50s Ford F1 Build

[justsomeguy]

Firewall as well? Mine worked out really well with a piece of 16ga. It worked out well enough that I was surprised by the outcome!

If you need any more dimensions from the cab, let me know.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Actually the firewall is solid, inclined floor section is 1/2 rotted....
I will probably leave what I can from the firewall... have to re-do the body mounts on it...

Thanks on the dimensions, I'll probably double check on cross corner dimensions.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Hoping to get more done this week, in the meantime, I have a couple links to other cars I've built...

Check my signature...

 

[Dirtyrat]

small update

Wow, been too dang busy lately to wrench.
But I did, however, insulate my garage ceiling which was the last remaining un-insulated part. I also picked up a heater 50-80k btu propane.

Other updates: I am going to use a 318/A904 setup in this truck as I build up the hemi... Just too much $ to try to get it all going at once, and the 318/A904 is free, which is perfect for a budget truck!

I also lined up a 2012 mustang axle complete with brakes, so I'll likely use that instead of the explorer axle.

More pics this week, I'm getting some garage time

 

[Dirtyrat]

some updates

Viewed the 318, and 2 A904 transmissions and an assortment of parts that are all free from my cousin. Looks like the 318 will do plenty fine and mounts in a similar fashion to the 331 Hemi.

Also partially welded in the new door opening sill on the driver's side, and finally removed the passenger side door... stubborn pins, I just decided to cut right through the hinges and pins.

 

[GJunktionMike]

Good score on the 318. Once had a duster with a 318, stomped many built 350/400[P

 

[Dirtyrat]

making some progress again

Had too much going on to work much on the truck, thankfully have propane for the heater, and got some more done on the truck tonight, going to be a busy week trying to get the truck solid with bracing, and adding in the door sill plate on the passenger side so I can put the truck down on casters to roll it around.

I have to pickup the 318 this weekend, so I need things mobile in the garage.

Anyhow, pics below

 

[Dirtyrat]

some progress

I finally got the rear floor crossmember out, and the passenger side door sill welded in, but I need to make a correction on it... 2 steps forward.... missed a measurement by a bit... however corner to corner the cab is dead on... just had the lower A-pillar measurement go awry somehow... [S[S

Anyhow, more to come soon, plan on tackling the suicide doors prior to chopping the top.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Small update, I did pickup the 318, and A904 Trans, I'll try to get pictures posted soon.

Also, was hoping to have the fundage for the frame, but xmas was more important =) Soon however.

Instead I decided to order the bearclaw latches, and misc parts needed(speedway) to work on the suicide doors which I hope to work on in the next couple weeks. Once the doors are operational, the roof is coming off for the chop.

 

[animal]

That's going to be a cool truck.....the suicide doors will definitely be an attention getter.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Small update, had some time off work, but spent a lot of it with the fam, and also being knocked down by a stomach flu bug.... Finally got out yesterday and worked on the truck to start mocking up the suicide hinge mounts. I'll get some pics this week, I plan on getting some things fully mocked up this week. Got the holes cut into the face of the door, and the back edge of the cab for the raised mounts, probably leave the mounts up about .25" tall from the face of the door to account for the sweep of the door, and ramp the front back into the door.

Also received the bear claw latches from speedway, simple, cost effective safety parts =)

 

[Dirtyrat]

Initial mock-up pics - external suicide hinges dirty style

Coming along, working out the alignment of the top-hat style mount to the body, keeping the hinges level to the world. Different curvature and depth from top to bottom, takes a little time to get it all right...

Aluminum mounting block inside to save some weight, but help give rigidity to the assembly. The final plan is to drill holes in the body and spot weld the mounts into the body.

I plan on finishing off the rear of the mount with some sheet metal that curves back into the body, but thats not priority at the moment...

 

[sgtpontiac]

Like the exposed hinges.....looks cool...

nice work...gotta be a bear to get the curves worked out...but looks good...

 

[Dirtyrat]

slow progress, but pics are good =)

Got the hinge mount tack welded in, its not as I pictured alignment wise, but with how the hinge sits its actually going to be better aligned than how I planned. I'm going to work on the door mount portion of the hinge tomorrow.

I'm going to "spot" weld in the brackets, and metal finish the cab and door skin.

Oh yea, the door in the pics is sitting out from closed position, as its up against the custom door sill slightly, I have some tweaking to do on the inner door skin.

[[[

 

[sgtpontiac]

Looks good...

Did you need all those spot weld holes? Should be plenty sturdy for sure...looking good....

 

[Sam_Fear]

Interesting. I like the idea of curving around the backside.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Did you need all those spot weld holes? Should be plenty sturdy for sure...looking good....

I see a lot of how inner panels and reinforcements are spot welded in, as we do quite a bit of that at our shop building unibody structure... I suppose I have more than enough, but it is something that has to support the whole door.

I'll probably add some support inside too just for rigidity... Probably over engineered, but it is a safety issue =)

 

[Dirtyrat]

finally a little more progress

Finished up the door mount and mount plate tonight, at least fitment wise.

Final welding tomorrow after work with the TIG... Then its on to the bottom hinge, and the latch.

Also, went to a swap meet over the weekend and scored a motor plate for the cherry picker, and also a challenger slap stick auto shifter that I'm probably going to mount on the dash.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Just a small update, did some final welding on the door portion of the upper hinge mount, and tack welded it in, so far its looking like it should work ok. I'm going to work on the lower mounts tomorrow or thursday, once that one is made up its on to final welding in of the mounts so the door is rigid enough to support itself on the hinge mounts...

Then, latches =)

 

[sgtpontiac]

Thanks for the update.....

[P we'll be standing by.......[P