Well, the pictures below leave a pretty big gap between updates so I thought I’d give a bit of a summary.

Front Suspension:  The front end has been redone.  I used a kit from Welder Series (http://www.welderseries.com) that was designed for coil springs.  I installed it and found some problems with my design.  Also, in the mean time Welder Series came out with a new kit that was built for coilovers (I’m using bags) so I decided that I would go it.  So, below are some pictures of that new setup.

Rear Suspension:  I’ve designed a triangulated 4 link with adjustability built in so I could tune to my instant center for better dragstrip response.

Engine & Tranny:  I have a ‘07 Ford 5.4L 3V from a Navigator plus a Lightning bottom end and Lightning 4W70 transmission.  It should be stought enough to attain my goal of 600-700 RWHP.  I’m still deciding weather or not I’ll do the crank/rods/pistons since I have it appart anyway.  I am planning twin GT-35 turbos in a remote mount setup.  The turbos will go just behind the cab on the outside of the frame rails.

 So, I dropped the engine and tranny in to see if I had any big issues prior to completing the front suspension.  The front end looks great, loads of room.  As you can see, the engine protrudes quit a ways into the floor pan so I’ve decided to tear the floor out and completely redo it…   Ah yes, scope creap in full force…  I guess I’ve spent the money on the tools so I might as well use them.

 Fun stuff.

 Wesley J

Its been a while since I updated this blog but better now than never. You may notice that I’ve cut off the front section of the frame and completely rebuilt it.

Well, measure, draw, measure, design, measure and draw and I still have clearence issues on the front suspension. All is not lost though, a bit of modification and everything will be fine.

Some pictures:

Wesley J

Thanks to a friend I now have in my possession a Lightning short block and 4R70W tranny.  Both should be good for the 600-700HP I’m planning to get from them.

 I’ll be plucking the engine from the Navigator and cutting up the frame so I can start working on building my chassis around the independant rear from the Nav.

 Wesley J

As promised, here are a few pics

Wesley J

Further inspection puts the engine and tranny built mid year 2006, which means I have an ‘07 Nav……  Also, the parts that are bare metal (drive shaft, half shafts) are only starting to rust.  Every indication is that this is a new truck with only a few thousand km’s on it. 

Now comes the learning process to see what I can and cannot adapt for use in the ol’ 1970…  I’m planning to use the rear suspension (fully Al independant) as well as the air bag system.  It has level monitoring so it automatically adjusts…..

Pics to come tomorrow I hope.

Wesley J

Well, although I was planning on working on the Model A for the winter, it looks as though that has been shelved.  Why you ask?  Well, I was looking for an engine for the Model A and ran across what was supposed to be an ‘05 Ford 5.4L 3V from a Navigator.  Well, I went and looked at it and ended up buying the entire chassis short of the wheels and tires!  And it’s an ‘07…  So, it looks as though I have a big job ahead of me…..

I’m likely going to graft the rear suspension onto my existing chassis, seeing as it’s fully independant, aluminum control arms, huge discs, airbags etc.  I need to track down a computer for it now, seeing as it’ll control the engine, tranny and air suspension.  This is gonna be cool!

 Wesley J

I guess it depends how you look at it…. Anyway, I’m going whole hog (thanks Kris) on construction of my 1928 Model A 2 Door Sedan. You can see a couple of pics of it below on my last post. There will be a lot of metal work to be done on it as well as my truck so I’ve decided to expand my metal working tool selection.

Purchased and planned purchases:
Shrinker/stretcher (purchased)
Bead Roller (purchased)
English Wheel (purchased)
Plasma Cutter (purchased)
Flanger (planned)
TIG (planned, in a while)
Brake (planned)
Misc hand tools (hammers, cutters etc)(planned)
Here are a few pics:

So, I’ll have the tools to build the majority of what I need for the Model A as well as the truck.

Wesley J

A couple of pics of pics of my Model A back in the day.

Yup, that’s Dallas with the mullet….

I’ve been promissing to get some photos up for quite a while. Well, here are a few, and I’ll try to sort through the other 500 or so and put them up. I’ll try to spend some time doing a video montage too.

Wesley J

I’m currently waiting on a shipping quote from Fat Rodder (eBay handle) for the following items:

- Tubular Control Arms

- Spindle and brake kit (crossdrilled, slotted and coated roters,  2″ spindles etc)

- Power rack, tie rod ends and rack extenders

Hopefully they’ll get on route by the end of the week.  That way I’ll have all of my parts by the time I finish the kitchen and can actually get back out in the garage.

 Cost should be about $1100 CND to my door vs the $2500-3000 I have been quoted here in Canada…..

 Wesley J