1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[40FordDeluxe]

Thanks guys. It feels good to be working on it again.

[Scooting]

I like changing the x member and boxing the frame. You are going to make a difference in the chassis stiffness which is a good thing. Charge on!

[40FordDeluxe]

Thanks Scoot! I found some nice holes in the frame that I never noticed before either. Apparently when who ever hacked off the old spring hanger brackets they also cut into the frame. I cleaned that all up and welded the holes from the inside. I also welded the holes shut on the inside for the un needed hanger bracket since my new mounts will be welded on. Then I cleaned up my boxing plates and the frame some more and started weldong them in. I try to weld a little and then go away so I don't get the frame too hot. It's hard to do that when you're trying to get something done.




Tomorrow hopefully I can get the LH rail done this far back and then I can start on the new X member. I'm trying to decide if I want to C notch the frame or not right now. I'm thinking I might as well so it's done. We shall see.

[randyr]

Thanks Scoot! I found some nice holes in the frame that I never noticed before either. Apparently when who ever hacked off the old spring hanger brackets they also cut into the frame. I cleaned that all up and welded the holes from the inside. I also welded the holes shut on the inside for the un needed hanger bracket since my new mounts will be welded on. Then I cleaned up my boxing plates and the frame some more and started weldong them in. I try to weld a little and then go away so I don't get the frame too hot. It's hard to do that when you're trying to get something done.


Tomorrow hopefully I can get the LH rail done this far back and then I can start on the new X member. I'm trying to decide if I want to C notch the frame or not right now. I'm thinking I might as well so it's done. We shall see.

Hey Ryan, are you welding nuts inside the frame rails for your running boards, body bolts etc before boxing the frame? Did you buy prefab boxing plates or make them yourself? Keep up the good work, man!

[40FordDeluxe]

Hey Ryan, are you welding nuts inside the frame rails for your running boards, body bolts etc before boxing the frame? Did you buy prefab boxing plates or make them yourself? Keep up the good work, man!

Randy, I've decided to just drill a hole through the frame boxing plates for the running board brackets, and the same for the body mounting bolts. This way if my frame shifts during this recreation, I won't have to monkey around with trying to get the bolts to line up in the welded in nuts. I almost baught premade boxing plates, but I had a partial sheet of 1/8" mild steel hiding behind one of my tool boxes for a while, and a nice Snap-on plasma cutter, so I am just making them. I used the money for boxing plates to buy the rear suspension. I've got to decide what air bags I want to run now and get them so I can get all that set up as well.

[40FordDeluxe]

Today it was pretty nice out, just a little warm for May. Supposed to be 93* today and 61* with rain tomorrow. I found some more small holes from a torch, and one patch that was put in the frame. They did a pretty decent job on the patch. I went ahead and welded it from the back and filled in the torch holes. I also tacked what is left of the X member to the rail so there wouldn't be any weird noises later down the road.



Last year I purchased a Nu-tech welder and I never have been satisfied with how it welded small material. I finally got a hold of them and they alluded that the lower ground on the welder is for thinner materials. I had looked in the owner's manual but never read that. I switched it and holly cow. Night and day difference.



Here's where it's at now. Tomorrow my plan is to start on the X member.

[falconvan]

Excellent work! Mmmm......that Hemi is making my mouth water.

[40FordDeluxe]

Excellent work! Mmmm......that Hemi is making my mouth water.

Thanks! I can't wait to hear it run again! It's been a while now.

[cffisher]

That's going to be a sweet ride

[40FordDeluxe]

Thanks Charlie. No pic worthy progress today. I ground some welds on the boxing plates, and cleaned under it. It was pretty nasty under it. I also dug out the over drive housing and started sliding it on so I can get things prepped for making the X member. Tonight after work I'm going to make a stand for my Eastwood bender so I can have it some what stable and not have it bolted to the floor eating up a 4 foot corner of floor space.

[40FordDeluxe]

Here's the stand I whipped up for my tubing bender. It's stuff I had laying around, so no cost. The main upright tube was bent so I had to cut it in the place it wasn't bent much.




I also figured out what air bags I want to use. Now it's just a matter of scraping the money together.

[40FordDeluxe]

I didn't get as much done this weekend as I wanted to, but I took my time and tried not to ruin too much tube. In the pics you can see my first bent tube and yep, it was not right. I ended up getting the 4 main tubes bent for the X member center bent. I have to cut them and fit them next. Settign the bars in there was kind of a pain because my jack stand was in the way, but you get the idea.





Lower tubes, got them bent right with each other.

[40FordDeluxe]

Getting the bars set just right on this I thought was going to be cake. But, turns out not so much. I've got the LH one welded on and will now move to the RH side. Then do the lowers and remove the engine and trans and get ready to flip the frame to do the bottom.




I also ordered air bags for it too. I got to 2500 duals for the front, and 2 2600 duals for the rear. It should ride pretty nice.

[Dave Severson]

The bars look good, Ryan! Always a booger to get the tubes set so they have the bends in the right place, and notched to fit the frame. Sometimes it help to lay something on top of the frame rails to use as a guide to get the center bars straight.

[40FordDeluxe]

Thanks Dave. I ended up using that gray piece of steel laying on top of the yellow brace behind the trans as a straight edge to do like what you said. I guess hind side, I should have put a slight bend in the bar to match the frame. It definitely took some finessing on the notching. At least the other 3 should go more smooth.