Projects 26 T Roadster Pick Up build Thread

Unlike a lot of the rods built, some of the best parts are the things that won't be seen! Too many only worry about the quality on the visible items!

 

My buddy @Austin kays got himself a 26 rpu this weekend. Just like yours! Even ford powered lol.


Totally different animals but both still fun all the same

 

Is that the front half of a touring car with a pickup bed and fenders? I like it.

 

Sure is

 

That has hot rod potential.

 

He’s got a line on a Frontenac ovh set up for the banger but I think it’ll stay more or less how it is at the core. Give him a parts hauler for his model A hotrod project

 

At this point I’ve got the wiring all neat and loomed and mounted on the chassis and back of the dash, but I need a solution for the 4 loomed bundles of wires to the dash.
1) headlight switch
2) Ignition switch
3) Gauge harness
4) Signal switch harness.

I didn’t want just tie wrap them to the steering column so I’ve come up with a design for a flat bracket that will mount from the top of the panel I mounted on the firewall to the inside surface of the lip on the bottom of the dash.

I’ve ordered more of the Made for you T clamps and the wire bundles and disconnect connectors will sit on top of the bracket
Secure and neat held by T Clamps like everything else.

Another detail no one will ever see without some lights and mirrors and some serious contortion skills

I’ll do my best to take some pictures of the process when I fab it tomorrow and then when I get it in place.

Once that’s done the wiring is finished.
The list leading to inspection is getting shorter

 

How far off is 1st fire up? JW

 

I’m thinking it’s about a month or so away the list is shrinking steadily.
Exciting time.

 

Most of us would have fired it up by now and had multiple leaks all over the engine and paint and made a mess. I admire your restraint as much as your workmanship.

 

Thank you for your detailed build. Very inspiring in many ways. Thanks, ty

 

You got that right!

 

Cmon man, I know you live in alberta, but it is the end of may........for a guy who only gets three months of roadster weather, you better grind a little harder......LeRoy.

 

I’m working my butt off with the time I have.
I’ll get there or I won’t
We do get some nice Indian summer weather later on in the year too

 

Mocked up the bracket with thin aluminum and then fabricated the final one from steel and sprayed some paint on it.
Once the T clamps arrive I can start getting it together.
All the wires to the dash will be on top and mounted neatly out of sight.

 

Wiring is progressing. the dash wiring to the harness is a pile of work.
I wanted to somewhat hide the wires coming off the signal switch to under the dash so I'm presently building a cover that will attach to the bottom of the column.

Little details.

I also realized that my much loved and beat up old grant steering wheel with the scuffed chrome and worn down foam was not going to work in a finished car.

So I went online and ordered a Mooneyes black vinyl wheel and a non functioning horn button holder.

 

But how will your ah-oo-ga horn work?

 

Tongue in cheek, Denny
You know damned well I won’t have one

 

Well mission accomplished.
It was only a short distance from my Limeworks signal switch to the column drop however I wanted to have the wires covered and out of sight until they could go up behind the dash, tucked up behind the column drop.

I found some short 8x32 rivnuts which I installed and then tacked in place with the Tig.

After that I fabricated a little cover using some 3/4” conduit sliced down and went from there.
It’s secured by 8x32 x 3/8” stainless machine screws.

Should be nice and clean

 

I continue to be impressed with your attention to detail. Very nice


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

I feel like a pretzel

Installed the steering column and then for
most of the day I’ve been leaning in the door twisted around and practically upside down connecting the signal switch into the harness.

Remember that plate I made to securely mount the wire bundles ?

I’m really envious of guys with A coupes like @Fitnessguy
Because they have removable cowl tops.

It’s working out perfectly just as I planned holding the wire bundles securely on each side of the connectors but because the wiring is mounted on top of the plate ....

I find myself sitting with my face against the windshield and one arm on each side of the column working strictly by feel

I told my wife it’s a good thing I work well without having to see ... She was suitably impressed

In any case I have one more wire bundle to connect and mount ( Ignition switch)
and the wiring will be completed as long as everything works once I power it up.

I’ve been testing as I go so we’ll see.
The Rebel kit Jeremy made for me to suit my components has really helped.

 

Wow... ...just... wow!

The bundle cover on the column is a great idea. I shouldn't be surprised as every little detail on this build is a good idea but that is really clever. I'm going to be stealing a lot of these details... ...someday

Bobby

 

"After that I fabricated a little cover using some 3/4” conduit sliced down and went from there."

Nicely done; kudos to you.

 

Only because you’re anal enough to have thought about it
1: why didn’t you cap the conduit on the top side but did finish off the bottom?
2: why is the bundle tapped on the top but loomed on the exit?
3: is the bridge you built hinged at all or will you always have to work blind on that section?

Enjoying the updates

 

Thanks
The wires coming out of the signal switch have a tie wrap around them to help hold them securely into the housing and the shrink tube secures that and the loom. No tape a couple of short pieces of shrink tube.

The top is capped off you just can’t see it well.

I didn’t hinge the bridge because I wasn’t going to have enough wire slack to have it make a difference.

It really wasn’t that hard putting the wire bundles in place mounting them up on top.

I’ve done lots of that kind of work before.

 

And, the wiring is done. I hooked up the Ignition switch bundle and mounted it.

Connected the battery and plugged in the main fuse and checked everything out.
Everything works perfectly.
Lights signals etc.
No issues.

 

Cool !!!!!!!!, isn't it a great feeling. JW

 

Oh shit man! It’s time for that mixed bag of emotions half nervous half excited. Time to turn that key!

 

It sure is. Really great.

I turned the key and spun the engine over too.
No fuel or coolant in it yet, I still have to get the engine dipstick figured out and then there’s the overflow tank.

I also have to install the headers and connect them to the exhaust.

The list leading to firing it up and getting the inspection done is getting shorter

 

Really a small steering wheel