50s Ford F1 Build

[Dirtyrat]

12/4 Updates

Thanks for the comments guys, I do appreciate it!!

Well, finally got to run some wire through the new millermatic 180 autoset, loving it, and the 25ft range from the plug! [[[

Welded up the upper link mounts, and tacked them into the frame. Welded up the axle side spring mounts so I can finish mocking up the axle side upper link mounts.

I'm planning on angling off the front areas to give it a less boxy look as well on the axle side.

Well on to the pics

 

[sgtpontiac]

Ok....the bolts thru the spring mount area...

Are those adjustment bolts??? LIke to adjust height?? Or simply some stops? I've never been involved in any suspension like this...so pardon my questions and or lack of knowledge....[S

 

[Dirtyrat]

They are adjustment bolts, and jam nuts. The bolts I have will give me around an inch of adjustment, I may get longer bolts if necessary..

The rear pivot bolt will be increased in size to 1/2" grade 8 as well... soon, after mock up is done.

 

[sgtpontiac]

Kool.....

They are adjustment bolts, and jam nuts. The bolts I have will give me around an inch of adjustment, I may get longer bolts if necessary..

The rear pivot bolt will be increased in size to 1/2" grade 8 as well... soon, after mock up is done.

sort of what i thought but didn't know for sure.... neat idea though...[cl

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

Clipped from Tripper's thread...

"I must be honest with you: I think rat rods represent what is wrong with modern america.....no class, poor design, often unsafe, built on the cheap, no appreciation for engineering excellence or mechanical excellence."

Clearly, this genius has never met you and can't read a build thread. Keep it coming, DR. [cl

 

[sgtpontiac]

Wow...doc, I didn't know you thought I was a genius!!

Clipped from Tripper's thread...

"I must be honest with you: I think rat rods represent what is wrong with modern america.....no class, poor design, often unsafe, built on the cheap, no appreciation for engineering excellence or mechanical excellence."

Clearly, this genius has never met you and can't read a build thread. Keep it coming, DR. [cl

....Oh...sorry thought you were talking about me....lol... but I can read a build thread and I certainly don't think poorly of RR's....whew....I almost felt bad...but only for a minute....

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

I wasn't talking about you, Sarge. You're the kind of genius who belongs in Bellevue. (Strictly humor with a Barney Miller reference).

 

[sgtpontiac]

Sometimes I feel like Wjohowicz...

I wasn't talking about you, Sarge. You're the kind of genius who belongs in Bellevue. (Strictly humor with a Barney Miller reference).

other days I feel like "Fish"..... LOL

 

[GJunktionMike]

New toys [cl

 

[Dirtyrat]

Indeed, love the new welder... Still sorting it out a little but so far the autoset is pretty dang close to the right speed & voltage if I keep moving along...

Looks like I have a couple outside corner welds there that will need to be smoothed out. The inside corners are all welded, I didn't really need to weld the outside as well, but I did anyway...

 

[zpi28]

Looking great DR, that front end is going to be very cool. I agree on the good welder, wish I had my Miller from work here at the house. This Lincoln 225 keeps ****ing me off.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Front Axle makes an appearance

Well, I did get a hand from my cousin to bring the axle out to the garage from the basement last night. Everything is still in basic mockup stage, and I have to pick up some bolts for the axle, but its getting closer to being a roller...

 

[Dirtyrat]

Not much of an update, other than buying the wrong length bolts for the axle mounts.
I'll be exchanging them tomorrow. I did however put the weight on the front axle, I think its pretty close to being right on the height hopefully... tough to tell without having level ground.

Lining up a fuel tank, they are supposed to call me tomorrow with details price, etc...

Also sketching up the panhard mount so I can cut some tubing, which I might cut after work tomorrow so that I can get that tack welded in this weekend before I roll the beast outside.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Not a lot of fuel in the tank tonight, picked up more grade 8 bolts, and bolted the axle brackets on, and cut off the upper link brackets so I can get everything straight and true. Measurements are looking good so far, so happy with ride height, garage tapers off about 1" at the axle so I will be about an inch higher and I can adjust from there when all the weight is on the frame. So looking at 7.5" from the bottom of the frame to the ground, give me another 1.5" of static load, which I think will work.

Going to get the front brackets tacked on well, put a couple more welds on the brackets for strength, then get back to the rear to weld up the 3 link brackets, and the panhard mount which I have not made yet...

I do need some spring clamps too to keep the spring leafs inline...

This weekend I am hoping to get things far enough along to get this thing rolling and put it outside for some pics.

 

[Neverdone]

This weekend I am hoping to get things far enough along to get this thing rolling and put it outside for some pics.

Watching and waiting............... [P [P

 

[Dirtyrat]

Ok ok Clay

I'm making progress, straightened out the front brackets for the upper arms.
Everything is tacked well enough now to roll the front end around. (Still need to finish the front mounts, but they are in final mock up now)

I also started welding in the gussets for the rear lower arms, cross member, etc. But I ran out of wire... I need to make a run to get some wire, and a couple of bolts I'm missing...

I need to finalize the rear shock mounts yet, but that will probably be tomorrow.

So, once some of the finish welding is done on the rear portion I'll feel confident I can roll the truck outside to have a look at its proportions...

Couple pics for the pic lovers:

 

[Dirtyrat]

Shes a roller

Ok, now before you get all uppity about the ride height, I have a 500LB tank that has to go in yet, and all the sheet metal.. . so I'm about 4" up in the rear, and at least 1.5" in the front yet to go down... Body mounts for the cab are not done yet either, so thats something I have to do yet.

No panhard mount yet, but I'm beat...[[[

Anyhow on to pics:

 

[I-R-POPS]

Looking good!!!
I'm liking the overall look and can sure see lots of hrs and brain strain.

Don't think you'll have to worry about your rear axle mounts holding.

Rolling is good I think. Someday I'll get there.

POPS

 

[Bonehead]

That thing is crazy unique. I can see where it is going. I like it alot.

 

[Dirtyrat]

That thing is crazy unique. I can see where it is going. I like it alot.

Coming from a awesome builder and artist, thank you!

I'm getting some big motivation from today, just rolling it out is a big deal to me.
I'll have some slight tweaking of the cab height, but that is to be expected. Once I get the tank and put some extra weight on the truck, I'll finalize the cab height and rake to the truck.