Register now to get rid of these ads!

Projects Let me get this straight (axle). Streetfreak project!!!?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Firedup, Aug 7, 2018.

  1. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    DDBDDDAE-96BB-4A19-B85A-AEB6895A57D8.jpeg 04A49552-6BA0-4417-A428-D0DCD46AD71E.jpeg I found some time to start working on my home built caltracs. I had to go to two different hardware stores to find all the right stuff. I bought the heims and bungs off eBay. 3/4” heims and bungs. It should be plenty solid!! So far with all the hardware I am into it $165. I will have to purchase a few more things to get it all bolted up to the axle. It should be finished for less than $180. Lucky me we get to take old drill bits and such off a job when we’re done with the job, so I save quite a bit here. I had to drill a few holes larger just because I was not sure what hardware I was going to use, so when I designed the parts I had the holes layed out on the smaller size of what I was thinking about using. Turned out pretty awesome. I just want to add that the real Caltracs are probably well worth the cost of buying online for your application. I figured since I couldn’t find one, I designed these for my car and will build them myself. I have a buddy at work that does powder coating, so I plan on asking him to coat these. He has done this for other co- workers for peanuts. Literally. He will do it for licorice, candy, etc. Great guy!! Thanks for looking, and I’ll update as I go.
     
  2. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Started installing my caltracs yesterday. I ran into a couple of small issues at the leaf spring mounting bracket. I had to grind a 1/4” off the top of the radius of the inside plate as it hit the frame. I will have to do the same to the other side. Also the outside bracket of the original leaf spring bracket has a large hole for the spring bolt which has a large shoulder, and the inside hole I had to drill out to accommodate the larger 5/8” bolt I will be using. Simple fix, I will add two 1/4” plates with 5/8” holes welded to each side of the leaf spring bracket. This will center up the caltracs on the leaf spring, and still allow the caltracs to rotate freely. I also swapped leaf spring hold down brackets at the axle. I had a set that allows me to bolt up my shocks, so I will be using those. More pics to come as soon as I get parts. 247B92B3-F178-4623-AC15-6F2DA906AF15.jpeg 2D8D70DD-911E-4D3E-9539-8BD0321C5A19.jpeg 9026C75E-04B7-4C1E-938C-96B4CCF82879.jpeg
     
  3. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    E26B6171-D8A5-4F54-ADD4-D77666E166AE.png 73879498-6710-48DE-8AFE-3C7EE0B317AD.png I pick up a few things from a local farmer this weekend. 2 Ford V8 fender emblems, and 2 Ford rear door handles for a small fee. Need to get front driver and passenger door windows still. The ole girl has been keeping the weather out ok. My rear driver side vent window has seen better days. I need to source a frame if anyone knows where to find one. Also thinking about having some updated gauges like the egaugeplus website. They seem to be out of stock. I might make a few more if anyone is interested?
     
    oliver westlund and loudbang like this.
  4. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    130F0DFD-6144-412A-9CAF-7904FF795752.jpeg 5B23941D-5BF0-4BE5-80F0-C4537B065928.jpeg 5E641C83-5145-4DCB-950D-3EAD19343E3B.jpeg F3273ABA-9F1B-446B-A978-DF1A195F99A9.jpeg 96FC2D87-702E-42D4-9E51-90EFE01FBA1A.jpeg 14B962BC-B04D-4FE9-B2A2-93293607D7E3.jpeg More progress on the caltracs. I made a couple of washers out of 1/4” plate that will get welded to the spring mounts. More pictures of the spring bracket when I get around to installing. I also got some aluminum 14ga. to mount the radiator to the radiator bracket. I plan on building a 4 piece aluminum shroud for the cooling fan. More to come on that, might be a slow process lol. I also had my front shock brackets bent on the shop press to offset the lower shock mount away from the front spring bracket. Here are the pics.
     
  5. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    0E66B3E0-4AB8-4A31-8CD6-A26EC94594DC.jpeg AB2CEC8A-F3AA-4FD5-B2BB-0EA60F55765D.jpeg 33008750-8E75-44EE-910B-DED0E03B5E66.jpeg 33D63A58-0047-41BC-B6F6-549ADDF6EC17.jpeg 32001D9A-235F-4BFC-A73C-7917BA4BFDB0.jpeg B8DCAF7E-CDBA-4A0A-ADEE-2695739B55AE.jpeg 6725459F-0B6B-4E3D-8883-C1D167A9C913.jpeg I got the driver side bracket installed. I pulled the plates back off for paint. A little bit of a pain to install, but happy with the overall results. Still need to do the tubing and brackets to the rear axle. I plan on doing the passenger side tomorrow. The next pics will just be the finished install.
     
  6. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    First fire up teaser video!!!


     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2019
  7. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    Says video unavailable
     
  8. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Sorry somehow on private setting. I will try to fix
    Edit: Fixed video link
     
    loudbang and s55mercury66 like this.
  9. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Video works fine now. :)
     
  10. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Found this grille and splash pieces from a guy on Craigslist from less than 10 miles from me. Good deal on it, plus I haven’t seen an images on the internet with the two larger pieces of chrome on the splash. Anyone seen these before?? Also found a little bit of time to start fixing my radiator support bracket, and have been working on finding parts to finish the power steering. 615AA9D2-7170-40CE-9CAE-E70F7AA3F5C3.jpeg EB3CA883-A9D3-44B3-93F8-0B5C0752849D.jpeg DC80B1F8-1127-46A1-B3AE-16FBD960E997.jpeg
     
  11. lippy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2006
    Posts: 6,825

    lippy
    Member
    from Ks

    Man your making progress fast !!! Way to go been following along. Great work! Lippy
     
    Firedup and loudbang like this.
  12. Nova Thug
    Joined: Jun 9, 2012
    Posts: 185

    Nova Thug
    Member
    from SG Vizzle

    Cool project..! Looks like it’ll be fun..!
     
    Firedup and loudbang like this.
  13. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Thanks. I actually had to take a little break from it because of work being so busy. I didn’t feel like working on it in the summer heat, now that it’s cooling down I’ve found myself working on it more.
     
    seb fontana and loudbang like this.
  14. You've came a long way on it, I like the big block Chevy and the homebrewed Caltrans, it also looks like you don't have far to go for a Christmas tree..lol
     
    loudbang and Firedup like this.
  15. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    3EAF0CEA-43A2-4D59-98B7-FBA8A5B3F70E.jpeg Mocking up the side trim. Owner of the car before me plug welded up the holes. Deciding if I’m going to use the trim or not. I think it would look pretty good. 627D3462-2385-425B-AFF9-1365F24384C6.jpeg
     
  16. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    Trim looks good on it!
     
    Hombre, Firedup and loudbang like this.
  17. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    The trim breaks up the long slab sides.
     
    Hombre, Firedup and low budget like this.
  18. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Not much, but I made a fuel cell pan to lower the cell down through the trunk floor. Still need some tube steel to finish this project. Weather hasn’t been great, so the slow build continues here and there lol. 8600AB3F-7C3C-4A86-9C95-7E5920E092B7.jpeg 44F53A9F-ED0A-4F1B-8F3C-221D0B6A0DF3.jpeg
     
    oliver westlund and BFXJason like this.
  19. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    I know I told you guys pics of the caltracs when all complete, well... With all this covid 19 crap, I had to get outside and do something. Well I didn’t get them powder coated. I just painted with VHT chassis paint. Again, kind of a bitch to install but this time they don’t need to come off. Enjoy!! 0E0612FC-9F33-4F11-A480-BD122CC3482B.jpeg 845BECD8-0679-45BB-8264-E40C3693E73C.jpeg A1D8C4EE-7624-464C-AD29-611DB232F502.jpeg 9065CF62-F015-408A-8D5A-157F8F44657B.jpeg
     
    oliver westlund and s55mercury66 like this.
  20. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 8,444

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    You doing pretty good..Gonna love that power box!
     
    Firedup likes this.
  21. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Thanks for the kind words. I also ordered a Lokar throttle cable and kick down cable, found some hoses for my power steering as well. I also have some other parts to install if our job site gets shutdown due to the virus.....
     
    oliver westlund likes this.
  22. oliver westlund
    Joined: Dec 19, 2018
    Posts: 2,352

    oliver westlund
    Member

    Springfield auto recyclers had a 4 door 52 or 53 a while back. idk if theyre open right now though. awesome build! my 1st car was a 54 ford 4 door, building that 53 ford coupe as a surprise 80th birthday gift for my dad! im following your build and sending a pm. i have some parts as well
     
    Firedup likes this.
  23. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    I know Springfield was open a week and a half ago. Checking if they had any 1948-1950 F1 vent window frames. No go . :(
     
    Firedup and oliver westlund like this.
  24. Nice work on the CalTracs style bars. Rest of car is coming along good. Not a usual 4 door fan, but this body style works good for your build, I like it as a 4 door.
     
    loudbang and Firedup like this.
  25. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    B3630C31-C6D6-4868-95F7-45391D0AB304.jpeg AF9302B5-7EB2-402F-AE5B-059549987011.jpeg 2BDD343F-D8A3-4351-9BE5-2B7BF328DFFC.jpeg 5BDF2079-AF19-4FB9-8ABD-94D9AE9249D8.jpeg BE3184DC-7216-4C0E-AC60-325070102C59.jpeg Today I got out the ole Harbor Freight tig welder. I had some stainless steel 16 gauge plates sheared out and drilled 3/16” holes and tig welded some stainless 10-24 bolts to the plates. I’ll be using these to hold my trim in place. Layout is done on both sides of the car. Drivers side is temporarily installed. There are a few locations that I can’t get a nut on the back side due to the inner fenders (front and rear quarters), but at least 2 plates get nuts. I’ll have to get some push on clips for those locations. The heat from tig welding put a slight bow into the plate which actually was nice, it helped the clips from sliding all over. Easily enough room in the trim pieces for 1/8” plate. The plates snug onto the trim great and will lock down perfectly. I’ll do the final adjustment later. For now they look good.
     
    loudbang and Hollywood-East like this.
  26. Corn Fed
    Joined: May 16, 2002
    Posts: 3,278

    Corn Fed
    Member

    You should box in the spring pad mounts on your rear axle. Those things have been known to crush on hard launches.
     
  27. '52 F-3
    Joined: Sep 30, 2007
    Posts: 912

    '52 F-3
    Member

    Looking really good! thanks for posting pics.
     
    Firedup and loudbang like this.
  28. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Pics of the finished caltracs. Just needs a little paint. Thanks for looking.

    Also installed rear shocks. I watched a video with them mounted opposite of the way I installed mine. Installation directions are not very clear from what I’ve found. Simple fix if I need to flip them. IDK. 6EA023BE-D96D-4F7D-8B7E-79AE18734EDF.jpeg 1DD5A46F-437B-4338-8878-7B33BF29DE6E.jpeg DE215DC0-E5F6-4BCE-A3CB-120BFA2AF01D.jpeg F1384B1A-835E-4961-9D68-E8DC27C2C874.jpeg
     
    55 Ford Gasser likes this.
  29. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    Well, I found a little motivation and started to fab up some exhaust with some help from my brother. Using 2-1/2” stainless steel pipe, manual cut outs, unfortunately I’m using the exhaust manifolds at this time. Pics later.
     
    slayer and hillbilly like this.
  30. Firedup
    Joined: Feb 2, 2018
    Posts: 147

    Firedup
    Member
    from Oregon

    42939B3B-97F0-4D3C-A837-48202CA071EB.jpeg 0C5FC764-33C9-4D7C-836D-A735C0CA6F0D.jpeg Tried to get these finished before it got too dark and before the big rain for the next week or so. Didn’t get to the flanges that connect to the manifolds. It was getting to dark to see my welds. My vision isn’t getting better with age. Also I want to tack those on and test fit them before I weld those ones up, so it will have to be another day. The harbor freight tig welder isn’t the best, but it gets the job done and I would say these turned out pretty good. It was a lot of work just to get them this far. Right now going for straight pipes, then eventually mufflers and out the back or before the rear tires. I’m not sure yet.
     
    wvenfield and slayer like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.