My 1939 Ford PU Build

Boltbreaker · Sep 19, 2008

I am nee deep into my 1939 Ford PU build but never started a thread of how I got here. My goal is to build a traditional/rat style hot rod. I basically want a kick but little toy

Back track to Oct 2007. So I bought a cab up in Wisconsin and then bought a donar 69 Galaxie that ran like a raped ape here in Chicago. It has a 351W motor, FMX trans, and 9" rear end. I parted out the rest of the car to get my money back out of it and help the restoration guys.
I will keep posting pics in the thread till I get up to this weeks progress.

Gastrick · Sep 19, 2008

Cool, so this is like a prequel. Build pics are always fun to look at. Keep em coming.

Bonehead · Sep 19, 2008

looks like a really clean cab.

Boltbreaker · Sep 19, 2008

Gastrick said:
Cool, so this is like a prequel. Build pics are always fun to look at. Keep em coming.

I wanted to start from the beginning so as to help the new guys out. When I started I was clueless on how to get from a body to a driver. Maybe they wont measure once and cut three times like I did at times

Heck I'm still an amature at this.
Brian

Boltbreaker · Sep 19, 2008

Once I got the Galaxie stripped I brought the cab, drive train and rear end assembly out to Voo Doo Larry Kustoms to get a frame made and the top chopped. I did not understand the geometry and didnt have the welding skills yet to make a safe frame. So I had them do it. While it was there at his shop I had him take about 4.5" out of the top.
I picked up my front rims off of ebay and the rear coil overs as well. I bought a tube axle, spring, and radious rods from Speedway.

Larry did a great job chopping the top and fabricating the frame.
I just wish I would have found these websites sooner and learned how to do it myself. The truck sat for months til I saved up enough money to get started again.
Fast forward to this:

I bought a 35 grill shell and mounted it, and picked up a pair of Model T headlights and also mounted them.

YoungBlood · Sep 19, 2008

Awesome. The late 30's Fords are my favorite Cabs.

Keep it up!

Boltbreaker · Sep 19, 2008

Some more pics and info from the build (about 2mos old).
I installed 1940 Ford brakes up front.
The steering box got mounted. I think I have the front of the drag link bolted on the top of the steering arminstead of the bottom. I need to flip it.

Brian

BruceR&C · Sep 19, 2008

Nice beginning. I'm with Gastrick, build threads are fun to follow. Keep updating as you go.

ShovelHeadShawn · Sep 20, 2008

the more cool trucks like this i see, the more i want to sell my sedan and get one

sgo70 · Sep 20, 2008

I like how they angled up the front instead of a Z, kinda wish I had seen that before I built mine. Oh well, next one!

Sean

50Ford · Sep 20, 2008

Awesome build! i cant wait to see more.

Bandit Ls-1 · Sep 20, 2008

more pictures!!!

Willowbilly3 · Sep 21, 2008

Nice, the chop is just right. It looks like it's coming together fine. And it's a Ford engine, me like.

Boltbreaker · Sep 22, 2008

The bed was started a couple months ago and is still under construction. I needed to get the bed frame done to finish up the truck frame brackets and kick up rails. I will show those later.
After the bed frame was done I cut the side panels out of cold rolled carbon steel sheets. The framework is 1 1/2" square tube with 1/8" wall. The side sheets are made from 16 gauge steel. I had a local welding shop bend the top rails in a brake because they where so long I couldnt do it.
The bed is 49" wide, by 62" long. The bed is A little heavier than needed but I figured I could use a little extra weight over the rear tires. I also picked up a set of rear wheels from Wheel Vintique to match the 40 style fronts. The rears are 15"X8" style #14 or #16, I cant remember exactly. I cant wait to order up the Radir pie cut wide white to see how they look.

Boltbreaker · Sep 22, 2008

Sorry about the back to back posts but this will bring me up to the current status of the build to date.
I welded plates onto the back of the front radius arms this weekend. I used 1/8" wall sheet and cut it out with a plasma cutter. I thought the arms didnt look beefy enough visually (in my goofy brain). I also want to drill some 1.5" speed holes in them so they look a little more hot rod. Hopefully the new holesaws will come in today and I can get started on the holes tonight.
I also picked up a different grill shell last week from a eBay seller. The new one has all the fins intact where as my old one had a bunch of fins missing. My thought on the trucks finish is to Scotchbright pad the cab, and grill shell and coat it with WD-40 so I still have the Patina but with a little preserved look.

bob w · Sep 22, 2008

Nice work you are doing BB. The radius rods should look great with holes in the plates. I know a lot of guys use Gibb's oil on bare metal. I have used JB-80, which I got at a local home improvement store. It seems to work real well. Any auto parts store that carries Justice Brothers products will have it.

Boltbreaker · Sep 22, 2008

bob w said:
Nice work you are doing BB. The radius rods should look great with holes in the plates. I know a lot of guys use Gibb's oil on bare metal. I have used JB-80, which I got at a local home improvement store. It seems to work real well. Any auto parts store that carries Justice Brothers products will have it.

Bob,
I guess this is a newby question but is the Gibbs oil and JB-80 oil for cutting the holes in the plates or for preserving the bare metal on the cab and grill shell I mentioned? I hate to look like a dummy asking but I am getting good at it

bob w · Sep 22, 2008

I use it on bare metal to prevent any further rust. Gibb's is hard to get, typically you need to order a case by internet. I used way less than half a spray can of JB-80 on the roof of my Crosley wagon. It looked oily for a while but then dried out. It doesn't sit out in the rain so I'm not sure how effective it is over a long period of outdoor life. Might have to reapply occasionally. For a couple dollars you can try it on a piece of scrap metal. Oh, it might work ok as a cutting oil too.

Boltbreaker · Sep 22, 2008

sgo70 said:
I like how they angled up the front instead of a Z, kinda wish I had seen that before I built mine. Oh well, next one!

Sean

I knew the frame had to be either Z'ed or pie cut because I couldnt channel the cab. I opted for the pie cut rise look. My wife has a 36inch inseam and she would have been all scrunched in the cab.

Boltbreaker · Sep 26, 2008

Im looking for some opinions on wheather to mount my spun aluminum gas tank exposed above the bed rails or wheather I should just conceal it between the frame rails and under the tonneau cover. I looked at it both ways and I cant decide. I will post some pics I guess to help.

My 1939 Ford PU Build

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