I have hot rods in my blood, stumbled upon the hamb a while back, and have been dreaming of a HOT ROD ever since. I don't want no muscle car, no 50's gasser, I want a HOT ROD! Like most hot rodders, Im broke. I stumbled upon a 30/31 model a pickup frame, axles and suspension for CHEAP. Like almost free cheap. I want to build a bucket, not a fad T but something along the lines of a gowjob... Would this frame be a good start? I'm planning on using the front axle/susp and the rear susp with a ford 9in. Speedway glass tub or steel if I can afford it. Of course I want juice brakes, and probably a V8. Can I put juice brakes on the 30/31 axle? The researching Ive done has been conflicting. Should I keep looking? Or hurry up and buy it before someone else does?
Yes it's a good start. Plan to box the frame rails if you run much more than 50 or 60 horsepower in it. Yes you can put juice brakes on the axle. Had one here done that way back in the day, and sold it. Odds are if you wait and scrounge around you can find a real "A" body for as cheap as a new fiberglass tub body by the time you figure a grille, bed and so forth.
Heres my Get an idea in your head of what you want, and build it. Yeah you can ask for advise and help here ... but build your car, your way. And enjoy the Hell out of it !!!
I agree. If money is an issue just save for a bit while you're getting that chassis dialed in. Keep your eyes peeled on here and at all the major shows/swaps within 100 miles of you and it will be worth the drive. I know a guy here in Cal that makes door skins and RPU side panels to match the doors for a really reasonable price. Then all you gotta do is find a cowl. Which is way easier than finding a whole body. Thats what I'm building right now. Just step over the side and drive. And it's a model A. Always go steel over glass. Steel welds better
The wife is actually okay with it, well that or she is used to me hauling home junk. I'm gonna have to sell some other toys to build it, but thats okay. Not trying to brag but I am one hell of a fabricator, and ever since I saw guys on here building one I just had to have one! I know what I want in my head loosely, time and money will dictate that a little thou. I even saw on another thread of a tbucket body built with a cowl and a panel van... Something I'm very capable of. I figure at the very least, I can part out what I bought and get my money back out of it. Hopefully I will have pictures tomorrow
If you can fab start swapping work for parts Good luck with it and please start a build thread when you get going. Lots of talented fabricators on this site that will happily jump in and help you with helpful hints etc.
Jump in and commit yourself to the project. Don't worry about the details- once you're committed, you HAVE to work out the problems. It's like jumping into a hole. If you stand on the edge, you can think yourself to death about how you would bet out. Once you're in the hole, you HAVE to figure out a way.
Sounds like a great start . Check with your Motor vehicle administration to see if you can build one , what you will need to get a title and tags to get it on the road before you start anything ! Now make a drawing on what you want before you start buying parts and so on . When the drawing or what you really want , then start making a list of ALL the parts you will need to get it on the road . STICK to that list or it will cost you more and more money and 5 years from now it still won't be done . Make it the way you want no matter what all your so called friends tell you should do with it . It's your hotrod so stick to your guns on what you want . First off make sure you make it safe ! That is the most important thing you need to do . If you make it simple without a ton of chrome that will save you thousand of $$ down the road . there is a lot of good used parts you can use . Good used engines are easy to get and if it runs good leave it alone ! Try to make everything you can and do as much of the work you can by yourself . When you have to pay someone to do the work that will take you broke . Also get a good quality 220v MIG welder and a tank of gas . Don't be cheap on this end or you will be kicking yourself down the road . There are even good deals on good used ones in your local paper or on C/List . Stick with the good name brand ones too . Get a good book on how to build a hotrod . They will help you also . Once you get started we can all help you with questions you have BUT please do a search first for your question . That will save everyone a lot of time . Good Luck with your Hot Rod build and make sure you post some pictures ! Retro Jim
A frame is good, I say keep all the parts & look for a later driveline up to '42. Also a X member from any ford to '48. It would be easier to stick with a Banjo rather than mess with a 9", they have more class. JMO, maybe you plan on lots of engine. I strarted with an oil pressurre gauge, collected axles, chassis parts, finally bought an A frame. Years later I found sheetmetal to start and took about 6 months to build the car during a layoff. Link to my pics. for ideas: http://s845.photobucket.com/albums/ab12/barrylm/
Excellent advice, my vote would be for an Oxy/Acetyl torch set, then you've got heat available for any number of "old tin" tasks. Pitman
Could be like my Dad, he is an absoulutely incredible furniture maker. Never made any money at it because his personal standards are so high he rarely got any work out. He even failed wood shop in high school because he always turned his projects in late because he thought they were never good enough even though the teacher said they were the best in the class and even a better quality then he himself could produce. We are always our worst critics.
Im Broke for two reasons. I haven't worked in two months, I have degenerative disc disease (long story short, I have destroyed all the cartilage in my lower back). Doctor told me no more when I went in for a pain pill refill, Said I would end up in a chair. Of course, since I have a legitimate claim LnI is dragging their ass on okaing it to make sure I am not screwing them... Really aggravating. All the leeches on the system have made it hard for a guy that honestly has a problem get the compensation he is deserved.... The second? My wife and I have been fighting for full custody of her daughter for the past 2 years. Every spare dime Ive had in the past 2 years has went to lawyers. But, that is done for now...
In this state right now it's easier to get a car pass the inspectors and registered if it has a stock frame with a serial number stamped in it than it is to build your own frame. That A pickup frame is a great start for what it sounds like you have planned. You could start building the chassis and get it squared away and actually have it fairly complete before you needed a body if you plan it right. Who knows, a proper body might find you when you get the chassis close to needing a body. What are the plans for engine and trans? I'm 35 miles up the road and usually can figure out where to find stuff if case needs be.
Best advise you got so far! building hot rods USED 2 B about workin with what U have. ENGINE-U-IT and Y you want to build it.(I never cood spel, buttcan bild carz) Next, no stinkin thinkin! If you think your broke U R! be like the little boy that got a pile of horse shit for Christmas. when he started digging in it his dad asked what he was doing, he excitedly yelled "With all this shit theres gotta be a pony in here somewhere" yes you can getbrakes on that axle. now get lookin for more free shit to build it with . Hell, i got a old cowl you gan have.
Engine? Not sure. I found a mavrick for 200 locally that runs. Should have a 200 or 250 straight 6 and that would be cool. Would also give me a rear end. Im not gonna keep the A rear. I like to BEAT on my cars, and dont think it will hold up. I want to drive the wheels off of it, and drive it hard! I dont build cars so other people think they are cool, I build them for ME. Im still torn thou, with my back issues I cant do ANYTHING in the shop right. I still have some lawyer bills hanging over my head, and have no steady income. Family always comes first with me. I would be bringing it home and letting it sit for quite a while, but that does give me time to gather parts.
Rusty is correct here about everything. Snag the chassis and start boxing it and getting the suspension set up the way you want. Keep your eyes peeled for a good deal on a body they are everywhere. Oh about all rodders being broke that is really a myth. There was a time when a lot of us didn't have two nickles to rub together but those days are gone for the most part. Sure some of us are bucks down but the overwhelming majority have good jobs and are responsable citizens besides.
That Maverick will probably make a great donor car. Go get that Frame! With the Frame and the Donor you can pretty much build the entire car except for the body. Frame, Suspension, Steering, Drivetrain, most of the Electrical. And while you are scrounging for a body, you can get that L6 detailed and hopped up, box - clean and paint the frame, build the crossmembers and engine mounts... plus the other hundred things you will need to do! While you are scrounging, have a list of all the things you need handy. Headlight buckets, shocks, seats, etc... It sucks to get home from a good swapmeet and remember that you needed to be looking for a nice tach. Good luck man - take pictures! - Joe
The 200 can hold up !!! I think a built 200 with a T-5 in a Model A would be cool. Do a search here for Toymaker and check out his HA/GR with a 170 for and idea on how good the small 6 Ford can be.
Well, my dad drug his feet on helping me to go get it (he has a trailer and a reliable pickup) and it sold. I knew it was gonna happen! So if any of you locals know of anything let me know. I was planning on selling off 90% of my turbo k-car stuff to build this, and now I'm pretty bummed. I'm all for piecing something together... There still is TWO model A's at my grandmas house but she doesn't want them cut up. That just isn't what I want . I don't want to upset grandma either. I had sourced a motor too... A 70 Buick odd fire v6, the original motor out of my jeepster! I think the odd fire would sound really cool in a rod. Also might be willing to trade body work for parts. I was a body and frame guy for 5 years, left when I came to the conclusion that there wasnt any money to be made working in a shop...
Heck ... take one of those Mopar 2.2 turbos and turn it 90 degrees and use that. I know a guy that has a Turbo 4 Dakota that runs low to mid 12s !!!
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