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Projects The Free-T

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by IronTrap, Apr 17, 2018.

  1. oldiron 440
    Joined: Dec 12, 2018
    Posts: 3,299

    oldiron 440
    Member

    If I'm not mistaken hotrods have been subject to headlight height regulations at times meaning they had to be a certain distance from the the road. But this would have had a direct effect on placement of the headlamps. I know fenders have been an issue off and on with some states also.

    I know twenty five years ago Iowa had bumper and headlamp hieght laws for pickups. The DOT had a minamum and maximum hieght for each model, where they went who knows.
     
    a boner and Stogy like this.
  2. I like the headlight placement. Looks legit. Small headlights are proper too. Stock large headlights look out of place on a hotrod and placed low. Here is my headlight height. I'm very happy with it. My front shocks have been replace with shorter versions too.
     

    Attached Files:

    brad2v, Shadow Creek and Stogy like this.
  3. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I doubt the pics I have seen involve these laws as they were late 40's perhaps early 50's. I'm just saying many times we lump Traditional Period correct (65 and prior) things into modern new movements...
     
  4. shadetreerodder
    Joined: Aug 4, 2006
    Posts: 291

    shadetreerodder
    Member

    I have been following this build since it started on Youtube. Matt might change his mind before this is over. Whatever he does, it is his build.

    Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Nostrebor and Stogy like this.
  5. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The last posts you are commenting on are not in any way suggesting he change anything nor were they directed negatively at his choices.
     
    shadetreerodder likes this.
  6. shadetreerodder
    Joined: Aug 4, 2006
    Posts: 291

    shadetreerodder
    Member

    Stogy likes this.
  7. 54EARL
    Joined: Oct 12, 2007
    Posts: 242

    54EARL
    Member
    from Idaho
    1. A-D Truckers

    I am along for the rest of the journey. I do not know much about the T but I know I like this one.
     
    shadetreerodder and Stogy like this.
  8. IronTrap
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 510

    IronTrap
    Member

    Man that thing is bitchin'! I really would love to build a 33-34 one of these days. I agree, the lights look cool on yours!

    I actually enjoy these conversations, thinking outside the box and trying to do little things to make your car different (in a good way) is what always drew me into hot rods and customs. I won't take any offense to opinions, but I do listen to stuff and it sometimes makes me look at it harder and try and see what they see.

    We got the makeshift paint/body work booth put up. I want to try and keep the overspray and body filler dust contained as we start.

    booth.jpg

    Typical of me I'm doing last minute changes and additions. I whipped up a quick/dirty floor and tunnel under the seat frame last night where I can hide the battery, fusebox, etc. I will then make little riser boxes to cover that stuff and the seat padding will sit on top of the risers.

    A buddy of mine works at 3 dog and lets me do quick visits to check cars for ideas and we found that the Frank Mack T had a similar setup where he had a riser box that was padded under the seat cushion and it got my brain going. I'm going to make little filler panels where I just quickly cut around the body mount risers. I needed to make the openings larger so I could slide the panels in and out during mock up.

    rear tunnel2.jpg
    rear tunnel1.jpg
     
    Stogy, mad mikey, brad2v and 3 others like this.
  9. Nostrebor
    Joined: Jun 25, 2014
    Posts: 1,278

    Nostrebor
    Member

    Matt,

    Those two photos absolutely scream Hotrod builder. Just look at that eclectic pile of construction instruments... you've gone full-mad scientist!

    This is what I enjoy the most about this build and watching your videos. It's not hermetically sealed, Surgeon General approved, paint-by-the-numbers, made for TV phooey. This is real deal stuff.

    Thanks for taking us along.
     
    ol'stinky likes this.
  10. Asphalt Demon
    Joined: Jan 19, 2014
    Posts: 340

    Asphalt Demon
    Member
    from Australia

    Really great watching this,and the extra effort you put into documenting the build process is appreciated,I look at your car and for the most proportions are good,considering the frame rails used.I,m wondering whilst the turtle deck is offthe car,perhaps try it lowered a couple of inches ,seems a bees dick high compared to the cars you are being influenced by.It may not be noticeable when the car gets painted or maybe the chassis kickup dictates the height?I have a T to build so i,m really over annalising them at the moment,but appreciate this thread Johnny,If it is your vision of what you want?press on? and disregard..
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2019
  11. IronTrap
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 510

    IronTrap
    Member

    The rise in the frame in the rear constitutes the turtle deck height. I also didn't want the tire to be way above the top of the turtle deck. While I am using those cars as a guide for keeping it look "correct" for the period I am not making a carbon copy by any means. Turtle deck height and arrangement was all over the place if you start looking at old show cars and racers. I appreciate the input and thanks for following along.

    We were busting ass on body work this weekend. Got most of the body work done and we're about ready for primer after a little more block sanding. We sprayed raptor textured coating underneath the car and on the inside with the Eastwood Pro HVLP paint gun with a 2.0 tip and it came out pretty nice. Even just seeing the underside and inside one color is exciting haha.

    raptor_inside.jpg

    We've decided to knock this both down after primer is sprayed and build a new one for just the paint and clear. As others have mentioned this will give us less of a chance of crap getting in the paint and we can clean the hell out of the area.
     
    catdad49, Stogy, mad mikey and 6 others like this.
  12. Asphalt Demon
    Joined: Jan 19, 2014
    Posts: 340

    Asphalt Demon
    Member
    from Australia

    Thanks, my thoughts were the kick up, great little car, That body has been a mountain of work for a small car, coming along now, with all you’ve done .Johnny
     
  13. jim snow
    Joined: Feb 16, 2007
    Posts: 1,807

    jim snow
    Member

    Excellent idea on the r&r of the paint booth. Snowman
     
    brad2v and lothiandon1940 like this.
  14. brad2v
    Joined: Jun 29, 2009
    Posts: 1,652

    brad2v
    Member

    Agreed, some new plastic will be well worth it to save time fixing goobies in the paint. I LOVE this build by the way.
     
  15. That thing rules!
     
  16. IronTrap
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 510

    IronTrap
    Member

    Busy Busy. In primer transporting to my buddy's home-shop paint booth. Won't be long now until we're in paint.. Gonna jump on the frame after I get back from the Charlotte swap.

    primer.jpg
     
  17. grabrr
    Joined: Nov 9, 2010
    Posts: 129

    grabrr
    Member

    Looks freaking awesome! Can’t wait to see it with some paint!
     
  18. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,091

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Exciting! I’ve been following on Instagram and you tube as well. Really enjoy the content you create.
     
    mad mikey likes this.
  19. Great stuff Matt. I follow on you tube. She will soon have a new dress.;):)
     
  20. butch27
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 2,847

    butch27
    Member

    Looking good.
     
  21. Dawson85
    Joined: Aug 31, 2016
    Posts: 1

    Dawson85
    Member
    from Ontario

    looking great love the youtube channel also
     
  22. IronTrap
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 510

    IronTrap
    Member

    For anyone that doesn't watch the videos. Some paint booth photos below. I have the body all under wraps until the engine and chassis are ready to go together. I also shortened the torque tube and driveshaft something like 33"! Hope to have the chassis and bolt-on parts all painted here soon.

    dash painted.jpg door-off-the-gun.jpg grill-off-the-gun.jpg tub-off-the-gun.jpg turtledeck-off-the-gun.jpg
    shortened driveshaft.jpg
     
    catdad49, RodStRace, Stogy and 10 others like this.
  23. shadetreerodder
    Joined: Aug 4, 2006
    Posts: 291

    shadetreerodder
    Member

    Looks great. Watch you goofballs every chance I get. Helps the time pass at work

    Sent from my SM-G955U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  24. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,091

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

  25. IronTrap
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 510

    IronTrap
    Member

    Blew the frame apart this weekend and tacked in the front boxing plates. Just need to finish weld everything and start stripping all to bare metal. Hoping to have the frame painted by the end of this weekend. Engine should be back in May and then we can start assembling! frame-2.jpg frame-3.jpg
     
    catdad49, gonzo, brad2v and 5 others like this.
  26. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    Looks great with paint on it, love the gauges too.
     
    brad2v likes this.
  27. wheeldog57
    Joined: Dec 6, 2013
    Posts: 3,181

    wheeldog57
    Member

    The paint looks great. Can't wait to watch you put it together
     
  28. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,091

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

  29. IronTrap
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 510

    IronTrap
    Member

    I've been busy trying to get all of the bits and pieces cleaned, sealed up, and painted lately. Tedious work but we're getting there! Spent last week blasting, cleaning, sanding, and polishing the perimeter, tips of the fins, and lettering on these old Edelbrock block letter heads. I shot them with a coat of Eastwood 2k High Temp Primer and 2k Gloss High Temp Engine Paint. The masking process was a pain in the ass! I need to just use a tiny block sander to knock the paint off of the faces of the polished letters and the heads are done. Next is cleaning and painting the intake. I think I'll paint the intake and just polish the lettering on the top since the carbs are old chrome. Trying to find a balance without going off the deep end into high end show car!

    polished heads1.jpg polished heads2.jpg polished heads3.jpg polished heads4.jpg
     
    catdad49, Stogy, brad2v and 5 others like this.
  30. jim snow
    Joined: Feb 16, 2007
    Posts: 1,807

    jim snow
    Member

    Looking good Matt. Thanks for the photos. Snowman
     

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