40 Chevy chop top...

The cabs.





Model A fenders. Grill shell and light bar are in a buddies shed.



The power plant. Haven't put tunnel ram on yet.



The doors. Have 4 doors total. One's in front will be on the truck.



The fender pile. I also have a 45 Chevy 1/2 ton PU project. And more fenders in a buddies shed. LOL



Taking front leaf springs to the spring shop tomorrow for bushings. Once my buddy is over the flu we can start on suspension. I'm ready to go!

pile

nice pile of parts[dr

outta be cool [

Later

Finally got started!

Got the front springs back on Monday. New bushings, locator pins and labor was $30. After 2 days we have the access metal cut off - old 6 cyl engine mount, trans cross member, rear spring perches. Front leafs and straight axle in and the Speedway disc brake kit on. New engine mounts and trans cross member fabricated and in. Got the tires/wheels on front and rear. Rear is positioned under the frame and ready for final measurements.

Going to put the 355 in it today so we can check ride height and see if 4 leafs in front will keep the nose off the ground then start on the ladder bar setup for the rear.

Here is a link to all the pics:

http://s200.beta.photobucket.com/user/KC93MarkVIII/library/Rat Rod 40 Chop Top

Here are a few:

Some people are just plain show offs.
Composite lightweight block for mock-ups.
Like the way you're goin with the straight axle too.

Old Iron said:

Some people are just plain show offs.
Composite lightweight block for mock-ups.
Like the way you're goin with the straight axle too.

Click to expand...

That mock-up block is a back saver! Borrowed it from a friend. We muscled up and put an iron block in to do the finish welding on the mounts though.

We took 2 leafs out to give some nose down attitude. Hopefully It'll be up enough to get over the curb!

yeah the first time ya bump the curb you'll always remember to stop short
My 40 Pontiac is that way

take both cabs and graft them together to make a more dore truck!!! I would!!!

Just my opinion.....

Nice set of parts you have there. Whats going on with that Belair?>

Old Iron said:

yeah the first time ya bump the curb you'll always remember to stop short
My 40 Pontiac is that way

Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up! We have the gentle rolling type curbs here. I have 7" clearance with the real deal SBC and a 250lb guy on the cross member! [cl [S I just have to remember to slow down a bit.

Neverdone said:

take both cabs and graft them together to make a more dore truck!!! I would!!!

Just my opinion.....

Click to expand...

I actually have a 39 Ford cab that we were talking about doing the exact thing with. 4X4 extended or quad cab. 4x4 frames are easy to come by.

This one is going to be a hold on and kiss your butt goodbye kinda ride!

zpi28 said:

Nice set of parts you have there. Whats going on with that Belair?>

Click to expand...

Thanks. Basement is full and my buddies shed is too. I think I have a hoarding issue! [dr

The 57 in these pics is going to be an old school highboy. Taking 2 sets of stock spindles and cutting and welding them together to add 5" of lift in front and then flip the rear to even it out. That will be 57 number 2. 57 number 3 was just purchased and who knows what it will become. Thinking BBC pro street but who knows at this point.

BTW, 57 number 3 is in the Whats in your garage thread.

Todays progress

Had to clean and paint the 355 and chase parts for the the steering and rear end. Doesn't seem like much but still used a 1/2 tank of fuel and mortgage might be late, but were moving on!

Picked up some S10 springs for the rear. Will need to be cut to fit but will work. Also got a heck of a deal on a Vega steering box for the the cross steer. Plus a 30 pack to celebrate! Celebrating seems to happen a lot with this build. [cl Oh, we got the 355 in and started the ladder bar setup.

Same as last, all the pics are here - http://s200.beta.photobucket.com/user/KC93MarkVIII/library/Rat Rod 40 Chop Top

Here are a few pics to spark your interest -









More tomorrow, I hope!

Depending on how you do your mounts for the springs, they might not have to get cut once you have all the weight on them.

Dirtyrat said:

Depending on how you do your mounts for the springs, they might not have to get cut once you have all the weight on them.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I think we'll be ok on the springs.

Pics from the last couple days...

Slowed down over the last few days to do the rear suspension. Fabricated the ladder bars and got the coil spring mounts worked out. Everything is tacked in and measured out right on the money. Also got the Vega steering box installed.

Looking good, what pt# are those springs and where did you get them?

zpi28 said:

Looking good, what pt# are those springs and where did you get them?

Click to expand...

Thanks.

MOOG 5660. S10 springs from O'Reilly. The OD is bigger than I wanted but they should work fine. Probably could have got them cheaper if I shopped around but I had them get 2 different set to chose from. These had the smaller diameter coils out of the 2.

Progress is looking good. I'm building a 39 myself. What is your location I'm in SW Mo. Do you have any extra side glass frames?

Breezy said:

Progress is looking good. I'm building a 39 myself. What is your location I'm in SW Mo. Do you have any extra side glass frames?

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Thanks. I'm north of KC. Not many extra parts for the 40. Just the 2 cabs and 4 doors for the chop. I do have a hood and 1 side. Do you have pics up of your 39?

Not much progress this week. Spent Monday cutting and splitting wood for the garage stove and helping a friend with 41 Ford coupe. Having brake issues. Turns out wrong master cylinder for the 4 wheel disc brake setup. Go figure!

Spent Tuesday welding up the rear suspension and doing a little more painting on the frame.

Got the new headers today and have them hung off the block. Very nice set for the money! If your a fat fender car these fender wells will work for you.

Front/rear shocks and the cross steer setup are on the short list for tomorrow. That will make it a roller frame for now. Time to drag the cab inside to square and measure it up. Hopefully the next round of pics will be mock up of cab on frame!

Here is a link to all the pics -

http://s200.beta.photobucket.com/user/KC93MarkVIII/library/Rat Rod 40 Chop Top

Here are a few just to catch up -