So here we have my 37 Ford pickup project. The goal is to create a one of a kind full-fendered custom with a factory look. Part of that plan includes stretching the cab 4". Here's the story so far: Of the 3 cabs I had, the 35 was by far the nicest. Besides, I like the way the cowl transitions into the windshield on the 35 and the curved rear edge of the hood. My fearless assistant is up for the task: First task is to install the hidden hinges and align the doors before cutting up the cab. Anybody who's done this before knows it is a tedious and time consuming job. I found the peak of the crown on the door split it down the middle there and added in a 4" slice from the center of a donor door. The jog at the bottom is necessary to avoid a step in the bottom edge profile. This is the other door after welding: Together with the stretch, I wanted a mild chop. I like the look of a 3" chop on a full-fendered truck. With the 4" stretch, a 1" chop gives me the same length to height ratio of the window. With the door frame tacked together, the top edge looks a little flat. More about that later.
Next up is to slice and dice. I found the high point of the crown on top and cut 2" forward of that. On my donor roof (from the 37 cab), I cut 2" back. That would provide a single seam down the middle. I've never been a fan of mail-slot windows, so I decided to leave it uncut: The cab has a taper front to rear, so lengthening the cab changes the taper angle. That has to be corrected in the roof and the rocker panels, and the doors actually close further: Not a bad start:
Next up was surgery as required to make the cowl of the 35 cab match the V in the 37 roof for a very unique split window: I merged the 35 and 37 cowl vents together: The dash will get reworked when I mold in the 50 Dodge instrument cluster Remember that that flat door top edge? I decided to cut the windshield posts and extra 1/4" to tip the front of the roof down. That resulted in a nice gentle curvature: This is how it looks today:
Beautiful work Larry! Nice to see you carving things up out in the garage again. Can't wait to see it in person.
Looking good and if I ever build a late 30s truck again it will get stretched,my 37 Chevy p/u just does not have room in it and could use another 5 or 6 inches.
Beautiful work and planning to reach your vision. Know it will be executed to your usual very high standards. Looking forward to see the truck in the tin (flesh). Can we expect it at WOW this spring ;-) Canuck
Not that quickly Jim....I don't work as fast as I used to. It's going to take a couple months to fit up the Packard grille, hood and headlights.
This project has run head first into 60 hour weeks at the day job. Not much progress lately other than geting the floor completed with a sexy tunnel to wrap around the T5 and shifter. The Desoto 330 is with the builder now.
Got the underside of the cab looking better than it really needs to. With the rear of the cab 4" back, there is room to sink the battery box down between the center X-frame and the driveshaft. Dave, Gary Hultgren is building the hemi.
I think 35-37 Ford pickups have been beat to death for too long. If done well they scream "hotrod"! Keep hammering! Looking good!
Winter again in Minnesota,so back to the project. I wasn't able to find a decent 37 grille, but I did have a 40 Packard out in the yard......
WOW! Just found this thread, fantastic project. I'll look around that Packard grille looks a lot like a White truck from the 1940's
Dude. Boredom, or A.D.D. Waht-ever it is, you are friggin' on the mark ! Who woulda' thunk' that out ? Looks good !! I like it.
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