Hey guys! I’ve wanted a 35-37 pickup for quite a while. I was able to pick up this 37 At a good buy. The owner didn’t have a clue what has been done to it. He didn’t know what had been modified, and what hadn’t. The quality of the work seems very good, but everything is just tacked in place and stuck together. It appears a lot of time has passed since the truck was last worked on. I’m trying to figure out what I have here, since he couldn’t tell me anything. So far I know this much... ...‘40 frame best I can tell by the numbers. ...Channeled... not sure how much. ...Front spring perch moved forward and raised... not sure how much. ...’41 rearend. ...rear frame shortened and kicked up...not sure how much ...39-41 brake backing plates. ...42-48 brake drums. ...superbell dropped axle. ...37-41 spindles. ...split and drilled front wishbones... year? ...modified rear radius rods. ...chopped 37 grille... ...cowl steering with 57-60 F100 steering box and pitman arm. What I need to know... ...Wheels? They are 16” I know... application? ...Rear spring? Looks factory... application? What I need to do at first glance... ...Probably lose the cowl steering. ...Lose the suicide steering. ...Probably change the rear radius rods to prevent suspension binding. ...decide on a engine and transmission. I have a 291 desoto hemi that I can build. But I’m looking for a 59ab or 8ba flathead. Not sure which I’ll use yet. If there’s anything you see about the way this truck is currently set up that needs to be changed, or any suggestions, I look forward to talking with you guys about it.
Looks like a great project that was long forgotten at some point. On the motor, we all love flatheads, but you don't ever see these trucks with a Hemi... I'd go for the Hemi power!
My HEMI engines! One is going in my Model A coupe. I also just bought another set of 330 heads and two more sets of valve covers not in this photo.
rear trailing arms are not going to flex properly mounted out on the frame. Move them to the center under the rear yoke and add a torque arm. The cowl steering is questionable. Look up Pete Eastwood's thread on cowl steering for an education. That drag link in front of the axle needs to be reviewed. Never ran one but seems from memory it can cause issues if not set up correctly.
@35chevy Looks like a decent start I think you're on the right track with what you'll need to change that cowl steering looks kinda sketchy. As others said there front tierod needs to be flipped or you'll have issues with Ackerman angle. The rear radius rods from my understanding should be longer (pivot should be near tailhousing of trans) and when mounted outboard and solid to rear axle as it is will act as a sway bar and not in a good way. I'll be following for sure as I want to go a similar route with my '36 pickup and haven't thought about much else in the last month or so. Lol. Hoping to start soon. I vote hemi but if you decide on a flathead I'll be taking the 59a it off mine and using an olds rocket instead. I know nothing about the flathead in my truck but we can talk if you go that way. Can't wait to see what you do with it @vtwhead you have a link for the cowl steering thread. Search function doesn't work for crap on the mobile app... Or I don't know what I'm doing lol. . Sent from my rotary phone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thank you all for your replies. I have read enough about the cowl steering to know that it’s going away. I need to know what steering box work well for this application. I have traded for this piece of a 40 Ford car. It has a column still in it, but as long as it has been sitting out with no windshield or front clip, it may not be any good. Since this truck is on a 40 frame, I would think it would bolt right in. I also acquired a box and column recently that is supposed to be a F1. What’s the best option for this setup that won’t be in the way of The Hemi?
Perhaps cross steering with a box mounted up further on the frame would give the best results. Lots of options. We have been using a late model std box from a jeep circa 1985 + that has worked out real well. Steers like a dream. You can build your own column with a piece of tubing and some 3/4 bearings for a lot less than after market etc.
buddy uses early jeep boxes... made by ROSS... steers the left wheel and the pitman arm points up to help with bumpsteer… just a thought...
Great looking project. Keep the pics. Coming. I've been looking for a 48-52 f1 steering set up for my T coupe for awhile. Good to hear there still out there to be found!
Looks like a really cool start! Address some of the issues already mentioned, and I think it will be a sweet truck!
Looks great. I love cowl steering. Now I have to go do some research on it and see what's up. I'll be defiantly following this build.
Cool, I've wanted a little channeled truck like that ever since the guy who ran the Shell station in the middle of town here had one in the early 60's. Can't help on the steering except that I don't think you will be able to get cross steering to work on it. The gear box would have to be way up front on the frame the way they do the Saginaw conversions on Jeep CJ's to work. I'd hope plans include dropped steering arms and putting the tie rod back behind the axle.
I’ve been out digging up parts today. I dug some shock mounts out of my parts stash along with a mustang 4 cylinder T5 and a s10 T5 shifter. I went to my Dad’s and picked up a 94 mustang v6 T5 and a empty 5.0 T5 case. I went to a buddies house and grabbed a S10 T5, and two extra s10 tailshafts and one top cover. I’ll use the empty case for mock up and possibly one of the tailshafts on my coupe project. I really wanted a more traditional transmission, but after lots of searching and research, I decided to use a T5 because it will make the truck fun to drive, it is practical, plentiful, and I know a lot about them. I broke and rebuilt a ton of them in 5.0 mustangs in my younger years, so I’m familiar with them. Now I’ve got to figure out how to get around that $800 Wilcap adapter set up. (Not possible, I know... just wishful thinking) I need a fox body mustang T5 bellhousing if any of you have one! Message me! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I could also use some advice on pedals... the truck didn't come with any pedals, but I have a set on a '40 pickup chassis out behind the shop... what works?
Just painted up my T5. I love mine. You won't be disappointed. They are a lot of fun. Here is a picture. I've got adapter for my Flathead with a short throw shifter and a hydraulic clutch.
I'm not really sure what it came out of. It was in my car when I bought it. I thought it was from an S10 but after seeing yours now I don't know. Maybe it is from a Camaro. I've heard people say and complain that 1st and 2nd gear are very close in ratio. They are right but it doesn't bother me but it's something to consider before using one.
I'm not sure if you have any interest in what I'm running but they work well. Not "Traditional" though.
Traditional pedals... after doing some research on the various pedals used, I decided the ‘40 pedals will work for me. I took these off a 1940 pickup chassis I bought a while back. Direct bolt in, and easy to adapt a dual feed master cylinder. I’ll probably modify the clutch pedal and use a hydraulic clutch master cylinder. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I have heard that ackerman was a line from the center of both the kingpins, through the tierod ball's centers,,,, and meeting at the pinion yoke.. buddy was reversing the mustang II- pinto steering arms to move an Omni's rack behind the axle... it pooched the ackerman as the two lines will never touch... was told it meant having to pull the steering wheel back after every turn... ???
That's how I understand it too. Theoretically you could hit it with the tie rod out front but you'd need to bend the steering arms out towards the tire. Possibly need to offset the tires out which causes its own problems. Sent from my rotary phone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hey 35 Chevy When I was a kid back in the late 1960s...maybe early 70s...in my then sleepy little town there was a channeled fender-less hot rod truck in the neighborhood...I remember asking my dad to stop once and take a closer look at it when we saw it sitting at a local restaurant/bar...dad just shook his head...I was drooling all over it... Glad to see one getting saved on here...I am following along... Thanks for bringing us along.... MikeC
Not sure if ya noticed "rolling bones on Amelia island" thread...lotsa cowl steering on those cars....
Finally found a good solid windshield frame and a good set of hinges. I have one of the brackets that holds the hinges to the body. I need one of those brackets and a good windshield regulator assembly and I’ll have all the windshield parts. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.