52 Ford F1 Project

[CSCStreetRods]

About 8 months ago i picked up a 52 Ford F1 cab and chassis. I only wanted the cab for the project and sold the remainder of the items i was not planning on using. Along with the cab i kept the four brand new firestone tires that where just put on from the preivious owner. I actualy made 200.00 profit from the sale on the unused items so far. My daughter likes playing around with the F1. She can't wait til it is done you she can ride in it.

 

[CSCStreetRods]

After selling all the items i did not need I had to cut to rid of the Frame to make room for the new frame that I had being made. The easiest way to get the cab off the frame for my wife and I was to put the cab on 2 workbenchs and slide it off. So there it sat til the frame came in. I also stripped the cab completly to start working on the mods.

 

[CSCStreetRods]

I finaly got my frame in and was ready to put the cab on to see fitment. With the front end on (minus the brakes) it sits fairly low. The ride heigth will not be this low but will be about 2-3 inches off the ground. I used 2X6 box where the cab sit on to use the factory body mounts and with the rear four link in place in the future it will look like 2X6 also. the cab is actualy in good shape with only floor having any rust threw. (which will be replaced anyways).

the marking on the back are for chopping the top. I am chopping it 7 inches. So to have any rear window i have to drop it down 2 inches. headroom won't be a problem for the seats that i have in mind will be sitting low.

 

[CSCStreetRods]

last weekend i hit up the swap meet and got a sandblaster, body hammer set, clamps, and some other well needed tools for my project

I just ordered my welder and should be in this week. mid week time. also have a welding helmet coming too.

so far i have cut my back window out and getting it ready to weld together as soon as the welder gets here. There is some fine tuning i have to do before the final welding. Not ready to cut the rest of the room off for there is not bracing as off yet.

sense i am moving my window down 2" i have to reposition the brace that was under the back window as well. The window opening is 3.5 inches tall and with the window rubber seal set in will be a final 2.5 inch veiwable rear window opening.

 

[CSCStreetRods]

Got the 5 out of the 6 stock body mounts installed on the new frame. One of the mounts on the other side has a corner bolt hole cracked and will be welded back together when i get my welding helming in a day or two the installed.The front two mount on either side are threaded into the frame itself and the rear mounts are bolted all the way though. Yes, the jack stand wedged inbetween the body and the frame is pretty scetchy. It was just used for pictures. I also got the car sitting the way it should for ride setting. there will be rubber pads installed and i still need to make the rods for the rear mounts.

 

[Thunder1]

Welcome and thanks for the pictures! Looks like your well on your way! Great job so far! It's always great to see others who see the potential in the early 50's cabs. Like DMW56, and a few others here I have a 51 F1 too. However, I'm still gathering parts for it. Keep us updated on your progress.

Thunder1

 

[Tripper]

Kool!!!

CSC,
Man... u're not foolin' around!!! U're truck is really shapin' up nicely... I dig it! Please keep us posted!!!

BoB

 

[50Ford]

Looks sweet! keep up the good work

 

[CSCStreetRods]

bought a 460 Ford BB it and will be picking it up next weekend. It will be needing a rebuild but is a start for what i am wanting. now to find a c6 transmission to mate up with it. I got my welding helmet today and started to brace my interior of the truck to get ready for the chop top. will post pics of it when i finally get it all ready to cut.

 

[CSCStreetRods]

I braced the cab with some box tubing that i had left over from a gate that I tore down. Plus the doors were tabbed closed to keep the alignment. I have the marking on the back for amount to be removed. It is 7.5 inches in total.

The bracket has been welded and ground it smooth. for the first time mig welding I hope it isn't to bad.

 

[CSCStreetRods]

The back half of the cab is set up for fitment. Made a ton of measurements to make sure the roof was even on all sides. I started to weld a little to get it ready for putting the rest together. I also clamped the top of the door on to see what it was going to look like.

 

[hucklebuckin]

dude your windshield is going to be a mail slot!!! Effin sweet!! Can't wait to see it all in place.

 

[dmw56]

Hmmmm, maybe I should of taken out a couple more inches out of mine? Wow, gonna look mean!
Have you checked if Kansas has a minimum windshield height requirement?

 

[CSCStreetRods]

I have checked and nobody knew of one. There is not inspections here for vehicles, plus being military i can register it in florida and then i would be exempt from the laws here. Florida plates. after all said and done the windshield will be as tall as a soda can. I sat inside and i still have 5" of headroom that i will have when i put my seats in. I am 6' 2" by the way.

 

[tiny1]

super nice truck !! the chop is wicked !

 

[hotrod preacher]

that is gonna be one wicked chop!!!!man i love the whole thing..looks like you're well on your way to one very nice rat and a 460!? you'll have some tirefryer ability with THAT for sure!! keep us posted

 

[Thunder1]

I have checked and nobody knew of one. There is not inspections here for vehicles, plus being military i can register it in florida and then i would be exempt from the laws here. Florida plates. after all said and done the windshield will be as tall as a soda can. I sat inside and i still have 5" of headroom that i will have when i put my seats in. I am 6' 2" by the way.

That's gonna be one bad Ford truck!! I like the look - good job! You know, your giving me lots of crazy ideas for my 51 F1. I've seen some pretty radical chops in Tennessee that seem to go unchallenged by the law here. I'm assuming I could get away with it. I'm gonna do some homework on the subject and see.

Thunder1

 

[CSCStreetRods]

Had no intention of working on the car today.... but.... well couldn't resist messing around with it. I put the driver’s side front section on and will be moving to the rear passenger side next. I was going to finish the rear section first but I wanted to get the four corners done before I fill in the splits to make sure they all align. Last will go in will be the back window frame.

With the front section welded in place it gives a little more idea of the how tall it is. With the beer bottle in place I give a better perspective. Included is the non-alcoholic version for the under age folks. Also is me sitting at my ride height... squashed between the brace and the door.

 

[CSCStreetRods]

All four corners are welded in place and ready for the gaps to be filled. I plan on welding in my back window frame to complete the rear section first. I also have to fab the strip in the rear that holds the body line on the top. I hope to get the 460 this weekend to get ready to dissassemble it for cleaning and inspection.

In a couple weeks i hope to get to a compressor and sand blast the car to prepair for the rest of the body work.

 

[Dvapteam]

WOW

Looks great! Good job....oh dont worry about welding, you should see mine. My 3 year old can draw straighter line then I can weld