Skip's 39 Ford PU. How it happened

[TruckRat]

Looking good. Glad you got the seat figured out!

[forbigpicture]

[Old Iron]

I like everything you've done so far but, I do have some concerns with the bracket welded to your radiator with the radius rods to the cowl. I know how much mine gets jerked around when I hit a rough spot in the road and think you might end up cracking the aluminum. Just my 2 cents
If you make a bracket that connected the radiator and surround together then bolt the radius rods to that It would be better.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Old Iron

I like everything you've done so far but, I do have some concerns with the bracket welded to your radiator with the radius rods to the cowl. I know how much mine gets jerked around when I hit a rough spot in the road and think you might end up cracking the aluminum. Just my 2 cents
If you make a bracket that connected the radiator and surround together then bolt the radius rods to that It would be better.

OI, I can see your point, and feel that it is 100% valid. It is very soft aluminum. That said, redesigning the radiator installation a third time is not something I want to face at this time. With the first radiator ('65 Mustang) I had it set up as a stand-alone mounted to the frame. Henry didn't leave much room for massive structures in this part of the truck, so I went with something close to his original design this time around. I will think about including some "cushion" for the attach points on the radiator. That should help a bit. It is already sitting on rubber cushions at the bottom attach points at the frame.

[Old Iron]

What you said about cushion is a good idea. It would help a lot to have some rubber mounts between the radiator and rods.

[Skip]

I made rubber isolaters for the radiator struts. They should take care of any vibration issues at the top mount. It was in the original plan for this radiator install, but I managed to space it out during my year (?) off from this project. I hope there will not be enough flex in the frame to cause the body parts to bang into the radiator.
Thanks OI. Much appreciate your suggestions. It at least reminded me to do this. I'll watch for evidence of other assaults on the radiator.


So, the seat is in. The trans cooling lines are hooked up. The radiator hoses are hooked up. I need to finish bolting on the grille and surround, and install the front turn signals and secure the wiring. Then its fluids and engine noise time again. I hope.

I think I see a way to raise the steering column about an inch or so. But I'm going to stare at it some more before I start cutting on things again. In the current location, it is either rubbing on my legs, or completely blocking the gauges.

[MercuryMac]

Skip, I watch my rad and grille shell dance sideways a lot on rough roads because I have no hood on my '36 truck. I was surprized at that, so OI was good to speak up. Your rubber spacers will soften the jarring. Keep on tinkering.

[Torchie]

Have you thought about the possibility of a smaller wheel. ( He says. Not knowing what you have on there now. ).
I myself prefer the look and size of the original steering wheels but it's usually a simple way to gain some space.

Torchie

[Torchie]

Originally Posted by Torchie

Have you thought about the possibility of a smaller wheel. ( He says. Not knowing what you have on there now. ).
I myself prefer the look and size of the original steering wheels but it's usually a simple way to gain some space.

Torchie

Ok. Disregard above suggestion. I back tracked and saw the pic of you in the cab with the steering wheel. It's small already.
Torchie

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Torchie

Ok. Disregard above suggestion. I back tracked and saw the pic of you in the cab with the steering wheel. It's small already.
Torchie

I just make it look small. I have some smaller ones than the current one. I am thinking about trying one again. I started with a flat one out of an '80s Firebird that is about two inches smaller. The one I have on it now is actually not as big as stock, but pretty close.