50s Ford F1 Build

[Dirtyrat]

Not a whole lot of progress last night, no gas in the tank...
I did get a couple coats of paint on the steering shaft... tonight I plan on re-fitting that to make sure all is good, and metal finishing the battery box, final fitting that & cutting the holes for the side post battery in the firewall... probably add a couple supports, and hopefully at least get some primer on the battery box tonight...

 

[05snopro440]

A Rat Rod with a heater.
What's wrong with you people.
Torchie.

I was just wondering. I'd say you need a heater up in your part of the country. Carry on with vengeance.

Enough people I know up here have built a vehicle without a heater and not long after added one. A hot rod without a heater has a really short season up here...

 

[MercuryMac]

You're right Snopro, we have to straighten out those southern guys like Torchie sometimes. Heaters lengthen out the hotrod season quite a lot.
If you put some pinstripes on the heater, people will flock to your truck to see the coolness of your cab interior.
Keep on tinkering.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Eventually I want A/C as well, I want to drive this thing longer distances, and maybe even to work once or twice a week depending on weather... Like I said before, just because it is a rat doesn't mean the inside can't be nice and comfortable, I have built a few cars that just were not enjoyable to drive for that reason, and I'm not straying from having creature comforts.

 

[05snopro440]

I didn't go for A/C since it's not real necessary up here. I'm right with you on having all the creature comforts, I did the same in my truck when I built it, so it has a good stereo and speakers with Bluetooth, good insulation and weatherstripping, good wipers, soon to have cruise control, basically everything I need for a comfortable drive. The interior is comfortable and fully finished, even though the exterior looks ratty.

 

[bob w]

You guys are right on with making your ride meet your comfort requirements. Many hot rods sit in storage, seldom used because they are too uncomfortable.
It depends on the owner. Some of us will put up with a lot of discomfort in order to maintain a certain look. But generally, the more comfortable it is the more it will get driven.

DR, the way you are going at this build, I'm sure you will keep tweeking it til you get it the way you want it.

 

[Torchie]

You're right Snopro, we have to straighten out those southern guys like Torchie sometimes. Heaters lengthen out the hotrod season quite a lot.
If you put some pinstripes on the heater, people will flock to your truck to see the coolness of your cab interior.
Keep on tinkering.

Enough people I know up here have built a vehicle without a heater and not long after added one. A hot rod without a heater has a really short season up here...

So i'm gone for a while and come back to find my name being dragged thru the mud. Or snow as it were.....
My former daily driver was a modified 1950 GMC Panel truck that I drove 365 days out of 365 days a year for 5 years. Electric 3 speed wipers. 2 heaters, shoulder harness, ect. So I am all for saftey, reliability and creature comforts.
But having said that I am reminded of the fact that back in High school one of my cars was a 1955 Caddy convertible. My then girlfriend used to hate it when I would pick her up for a date in it as unless it was pouring rain I would envariably have the top down. Even if it was lightly snowing.
I guess we were just built tougher back then.[c
The project is looking good DR. I heard that there was something kind of like it at Cobo this year.
Torchie.

 

[Dirtyrat]

You guys are all spot on, I completely agree with all of you for sure.
The more comfortable the ride, the more it will get used, and this is one truck I really want to drive.

I didn't make it to the Cobo Autorama this year Torchie, but we plan on entering the show next year for sure.

Anyhow, tonight I sorted out the steering drag link issues I was having were due to the replacement springs having either more winds on the coil springs or a larger wire diameter. So the issue is that before the cotter pins can go in, the spring would coil bind.

My solution was to just go back to an original spring to do the final test fitment. I may contact the manufacturer and let them know the springs are just not right.

I also finished up the steering shaft itself, I just need some 1/8" roll pins (sheer pins for collapse of the steering shaft)

The battery box got mounted and test fit, and now its in primer. Just need the holes for the side terminal posts through the firewall which will probably be the next time I can work on the truck.

Anyhow, pictures... Grrrr, why is the max pic size 219K now?

 

[Neverdone]

I'm not straying from having creature comforts.

You are much more driven than I am. I understand what you are saying though. I think my next project ride will be something more practical. I really want to build something fun with my other TDI, probably not a smith kit though. I want a Ghia....... bad......

 

[Torchie]

I didn't make it either DR and I was only 20 minutes away from Cobo.
Oh well.....
The vehicle I mentioned looks to be an 40's truck cab with a mopar car rear section on it. Maybe a late 50' Dodge or Plymouth.It is painted a lime metallic.
I tried to post a pic but it won't go.
Torchie.

 

[Torchie]

Let's try it again....

 

[05snopro440]

Let's try it again....

Ah, that's this one!

It's been on the covers of Overkill and Rod and Kulture, but probably others. Lots of interesting ideas on it, for sure! The truck is named Cosmic Outkast, it's a 1940 Ford cab with an Olds stroker motor. Not sure on the bed section, I would have to check my copy of Overkill at home.

Here's a video: Youtube Video Cosmic Outkast The narrator is a bit annoying, but it shows you the truck.

 

[Torchie]

Thanks for the assist SnoPro.
Now that I see the front shot of the truck I realize that it may have been there the last time I went to the show.
Hard to remember as the show is huge.
Torchie.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Thanks for the assist SnoPro.
Now that I see the front shot of the truck I realize that it may have been there the last time I went to the show.
Hard to remember as the show is huge.
Torchie.

I like the truck a lot, the only thing I don't seem to like about most of the trucks with a car rear is that they narrow them so far to fit between the tires that the rear is much narrower than the cab which to me looks funny... This truck looks very well done however I could do without the pig nose...

Anyhow, pics from the other night:

 

[Torchie]

I like the truck a lot, the only thing I don't seem to like about most of the trucks with a car rear is that they narrow them so far to fit between the tires that the rear is much narrower than the cab which to me looks funny... This truck looks very well done however I could do without the pig nose..

Anyhow, pics from the other night:

Agreed on the snout DR. The funny thing is that if that truck wasn't all chrome and metal flake people would call it a "Rat Rod" LOL
Drag link looks great. (As expected ). Most people won't even notice what you did.
I am still working towards being at Cobo with you next year. We will see.
Torchie.

 

[bob w]

Two thumbs up on the quality of your fabrication. Nice design work too.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Two thumbs up on the quality of your fabrication. Nice design work too.

Thanks Bob, I just wish I could clone myself to get more done!

Just a couple pics of painted stuff, and the battery installed tonight for a final fitment test.
I bought a cheap rubber mat to cut up to put around and under the battery to isolate it from the box, seems to work nice...

Also a pic of the steering column bracket finished up, I'm going to pull the steering parts apart this week, and get them painted up, and final weld the steering box mount.

I also did a final fitment on the brake pedal setup, and found I need to cut down my spacer a bit, which is better than the alternative... so I'll be finishing that up tomorrow after work and hopefully getting the brakes finished up this week as well for good.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Looking good Rich. Good Idea on the battery box.
Keep plugging.

 

[Torchie]

Nice!!
Torchie.

 

[choppinczech]

Great job on the drag link![cl