1950 project
 

here is my project a 1950 that I will be doing a full custom build on. I currently have the drivetrain and suspension about complete. the cab has been blasted and epoxy primed and is in the process of getting a recessed firewall and new floors. the drivetrain is a 5.3 with a 4L60 out of a 2006 Tahoe with 52 miles on it. the rear is a TCI leaf kit with a 9 inch ford gear and disc brakes. the front is a TCI mustang II. here are some pics

in the begining
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/ahsum/ebay1.jpg

the intended final outcome
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...um/catalog.jpg
drivetrain
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/ahsum/motor1.jpg

suspension
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/ahsum/ifs2.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/ahsum/ford9.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...um/motorin.jpg


firewall
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...irewall4-1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...irewall5-1.jpg

Re: 1950 project
 

Very nice start to the project. That will be a good looking truck when you are done. Nice chassis set up and that motor will give you great performance and pretty decent mileage. Keep posting pics.

Re: 1950 project
 

nice to see another AD come to life i couldn't help myself so i tinted you photo to where i like it... it ain't burnt amber but i like

Re: 1950 project
 

cool, I like :c2:

Re: 1950 project
 

Hey looking good. What's the 9" out of?

Re: 1950 project
 

a 1971 F-100 perfect length 60 1/4 inches, simple bolt in

Re: 1950 project
 

Very nice.. keep us posted.

Re: 1950 project
 

good to see another AD project started. Nice looking goal to work to. We'll keep a watch for updates.

Re: 1950 project
 

thanks, I looked at your build and it looks good. we seem to have sort of the same ideas. 5.3 and a ford 9 inch. I was going to go with air bags also. but the trucks I rode in did not ride that good. shock waves cound be an option for me down the road but they are a little pricey. air is cool though. what are you doing for brakes? I am going to adapt a hydroboost from a 93 Astro van. frame mounted of course to keep the firewall clean.

Re: 1950 project
 

Welcome to the board!
You look like you have a good start on a a fun project.
Do you have your exhaust manifolds in place?
Why did you chose to remove the firewall, just to clean it up, or does the 5.3 need the extra clearence?
Keep us posted, we like photos and progress reports!!

Re: 1950 project
 

Welcome!! Nice looking work so far. Keep those updated picture coming!

Re: 1950 project
 

stock manifolds would not clear the frame rail. I am going with block hugger headers, hopfully long tubes. the 5.3 will fit with the factory firewall but it was a little tight and I was going to smooth the factory firewall anyway. it just made it easier for me this way. I am also going with their inner fenders. makes for a clean look.

Re: 1950 project
 

What bramd of headers are you going to use?
Do you have a new X-member
What brand inner fenders are you using, *****en Products?

Re: 1950 project
 

Very cool looking project. Keep the updates going.

Re: 1950 project
 

When air bags are set up & adjusted properly, the ride is excellent. We drove over 2400 miles 2 weeks ago, between going to the Goodguys show in Loveland Co. & doin the Hot Rod Power Tour. The wife didn't complain about the ride a bit, & being able to raise the front end when needed to clear dips & such when entering drives is a plus. (i'm still guilty of scraping the front bumper now & again) I don't know how some of these folks with lowered rides get around... I used a manual master cylinder from Willwood mounted on the firewall, along with a brake pedal assy. from a mid eighties suburban.

Re: 1950 project
 

not sure on the brand of headers yet, I am not to that point yet. I have a TCI crossmember for the trans, and yes the firewall, floors and inner fenders are from *****in Products

Re: 1950 project
 

is your 5.3 stock? how does it perform in your truck? theese AD trucks are much lighter than the new trucks. also what kind of mileage were you getting? I never thought I would ask that question

Re: 1950 project
 

Stock motor with a Speartech tune on the computer. I am very pleased with its performance, very torquey with the truck intake. Been meaning to weigh the truck but have not yet. On the cruise to Colorado I kept the cruise control set at 78 MPH & got 16.5 MPG. When I slowed down to 66 to 68 MPH I started getting 20.5 MPG. Combo is a 4L60E, 373 gears with a 29.3" tall tire (295X40X20). I was hoping for better mileage. If I was to do over I would go with 355 gears.

Re: 1950 project
 

hey from N.C. nice start to a good looking truck keep the pictures coming like to see more of the progress as you go. friend of mine has 50 model we been working on ,it's a daliy diver, keep them old trucks rolling :metal: :cool:

Re: 1950 project
 

what bolt pattern do you plan on ending up with? cool build.

Re: 1950 project
 

I went with 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern, it is one of the most common bolt patterns so my choice of wheels should be greater.

Re: 1950 project
 

Very nice project. I have the same engine in trans going in my truck. Good luck with you build.

Re: 1950 project
 

nice looking truck I also just completed a ZZ4, 700R, power steering an power brake upgrade on a friends 56 Bel Air. I really never paid that much attention to tri fives but they are really nice cars. and if you are going to run a/c on your truck their is a company that makes a bracket to move the compressor to the upper right side. so it will clear the crossmember

Re: 1950 project
 

Awesome, another AD truck getting built, I like it alot.

Can't wait to get to work on mine again.

Re: 1950 project
 

update, well I finally got time to work on my project. I finished boxing in the frame, then put the cab back on so I could get final placement for the engine. then welded in the motor mounts. installed my hooker super comp headers to check for clearance amd they will work fine.


clearance with the *****in recessed firewall
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...lclearance.jpg

passenger side
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/ahsum/boxed2.jpg

driver side, the small cutout is for the crossmember, the large one for the hydroboost acumulator
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/ahsum/boxed4.jpg



motor mounts all welded in
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...tsweldedin.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...um/motor11.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...um/motor13.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...um/motor12.jpg

header clearance
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...rclearance.jpg