sell several cast axle's, trust me on this you DO NOT want a cast axle. Start a build thread and keep us up on your progress. Very cool car and good luck...
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