OK, so the '46 did not need to be re-done, but what the hell, that's what we do to make sure we are staying true to the hobby, they're never finished, right!?!
Since the day my dad subframed the '46 back in the mid 80's with a '74 Nova clip, I have always wanted to use this radiator support. It basically aligns the whole front end.
My buddy, Pete Gordon had this original '46 delivery frame which is the same frame as a 1/2 ton truck, so the fit was a perfect match.
He works at a high school in Central FL and had his students clean the frame up to get it ready for a new Fatman Mustang II.
He also had a Ford 9" that came out of a '64-'66 F-100. It was a 1/4" shorter than the Chevy 10 bolt I replaced...another plus!!!
Welding by Mr. Pete G..thank you very much!!! I can weld but when it comes to some major stuff like this, I leave it to the Pro's...
Ready for bodywork and paint!
Got the frame home and started to work on it. In and out of the garage with lots of help from friends. Here Bob and I are moving from one garage bay to the other.
Now it was time for me to start to disassemble and get the body ready to transfer. Bob let me store my '62 Impala in his 3 car garage. We brought over a flatbed trailer that fit perfectly in my center bay, and acted as a big work bench for the duration of the build.
Piece by piece it came apart. I also decided, I would sell the American 20" & 17" wheels and run steelies moving forward.
I installed a new rear-end, they make a kit that is compatible with a '42-'47 Ford frame.
Love that IFS & stopping power!!!
Some minor body work around the welds...=
New paint!!!
Finished...ready for brake assemble and the cab.
I always wanted a pedal through the floor and to get rid of the power booster coming out of the firewall!
Now the rear-end was back from being rebuilt by Jamie Frankland...as in "Frankland Quickchange Rear-Ends!!!"
Dan, Bob, Tom & me moving the cab from the old frame to the new one.
Here we are setting the cab on the new frame...perfect fit...check out the ugly power booster on the firewall. That will be gone soon!!!
And gone...welded up the hole and started on the body work.
Decided to go with an off-white firewall, thanks to a conversation with Carl V... "Hanks Auto Body" in Denver, who schools me on painting questions from time to time...Good idea Carl!!
Here you see the complete setup...painted with the power booster now on the frame. Looks so much better, don't you think?
Now it was time for the engine transfer, with help from Tom & Tim.
It's amazing what a cherry picker can do with just three people.
And just like that, it was out of one and into the other!!!
Bob and I delivered the frame to Pete, who is using it in a "14 Day Truck Build" project. Nice and convenient...fabricated parts and all...just need to be put under another Ford truck...
Here I am getting ready to start the truck for the first time on December 21st for an early Christmas present!!!
New paint!!!
Finished...ready for brake assemble and the cab.
I always wanted a pedal through the floor and to get rid of the power booster coming out of the firewall!
Now the rear-end was back from being rebuilt by Jamie Frankland...as in "Frankland Quickchange Rear-Ends!!!"
Dan, Bob, Tom & me moving the cab from the old frame to the new one.
Here we are setting the cab on the new frame...perfect fit...check out the ugly power booster on the firewall. That will be gone soon!!!
And gone...welded up the hole and started on the body work.
Decided to go with an off-white firewall, thanks to a conversation with Carl V... "Hanks Auto Body" in Denver, who schools me on painting questions from time to time...Good idea Carl!!
Here you see the complete setup...painted with the power booster now on the frame. Looks so much better, don't you think?
Now it was time for the engine transfer, with help from Tom & Tim.
It's amazing what a cherry picker can do with just three people.
And just like that, it was out of one and into the other!!!Bob and I delivered the frame to Pete, who is using it in a "14 Day Truck Build" project. Nice and convenient...fabricated parts and all...just need to be put under another Ford truck... Lots of photos b/t the delivery of the old frame to Pete and this photo of me, right back where I started in May. This first thing I took off, was the last thing I put back on, the right driver headlight. Lots of late nights!!!
Here I am getting ready to start the truck for the first time on December 21st for an early Christmas present!!!Next stop was the Exhaust Shop (#40 Flowmasters... RUMBLE, RUMBLE....) and an alignment...
And here she is...I will replace this photo at a later date when I slam it...need to drive about 500 miles so the springs will settle and I can adjust the ride height...So was it worth it, hell yes, would I do it again, hell yes, b/c the payoff is going to be great!!! I plan to build a single axle trailer and pull the '32 behind her for long distance shows and trips to the Salt Flats.
I want to thank my wife Carrie for all her support, along with all of my friends who helped physically, gave advice verbally and just plain give a damn about what we do. I really appreciate the help! Thanks to Pete, Dale, John, Mike, Dave, Dorr, Carl & the Hood... Bob, Tom, Dan and Tim...couldn't have done it without you!!!
