To remove or not to remove??????

Ok....I've decided to start some fab work on the cab while I'm waiting on the front suspension(4 week wait!! Dab nab it!).

Anywho! I removed the dash only to find....wood everwhere! LOL's. Remember....this is my first stab at a pre 49.

I am preping for hidden hinges (most likely Hagan unless I can find the time to make my own). I'm thinking of using 2X2 box tubing from the windshield up (carefull to miter to the same specs as the wood) and 2X4 box tubing from windshield down. I just got off the phone with Pete (Hagen's) and he said that was a little over kill. Pete suggested using 2X2 all the way.

I'm just wondering what everyone else has done?

I know the industry sells stiffening plates but I felt that the 2X2 would offer more strength.

Does anyone suggest running a piece of stock (behind dash) between the pillars or would that be concidered over kill. I'm open to suggestions on this as I've not been subjected to the problems these nice old cars had with weak areas in the body. The frame will be Xbraced and boxed. I figured that would really help most of all.

i would think the 2x2 all the way would be the best choice. making the transition from the 2x4 to the 2x2 could be in my opinion a weak link. keep it simple and run the 2x2. i also was shocked to find wood slats in my A-Pillars on my 48. they still remail there until i cut them out!

Ok...this will sound like a stupid question but............

Why did they use the wood? Metal shortage due to war/depression?
Obviously they had dies to stamp the firewall with all kinds of intricate
bends.

Remember.....be kind. I'm 39 but still young and blonde. Well....OK..so I'm bald but I use to be blonde. LOL's:D

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Why did they use the wood?

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Well it wasn't because of war, cause there wasn't any in 34 to 40, at least none that we were involved in. Most likely the builders knew that the cars would be rodded in the future and they just wanted to make our lives as miserable as theirs was from having to put it in.:LOL: :LOL:

Wood was used because car bodies were an evolution from horse-drawn coaches. Fisher Body was the body-building division of GM.....Fisher originated as a coach builder. The
bodies were originally a wooden skeleton that had thin sheet metal over the wood and the sheet metal was literally nailed in place. As the process evolved, the body became more metal....remember that the stamping press technology didnt allow an entire roof stamping until the middle or late 1930's.

GM was Fisher Body based. Ford didnt have the coach building background but they had stamping capacity so Ford developed wood substitute bodies before Chevy. (also GM had huge forging capacity and Ford had casting capacity so GM had more forged parts than did Ford)

Wood was still used in the steel framed bodies but not as a structure. Rather, the wood allowed the interior to be tacked in easily...remember that the interior people were essentially upholstery people. If you've ever taken an old car apart that was 100% steel, you'll remember the difficult fasteners that were used to hang the interior onto the metal....

Wood worked well for the short term. It probably helped prevent the rattles on the early roads plus it was a good sound deadener.

mike in tucson

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Originally Posted by Stovebolter

Ok...this will sound like a stupid question but............

Why did they use the wood?
LOL's:D

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termites were`nt invented yet ;) only metalmites and they dint eat wood :whacked:

yup yup what robot said!

I just sold some '37 cab's, the cab on a '36 low cab is the same cab for '37 & '38, except!!! :eek: No wood. :D

Pat

Getting started on the door mods folks!

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Realizing now....that I have to fab a new front cab mount....I decided not to weld the new parts in til that is done first.:D

Unless you really want the '36 cab, I'd look for a '37 or '38 cab, they are the same, but built with steel, and no wood, and use the same parts. It will make a stronger and smoother riding truck.

Pat

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Originally Posted by HemiTCoupe

Unless you really want the '36 cab, I'd look for a '37 or '38 cab, they are the same, but built with steel, and no wood, and use the same parts. It will make a stronger and smoother riding truck.

Pat

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Wish I had that option Pat. Truth is.....I have to work with what I have unless someone knows where a cab is laying around? LOL's! Then my son could take my cab and make him a Rat rod like Ratso's.