Marten's '53 Ford pick up

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Marten's '53 Ford pick up

BamBam · Wellesley, on Member

Sound great, Love those tappet covers, could use a set of those myself...

Beans · Courtice On Rod-Side Member Pin Striper

Awesome!

toomuchjunk · Jul 10, 2016

Good for you Marten

33 guy · Mississauga On Rod-side Member Ford guy

Sounds good marten , love the sound of open heads , like they are running under water !!!!

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Ok guys I think I can do this. So here are some pics I took today of the truck. The seat that is in the truck is the original. Using it to figure out what fits. Same for the steering column. That is the vette column that came with all the parts and pieces. Oh almost forgot, another video of the unit running as well. Had both of the kids that live out of town here for the day so they wanted to hear it run as well. Ya, like that would take a lot of convincing, dad firing up the hot rod. I think it sounds better during the day.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOQoeLZ9NDG1DGrq-Zp0jndUKY99va6N9QHQX0tjJf6WANxbvpeg1vU7kqsWMz2OQ/photo/AF1QipMCuwwHSK6jDSm_6-h3LTSOpmHH8doFi5oZ77md?key=RjRubDlpOU1tOURtaVJ1el94c0lKSnFWRldFOTBn

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

OK so I know I have stuff somewhere else here but can't find it so thought I would share a bit of an update. The box build is the last time I worked on this beast. So today it went for a ride.

It has been given a new home.

But for some reason has to share the space with this.

So the reason for no work on the rod is in part because of my work load being very busy. We have also been looking for a new place for some time. We did buy this place but in needs some work. The biggest reason for moving? The love of my life likes animals and because of an increasing number of them we needed more space. Here she is with the latest 2. Soon her big one will come and join the bunch.

henrystoys · Carleton Place On Rod-Side Member

All is looking good. Still have to get out there. Good day.

admin · Jan 28, 2018

The place looks good Marten: .. Cute little furry money pits too, they are a lot like old cars and trucks, good place to hide your money, trouble is, never seems to be as much there when we sell, they just don't seem to make equity... biggrin

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Well it has been a long road to this post today. Was not sure where to post it here or under my box build as it ties in together. I got some shoes for my baby for my birthday. It took until this weekend to get them delivered from Summit, twice actually, then getting them mounted and balanced. Very excited, spent a bunch of time checking and remeasuring to ensure I got the right offset, and wheel sizing. And i think I nailed it perfectly. Pictures aren't great because my phone does not take great pics.

The rear fenders on these trucks really taper in, you don't notice until you put a 12" wide tire on it.

So now onto the next part of the box build. I am going to see if I can build a set of custom fenders, making the existing ones wider. I can buy 3" wider fiberglass units but they still have the same taper in the rear. I would like to straighten them out to look more like this.

So any tips, tricks whatever are greatly appreciated. The fender molds differently around the whole thing so it will be a constant changing as to the shape and quantity of metal used as well.

This is the front of the fender and its final width adjustment.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

testing to see if this works

GMDad · Hamilton On Rod-side Member Amsoil Dealer

Really like the look of the wheels. I would say you nailed it as well. Looks like fenders will be a tricky build but will look nicer when done.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

You'll need a slight crown in your extension piece before you tip the back edge at the box.
Also, you need to make sure the new patch goes far enough into the fender to keep the shape flowing properly.

The new may need to be a lot wider than you think.

Looks like a fun project to extend them.

Matchless · Vineland On Rod-Side Member

GMDad wrote:
Really like the look of the wheels. I would say you nailed it as well. Looks like fenders will be a tricky build but will look nicer when done.

So that's why the claw hammer is laying there.....

Looks really good Marten, you're going to have a really nice ride.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

I need to give a shout out to Henry J, Pugsy, Lightspeed Mike and Chuk for their encouragement to do this truck. I am taking it farther then I expected to. More labour but I like the look way more then what was orginally planned. This is all new to me and very scary as I am in over my head when it comes to doing anything related to welding, metal or body work. Thanks guys

Don't like the look of the side vents on my truck so thinking they have to go. First step was to shape some metal. Just held on top of the existing panel to see if the shape is close.

Cut out the existing part. Someone on another metal working forum suggested rounding the corners to better prevent heat distortion so hole sawed the corners.

Cut and it the panel I made earlier, tacked in place.

More welding, some hammer and dolly work and finished for now. Need to prime and then a bit of filler.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

I need to add a lower dash extension to my truck to hold the a/c vents and maybe the controls as well. I had bought a fiberglass version but when I got it, it didn't fit. Called the supplier and after some discussion they gave me back my money because their supply in stock was all the same. So thought I would try and make one out of metal. Had some 16ga. bent up .

The corners of the cab are curved into the doors so I cut some slots and slowly shaped it to look like this.

Questiion, is this the best way to do that? And how to I keep it from bending back now? The curve is nice and smooth and fits quite nice. When it is done all you will see is the front flat part, not where I made the cuts. Still have the other side to do. If there is an easier way I have enough metal to redo this as well.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

Cut the "combs" you created out completely and then cut 2 flat plates with the correct shape and tack then in place and then smooth it all out.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

......................

henrystoys · Carleton Place On Rod-Side Member

Good work there Martin. On the A/C filler I like pugsy's idea and would suggest a wooden buck clamped to the vertical surface to keep the shape.

slab · Brantford On, Hooked on Nova's

123pugsy wrote:
Cut the "combs" you created out completely and then cut 2 flat plates with the correct shape and tack then in place and then smooth it all out.

That tip was worth the price of admission to this site. I mean that as a compliment for sure because that idea didn't come to mind when I looked at the problem. I won't soon forget the solution either.

Beans · Courtice On Rod-Side Member Pin Striper

Looking good man!

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Thanks Pugsy. Will try that.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Thanks to Pugsy I continued on the dash extension. Got the corner to look like this.

Armed with some new confidence and a phone call once again to Pugsy I was learning what to do. To the next challange I needed to have a spot to hang the steering column so a long time ago I bought this hanger.

and then needed to shape some more steel to go around it. After much thought and trials I came up with this idea. Well it was also this way on a fiberglass extension I bought and didn't use.

Check, fit adjust and it now looks like it fits the hanger.

And the final product, well need to prime and add a bit of bondo to make it perfect but that will be later and a whole new learning curve.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

Nice. Glad the tip worked out.

Dave the Scot · member

That looks really neat. Good work.

tc · St.Thomas On member

Nice Job..

Beans · Courtice On Rod-Side Member Pin Striper

that looks awesome!! nice.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

With the fenders back on the truck it is back to continuing with this build thread. Next was to change the grill a bit. I didn't like the look of the '53 headlights but really liked the look of the '56's. I find the '53 to bug eyed for me.

So reading through a build on another site a plan was made. OK so you will not see all the fails, just the good stuff. I started by drawing a line around the outside of the '56 trim ring and then a second line 1/4" inside of that.

Cut the inside line and welded in two tabs to hold the ring.

Needed a way of holding the original headlight buckets in place so came up with this idea for mounting brackets. Figured out how far into the grill they needed to be. Cut some spacers to hold them while I welded them in place.

Drilled some holes for mounting bolts and will bolt them in place. And the final look.

Once I was happy with one the second was a repeat.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Me and computers don't get along. Final picture. The holes in the center of the grill will get filled in as well. They were there to hold a V8 emblem in place but I will not be using it. Thinking of putting a Corvette logo there instead as this now has the heart of a Vette in it.

Beans · Courtice On Rod-Side Member Pin Striper

Nice!

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

Cool upgrade.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

I love holidays. This year I had no honey dew list to deal with. So more hot rod time then ever. So I am learning a lot right now. With the gas tank now in the back of the truck there is no reason to keep the filler hole in the side of the truck.

So some careful cutting, opps planning that is, drilling out the spot welds and some use of my new toy, the air chisel the panel is gone. The inner panel is in good shape so it stayed and the filler hole got filled in.

As expected the new panel was no quite the same shape as the old one so I had to do some reworking. The inner panel got the spot welds drilled out so I could move it. Got it close but not enough so out came the bigger hammer. Fits now. So many tack welds, grinding, hammer and dolly work, repeat as required and it is now complete. It will need some filler put in but will do that once I can sand blast the cab and spray on the epoxy primer.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Next up was the front cowl panel. Something happened to the truck before I got it. The cowl was all beat up and full of bondo. I decided to just replace the whole thing. This is the scariest thing I have done yet, cutting this panel off.

With lots of careful cutting drilling and chisel work I now have no cowl.

Should I be doing anything with the insides here before installing the new panel? It will not be seen from the inside as that will be covered with some interior finishing.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

I like to keep POR15 or similar to hit places like that before closing back up.
Wire wheel as much rust away first.
Weld thru primer is good for plug weld areas.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Got the panel on. It took some surgery to get it to fit correctly, well at least close. Looks close now. Need to adjust the bottom couple of inches but want to get the door on first to see how it lines up. Nobody stocks the correct bolts for a 67 year old truck, go figure.

The seam at the top of the panel where it meets the original truck, I will be filling it in so it looks like one piece. Should that be welded solid right across first? I have the same seam across the roof where it meets the back of the cab. Originally it was two overlapping panels with an L bend that were butted together with some spot welds.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

I would weld it. Can't stand the thought of water leaking thru anywhere.
And as for factory style bolts, you need not worry ever again after doing mods.
The rules no longer apply. Sweet.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Guess how many holes are in the firewall. All of them will be filled next.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

OK, I'll bite. 35?

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

123pugsy wrote:
OK, I'll bite. 35?

good guess but low.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

53?

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Lightspeed Mike wrote:
53?

We have a winner. Who's idea was that? Now to finish filling them all in.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

I got the firewall all welded up and ground down. Ready for primer and bondo work.

Next was onto the cowl vent. Trying to make the whole truck as smooth as possible. Started with this.

Was not sure how to make a new piece to patch this in. Looked at another Ford truck forum and got 2 responses. One guy used 1/4" rod and welded the existing vent to the cowl with the rod as a filler. The other guy cut a new piece of metal and welded that in. Thought I should be able to make a piece of metal to match so off I went. The part is crowned one way and is also curved where it meets the hood. First thought was to lay it out and try making a down turn bend this way.

That did not work, as the radius was to large to match the rest of the truck. It was also very wavy. Next try was to cut a piece of wood to match the front radius of the hood. Looks like this.

Then took a piece of metal and hammered it until it had a 90 degree bend.

From there I used a shrinker to create a small crown. Then cutting, grinding, hammer, dolly until it fit the original profile. Sounds so easy when you sit here typing. LOL. And now it fits, ready for welding.

Junior · Race starter St.Thomas Drags Rod-side Aylmer On Member

Nice work Marten

junior

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Cowl vent welded in

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

I wanted to have a different look for the dash then the original dash. You can buy an aluminum bezel and gauges from everyone and that is often what others do. The original dash looks like this.

IMG_20200304_185920 (2).jpg

Awhile ago I started playing around. I was looking for a more modern look with the recessed dash for the gauges. I started messing around with some steel and ended up with this design.

Looking at gauges and the never ending choice of sizes and styles. I figured out what brand I wanted but sizing and how many gauges was another story. Out came the paper and markers and started messing around with sizing.

Ended with this size and layout. This will give me the 4 regular gauges and a combo speedo and tack.

When I went to put the unit in the dash it needed some minor surgery but got it in.

I am going to play around with the outside edge to clean that up. Was working on a couple of ideas, any thoughts? The gauges once in are as far into the dash as possible without hitting the defrost vents as they currently sit. Hard to see in pics but the angle of the gauges is now in a straight line to my eye sight as apposed to the original gauges that were straight up and down.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

Only thing I got is if you could slit a piece of brake line and then bend it to fit over the edge?

Weld it in would look the best though, that is is you can install from the back.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

With each task completed I move onto something harder. Next thing to try is to change the door handles to something more modern.

Here is the original handle

The look I was after was a more streamlined look with modern latching system. Off to the pick and pull yard and I found some Grand Am handles I like. Brought home the door and all so I had something to work with. Was not sure how to go about this so started with removing the handle and cutting out the metal around it. Then took a flanging tool and made a flange around the the edge. Keeping it round to keep the heat shrinking down as much as possible. Then laid it on the door to get a location to where i thought it would look good.

Then it gets scary. Cutting a perfect door up for something I have no idea if it will work or not. Welded in the flange and filled in any holes that were left.

handle in place

Here is a picture of the whole door. It is the other side but was done the same way. I got my pictures all mixed up.

Then onto the latching part. Again no idea if this will work but kind of bought the farm now.. Took the latch and all parts out of the donor car and made a template of the latch hole.

Transferred it to the truck. Making sure the latch as well as the strike don't interfere with anything. did a layout and started cutting.

Filled in the extra holes and installed the latch. OK so in this picture the latch is installed. I did fill in the holes afterwards.

Then onto the strike. Removed the original latch and backing plates and was left with some holes. Did some more layout, figuring, double checking and starting cutting and reworking the cab post. ended up with this.

After some adjusting I installed the strike and everything lines up. Need to connect the handle to the latch next but for now the door latches and stays closed.

Passenger side same program.

Had one of the kids down for the weekend so got him to help me. This is a great bonding time with my kids. Whenever they are around we spend time together working on the truck. He welded up the cab to roof seam as well as did some of the welding of the door handles.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

Thanks for the update. Fun stuff you're doing there.
Never be nervous about cutting into metal. You can always put it back and get the shape back.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

123pugsy wrote:
Thanks for the update. Fun stuff you're doing there.
Never be nervous about cutting into metal. You can always put it back and get the shape back.

Thanks Pugsy. It never seems to come back the same way for me. Hoping that as long as it is close, bondo will make it right. You know lots more about this stuff then me, hoping I am doing things right.

Junior · Race starter St.Thomas Drags Rod-side Aylmer On Member

Lookin' good Marten; keep it up !! smile

junior

There is no elevator to success — you have to take the stairs.