Best place to source out an S-10 frame.

[ratphotog]

I have my eye on my first rat rod project. It's a 1937 Ford Panel Van.

This thing is in decent shape, but it needs to be lowered and a drivetrain needs to be dropped in it.

It needs brake work and all that stuff of course so I was thinking about just transfering the body to an extended cab S-10 frame.


So I have some questions......

1. Should I just rebuild the 1937 brakes and replace all the brake lines and what not, then Z the frame?

2. Should I go forward with the S-10 swap idea?

3. What are your reasons for answering the first two questions the way you did?

4. Are brake and suspension parts for a 1937 Ford readily available at parts stores in an emergency?

5. Which way would be cheaper? S-10 or 37 rebuild?



The 1937 frame is solid enough to handle this build and if I use it I would still be removing the body to go through the frame and make sure everything is in good working order.

I want to build a reliable rat that I can put some serious miles on, but at the same time, I have a seriously tight budget. I just need to know which way I should proceed so I can establish a gameplan and a budget.

 

[Tripper]

This is just my 2¢ but I would keep the orig frame & update it. Those were built on truck frames & are plenty strong although you might wanna to do a lil boxing depending on what motor you use. Got any pictures!?

BoB

 

[ratphotog]

I kinda figured the frame was good enough. My concern is the brake system and suspension.

Are parts available for the brakes on it? Like if I went to my local NAPA, could I buy 1937 Ford brake parts?
How difficult/expensive would it be to swap to front disc brakes?

Things like that.

I am VERY new to building something like this, but I have worked in the auto repair field as a Service Manager. I guess what I am saying is I have book knowledge, but not so much hands on.

I'll try to find the photos. I got a set from the owner but I misplaced them.

 

[ratphotog]

Oh, and for the motor.....

I want to keep that on the cheap too, so I am just considering a 350/350 combo. But on the otherhand I kinda want to keep it Ford as well.

Maybe I'll look into a Ford inline 6 or a 302 V8. Whatever I can find on the cheap.

My goal is to get it built and rolling on the cheap and then go back in and make upgrades as I go. I would eventually like to build a big motor, and put a nice suspension under it, but right now it's all driven by the mighty dollar.

 

[TiredIronGRB]

I would keep the front suspension, it's a very desirable setup and you can usually find all the brake parts on ebay (look for '40 Ford brakes). You probably should go with a later model rear axle (S-10 axles work well) to make it more driveable.

 

[donsrods]

Your stock 37 brakes are mechanical, not hydraulic...........sell them to a restorer and use the 37 spindles and put 40 - 48 Ford brakes on the front. You do not want mechanical brakes on a car you intend on driving. Use the complete setup from the later Ford, like backing plates, internals, and drums.

Don

 

[ratphotog]

Thank you for the info on the front brakes.

Now the rear axle. I should just find something late model like an S-10 or something and use those drum brakes?

Now if I go to hydrollic brake on this truck that didn't originally have them, what do I do about a master cylinder? Would just about anything work? Is there a master cylinder of choice?

Thanks again for the info so far. I am trying to put together a list of parts I need so I can just get to building once I buy the truck.

 

[Toad]

Now the rear axle. I should just find something late model like an S-10 or something and use those drum brakes?

Not sure how wide the old axle is but rear ends from Crown Vics, trucks & other old Fords are strong, cheap & plentiful. Most are drum but lots have discs.

Toad

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Check out Speedway they have disc brake conversions for your spindles and some good brake pedal/master cylinder kits that are easy to install.

 

[ratphotog]

Ok, I am possibly an idiot here......

I swear the guy said it was a 1937, but I was looking through photos on google to show my friend and it actually appears to be a 1947 Ford Panel Van.

So would this would mean it has hydraullic brakes already, correct?

How is the axle on these? I would not be putting much power through it. Maybe I could just clean it up and make sure the seals are good?

Here is a photo of a panel van that has a grille similar to the one I am looking at. It sais 1947 on the search results for the photo.

 

[ratphotog]

I hope to have photos of the actual truck again soon. I lost them and asked the owner for another set. Once I have those we can confirm the year.

 

[ratphotog]

Ok, I have more answers but more questions.


Ok, the panel van is definately a 1947 and not a 37 like I swore he told me. I also found out it is not a 1/2 ton like I originally thought, it is a 1 ton or F-3.

I also found out it has manual hydraulic brakes that need work of course.


So here are the questions I have now......

1. Knowing it has hydraulic brakes, should I just stick with those and fix them up or am I going to hate myself for building this thing with manual brakes?

I am all for using the old stuff when I can, it will make for a cooler truck, but I also need to build this thing so it's safe.

2. If I go to an S-10 or other modern rear axle that came from a vehicle with power brakes am I going to have to upgrade the whole system to power brakes to match?

3. Can I just add a power brake master cylinder to the 1947 brake system or am I going to explode the wheel cylinders if I do that? lol


Again, thank you for the help in advance. I'm sure I could answer some of these questions for myself if I had the truck in front of me, but I have to plan a lot of this out in advance or I can't fund it.

 

[donsrods]

Well, you are in much better shape than if it were a 37. The 47 already has hydrualic brakes front and rear. You can rebuild them with available parts (even NAPA carries them). They are not quite as efficient as modern self energizing brakes, but some people modify brakes from a Ford F100 in the early 50's to work, and those are somewhat better. You have to use the entire assembly and do minor grinding on the spindle top for clearance. You also need specific wheel bearings to make the whole thing work. A brake booster would help this one out a lot, I think.

The stock rear end MAY be an open driveline. I say MAY because I think Ford pickups did not have the torque tubes like on the cars, but I am not 100% sure. Just climb under it and if you see a regular drive shaft that is what you have. If you see a long tapered column that encloses a drive shaft, you have a torque tube type rear end.

I think an S10 rear will be too narrow at 54 inches wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface. Your stock rear should be in the neighborhood of 60 and 1/2 inches. You won't know for sure until you get a tape on it.

Don

 

[ratphotog]

Thanks for the info.

I think I will try to just rebuild the brakes that are on it then. I am not trying to build a fast truck, just a cruiser. Later on I could look into a power brake upgrade.

I'll have to check out the rear end.

I think I will move forward with the money talks now and try to pick this thing up.

Thanks again.