Im not fussy about frenched headlights as I've done them to 2 50 ford and a merc, time to do something different so the 37 ford headlights are done. It'll get the Plymouth taillights because they've got a good unique look. I'll be shaving the trunk too and yes the licence plate will be on the bumper. Next up is finish the rear end install then it's into the fenders.
Out of curiosity can you post a pic of the shackles of the rear spring? The size of those 'lowering blocks' makes me think the shackles have been installed incorrectly, as were mine by a previous owner along with everything else to compensate. Chris
Those " lowering block perch" Is sold by 4 x4 parts companies for beefing up springs in jackem up trucks. It's over 8 inches long. Ideal for flatten out and firming up leaf springs but not for lowering. I've cut them off flush with the bottom of the axle and welded 1/4 inch flatbar in it's place (With a 9/16 hole centered to accept the spring bolt.) A normal lowering block is much shorter and will let the springs do their thing.
Well the latest on this dumb ass rear end. The perches were removed and 2 inch lowering blocks put in. Rear end re installed and it' still sitting high. I took out 2 more leaves and sat it down. Still rock hard and sitting high, that's when the light came on. The last owner put 9 leaf truck springs in it. WTF!!!! Tomorrow I'm pulling 1 more leaf and checking scrub lines to see if I can pull off 3 inch blocks. If not, it', time to order up some springs! Getting tired of this bull fuddle!
My Posies springs have 8 leaves and from memory that's more than the stock pack (7?) and they're made of thicker material too! Installed and loaded the arch is probably little more than an inch (down) from an imaginary centerline between the eyes. I can measure more accurately if that helps. Mine's a lowered, outwardly stock hotrod though, not a taildraging custom. Chris
Thank you for the offer, that would be great information to have. I'e got a gut churning feeling new springs are on the horizon.
Hey Mo, not sure why, but I'm not seeing the pictures you've been posting. I get them.in my email but they don't appear in the thread when Im looking. I love the last one you posted of yje chopped 39. Thats sex on wheels!
It'll be the weekend before I can do this with any accuracy - I need to get it on the ramp anyway! I looked at it yesterday but the car is too low to get underneath properly (or I've grown, surely not!). But it does have some upward curve in it, but not much, so I expect my suggested 1" will be about right . The springs have been installed for a couple of years now and covered 4 or 5k miles so any settling in I'd think has occurred. I actually want to raise it by about upto an inch so will be milling that off the homebrewed aluminium blocks. Ignoring the ride height and the ride quality for a moment, my old springs were shagged. Any amount of power and they'd wind up like crazy as well as lean the car over heavily, and I'm only talking about very modest power. The new springs gave a night and day difference in all respects, and worth every penny imo. I think your gut is right! Chris
For now I'll drop in the 3 inch lowering blocks and move on. I'e got a lot I want to do so I can get it on the road and get to know it. I'll come back to it with the info you provide Chis and attack it. Right now this is stalling the project.
I’m running stock springs and 2-3/4” alumn blocks. These springs are still wrapped and greased. The car runs fine and live where roads need a lot to be desired. Funny I think the steel was better than new replacements. I’ve built a number of cars and used new springs. My 41 has less than 50,000 on it. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Question... does anyone have a picture of a 41 with running boards? ... before I start fabricating...
Ironic this should be a COVER version; but Lono, this one's for you. "I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die So let me live my life the way I want to. Sing on, Brother. Play on, drummer!" Wave on, Jimi, wave on!
Measuring out running boards. Visualizing then running half way up the front fender, extending about an inch out and back to the rear, again apprx half way down the front of the rear fender. They'l have a dynamic stream line look. ...im digging it.
Thanks Mo for the vote of confidence. I mocked some of it up for a better look. Finding the right length and the angle of the waterfall of an original 39 style took a while. I know traditionally the idea was to eliminate running boards on customs but they were only available as an opton on super deluxe and looked nothing like this. So, it' aeroynamic running boards (with working lakes pipes). Tomorrow it' install the lowering blocks and then onto filling the rear fenders and making these.
The decision isn' if now but weather moulded in, joining front and rear fenders or stand alone covered in period rubber.
Here's those dimensions etc. Will try and load some pics too, but that's not usually successful! Springs are Posies 201 A. The rear fender arch sits 24 1/4" from the ground. Tires are 25 1/2" diameter (15" wheels). Eye to eye the spring sits at 48 3/4" and spring top to centreline of the eyes is 1 1/4". The spring pack is 2" thick in the centre. I'm using 2 1/2" lowering blocks and the spring saddles are 1/2", so the spring top to the bottom of the axle tube is 3". Axle tubes are the usual 3" (10 bolt) and I have a hair over 3" above the axle to the framerail bottom (there is no frame notch). I've got some 'before' pics somewhere but I can't find them. Hope this helps you sort your spring choice / ride height! Chris
Thank you so much for all this, I couldn' ask for more. It'l be a lot of help. I' love to see a picture of you car (did I miss it earlier?)
A happy day. 3 inch blocks in the back and it' now got a 1.5 inch rake. Time to move on and revisit later. A set of those Posey springs may be on the way.
Thank you so much for all this, I couldn' ask for more. It'l be a lot of help. I' love to see a picture of you car (did I miss it earlier?)
Mandatory dummy spotlights. Trivia... when barris did a car with spotlights, most of them were none functional. Reason being was he liked the looks but not the clutter inside on the dash. So he started what we call the dummy spot light crazy.
You are moving so fast on this! It is looking great! Wish I had your body working skills!! Or you lived closer...hahaha.
Thanks. I hope to get it in to my mechanic buddy to do some wiring next week, then it' on the road. I don' even try wiring anymore. For some reason it always smokes ...
Looking good! Taking a granny car and making it look like it belongs to a hood,,,wait a minute,,, you are a hood