Thought we’d post another update on our shop project, a 1940 Ford Pickup, as we’ve made some progress since the last update. If you missed the first post, make sure to check it out here so you can see some “before” pics, and check out this previous update to see some of the metal fab and patch work.
With lots of customer cars keeping us busy, we had to put this project on hold for a while but finally worked out some time to dust things off and go at it again. After contemplating direction for a bit, we determined that we’d be able get it on the road a lot more quickly by nixing the flathead and going with a different setup. We had an old 327 on hand that came out of a truck and was an obvious choice to get this truck rolling.
First was to get the frame on the rack and level it out. We didn’t set it at ride height as we were just checking for any racking in the frame and to get the rear installed:
We are using 49-54 Chevy truck front springs for a rear parallel system. To mock up, we centered and clamped the rear hangers while waiting for the new bushing bolts to arrive; at that time we will remove a few leaves and adjust the wheels to the fenders before drilling the permanent location holes:
The spring pads on the axle may have to be relocated inboard about 1/2″ – 1/4″ on each side but it’s almost a perfect fit:
Up front we had removed about 4 leaves and used a 36 4″ dropped axle, but wanting more, we reversed the eyes using the shop press method. It’s a really simple technique that gives you about another inch:
We placed the cab back on the frame to get an idea of where things stood. You can also see in this pic that we added 2″ blocks:
We jacked the front end up to simulate being under load and decided to go ahead and raise the front cross member up 2″:
Upon inspection, the frame was about one inch higher on the driver’s side. The bumper probably got tapped at some time in its life as all the twist was just in the front frame horn area. Using a come-along and torch, we massaged the twist out and made everything square:
Next we cut one side off a piece of 3/16″ thick walled 2″ ID square pipe to use as the new spring pocket. We then measured an 1 1/2″ rise in the cross member which was cut out so that in order to push the square pipe into place. Once it was level side to side, we put in 5 to 6 degrees tilting back for the spring:
And welded it in:
Now that the top was taller, we wanted to bring the bottom up so that it would look stock when finished. Also the spring u-bolts were now as long as the cross member was tall. So we cut out the bottom lip and sectioned it up so that the cross member would stand at about 2 3/4″. The spring pack is 2″ tall with some leaves removed; if it seems that the truck will wind up too low, we can add back a leaf or two:
We then cut off the outer pieces and leveled across:
Resulting in:
Next, on to X-member and engine mock-up! Stay tuned for Update #3…and visit our 1940 Ford Pickup photo gallery to see all of the build pics for this project.
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Just a reminder that in addition to complete restoration services, we offer a wide range of mechanical services specifically for Hot Rods, Classics and Muscle Cars. Contact us for ongoing maintenance needs, tune-ups, repairs, component swaps, and more.
As a dedicated resto/rod shop, we know how to treat your car and offer expertise with all types of vintage technology. We can also help locate hard-to-find parts for jobs in progress and will take extra care to protect your paint and unique components. Visit our Mechanical Services page for additional pics and information.
And of course, if your project requires more than mechanical attention, we are here to help with in-house media blasting, welding, fabrication, panel replacement, and award-winning paint and body. Contact us today to see how we can get you back on the road or help improve your ride.
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A neat series of vintage photos from Life Magazine, “Crazy Car Accessories” illustrates some not-so-successful mods from the 1920s-1960s. Fun to compare to the needs and technology of today!
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This past Saturday we were excited to lend our venue, people and projects to a good cause by hosting a photoshoot spearheaded by Dallas photographers Christie McMillon and Kevin Dukes.
Christie and Kevin had approached us back in May with their fundraising vision for a 2012 calendar to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, inspired by friend Christine Grizzle whose son Cooper has CF. As a family owned and operated business, we were happy to participate and enrolled staff, friends and customers in the effort. We collaborated with the photographers over the next month on the schedule, shot outline, set design and volunteer participation to finalize a plan for the July 16th shoot.
Shoot day finally arrived and we began setup early with a meet and greet at 6:00am. Considering the Texas heat index fast approaching 110 degrees, the goal was to knock out everything by early afternoon. The next eight hours was a flurry of activity with volunteer models, including Mrs. Texas 2010 Shannon Schambeau Patterson, hairstylists, makeup artists, assistants, and shop staff working hard to contribute their time, talent and effort. Our customers began to stop by to graciously lend their cars for the project; Christine Grizzle took part for her son by modeling in several of the thirteen scenes (one for each month of the year plus a cover shot). The production wrapped just before 3:00pm and everyone parted ways feeling exhausted but gratified in their work for a good cause.
Calendar sales are anticipated starting in September with 100% of proceeds going to CFF. For more information on the charity or to make a contribution, visit CFF.org.
All cars featured in the shoot are current or previous projects at North Texas Customs; for build pics, visit our photo gallery. We are thankful to our customers, particularly Mike Stom, Jerry Smith and Dr. Ryan Maguire, for their time and generosity, as well as Christie McMillon, Kevin Dukes, Christine Grizzle and Cooper for providing the opportunity to give back.
Models
Pam Daniel
LaSharon Renee
Valerie Roberts
Carmen Foy
Galatha Williams
Amanda Edirimanasinghe
Rhonda Weaver
Christine Grizzle
Amber Natishyn
Jill Northington
Dee Dee Stone
Shannon Patterson (Mrs. Texas 2010)
And of course, much appreciation to shop staff and photographers’ assistants for all the heavy lifting!
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In addition to offering quality parts and accessories from Dynacorn, AMD, and JW Rod Garage, North Texas Customs is now a proud dealer for Rebel Wire and Classic Auto Air.
Rebel Wire offers high quality, affordable wire kits, wiring harnesses, ground wire kits, accessory kits, and other wiring products. Every Rebel Wire kit is hand-built in the USA from heavy duty, flame proof, SXL wire.
Classic Auto Air builds model specific air conditioning for 1930′s to 1980′s cars and trucks. The best A/C retrofitter on the market, CAA builds complete “Perfect Fit™” A/C systems for 1950s-1970s classic and muscle car models and offers upgrade kits, factory A/C parts and restoration. Each kit is specifically tailored for your car’s make, model and year, with personal touches and features.
Contact us online, email, or call 972-442-9793 for pricing, availability and to place an order.
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Thought we’d post an update on our shop project, a 1940 Ford Pickup, since it’s been awhile. If you missed the first post, make sure to check it out here so you can see some “before” pics.
As we discovered after blasting, this cab was going to need some attention, so we set to work on hand fabricating some patch panels.
First the header panel…
Forming the individual panel sections:
Fitment:
Forming the edge pieces:
Then joining it all together for a solid panel:
And the final fit:
Next on to the cab corners…
Then on to the edges and pans…
And finally, we procured the 1952 8BA flat head engine we were looking for, which will join up with a T5 transmission, so those will be projects on their own…
Hope to bring you more progress on the North Texas Customs hot rod as time allows.
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Wanna take a break from work today? Love to watch something come together? Looking forward to the classes we will be offering soon?
We are excited to show our family of fans a behind-the-scenes look at laying down a complete candy paint job on a 1969 Chevelle, live on our Facebook page today! Don’t worry if you’ll be busy behind the desk because we’re going to update throughout the day with pictures and video as we go. So stay tuned for the latest postings and chatter!
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Wanted to share this quick video as we turn over a 350 Chevy small block engine on the way to finishing out this ’67 Camaro full frame-off restoration. More to come soon…
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In addition to offering Dynacorn parts, we are proud to announce that we are now also a dealer for AMD, or Auto Metal Direct. AMD makes the finest quality Chrysler body panels on the market for B, E, and A body cars.
Contact us online, email, or call 972-442-9793 for pricing, availability and to place an order.
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We’ve been mulling over doing our own build for some time now. While on the hunt for something with classic Art Deco styling, we came across a 1940 Ford pickup in workable shape. It looked to be a fun one to hot rod, quicker than a car and with less parts, which fit the bill for “shop project” nicely; we decided to make a go of it. A short road trip later, the 70-year-old faded Ford was on its way to a new life.
On arrival, the truck was mainly just sheet metal, sitting on a Chevy frame. Within a few days, we tore it apart and sent it through our media blasting booth to remove all the rust and see exactly what we’d be working with; the sheet metal was coated in PPG epoxy primer after blasting to preserve it going forward. The diagnosis: fortunately the doors and fenders were in great shape, and the hood only needed a small patch and a few pinholes filled. The cab, running boards, and bed were going to need a little more TLC.
Due to the Chevy chassis that the truck came on, we had to locate a replacement. Another road trip was in order, this time to Kansas for a 35-40 Ford frame. Once back at the shop it was also stripped down, a few spots fixed and brackets removed (since the frame was a trailer at one time in its life), and into the blasting room it went. We followed with a coat of PPG industrial line paint in a custom-mixed cool gray with a slight blue tint, for a nice peekaboo under the body.
Fab work was about to get underway and the search was on for suspension parts and an engine…
Stay tuned for updates as the North Texas Customs hot rod comes along…
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Rebel Wire offers high quality, affordable wire kits, wiring harnesses, ground wire kits, accessory kits, and other wiring products. Every Rebel Wire kit is hand-built in the USA from heavy duty, flame proof, SXL wire. 
Classic Auto Air builds model specific air conditioning for 1930′s to 1980′s cars and trucks. The best A/C retrofitter on the market, CAA builds complete “Perfect Fit™” A/C systems for 1950s-1970s classic and muscle car models and offers upgrade kits, factory A/C parts and restoration. Each kit is specifically tailored for your car’s make, model and year, with personal touches and features.
In addition to offering 
