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Projects 1930 Model A Pickup Build (my first build thread)

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Grudge, Jan 4, 2013.

  1. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Hey everyone, bought this in 2011 but started working on it seriously last summer.

    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323247.500006.jpg

    Here are my plans:

    -I'm using the original rails but 40-ish rear and 32 front crossmembers. There will be a custom x-member of sorts also.
    -6" rear frame kick up
    -4" channel
    -5" or so chop
    -reversed firewall
    -Flat pickup bed. No fuel tank, battery or other stuff back there.
    -The engine is a 55 265 SBC, trans is 4-speed manual, axle is 66 Bronco

    Before really getting started
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323394.383788.jpg

    Body off
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323468.670162.jpg

    Frame kick up
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323506.906850.jpg

    Pancaked rear crossmember
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323553.379422.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323604.668425.jpg

    Starting on the x-member
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323663.140728.jpg

    Flipping the bones and caster correction
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323707.461922.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323728.160569.jpg

    More x-member work
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323772.311093.jpg

    Starting on the channel, height of frame
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323822.893249.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323864.350081.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323897.785874.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323937.250907.jpg

    Starting to flip the firewall
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357323962.425983.jpg

    More pics to follow


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  2. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Firewall in, still need to make the transition to the floor
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324359.579623.jpg

    I'm using an f100 steering box
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324409.345483.jpg

    Chopping up my nice tank *weeps*
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324466.693928.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324500.095832.jpg

    Starting on the floor
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324533.932127.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324561.567461.jpg

    Shameless use of dimple dies
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324590.865740.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324666.235067.jpg

    Starting on the radiator mount, I'm using a 60s falcon/mustang style
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324687.598242.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324742.314620.jpg

    Shell mount
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324771.232694.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324780.095520.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324795.077636.jpg

    Pedals, Tardel style
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324856.812290.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357324886.086726.jpg



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  3. Perrorojo
    Joined: Feb 25, 2011
    Posts: 357

    Perrorojo
    Member

    Like it. Nice job so far.
     
  4. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Mounted the master cylinder today
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357353321.775538.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357353329.945869.jpg

    Picked up this heater, does anyone know the manufacturer? It's missing its tag.
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357353406.317216.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357353416.154563.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357353424.612785.jpg

    Also picked up a 70s ish driveline and had it shortened and the Ford rear u-joint installed.

    Been working on the firewall to floor transition. For some reason this has been the single biggest pain in the ass on the whole build. I'll post some progress shots later.


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  5. porkchop4464
    Joined: Jan 20, 2009
    Posts: 880

    porkchop4464
    Member

    Nice work, moving quickly! I am thinking of flipping my firewall on my Dodge. Is the model A fire wall spot welded all around or bolted? My Dodge is spot welded and bolted in a few spots as well. If yours was as well, how did you locate the spot welds and then get them apart (drill, chisel)?
     
  6. voodoo1
    Joined: Jun 27, 2007
    Posts: 452

    voodoo1
    Member

    Looking good. I was planning on starting mine ('31) this weekend. I like how you're doing your build. I'm just over the river from you. Mike
     
  7. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    It's bolted at the top and spot welded on the sides, sounds similar to your Dodge. If you hit the welded area with a flapper disc the spot welds will show up really well. I cut them out with a spot-weld cutter, like this:

    http://www.amazon.com/Blair-BLR1322...0GTOOC0/ref=pd_sim_auto_1/175-4331747-6032858

    Good luck on your project,

    Aaron
     
  8. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Here's the transition. I have lots of sheet metal work to do. I think it would've been easier if I hadn't flipped the firewall; there's just not a natural transition to the frame now.
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357358773.356781.jpg


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  9. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Thanks Mike. 31 pickup? If you have questions let me know.
     
  10. GeoZ1
    Joined: Jan 4, 2013
    Posts: 74

    GeoZ1
    BANNED
    from Illinois

    Looks great, nice work on the floors.
     
  11. voodoo1
    Joined: Jun 27, 2007
    Posts: 452

    voodoo1
    Member

    yes '31 pickup.
    I've got a Flathead and a smallblock. So many choices. Pm me. I'd like to come over and see your work.

    Are you using a drop axle?

    Mike
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2013
  12. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Yep, 4" superbell
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357372021.145107.jpg


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  13. 75ford
    Joined: Sep 30, 2012
    Posts: 10

    75ford
    Member
    from burlington

    looks great so far! my say is dont chop it, i love the look of a channel and no chop
     
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  14. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Finally made some progress on the firewall/floor transition. Sort of a faceted stealth bomber look, since I'm not too great with sheet metal.

    Pieces
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357485828.535882.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357485888.414266.jpg

    Many welds later (my frame makes a nice workbench)
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357485505.854595.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357485519.464536.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357485568.229126.jpg

    And finally back in position.
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357485631.971224.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357485644.532463.jpg

    I still have all the inside welding plus grinding, sanding, etc., but it's a huge relief to have a foundation I can work with. For a long time I just sat and stared and thought "what the fuck is this going to look like?"

    Today I'll focus on the transmission cover.

    Aaron


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  15. Looks like you have made a lot of progress,,I love the old Model A pickups and built a 30 pickup back in the mid 70's. HRP
     
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  16. fleetside66
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 3,003

    fleetside66
    Member

    Really nice work, Aaron. I like the stance. When you make your trans cover, you might consider working on your seating & right leg & foot positioning in regard to the transition from the gas pedal to the brake. Perhaps you could experiment with a small cantilevered deck in that area so that you could slide your right foot smoothly from the gas to the brake. Obviously, you're going to have to rest your heel on the trans hump to engage the throttle. It's always nice to have a place to rest your heel for the brake, too, so that your leg isn't hanging in the air. Just something to think about. Keep up the good work.
     
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  17. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Good advice, thanks. Judging by your avatar (pickup) you are probably aware of how cramped I will be, especially because of the flipped firewall. The pedal layout, leg position, steering wheel diameter, shifter and parking brake are swimming around in my head right now.
     
  18. fleetside66
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 3,003

    fleetside66
    Member

    Yes, you're right...mine's channeled 5," with a flat firewall & I do have similar room constraints. However, if you're not a real big guy, it's all perfectly doable. It's just good (at the stage you're in) to really start fooling around with the ergonomics. If you find that your right hip area might be interfering with the shifter, you can bend the handle to the shotgun side for more room. I got lucky & found a shifter handle in a junk yard that was already formed that way. Also, you could even lengthen your pedals if need be. I see that they're solid, so that wouldn't be a huge undertaking. But, if you're comfortable with their height, leave 'em be. My wheel diameter is 15," by the way, and I do have a floor mounted dimmer switch the the left of the clutch pedal. Everything works, but, man, it's close. As far as the parking brake goes, that would be on the right side of the hump, so not to worry. After all, the passenger should be able to feel what a hot rod is really like, too.
     
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  19. 60srailjob
    Joined: Nov 14, 2008
    Posts: 1,218

    60srailjob
    Member
    from nowhere

    that;s looking great. Nice build.....I like the pick up...cooooooool
     
  20. choptvan
    Joined: Mar 19, 2010
    Posts: 2,161

    choptvan
    Member

    I too had my firewall flipped on my 31 pickup. After seeing the amount of legroom, and I am a short guy, I changed it back and cut the firewall and made a tunnel for engine clearance. Just made more sense once I got that far. Love the rad mount idea. And is that a mustang radiator?
     
  21. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Thanks. Exactly, falcon/mustang. With 4" cut out of the grille it BARELY fits, but fits nonetheless. Coolant ports are on the passenger side so perfect for SBC.

    Aaron
     
  22. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Here's the bed, picked it up from a fellow HAMBer, can't remember his name though, nice guy.
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357495546.036659.jpg

    Also thought I'd show what the firewall looked like before I started. Somebody put in one of those manifold heaters. Whoever did it did a really nice job for a guy who only owns a hatchet and a torch.
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357495748.871732.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357495783.508090.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357495808.398235.jpg

    I actually ended up using part of the heater cover plate as a patch panel, so it worked out.

    Somebody has a thread on cab mounts, so here's mine
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357495901.158340.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357495923.068729.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357495944.295544.jpg

    Got the mounts from McMaster Carr, they have a durometer similar to a hockey puck, but they are actually designed for higher temps, oil exposure, (and mounting things). Best of all they are cheap and come with a 3/8-16 hole. I'll post a part number later.

    Aaron


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  23. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

  24. Jersey Joe 67
    Joined: Jun 12, 2008
    Posts: 427

    Jersey Joe 67
    Member
    from J Town

    Love the engine chioce. I've got a 56 265 with tri power sitting around waiting for a future project.
    Very informative thread on the 265 by Jeffrey James you should check out.
     
  25. farmer12
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 7,717

    farmer12
    Member

    Great work so far, love where this going!
     
  26. 31-5window
    Joined: Aug 19, 2007
    Posts: 226

    31-5window
    Member
    from Michigan

    Looks pretty kool nice work

    Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
     
  27. Noland
    Joined: Oct 16, 2007
    Posts: 1,235

    Noland
    Member

    looking like a awesome pickup. I like that you not putting a gas tank in the bed. I always think it looks alittle crappy. Frame looks nice. Good luck
     
  28. choptvan
    Joined: Mar 19, 2010
    Posts: 2,161

    choptvan
    Member

    Same thing I am doing as well. And you can't beat the cost of $120 for a brand new radiator with a lifetime warranty either...
     
  29. Grudge
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 436

    Grudge
    Member

    Hell yeah!

    Quick update, managed to get most of the transmission cover done.
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357532254.845692.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357532269.885495.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTJJ1357532289.544132.jpg

    Turned out ok, still need to grind and smooth it out. Looks a little like a toilet seat. There, I said it, now you don't have to :)

    Aaron


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  30. Buddy Palumbo
    Joined: Mar 30, 2008
    Posts: 3,871

    Buddy Palumbo
    Member

    Nice work , it's lookin' good !
     

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