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Wiring
This is a bit premature, BUT, I have a steering column that came from an '88 Ford Ranger Pickup that I may use. Can anyone/someone help me with wiring connections to that modular plug? I think I saved the interior wiring from that vehicle with the plug on it, I think! But I don't have a wiring diagram or anything to go by. Maybe someone might have a schematic or something?? PLEASE?? :o:HMMM: Perley :)
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OK Perley, I'm jealous, Your getting too close to cranking that thing and I am no where close:mad:.........:LOL:j/k.
The more I read on your thread the more you remind me of me. I too am using a 88 Ford Ranger column in mine when I get around to mounting it. I too have all the wiring harnesses from the Ranger. Brakelight switches, wiper motor and so forth.
Be sure to make some detailed pictures of how you mount your column, this I need to see.
Good job friend,
Larry
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bacccckkkk
Still here guys and gals--------Can't keep a good man down! :LOL:
Been tinkering, little here, little there, don'tchaknow? I made up two braces for the radiator and grille shell a while ago. I didn't have my camera out in garage when I did them, Daughter had them at a little league football game! I will do a post later on with explanation and after the fact photos. But for now, I took my Ranger steering column and with a hacksaw---made it shorter! :3dSMILE: haaahaaa. Well --------- it worked!
I cut the tube off above the accordian collapsible section, enough to make the column as short as I needed it above. Then pulled it off the shaft, although not as easy as it sounds-------;) Then I cut the tube off right at the upper end of the crinkle area, then cut the mounting plate off the end. Then I cut the shaft off at the distance I had calculated earlier. It is just a hollow tube. Then I took a scrap section of steering, a universal with a piece of double D shaft on it. From this I cut the double D long enough to go inside my universal on the essex and up into the hollow column shaft. After indexing all this so the wheel would be oriented properly when done, I marked everything, then pulled it all apart. Then I drilled and tapped a hole in the side of the hollow tube to correspond with the flat on the double D section, inserted that piece into the tube and put in a bolt in threaded hole and tightened it up/down!! :HMMM: Then I took the stick welder and welded the double D piece around the end of the tube shaft and double D section. Then I cut the lock bolt off on the side, drilled into it a bit for countersink then welded the hole in, making the cut off bolt a part of the shaft (so it can't ever come loose).
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After doing that I ground down the welds so the bearing would go back on, then slid the crinkle cut piece back on over the shaft and welded it to the shortened tube. Then drove the bearing back into the end of the crinkle cut. :rolleyes: All told this gave me a steering column with the crush section intact and a double D shaft projecting out of the bottom that fit into my U joint at the top of my steering box.
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That is some nice work and glad you updated your build cause I have been wondering how you have been doing.
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EXCELLENT oh buddy, nice work Now get back to work:LOL: and dont be so long next time with an update.:D
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Sincere thanks Pastor Bubba and Crazyrat. Thanks for sticking with me--:)
So, having gotten the column done, I had to make a column drop or hanger. I know Larry has been racking his brain to come up with something and I have too. Decided to keep it simple, (like me), and cut two pieces of 1/2" pipe with the ends cut on angles to match the cowl and the column mount brackett. Then I welded in bolts in each end sticking out at what looked like square angles from the cut ends!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: Afterwards I had to tweak these a little, but they were close. Then I drilled matching holes into the cowl. This whole thing will be covered eventually by the dash panels. Then I worried about lateral movement, so I cut a section of plate out of an old snow shovel (Yeah, I know I'll have to buy another SOOOON). :p I cut this to shape and welded it to the two pieces of pipe.
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Pedals
Next came the pedals (2 because that's the way a hot rod should be :cool:)
AND, cuz I got a standard shift!! This unit came from a Chevy S-10 that I stripped for parts some time ago, fit pretty good except that the pedals were too close to me and long ways from the floorboard/firewall. So------out comes the hacksaw again. haahaa. I cut the front end where the master cylinder mounts and reworked the ends so when put back together I had lost 3 inches. Where they are built on a downward slope this made the pedals hang closer to the floor too. I tacked these up and then remounted the whole affair. Judging them to be alright, I then mocked up some scaps to fit into/onto the pedal unit and fit into the cowl/dash. After marking things up, I then removed everything and headed for the welder again. Then back to fit it up. Some tweaking was necessary, but close! So---this all bolted up, Master Cylinder on the firewall, I then made a rod to attach to the brake pedal to operate the M/C. :)
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Time now to think about an E brake. :( UGH. So, again, parts from the S-10. Looked everything all over and figured it'd go on the quarter panel if I had some metal there. NOW, my scrap pile is getting really low, BUT, I found an old seat riser out of my old blue Chevy Van, out comes the cutting gear again, and Voila! Piece of metal for ebrake mount! Cut to fit and then marked holes for bolts to mount the pedal unit. Bored holes, then found some bolts to stick through from the back. I then fitted the brake assembly on the bolts, nutted them, then welded the bolt heads to the back of the metal plate. Then removed the brake unit, fitted the metal in place on the quarter and welded it in with the wire feed unit. NICE. :) Then hang the column again on the new mount. WOW. How about that? :LOL:
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Thanks Bradc. I'm enjoying this too! :3dSMILE:
Tomorrow hopefully I will work on clutch operation. Not sure at this point whether to go hydraulic or mechanical linkage! And got to get the front portion of the ebrake cable to go from pedal unit to the two lines underneath. Then--and then, Oh Well, more! Happy Holidays folks. Perley
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Looks really good Perley. I still believe you're playing catch-up on me ;):3dSMILE:
I am still gathering parts to build my steering column. I have a good friend out in New Mexico who is sending me an old piston rod for my column drop, should look pretty kool.:D
Going over to my brothers house today to use his lathe to turn out a couple of locking collars and his mill to cut the flats on my steering rod to except the d-joints.
Man it sure helps to have family who does machining too.:D
Will post the pic's soon.
Larry
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I love your ingenuity, Perley. This is the way Hot Rods used to be built, using pieces of whatever was available rather than picking up the phone or punching some info on the internet to order a ready made item. Cutting metal out of a snow-shovel; building a grill shell out of door frames: using your brain instead of your wallet....I love it!
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Thank you RestoRod. Yes, I am getting the swing of things now! A lot of it I have learned from my Mentor in Florida, J. Robinson. What a great guy to put up with my hundreds of questions! They say 'Necessity is the Mother of Invention', but a LOT of it has to do with the pocketbook also! I'm at the point where any purchase, no matter how small, is a major event. I had to give up my job over two years ago due to health issues, and since then I've been living on SS Disability (which barely covers our house payment) and what little I can pick up from driving a truck for some Friends. SO - I depend a LOT now on the junkpile (my Treasure Chest). I frequent the local Transfer Station where the Operator is a Friend. He lets me pick thru the metal pile! Otherwise I'd be stalled on progress.
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Around
Hello all, guys and gals. I am still around and not physically sick, just depression again/still. I may be back at the project here soon, I hope and Pray. Been a long winter/spring! Got to get a new battery first and then get the engine running. I've fiddled with it a few times, but I need to get serious about it :LOL: I will be reading and watching again now, thanks to my Friends who asked about me. You're a great bunch out there! Perley :)
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Hang in there Perley. I'm a bit depressed too. Every day off it's rain, rain, rain! It's May already!
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Hey ol'buddy, good to see and hear from you again. Glad to hear all is well with you. :)
Depression, man who needs it, throw it out and get back to work on the Essex. :3dSMILE:
Looking forward to seeing that thing come together soon. :toocool:
Larry
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Not physically sick?..**) I used to think that people who suffered from depression or bipolar disorder just needed to "get over it" and stop feeling sorry for themselves.:( Then, about 15 years ago, I had major heart surgery to replace my aortic valve. While I was knocked out, I was put on a heart/lung machine (They have to stop your heart to replace the aortic valve:eek:). After coming through such a dramatic surgery with no complications I should have been ecstatically happy, right? Instead, I had a constant nagging feeling of depression. The least little disappointment would put me in tears like an oversensitive little girl:CRY:. I refused to have any interaction with anyone except my wife, my son, and my mother! I kept asking my wife "What the Hell is wrong with me?" The symptoms gradually went away and, after about a month, I was back to my normal self.:rolleyes: I told the surgeon about it on my last visit to him and he said it was normal - the chemicals used to sterilize the heart/lung machine cause that reaction in some patients!
My point is I found out that depression IS physical, not just mental or emotional. It is a chemical imbalance in the body and can be caused by many different things. Hang in there Perley, you have lots of friends here pulling for you and you'll whip this thing.:3dSMILE:
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OH man, Jim. I thank you for sharing that story with me. I had a double by-pass in '97, before that I was suffering lingering effects from my Father's death, but AFTER, Yes, I know what it is to sit on the edge of the bed and cry like a baby!!!! To be sure. And it is still hanging with me, thankfully not as bad as then. I have a very understanding Doctor from a Medical Center that also has Therapists and Nurses and a great Phsychiatry (sp) department. They have been a big big help to me. And the meds do help a lot, but not 100%.
Thanks Jim for being my Friend, even if long distance. You are a treasure in my life. Best to you. Perley
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I understand that depression crap as well. It took about 12 years of being a pastor before it caught up to me and had to go on meds. It doesn't mean you are weak, but that you need a little extra help in keeping you steady.
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After reading these couple of post they took me back to after my heart surgery. I had triple by pass 4 years ago and from what you guys have said has reminded me also of what I went through after the surgery. I fought depression, anger, mood swings to the point where I think my wife was ready to have me committed somewhere till things straighten out. But praise the Lord it passed without treatments though I did have to go on meds for a while so she could live with me.
Hang in there brother Perley, it will get better. Keep depending on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
kjv-Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Remember my friend you always have us old guys here to talk with if you need to.
Larry
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Thank you friends, I didn't realize other people had those troubles too. Very nice to know that I have friends that I didn't know yet. And for sharing your stories with me. God Bless you all. Perley
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More
Hi everyone, been a little bit since I been on here. Latest is---------I got it registered with the State. No problem. Plate is SX 29. Street Rod tag. And I've been buying a little for the Essex, battery, headlights, clutch master cylinder, maybe back up lights. Few little things. Maybe I'll get inspired and get to work on it again! Thanks everyone for following along with the build. Perley
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Welcome back Perley, you have been missed by all your good friends on here thats for sure. Glad to hear you managed to get your baby registered and neat plates SX29, very cool. Did you get to pick the plates or like NZ you just get any old plate unless one pays for personalised plates that costs approximately $1000.00 down here. Take care and it is good to hear from you again.
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Hey Perley,me again,I decided to go back to the start of your thread and man it is so refreshing to go over again, I can't understand why some didn't like your timber chassis, it had nice lines,and yes I am going back to page 1 and going through it again. I like the idea of the camaro six to so letz keep at it. Did the grandchildren get involved in the car again,no don't answer that,I will start reading again.
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thanks
Thank you whiplash 23T. I do that sometimes on build threads. I pick up things that I didn't get the first time through. I'm afraid the Grandkids haven't gotten back into the Essex project. Oldest is now 20 and has discovered other things in life. ;) Next two live in Connecticutt and don't get up very much. The two youngest are still wrapped up in X-box and such. :(
And I miss the oldest one's companionship and help, so the inspiratiion is not there anymore. sigh. Well, one day maybe he'll be back to it! I've been picking up a part or two now and then, when I manage to get a little money (extra). Got a new battery, new headlights, back-up lights, front directionals, (although I'm not thrilled with these). I've got to get serious about getting the engine going now. I talked with a guy the other day who suggested that maybe my cylinders got washed down with excess gasoline from my previous efforts, said to dump oil in cylinders to tighten her up. With the new battery, I might just get her started, I hope!
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Most of us older guys understand how you feel regarding getting the enthusiasm to get moving on our projects Perley. There are days I have the time and know I should be doing something on mine, but watching the Sopranos is a lot more appealing at times.:o You have come so far on your Essex and are so close it would be a shame to not get it going.
I don't think you will have any issues with cylinder washing. Motors are pretty forgiving and it takes a lot to cause any serious, long term problems. Maybe the best thing is for you to make up a chart of "things to do" and try to wipe out one or two small items every day or so. Makes it easier to see the forest for the trees. Building a car is made up of doing a million small tasks and if we just look at the enormity of the job it seems overwhelming, but if we break it down into little things it becomes easier to accomplish.
We all want to see your car running around and now you have those license plates, so get to it. :D:D
Don
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Hey Perley,how are you today?? As Don says,we are with you on this build and we are all looking forward to seeing the sky lightup when you go for that first cruise from the smile on your face. So keep at it mate and I also know what it is like stretching those $ notes and I hope and pray your grandson comes around again to help you with the family build.:3dSMILE:
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Back
Well folks, last evening I finally started again on the Essex! Hooray :3dSMILE:
Just minor things but started anyways! I worked on the front brake lines, trying to get tubing to fit where it needs to be. Got to get more tubing pieces tomorrow. And mocked up the battery location, on the firewall just over the starter. Got pattern marked out on some scrap metal. Next is to cut it out and try bending it. AND...got the inside uncluttered from all the stuff I've laid on the floorboard since last November :HMMM: So........at it again finally. Pictures to follow later. Perley
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Aha! Glad to see you back at it.:D I know what you mean about stuff piled in the car - since I've been doing home improvement projects, the roadster has been a "catch-all" for everything loose in the garage. Hopefully I'll have this new garage built before too much longer and I can get back to work on the roadster...:rolleyes:
Perley, I'm curious about your choice of battery location. You can put it wherever you choose, of course, but do you have a particular reason for hanging it on the firewall? Convenience? Simplicity? The reason I ask: Without a hood on the car, it makes the battery awfully accessable for someone who might want to steal the battery or hotwire the car:eek:. In my coupe I put the battery in the trunk (inaccessable when the car is locked); in my roadster I put the space-saver battery on the inside of the firewall out of sight.;)
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Good to hear your back at it Perley! Jim that new garage is going to be a great space to either clear the old garage, or work on projects! Pretty soon you'll have room for a fleet of electric vehicles!
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Way to go Perley! Keep it up and post pics!
By the way I agree with Jim, I have always tried to hide the battery in the trunk or under a seat. But I am sure you have a great reason for you to put yours wherever you want.
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Battery
Well thanks friends for the helpful suggestions, and Jim, point well taken. I thought about under the floorboard, but there's hardly room enough under there anywhere to put even something the size of a softball. My trunk is a rumble seat, so I'd hate to put it in there! I do have room up under the dash on passenger side on firewall, but that would preclude a heater pretty much. And you KNOW that up here I'd need one! BUT, I do agree with your feelings to not put it outside on firewall. I'll keep looking. Finished up the brake tubing tonight. All that's left is to put on master cylinder and pipe to the proportioning valve, or whatever that is. I didn't have the camera out there with me, so pics another time. I had one piece of tubing that was too long, so I had to cut it and make double flare. I went to town and got a flaring took with adapters for making the double. The tool is junk, But the adapters came in handy. I used my old plumbing tool to do the flare. I couldn't understand the instructions on the enclosed card, so came in and looked on the internet, then did a practice flare. GOOD, so then I did the real one. Thanks again my Friend Jim, and thanks all of you for the moral support and suggestions. Perley
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Hmmm... When I built my C-Cab years ago, I couldn't put the battery in the back because that was part of the interior and I couldn't put it out front anywhere (no room). I ended up putting it under the passenger seat.;) I cut a hole in the floor under the seat next to the right frame rail and dropped the battery down so that the top of it was above the floor only about 2 inches. That way it didn't interfere with the seat and wasn't obviously visible from outside. I just looked back at your pics of the body and frame. I can't tell what the dimensions are, but you might be able to do something similar. The "footprint" of the average battery is about 7" x 9"...
In my roadster, I realized early on that the battery location was going to be a problem. There isn't room under the floor. Since the seats are practically ON the floor, I would have to drop the battery way down and it would be too close to the ground. My first thought was that I would have to run a really small fuel cell to make room for the battery under the rear deck.:( But Don "Itoldyouso" gave me the answer. In his low-slung lakes style roadster (thread -Project 3K is Underway) he used an Odyssey battery that is only 3" x 7" and 7" tall. He put his on the right frame rail near the rear axle. For my roadster I made a bracket to hang it on the inside of the firewall on top of the trans tunnel. It's hardly visible, but reasonably accessable. It's a dry cell battery and can be mounted in any position. I have attached a pic of the battery and the pieces of the bracket.:) I was reluctant to use it at first because I like things I can get at any parts store (in case of a breakdown in a remote area), but these things have a life expectacy of 5 - 8 years.:cool:
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I run a small Odyssey battery in my '32. No problems. You can't crank on them as long as you can a regular battery, but that is the only downside. I've been told the military uses these batteries for some of its applications.
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battery
OK guys, I'm on my way out to garage now to see about an alternate location. Thanks for all of the info and suggestions. NOW, while I have your ears(eyes)........When I started I had a front axle from a '49 Ford F1, actually it's still on the car. I found some older ford wheels with the right hole spacing etc., so I went to tire store and found two 185-60x15 tires. So I had them put on the Ford rims. Since then I have put on a coversion kit that gives me Chevy spacing. Now obviously the ford wheels won't work anymore. I thought I would just mount the tires on a chevy wheel and pssst, done! BUT, found that the Ford wheels are 6" at outer rim and the Chevy wheels are 8" or a bit more. So looks like I can't use those tires on those wheels. What now? :whacked:
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Chevy started using the 5 on 4 3/4" pattern in 1949 and I know they were still using it at least up through 2004. Over the years they made millions of 14 and 15 inch wheels in various widths. Your 8" wide wheels probably came off of a Camaro or possibly an S-10 Pickup. If you can find some Chevelle or full-size Chevy wheels, they will probably be 7" wide. Older wheels from the 1950s and early '60s may be 5 1/2", or 6" wide.;)
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A little encouragment:
I built a 30 Hudson pro/stree coupe that took me 8 yrs to build. Hudson and Essix bodies were vewry much the same. The Hudson was longer from the cowel forward, due to it having a Straight 8. I chopped 4" anf filled the top. Thought you might like to see a side pic.
Sorry, I cant figure how to past it on this thing,
Larry
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Hi Larry, thanks for the note. I sure would like to see pics of your hudson.
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Larry,
The first step in posting a picture is to size it so it won't blow the column all out of shape.:rolleyes: 640 x 480 is just about perfect - big enough to be seen clearly, but not so big that we all have to scroll side to side to read the thread.
After you select and size your pictures, type your text in the block below as usual. Instead of clicking on "Post Quick Reply", click on "Go Advanced". That will take you to a different window where your text will appear somewhat like a finished post. Scroll down and you will see your text again in yet another panel where you can edit it and add smilies:3dSMILE:, etc. Scroll down further and you will find a button that says "Manage Attachments". Click on that and a window will open that has a "Browse" and "Upload" buttons. Click browse, go to the file that holds your picture, and click on the picture that you want to upload. As soon as you click on a picture, the "Manage Attachments" window will reappear; click on "Upload". Momentarily, the picture's file name will appear in that "Manage Attachments" window AND under the "Manage Attachments" button. You can repeat the "Browse" and "Upload" process up to a total of 5 pictures. Finally, click the "Submit Reply" button and your text will appear on the thread with pictures attached.
Sounds like a lot of steps:whacked:, but after you've done it a couple of times it's really easy...;)