Projects My way,35 ford truck build

I thought I'd start this build thread hoping it can help other non professional, garage builders. I picked this up a little over a year ago from another hamber. A lot of had already been done but needed to be refined. 1935 ford , 49 olds 303, channeled 3", frankland quickchange, firestone cheaters on wide 5, 3 strombergs.

 

I wanted to build a copy of the Canada customs 37, I thought I'd look good driving one. When getting ready to z the frame I made it to bolt together till I could find the right combo for the look I wanted. Started with a 6" z which gave the right look for a fenderless truck. Now how much to chop the roof. 5" is what I wanted 5 1/2 is what I got. That extra 1/2 was for squaring the cuts. When welding the posts together I used the cutoffs to insert into the doors and roof post, plug welding them in place. This helped reinforce the joints an help with alignment.

 

More pics. I don't know how others do it but when trying to weld the extra 2"in the top of the roof the original metal would just blow away. I don't know if sitting in ths elements for so many yrs changes the metal temper. I ended up spotwelding strips to the inside of the roof to use as a support and a heat sink. I know others just use the clamps and butt weld, but this didn't work for me

 

Well as everyone knows ideas on projects change. At the turkey rod run I found a set of fenders and running boards that I couldn't pass on for 160.00. I've been seeing more and more fenderless trucks (rat rods) lately, and after posting some pics of the 35 with fenders and boards mocked up, with positive comments, I decided to go full fenders. The big issue was that with the 303 the cab needed to be pushed back 4" which means the fenders needed to be streched. I rearched the wheelwells using a conduit bender set up on my table saw, that is now used as a welding table.

 

digging the fenders

 

looking good!

 

gonna be a cool truck ...love the olds and the fenders..

 

Great job on the fenders - truck's looking good!

 

JJJMM56 - Lovin your build direction with the fenders. The truck will have a very aggressive stance once completed. Fantasic work so far, keep us posted with progess. Cheers Laurie

 

Man you got way more patience than I have - LOVE the full fender style you've created. Can't wait to see this finished.

 

This means so much to me, I've researched your truck for years. It's been my wallpaper for at least 3 yrs. I hope you keep an eye on this post because I have so much more to show inculding building your own girll. Again Laurie thanks for the comment and the insperation.

 

Fenders of that era convey so much of the style and graceful lines, it seems that fenderless cars seem to be missing something integral unless the builder has a unique ability to capture the look with less sheetmetal. This really appeals to the eye.

 

OOOHHhhhhhh........ me likey

Full side profile please

 

teaser pics

 

Sorry! also some of my 56

 

Nice nice nice nice !!!!
That's going to really set that thing off. Lots of work in those little details like you are doing but its what separates the men from the boys.
Big thumbs up man !

 

Very noice.

 

Great work on the fenders, I think going full fender is much better than the fenderless like everybody else look.

 

Bad ass work!

 

Lookin good! Got any pics of the chassis without the body on it?

 

I've got no chassie pics now but need to tear down again. I"ll get some then. Here some of the inside. The P.O. gave me a 54? olds guage set so I set it in the dash.I finnished the firewall, tunnel, floor.

 

I pushed it out today for some new pics

 

Very cool!

 

Looks great man!
I love them Olds powered early Ford trucks.
Also like that you're keeping the fenders.

 

awesome dash ....love it....happy new year..

 

That is one mean profile! Looks great with the fenders. Swoopy!

 

Looking good and loving the fenders!

 

wow!! keep it going. I dig the slicks and fenders. very nice!

 

This is really lookin sick!! I love it!

 

I like the idea of keeping the fenders,I am sure it added to the work load but think it will be well worth the extra effort in the long run. HRP