New life for the '30 Chevy

..couldn't delete that last pic standing on it's side so here's a better look...
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170177&stc=1&d=1640697590

You are building a hotrod, young man.

Hey Old Stuff.....Looks great! I see these guys have you posting away! Glad to see it!

Thanks MercuryMac. And Couper- thanks for turning me on to this website! The activity here is outstanding and what I'm seeing done builds wise is inspiring to forge ahead. [cl[cl

Should be caught up with the pics to real-time fairly quickly. I'll be having some questions and looking for some thoughts as I move forward!

Out in front, I like the idea of keeping the original straight axle- specifically for the overall look. (Hope that proves out okay…) Straight axles are new territory for me- not scared to hear thoughts or concerns if you see something hinkie...

The original springs had a 17" to center and a 19" to center dimension. Noting listed for a 1930 truck for that but... 1939-1946 Chevy ½ ton has the very same dimensions. (General Spring to the rescue once again.) Keeping the same shackle/hanger design, the only difference between the year models is that Chevy decided to move the shackles to the front for that year range. No doubt they had their reason but I just couldn’t go there (I just seemed wrong for some reason) so I swapped the bushings in the spring eyes (different bolt sizes), letting me keep the pivot point in the front.

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170198&stc=1&d=1640776151
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170199&stc=1&d=1640776151

The bolt size at the pivot point grew considerably on the 39-46 so after cutting rivets and removing the front mounts (that were real loose anyway), I put it in the press and drilled out the hole to accommodate bigger dimension. I welded the mounts back on- but couldn'’t resist throwing in some grade 5 bolts back in the rivet holes as well.

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170200&stc=1&d=1640776300
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170201&stc=1&d=1640776300
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170202&stc=1&d=1640776300

The shackle mounts were both worn hard and one was broken so new mounts were in order.

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170203&stc=1&d=1640776415
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170204&stc=1&d=1640776415

Not having anything on hand for a direct fit for the shackle bushings, I took a larger piece of pipe, cut out a slot, pulled it together and welded it up. A small strip of ¼” went between the frame and the pipe to give the shackle grommets clearance.


https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170205&stc=1&d=1640776670
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https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170208&stc=1&d=1640776670

No doubt you noticed the drilled and slotted rotors in the first pic. [***Side note- The 1.5 ton truck has bigger kingpins than the pickup and passenger cars. This truck (a legit 1.5 ton) has the smaller kingpins. So very curious on that back story- too many beers+ a bent axle = use what ya got to swap it out??? Who knows...]

Whatever the history on that was, it turned out good fortune for me because upon digging I found that ECI had a disc brake conversion to fit the axle I have. (I remember seeing their advertisements in Street Rodder magazine back in the late 70’s!) The Fonz would say, "Ehhhhhh"

Good work around

Old Iron said:

Good work around

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Appreciate that sir!


I did a wood mock-up for the flatbed frame then went to work with some 11 gauge 2 x 3. Wooden 90 degree angles clamped on the tubing made it easy to keep things squared up. The 2 pieces of 2x3 close to the back of the cab have something special to come.......

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170238&stc=1&d=1640988222
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170239&stc=1&d=1640988222
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170240&stc=1&d=1640988222

Two small pieces of 3x3 scrap angle volunteered to be cut up, drilled, and welded to the bottom side of the bed frame, becoming the attachment points to the frame rails with 1/2" Grade 8 bolts. (Glad I waited on boxing in the frame there until I had the bed figured out!) The added benefit is that the pieces of angle keep the bed tightly centered on the frame rails. Up front where the splash apron is, I set it up for some ½” bolts on the inside of the frame rail.

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170241&stc=1&d=1640988222
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170242&stc=1&d=1640988222

Wanting to use pieces from the original truck whenever possible, I incorporated the original stake pockets and flat bar wrap continuing with the industrial/big truck look. Clearance between the bed and the tires ends up at 1 inch. And here’s an initial look at the freebie treated lumber I’m using for the bed. (to be modified later.)

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170243&stc=1&d=1640988222
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170244&stc=1&d=1640988222

Looks great Old Stuff! Thank god for lumber and cardboard for mock ups!

Old Stuff....did you solve that power steering problem? If not did you see that Saturn Vue electric assisted steering column? That's right up my alley!

kenny c said:

Nice work! The carriage bolts remind me of an early armored vehicle.[P

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Yup, I visualized the "War Wagon"... You're gettin there. It's taking good shape!

Some really nice fab work and imangineering going into this project.[P[P[P

Couper said:

Looks great Old Stuff! Thank god for lumber and cardboard for mock ups!

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Ain't that the truth!

Couper said:

Old Stuff....did you solve that power steering problem? If not did you see that Saturn Vue electric assisted steering column? That's right up my alley!

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No I haven't gotten that far with it just yet. But............. since you asked....

Would appreciate some input here guys. I need the original steering gear box to get replaced with a more updated box equipped with power steering. Semi large tires on front, pulling/backing a trailer, etc would make this nice for sure.

This is mounted inside the frame running through to the outside. Don't want to go electric because of the space it takes up. (at least from the Saturn unit I've seen.) Any particular box that you've used for that type of set up?

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170266&stc=1&d=1641095106
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170267&stc=1&d=1641095106

smallfoot said:

Yup, I visualized the "War Wagon"... You're gettin there. It's taking good shape!

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Thanks smallfoot. Cool thought about the war wagon. Loved that movie.

DozerII said:

Some really nice fab work and imangineering going into this project.[P[P[P

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Appreciate that. Onward! Through the fog!

Old Stuff, I mounted a power steering box off of a '7? Ford LTD on a Minneapolis-Moline 'U'. It has enough strength to steer that tractor nicely. The unit has been on there without trouble for at least fifteen years. There is only one drawback,---- it turns the wrong way. I noticed it early in the test-drive. I corrected this with a small gearbox in the steering column, but that might not be cool on a vehicle for the road. So, one thing to watch out for when you are looking through the power boxes, is rotational direction of the steering shaft.
Good luck.

MercuryMac said:

Old Stuff, I mounted a power steering box off of a '7? Ford LTD on a Minneapolis-Moline 'U'. It has enough strength to steer that tractor nicely. The unit has been on there without trouble for at least fifteen years. There is only one drawback,---- it turns the wrong way. I noticed it early in the test-drive. I corrected this with a small gearbox in the steering column, but that might not be cool on a vehicle for the road. So, one thing to watch out for when you are looking through the power boxes, is rotational direction of the steering shaft.
Good luck.

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Thanks for that reminder. Me and Murphy's Law are good friends.....

Old Stuff..... A great thread on the Saturn steering should you want to take a look.

http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38966&highlight=power+steering

Couper said:

Old Stuff..... A great thread on the Saturn steering should you want to take a look.

http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38966&highlight=power+steering

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Hmmm...I shall ponder it. Thanks Couper.

Can’t stand it and gotta jump forward a bit from the time line! I’ve just recently added a headache rack and a winch- for which I’ll also be building a set of gin poles- for lifting up the front end of the next project that I might find out in the middle of nowhere one day in the future! (How’s that for an excuse to do something??? ) Not having a legit old winch, the new one will be totally hidden behind a fabricated tool box of some sort (TBD) when not in use.

The rack- the verticals and top horizontal is 3x3 and the lower cross piece is 2x3. Helping hold/support the rack to the bed frame is a of ½” plate with a slot cut out for the chain that will extend out and up to support the gin poles.

http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170295&stc=1&d=1641217328
http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170296&stc=1&d=1641217328
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http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170298&stc=1&d=1641217328

Very cool!!!