Hot Rods First hot rod build, 26 Roadster Pickup

Figured I would start a build thread if anything to keep all the pictures together. I have been slowly collecting parts and assembling this thing over the last year. I have never built something this old (or Ford for that matter) but I'm already hooked. The object of this game is to build it as cheap as I can and keep everything pre early fifties. First, I found an A frame on my in-laws farm that had been converted to a trailer a long time ago. I had to cut it out of some brush and torch off the homemade trailer connections.

 

Here it is back home and with the first body that I was going to use. Sedan front with an A bed. This body ended up needing far too much work and was swapped for the earlier T body (hence the title of the thread).



Next I got some Ford 16 inch steelies and some roller tires to move it around. Also she got moved into the garage.

 

Then a friend offered me a super clean Roadster pickup for dirt cheap. I couldn't pass it up so I hauled it home.



I immediately threw it on the frame and it made me feel funny in the pants.......

 

I was missing the front part of the door hinges so I made some. You can see how I did it here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-how-to-make-26-27-roadster-hinges.1030210/

 

Great start, I'll watch.

 

Picked up an old reverse eye main leaf and rebuilt the front spring, minus two leaves.

 

Another friend offered up a good flattie that had been running a few years ago. He also had a banjo that needs some work. Motor is 46-48 with earlier heads and distributor.



Seven valves are sticking but overall everything looks super clean. I've been able to loosen up 3 of them so far. Taking my time and not trying to rush anything.

 

Oh man....that is gonna be fun!....you got a great start!!!.....I totally love that look & style

 

First experience with banjos and let me tell you, they are STUBBORN! I had to make a tool to pull the drums off but I think I'll be able to save the major components.



Who knew that such a tiny vehicle could take up so much room.

 

Bubba hooked line and sinker - great start - I'll be watching too

 

Wicked cool!

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Great start! And full marks for building your own hub puller! I'm a big believer in " If you don't have the right tool for the job, build one!". Regards, Dave.

 

Your just having to much fun

 

Looks good! I like the plan, will be following along.

 

You know I love it!


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Keep up the good work. I will be watching it also.

 

Subscribed, looks like a great start!

 

Here are some front brakes and spindles off an f1 that I got for basically free from the swapmeet at Rust Revival. Only missing one hub so if anybody has access to one, let me know.



Here are the spindles that need to be cleaned up a little.



And here they are after attacking them with a cut off wheel and a grinder.

 

Got the old rear end out to make room for the later banjo. I cut off a lot of these brackets from speedway to make them look better and to bring them closer to the rear. Currently I'm fighting trying to get the original shackle bushing sleeves out of the spring.

 

Awhile back I picked up these motor mounts from an old friend who raced dirt track for many years. NOS Hurst mounts with original directions dated 1967. Even has the original cotter pins.

 

Oh My !! This is going to be cool to watch for sure and love the direction. JW

 

Good stuff! Hey are you the bug guy I met a few years ago? (I have a '34 Chevy truck.)

 

I'm sure we've met somewhere but my memory sucks. Few of my buddies are exterminators

 

Got the spring taken apart and cleaned up. Originally it had 10 leaves, so I took out 3. This left a good spacing of the remaining leaves.



I used a chunk of wood and a clamp to spread the main leaf out enough to get it on the shackles.



Here's the spacing with 3 removed.

 

Same dude I got the Hurst mounts from gave me this backing plate that he had chromed back in the day. They only ran one brake on the dirt tracks so he only had one. Me being me, I'm going the run the one chrome one paired with a painted one.



Added some metal to the spring mounts to make up for the removed leaves and got it all mounted.

 

Picked up some much needed parts. Headlight bar to cut up, torque tube, a replacement wheel (one of mine is bent), a fan assembly, the missing f1 hub I needed, a mock up radiator and an Edmunds intake.



I have had this Edmunds intake for an inline 235 for about 15 years. I haven't really wanted to get rid of it but then I saw it's relative. Since mine was just laying around on the shelf and I could use the flattie one right now, we worked out a deal.



Repaired some threads, installed new studs and threw it on the motor. Dig it....

 

Got the front end back together and sat her back on the ground. Lowered it quite a bit. Should be good with the motor and trans in.

 

With the rear in place, it was time to mount the body. Measured a bunch to make sure the body was square and made the brackets. I used some AD running board brackets. Here you can see what I started with and what I ended up with.



Just had to pie cut it, shorten it up and drill some holes.



Here they are mounted.

 

The middle and back mounts were cake. Just drilled some holes and made some wood blocks as spacers.



I didn't even have to drill a hole for the back ones. They lined up perfectly with two holes already in the frame. Here's the rear wood spacer.



Probably not exciting for most of you, but it was a big step in my book.

 

Got the motor in today. I'm going to have to trim the firewall a little for the fuel pump but I wanted to leave enough room for a regular fan.



Plenty of room



Brought the front end down some.