1937 Ford Pickup

[smallfoot]

Looks stout to me

 

[kenny c]

Thanks guys. I got a little more done today. I cut all the bracing out of the front 2/3 of the chassis, cleaned up the welds and set the cab in place. I have 1 3/4 inches of room between the back of the cab and uprights taking into account for the curve in the back of the cab. This should give me enough room front panel of the bed. I set up the front axel. The problem I'm having is that I'm not sure that I have my ride height where I want it. I pushed the axel up to where I will still be at 9 inches of ground clearance. I was shooting for 7 to 8 inches. The spring looks pretty flat. What do you guys think.[S[S

 

[kenny c]

Tomorrows plan is to set up temporary motor mounts and use it to weight it down and see where it sits. I will have to add extra weight to take into account for the radiator, fluids, sheet metal, steering, lights and what not. Maybe an additional 100 pounds, again any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for checking in and the encouragement.

 

[Old Iron]

Looks like ya have the axle compressed to the right amount

 

[kenny c]

Ok. Thanks Old Iron. I wasn't sure. Back to welding

 

[kenny c]

I hate rework

Todays adventure was to cut the frame rails in front of the cab and raise the front crossmember. I also cut the the rails just behind the front crossmember in order to bring the caster back to 7 degrees. This will give me about 6 inches of ground clearance. It works out that the front of the hood at the bottom edge should just clear the crossmember. This way should look better and no modifications to to the hood sides or grill. This ride height should make it look less like a 4x4.

 

[zzrodder]

That's a nice tidy way to Z the frame, gets it down without an obvious step in the frame rail [cl[P

 

[Torchie]

Looks good.
I hear you in the rework.
Torchie

 

[kenny c]

Thanks guys. Better to find and fix now rather than later when I have paint on it.

 

[kenny c]

Kenny, when doing vertical welds , most common problem is "drowning " your wire in the puddle. Back off the wire feed and make sure you`ve got a decent V for good penetration. I hold my torch at about 45`and let the puddle pre heat the deep end of the V and then push it back up to fill. Hope that makes sense.
I would stongly advise to flip the frame to do the welds on the underside.

Thanks Dutch. I'll try that. If seems I'm welding too hot. less wire speed makes sense.

 

[kenny c]

You'll never find a factory built car that close!



I've found an under floor better in tight spaces but that's just me!

Very nice work!!! [cl

BoB

Thanks Tripper. do you find them to work better even with a lowered seat height?

 

[joedoh]

nice fab!

 

[kenny c]

Thanks Joe.

 

[kenny c]

Not too much done tonight. Started making motor mounts. I think I may make them so that I can bolt them to the frame. This will make it so I can drop the motor and tranny out the bottom and not have to pull the cab off in the event that the motor has to come out. Just trying too think ahead and make life easier later.

 

[DozerII]

Good Idea. [P[P

 

[Torchie]

Looks great. [cl [ [
I'm a big fan of bolt in mounts vs solid welded. Both engine and trans.
Keep at it.
[P [P [P
Torchie

 

[kenny c]

Thanks guys. My plan was to do the same for the trans mount too.

 

[kenny c]

Not much to report today. Yesterday I made threaded bungs to put through the frame. I only broke one tap. I got them welded in for the motor mounts and put the motor back in place. Today I made a temporary mount to locate the rear of the trans. After finishing the welds for motor mounts and smoothing the welds I decided to move on to the rear end. spent a lot of time welding up rust pits and grinding gouges on the nine inch housing. It's amazing how long some stuff takes to get done but doesn't look like much. I forgot to take pictures so you will have to take my word for it for now. Maybe tomorrow I can get the four link brackets on the rear end.

 

[Torchie]

[P [P [P [P [P
Torchie

 

[DozerII]

It is amazing how long the smallest, simplest seeming jobs take up your time. But forward progress is always good.[P[P