1971 FORD LTD gets HYDROS !!

[ChiefRocka]

Front cylinder in place .... Moving on to rear suspension.
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Similar to the front, a hole must be hole-sawed thru the frame, then thru the body (directly over the coil spring) to accomidate the hydraulic cylinder.

The only difference, is the rear is down in a 'coil-over' style (where the coil-spring is between the frame and cylinder, rather the cylinder pushing on the coil) ....
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Thru the frame I use the same size as the cylinder, but on top, thru the body, I use a larger hole saw. This prevents 'squeaks' when traveling down the road.
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Pieces removed ... Fords, you go thru a little brace (GM flat steel)
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If you look close at the piece removed ... my upper and lower holesaw cuts lined up perfect ... Just to think some ol-schoolers use a torch here WTF !!!!!

[ChiefRocka]

Moving on to the rear axle. Being as I am running 'coil-over' style in the rear, some sort of pivot must be used on the axle.

For this we use the 'power-ball'. Basically a machined ball, threaded thats housed in a round mount with a screw on cap , fully greaseable. I use 1/4" plate to mount, and the stock spring perches are trimmed, and reinforced.
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Here the nipples (Did someone say NIPPLES ??) that locate the spring are cut away....

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Fully boxed for strength:
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[ChiefRocka]

Here a couple of shots of the front 4 tons installed, as well as the rear coil-over set-up installed as well.

The coil springs will be cut later to set the height of the suspenion when the fluid is dumped ... I usually leave the front coils tall, just to see how high we can get this thing to jump, then cut them down to customers preference ...
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Rear:
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Cylinder protrusion into trunk area:
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LTD on ground, resting on uncut springs:
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I pulled it outside to clean up shop a bit, and for it to get some sun....
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[ChiefRocka]

The owner picked some some freshly machined wheel chips for the knock-offs:

[1LoC10]

Looks awesome, your first set of pics only loaded half the pic so couldnt see all of it....but looks great now, good job

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by 1LoC10

Looks awesome, your first set of pics only loaded half the pic so couldnt see all of it....but looks great now, good job

Hmmm, on my end the pics are ok ... try reloading ??
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Anyway, now for the fun part ... fabbing up the custom trunk set-up !!
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Once back in side, we rack it and pulled the fuel tank to gain access to the bottom, front trunk wall:
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Many years of dirt ... not bad actually, considering :
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ok, enough on the fuel tank .....

[ChiefRocka]

The owner and I came up with a unique way of mounting the pumps, rather than coming off the floor, we wanted them to hang or float off the front:
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So my idea here it to build a mounting plate location, behind the trunk wall. This will be made out of thick steel, allowing me to drill and tap threads. This will give the illusion the pumps are hanging from the thin body steel. (I'm sure most people would figure it out)
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Inside pass side:
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Driver side notched for fuel pipe:
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[ChiefRocka]

I came up with a flange design, that not only mounts the rack, but has provisions for the bulkhead fittings ... no rubber hoses here, this thing is getting hardlines !!
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Mark, drill and tap:
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Bent tubing went in:
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Cute little stand offs made:
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Jigged up:
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[ChiefRocka]

OK, now I want these pump to look symmetrical, so I took a degree measurement of the body, then transfered it to the jig:
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Man this thing is gonna looks SICK !!!!
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More soon !!!!!

[sleepertruck72]

Nice work ! Hop that thing already !!!

[ChiefRocka]

I built some 'basic' battery racks that locate 2 group 32's on each side of the truck. The entire truck is gonna be paneled, so basic is all that was needed:
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Ford Solenoid rack:
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Inside the trunk I used the existing body mount bolt for a rear fastening point, and a single drilled hole for the front, to an angled mount to the frame:
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Underside simple bracket to mount racks:
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This was a basic, but strong and clean way to mount the weight of two batt's per side. Most hoppers than run upwards of 10-12 batt's usually cut big ass holes in the truck and run tubing to the frame for support, no need for that BS here...

[ChiefRocka]

CIRCA JULY 12
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Man, it has been a hecktic past couple of weeks ...

Completely finished up the lines this afternoon, diassembled and dropped them off with Cheese for chrome.
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I lowered the dumps by changing the fittings, and re-did the lines ... gave them some sexier curves:-
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Went down to RB and picked up some fittings to hook up the slo-downs:
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My favorite pic of the night:
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Slight z bend to clear:
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[ChiefRocka]

Everything went out for chrome:
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[ChiefRocka]

CIRCA AUG 3RD
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Got the chrome back, and got busy:
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As with most chrome jobs and powder coating, all the threads and fittings must be cleaned to remove all the 'cheese' before reassembling:
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[ChiefRocka]

....aug 12th.....
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Tonight, I brought some work home with me ... the switches ... Got it done with the help of my lil girl ...
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I had her remove the switches from the plate, then all the screws ...
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Next strip some insulation ...
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Then, solder it up ...
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-Some might wonder why I do it this way ... Been doing this way for years.

First of all, it looks much cleaner (I know, you'll never see it, but whatever your seeing it now !!) :biggrin:

It's easier to do, without the need for a **** load of ring terminals ... less wire too

Whether in a box, or exposed I think its 'mo betta'

[ChiefRocka]

We are current now !!
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I hung out with the LTD for a bit today....
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Pulled the rear coil-overs out, cut the springs, and painted them and the cups with a black/cast iron combo and installed fittings:
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I cut the front springs a bit as well:
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Once we are outside on level ground, I'll have Carilha check it out, then adjust accordingly....

[OARNGESI]

really clean well we get videos when its done

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

really clean well we get videos when its done

I think I can manage that !! Keep in mind this will not be a 'back-bumper' car, just a 'lay n play' or 'poser'

[REDNOSE65]

Orale, seen this build on Lay It Low the other day.
Dig those 70's LTDs.

[kyull67]

Nice work! You'll have to post up a video when it's all complete.

[OARNGESI]

Will it hop

[Pop's C-10]

I love LTD's

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by REDNOSE65

Orale, seen this build on Lay It Low the other day.
Dig those 70's LTDs.

Ahhh, you got me !!

Originally Posted by kyull67

Nice work! You'll have to post up a video when it's all complete.

Will do ...

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

Will it hop

It will, again not a crazy 'back-bumper' smacker, but it will .... a little

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

I love LTD's

I do too. I really like the lines on this car ... along with the port window, looks good.

[ChiefRocka]

While I wait on Cheese .... I started on the front skid plate. On this Ford, the oil pump sump sits AHEAD of the main front crossmember, is huge, and has the potential to get damaged.

So, as a safety precaution, I'm in the process of fab'n up a removable skid-plate.
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Mock up, using existing holes:
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1/4" x 12" plate:
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The back side will be shaped to follow the X-member ... cleaned up, then bolted in the rear as well.

The top and sides will have braces welded in to beef up the flat plate, and a cut-out for oil changes...

A scrape plate will follow to make the transition ...

I believe this is the last bit of welding I have to do on this car ... Been dying to get my welder home so the kids and I can get back on the "Doom-Buggy" build !!

More soon !!

[ChiefRocka]

Finally received the NOS, ol' school Aircraft slo-down valves from polishing ... adds a nice touch.

As well as the revolver motor end caps my buddy had machined .... pricey, but cool !!
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Welding up a truck rack at the moment ... more soon !!