1955 Ranch Wagon Cruiser

[DJ3100]

Rear bumper

Ok, OK it's been a while. I have been goofing off.

I have been watching CL for a rear bumper since I got this project - haven't seen one. Found one on Ebay - $40. Of course it was in Virginia so shipping was $114. Still I was expecting to have to pay $300 +-.

Got it yesterday. It has the exhaust in the bumper - way cool.

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Very straight with one little ding - no big deal.

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Somehow I had pictured the exhaust holes in line with the inside of the frame. I got the bumper brackets with the car. They are obviously different from the ones needed for this bumper (the brackets go right through the center of the holes)

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Mounted it without the outer bracket. I'd sure like to see how the factory did this exhaust. It needs an S turn to duck under the frame at just the spot.

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[DJ3100]

Exhaust

I needed to do some adjusting to the headers to accommodate the X pipes. The outlets of the headers need to be parallel in order to remove the X pipe or the headers. A couple angle cuts got it there. The O2 sensors were in the reducer, but there just wasn't enough room to install them so they got moved to the headers.

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Fuzzy pic, but here's next section.

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Somehow this exhaust is being harder than the headers. I have redone all of it at least twice.

I ordered the drive shaft on Dec 29 and got it on Dec 30. I guess they didn't have a lot to do over the holidays.

 

[DJ3100]

PCM tray

I have been following JFG455's build and learned there was a tray or bracket to mount the PCM. Hadn't thought about how to mount it. Following his lead I got this. Don't have the GM discount so I had to pay the $21.

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[DJ3100]

Exhaust hangers

I had to look pretty hard to find these - CarQuest had them. I removed the 3/8 round out like the one on the left.

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Used riv nuts and 3/8 bolts to hold them to the frame. A 3/8 bolt replaces the 3/8 round. Yup, the brackets have lightening holes (if I had a CNC plasma cutter I'd do lightening or a flying ram skull).

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This where I'm going to leave the exhaust for now. I ordered NOS through-the-bumper exhaust tips from the guy I got the bumper from. I'm going to strip the frame tomorrow and put it on the rotisserie. I'll finish the exhaust when I get it back together.

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[sgtpontiac]

Wow....nice job!!

Looks rather spiffy....very nice work....[cl

 

[earthman]

Every step is better than the Ford engineers did it Dan.

 

[I-R-POPS]

SWEET!! It's the little things that make it fun.
Nice bumper too.

 

[zzrodder]

Exhaust looks great, what brand are those mufflers? Love those bumpers with the exhaust outlets, I remember my brother had fun routing the pipes to them on his 56 Crown Vic, being a Canadian model, it is the rare one with the Meteor lettering stamped in the center.

 

[DJ3100]

Exhaust looks great, what brand are those mufflers? Love those bumpers with the exhaust outlets, I remember my brother had fun routing the pipes to them on his 56 Crown Vic, being a Canadian model, it is the rare one with the Meteor lettering stamped in the center.

Thanks everyone.

The mufflers are Hushpower 2's. I think Flowmaster bought Hushpower several years ago. I liked the way they sounded on You tube. I can see a real challenge coming with the exhaust routing. After I ordered the NOS tips I got to thinking they won't be nearly as big a diameter as the rest of the system.

 

[bob w]

I appreciate that you take the time to photograph and post a lot of build details. You are a very meticulous craftsman. Great job!

 

[earthman]

Thanks everyone.

The mufflers are Hushpower 2's. I think Flowmaster bought Hushpower several years ago. I liked the way they sounded on You tube. I can see a real challenge coming with the exhaust routing. After I ordered the NOS tips I got to thinking they won't be nearly as big a diameter as the rest of the system.

Might make an even better sounding exhaust note as it constricts and speeds up coming out.

 

[jfg455]

Looking good!

On a side note there is a ranch wagon for sale on the local CL up here. Big rust holes in the floor, pin holes in the wheel lips etc. but running and driving with an updated 5 spd. All foor the low cost of $13.5K

 

[DJ3100]

Reasons to post a build thread

Thanks Bob.

I have found that it really helps to photograph and post the build. Like others say, it keeps me motivated. It provides permanent (I hope) documentation of what was done. I don't plan on selling it, but if I ever do the buyer will have all the answers - good or bad nothing is hidden.

Most importantly it helps me remember where I am and what I did on the project. Too many details to keep straight.

The feedback is extremely helpful. Folks have solutions to the problems, tell me when I'm going in the wrong direction ( I hope), ideas and experience.

I often need to see how someone else solves a particular problem, so I spend a lot of time looking at other builds. The whole community needs to contribute for anyone to benefit.

Of course the pats on the back are great, too.

 

[CORPO]

Great looking exhaust set up...

 

[DJ3100]

Might make an even better sounding exhaust note as it constricts and speeds up coming out.

Hadn't thought about them effecting the sound. Kind of like resonators?

 

[jfg455]

Folks have solutions to the problems, tell me when I'm going in the wrong direction ( I hope),

Or just giggle and point...[cl

 

[DJ3100]

Or just giggle and point...[cl

Yeah, for a lot of us that's our biggest fear. I think it's a reason a lot of folks don't post. Those of us that do post our builds tell ourselves we don't care. Maybe we really don't.

 

[DJ3100]

Frame rotisserie

Got the frame stripped down this morning. Left the front wheels, so I could roll it out with a floor jack in the rear.

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Just as it was ready to go outside - rain.

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An hour later it was done. This is the fourth frame I have done on these converted engine stands. I spent a while working on the attachments - each frame requires something different.

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Back in the shop and upside down.

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The cross member has some issues.

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I tacked these templates in while the headers were still in so I would be confident in the location of the holes.

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I decided to weld everything I could.

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[forbigpicture]

Lookin' good DJ....... having what you need to work with sure helps doesn't
it....welds look great.....carry on

 

[sgtpontiac]

Look mighty fine.....

Nice job on the eng stands/rotisserie.....can't let a little rain slow ya down...[P