Re: 52 Project
 

I don't think it has anything to do with the bed mounting. If I remember right my dad told me that spare tire went there???? I wasn't around when it all got taken apart so that is only from what I remember being told.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

That's correct Ive seen a few who welded in some 2x3 or 4x4 tubing right t at the back of the frame and then remove the factory cross member.

Re: 52 Project
 

Yes the hump in the back cross member was where the spare tire was mounted. The bed does not touch this cross member in any way that I have noticed. My original one was bent due to a farmer welding a hitch to it and pulling something too heavy so I cut mine out and found another one from a different frame and slapped it back in. I could have just as easily put in a tube like av8tr33337 mentioned but this was just as easy.

Re: 52 Project
 

Wigadore I put the shocks on so you could see what the crossmember looks like with them installed. I didn't tighten them up yet because I am not done messing with the read end and the shocks use locking nuts that I don't want to run in just yet. If you have any more questions let me know.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

How you have it setup is exactly how I saw it in my head. Now I just need to find or build a cross member for this on my truck and the chassis will be complete.

Re: 52 Project
 

Maybe someday I will be this far along...

Re: 52 Project
 

.

This is the kit that we got. http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ks/4754RLK.htm It includes the springs, hangers, shocks and shock mounting brackets. I didn't see it separate but you might give them a call and see if you can buy it separately.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

I have been working really hard to get it this far....it is beginning to seem like it is never going to get done...lol. We ran into some health problems with my dad through the build but he seems to be better now. Also I am only able to get to his place once a week so it has taken longer than we wanted it to but it is starting to show some promise. Hopefully he has all the paint stripped when I go down this week and I can start on the body work. Once we get it painted I think it will come together pretty quick since I have been planning the final draft all the way along. Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

I love your thread and I am I learning alot and I thank you for your time so far. I am rebuilding my Ford 9" rear end right now and so far all I have is a housing and center that has been rebuilt. Did you buy a kit to include axles, brakes, bearings, etc...? Your setup looks awesome.

Thanks for the CPP link. I talked to a sales rep and they ship to Canada where TCI does not. One step closer thanks to you.

Re: 52 Project
 

Thanks for the compliments. I am not sure if it was a kit or not but everything came from Moser. Those guys build a lot of race stuff and we were familiar from that. all we had was the center section and we got everything else from them. Good luck and if you need anything else let me know.

Update: Right now we almost have all the old paint stripped off and dad was hoping to have it in primer this week. Once he gets it primed I have some touch up work to do and then some body work. The weather has been so nice this past week dad has been able to get out and work on it some. I am not sure exactly how much time the body work is going to take me but I have had it in the back of my mind this whole project so I am hoping that I don't' need a bunch. I tried to get the panels lined up nicely so that it wouldn't need much filled etc. Once some real progress starts to happen I will post some more pictures. Stripping paint doesn't make for good pictures...:metal:

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Keep us in the loop .

Re: 52 Project
 

Moser is who I called three days ago. THey are working together on getting me something put together so I can get this section built.

Re: 52 Project
 

It's looking really good Bernie. I love those fat wheels in the back.

Re: 52 Project
 

Bernie, I really like what your are doing to your truck. It's look good so far.

I did notice something in post #392. I'm not as familiar with Big Blocks, but it looks like you have the distributor CAP installed 180 out. I mean the plugs for the battery feed and Tach should be on the drivers side opposite the vacumn advance canister. There should be a locating tab in the cap that mates to the distributor housing.

Good luck with the rest of the build, hopefully you'll be riding soon!

Re: 52 Project
 

Yes you are right, the MSD distributor has 4 keys so you can put it anyway you want. I kinda screwed up but I think it will help clean up the wiring by bringing it from that side. I could flip the cap around but then I would have to redo the wires that I have already built. Plus it is a little tight to the firewall on the drivers side. The motor doesn't care which way it is keyed anyway....thats my story and I am sticking to it...lol.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Yeah!!!!! Dad got all the paint stripped and primed the cab this past week. I went down today and did a little patch building. I want to fix the small rust holes before I weld in the vent patch. So you guys know I have been recycling card board in an effort to keep all the tree huggers happy. The only problem is it takes a lot of cars to equal one patch panel but I am game to keep recycling...lol

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

hey bernie, your truck looks great! But boy do i agree with you, sometimes they seem like they are taking forever. the knowing you built it is so worth it when you're done and everyone asks you about it wherever you go.

Re: 52 Project
 

here's how mine is lookin so far.......chopped, tubbed, shaved, coped, 383sbc (I envy the 572)

Re: 52 Project
 

Sweet looking ride!!! We are still a little while before we can get it on the road.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Hey Bernie everything is looking great!

I say forget the metal, just glue the Miller Lite cardboard in place!!

Re: 52 Project
 

I was kinda thinking that but it won't fit the paint scheme...

Re: 52 Project
 

So I decided to do a little fill welding today.....things started out well....and then as my kids say, "Epic Fail Dad". The area I was working on is right above the cowl vent and it had some pin holes that needed work. My first attack was to drill some holes to get to some good metal. The smaller holes I felt like I could weld shut so I went that way. I had my dad hold a backer to try to help in filling the holes and that worked for the most part. Once I started grinding the welds I realized that I was not getting enough weld penetration and they were opening up again. So back to the welder and that is when I figured out that there isn't enough metal to even weld to. So I started building a patch panel but didn't get to finish it today so maybe next weekend.

Also Santa came a little early!!!!! Dad ordered rear fenders, running boards and and a chrome grill.

Here are some pictures that I took today of the fail.....and the parts.


Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Here's a couple more parts pictures.

Re: 52 Project
 

hi Bernie , nice parts .Have you give any though of the E brake set up .Thanks ROBERT

Re: 52 Project
 

my dad mentioned that if you hold a piece of brass or was it copper behind your weld, you wont burn thru as much....
GT

Re: 52 Project
 

Tobin, yes we have the rear brakes with the e-brake incorporated in them and a Lokar pedal assembly for inside the truck.

Greg, Yeah I tried that but the metal was still to think in some spots. It was pretty swiss cheesed in that spot. I might give it another shot this weekend but for now I am still thinking patch panel. For some reason there was lots of rust in that area. This was an old farm truck so I am sure it was open all the time and probably had grain packed in there...lol. There was lots of grain in this truck when we got it.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Copper, it won't weld and works good.

Re: 52 Project
 

Ok I haven't vanished off the face of the earth...lol. I have been messing around but not to much on the truck. Dad got us a new toy and I have been messing with it and today finally felt like i had progressed enough to work on the truck with it. He got a Miller Diversion 180 TIG machine and a new welding table. The first thing I built was a cart for the welder and then did some practice on some thin sheet. Today I filled in the antenna hole, gas tank hole and finished with the cowl vent. All three of these will need filler etc. I am pretty close to done with the welding and it should be on to body work soon....I hope. One more good day like today and all the welding will be done. The only stumbling block seems to be hidden thin metal that wicks away when I start welding, that causes me to build additional fillers. Here are a couple of pictures of the machine, table and truck. Also wanted to show my son who is in Japan the truck since he hasn't seen it in a couple of years. I am planning on getting him to help when he gets home on leave in Feb.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

More pictures,

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

:metal: i absolutely love this thread, recently purchased a 52 myself with a excelent body, it is all original but the suspension has been upgraded to a 3/4 ton 4x4 which i am going to change, also it is a long wheel base, not sure if i will change that yet but it is in my thoughts, thank you so very much for posting the great pictures and all the awesome helpful tips, i added some pics of my truck that i took the day i purchased it Dec 12*2010...Joey

Re: 52 Project
 

Hey thanks, if you need anything let me know. If not just post something and someone on here will help. This has been a very helpful board if i have needed anything.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Very cool, I have been wanting one of those tables!

Re: 52 Project
 

I really like the table. They did a very good job with the design, the only thing I would like is the bigger one. I think we can get the other table separately and put them together but that will be a while. It is heavy enough to not dance around while you are welding but not to heavy to move, although it is still pretty heavy to move by yourself. Now I need to start really cranking on the truck.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Well I bet you guys thought I disappeared...lol. I have been doing some boring rust repair and been doing a bunch if stuff that needed to get done around the house. I actually got some picture worthy stuff done today. When I did the steering column I had to put the column right in the bend between the firewall and the floor. That created a problem trying to secure the bottom of the column. I thought about several different solutions and this is the one that I came up with. We got a swivel ball and I built an enclosure to secure it. Here are a few pictures of what I did today....Enjoy.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

I went down to my dads today and we were test fitting the front fenders and inner fenders. I thought they went together pretty nice but I had a WTF moment. The passenger side appears to bolt to the firewall but the drivers side is about 2 inches from the firewall. I think I am missing a bracket or something on the drivers side. I looked at a couple of other builds but don't really see what I need. Mylow53 had a picture that looked like the bracket I need. Does anyone have a good picture of how that goes together? Here are a couple of pictures of our mock up. Hopefully this will be the last time before the final paint and assembly.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Yes, you're missing a bracket. I'll get you a picture later tonight.

Re: 52 Project
 

Thanks, Am I correct that the pass side is bolted directly to the firewall? When we replaced the firewall and floor I didn't even think about this...:dohh: Guess I will have to drill some holes. That is why I am doing the test fits to make sure everything is done!!! Seems like a good idea....at least in theory...lol.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Is that spectre air cleaner set-up? If so how do you like it fit,finish and quality wise?

Re: 52 Project
 

Yeah it is Spectra, it is very nice and although it isn't something I would have picked my dad likes it and it is his truck...:lol:. The center part is cast so the polish is what you would expect with cast but the tubes, clamps and filters are really cool. I will get you some better pictures next weekend if you would like.

Bernie

Re: 52 Project
 

Thanks that would be great.. I have seen those in the stores but they always look like crap through the plastic package they come in..