New life for the '30 Chevy

Thanks LB. Like the commercial goes, "but wait! there's more!"


My imagination continuing unchecked, I figured out something else to put on it- a swing arm/truck crane type lift for quick easy picking up that unwanted motor, rear end, or whatever is too heavy for me to lift anymore! [cl

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170310&stc=1&d=1641334758

I slotted the end of some 2x2 to receive a piece of flame cut ½” plate. 2 3/8” Drill stem was used for the main upright and the pivoting sleeves was the next step up- not to tight, not too loose. Just right! Had to get creative for something to keep the rain from bleeding out the grease on the pivot points so a small piece of the bigger drill stem got wrapped with a piece of ½” flat bar. While not for everyone, I like the rough fab look of this. Didn’t make everything smooth and slick, only swiped over the flame cuts with a flap disc, etc. Works for me.
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170311&stc=1&d=1641334758
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Detail pics to follow...

Picking up whatever needs to be on the flat bed is one of the very best antique store finds I’ve ever made- a vintage Yale & Towne Mfg ½ ton double pulley chain hoist. Picked it up for $20!

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170316&stc=1&d=1641335563

Detail pics:

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170317&stc=1&d=1641335563
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170318&stc=1&d=164133
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https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170321&stc=1&d=1641335563
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170322&stc=1&d=1641335563

Good idea on the hoist!

Cool [P[P

Looks like it was always there [cl

Looks great[cl
Isn't it interesting the things we come up with to make getting older workable [S

Old Iron said:

Looks like it was always there [cl

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DozerII said:

Cool [P[P

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smallfoot said:

Good idea on the hoist!

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soltz said:

Looks great[cl
Isn't it interesting the things we come up with to make getting older workable [S

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Thanks much!

I realized something else made a sneak preview in one of the winch pics so....

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170355&stc=1&d=1641479717
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170356&stc=1&d=1641479717
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170357&stc=1&d=1641479717

The idea of a trailer behind this thing (goose neck or otherwise) is something I can see in my mind but can't imagine how crazy that will be- if that makes sense. Probably not a whole lot of '30-ish trucks out there pulling a loaded trailer.

Getting closer yet seeming way down the road...

How about a windshield wiper? (Noticed I didn’t say “wipers”- well, not just yet at least.) Where to find an electric one that will mount to raised roof/overhead console of a 1930 truck? You make one work that was a freebie out of a 350Z rear hatch of course!

First go-round was an ebay dual wiper (VW Jeta IIRC) but that didn’t work out physical wise, taking away too much gauge/toggle switch room in the console. After a decent amount more pondering I came up with an idea which required cutting out a piece of the 1x1frame for modification, allowing the motor to both fit in the space and have the right amount of shaft sticking through the body panel for the wiper to attach to.

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170424&stc=1&d=1641667775
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https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170426&stc=1&d=1641667775

In the third pic you’ll see the two motor mounting bolts for the motor. (Carriage bolts of course.)I also had to modify the attached factory mounting piece, slotting some holes for a bit of rotation.

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170427&stc=1&d=1641667775
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170428&stc=1&d=1641667775

With the motor all mounted up I then modified the wiper arm (with an 11” blade) to sit correctly when off, and get as much as possible out of the swing. The last pic shows that extent though it doesn’t seem that much, from the driver’s seat it looks like it’d be plenty safe.

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170429&stc=1&d=1641667775
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170430&stc=1&d=1641667775

Of course the first time the wife rides in it she’ll want another one in front of her so she can see also! Hmmmm...

Good work.
If your interior doesn't cover your wiper drive, here's a possible solution. I took the glove box out of my donor Ranger pick-up, turned it front to back and bolted it over top of the wiper unit.

Old Stuff said:
"The idea of a trailer behind this thing (goose neck or otherwise) is something I can see in my mind but can't imagine how crazy that will be- if that makes sense. Probably not a whole lot of '30-ish trucks out there pulling a loaded trailer. "
Hope you don't mind my sidetrack!
Don't count them all out. It's maybe only those who don't have 30's trucks! Heheh!

MercuryMac said:

Good work.
If your interior doesn't cover your wiper drive, here's a possible solution. I took the glove box out of my donor Ranger pick-up, turned it front to back and bolted it over top of the wiper unit.

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Thanks MM. Good idea on the glove box. For mine the face of the console will be permanently attached but the bottom panel of the console will be removable for access to all the gauges, toggles, and LED's, etc. I also verified that the wiper motor is removable- and since it is, maybe now I will never have to!

smallfoot said:

Old Stuff said:
"The idea of a trailer behind this thing (goose neck or otherwise) is something I can see in my mind but can't imagine how crazy that will be- if that makes sense. Probably not a whole lot of '30-ish trucks out there pulling a loaded trailer. "
Hope you don't mind my sidetrack!
Don't count them all out. It's maybe only those who don't have 30's trucks! Heheh!

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[cl[cl[cl That's what I'm talking about! Pics like that are not a side track at all- they are encouraging!

Here's the thirties truck that I want to pull my trailer with, a '36 Ford. I couldn't help showing off the fact that it's a 'barnfind'.

MercuryMac said:

Here's the thirties truck that I want to pull my trailer with, a '36 Ford. I couldn't help showing off the fact that it's a 'barnfind'.

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Awesome +2! That is actually the example of my 2nd most favorite truck body styles. I have one of those in a heartbeat.

Funny how, before my '30, I didn't give the "heavier trucks" a second thought. Now I gravitate toward them on a regular basis. I guess having driven a tractor trailer for quite a few years and being a hot rodder it makes for the perfect match.

Are you planning on starting on the '36 any time soon? [dr [cl

Old Stuff said:

Awesome +2! That is actually the example of my 2nd most favorite truck body styles. I have one of those in a heartbeat.

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To clarify- I'd have one of those in a heartbeat- don't have one now.

Old Stuff, I have been planning for this truck to pull a trailer for a while but there are complications.
The old fellow that sold me the truck was not happy when I mentioned 'hotrod' in our earlier conversation. He had paid good money to have that 1936 flathead motor rebuilt so he would like to see it used a wee bit. The old fellow has been a friend of mine from my first days of trucking fifty years ago. He'll be ninety four any minute now. So, anyhow, I traded an old gravel box for a '40's wooden grain box, which I'm going to mount on a hydraulic hoist on top of this old truck. That way I can take it to our old combine days, or old threshing days and haul away the grain in the right style.
Also, I have about ten other major projects to do and the order of the list keeps changing. That's not counting all of my other hobbies.
So, that's a definite 'maybe'.

Very cool score!!! I also like those older heavy duty trucks!!

MercuryMac said:

Old Stuff, I have been planning for this truck to pull a trailer for a while but there are complications.
.........
Also, I have about ten other major projects to do and the order of the list keeps changing. That's not counting all of my other hobbies.
So, that's a definite 'maybe'.

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Ain't that they way it seems to go? You sir, are not in that wagon alone. Haven't fully finished my '58 (thought we all know at hot rod is never "really" finished), can't find enough time for the '30 for what I'd like, and have started thinking about a V-8 swap into my '87 Toyota truck. Ha- yesterday me and a buddy started talking about a V-8 swap in my wife's Trailblazer- but quickly dropped that.

Shoulder belts-grew up without ‘em. I used to hate ‘em when they made it law to make us wear them. Now I’m used to ‘em and think they’re a good idea so I put 'em in the ’30. Wiser?- I don’t know about that. (I put ‘em in my ’58 some time back…)

https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170492&stc=1&d=1641907442
https://ratrodsrule.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=170493&stc=1&d=1641907442

I'm like you, didn't like them at all but, after getting used to them, I always buckle up.