Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Well, there are so many different ways to build them that it is hard to do that, exactly. But, if you are talking about the traditional T bucket, such as a company like Total Performance, or Speedway puts out, there is kind of a formula to those.

Frame...........a ladder type frame, usually made from rectangular tubing, anywhere from 1.5 x 3 inches, to 2 x 4 inches. I like 2 x 3 with a 3/16 wall, but that is just a personal preference. Frame generally has a perch on the front to support a cross "buggy" type spring, to which a straight axle is attached. The spring is usually mounted behind the axle for a little more wheelbase, and this is called a "suicide" front axle assembly. The rear axle is generally a non-independant type, as used under most cars. Popular rears are Ford 8 and 9 inch, and S10 Chevy rears, among others.

The rear can be suspended by a single cross spring, like mine, or by using coilover shocks. In past years some people used regular coil springs, like Corvairs, but these have sort of fallen from favor in recent times. Both front an rear axles are generally located by wishbones , hairpin radius rods, or a fourbar setup. Of the three, hairpins seem the most common on T buckets.

The body is generally a fiberglass reproduction of a 1923-25 Ford. Some people use a shortened bed, some use a turtle deck (trunk) and some use nothing, as I am doing.

Steering is generally a reversed Corvair box, but some people use mid '50's Ford truck, or VW bus, or other boxes. The Corvair is by the most popular, and Flaming River is reproducing these brand new now (I am using one of those)

Engine choice is unlimited, but by far the most popular is the Chevy small block, like a 350. They are light, powerful, compact, and very reasonable, even in the crate from GM.

Transmission is generally an automatic, because of space limitations. I tried to use a stick shift in mine, and could not find room for the three pedals. The turbo 350 is by far the most popular, because it works well behind the popular small block Chevy engine.

The rest of the stuff is standard hot rod fare, like a custom radiator, gauges, headlights, etc. A very good source that you should have is a Speedway catalog. It is chock full of not only every part you will need, but also lots of hints and diagrams on how to do things. I keep a copy at the shop and at home.

Hope some of this helps you out. Now I have to go take a nap.


Don


Oh, I forgot brakes. Most T buckets use discs up front and drums in the rear. There are tons of kits on the market to install the discs, and the rear drums are generally what came with the rear axle. The pedal assembly usually goes under the floor, and residual valves are usually needed so that the fluid does not drain back into the master cylinder, since it is mounted so low. As I get into doing this on mine, I will post pictures of each step. I am not using discs, because I wanted the traditional, oldtimey look, plus, I am old fashioned and just like them better.