One way to build a '32 sedan

One of the things I want in this car is a Schroeder steering. I think the cowl steering will look correct with the style of the car. One of the problems with this type of steering system is its size, it eats up the foot room real quick. To get the geometry even close to have as little bump steer as possible you have to mount it low in the car. They make these systems so you can flip them over, so you can have the bulk of it high or low in the car. The problem is if you put the box on top the steering arm is really long, and that's no good if you put it on the bottom you loose your foot room and have tight quarters for your pedals. So, I wanted a short steering arm with correct as possible geometry with lots of foot room. Well, that isn't possible, or is it?
I am using a Ansen style pedal assembly with the '68 Chevy truck master cylinder on the outside of the firewall, to help with the room under the dash problem. The steering unit I have was the perfect length when I got it. I was told it was out of a late '50's style Indy Car with the 17" steering wheel. I decided to shorten it 2" and put a chain gear on it and then I could put the other gear anywhere I wanted it. Nice and low so when it came out of the cowl I could keep the steering some what bump steer free. So that's what I am going to do. I ordered the shorter shaft from Schroeder, now i can start making the frame work to hold the gears and the steering box.
What all this means is I can keep the steering box high under the dash then drop the steering arm low coming out of the cowl.
There is a company that makes this kind of drop for conventional steering but not for the cowl steering. If this doesn't make sense I will take lots of photo's.
Ken

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

What I love about your builds are all the little one-off pieces that you make. Where I'd run a long bolt through that piece you fabricate a part that is something that looks like a factory made it. Very clean part Ken.

Don

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Don,
This is a case of perception and reality, I think you are perceiving that I know what I'm doing, the reality is I bailed myself out of a screw up. But, thank you for the compliment. :LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:
Ken

Good plan on the steering Ken... That old Schroeder box takes me back a ways, cranked on one of them big old wheel lots of nights wheelin the old Super Mods and Sprinters... Funny story, must have cracked the main shaft one night bouncin off a wall, didn't find out till the next Saturday night when it broke in half coming into turn one at a ridiculous rate of speed!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

Ken and others

A rocker stud will work when you need a 7/16 x 3/8 bolt, but not available in SS

Hi Ken,

If I am getting the picture correct you are going to mount the Schroeder high for foot clearance then use a chain box to drop the steering low on the cowl to exit the cowl to a near horizontal position for the drag link. Although for a different steering set up, that is similar to what I am using, a steering offset box to clear the headers, for my 34 3 window re build. My prototype box uses a three gear set up but I will build the final box using a chain drive that I think will work better and will be easier to build. Keep up the great posts.

Jack.

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Originally Posted by Jack F

Hi Ken,

If I am getting the picture correct you are going to mount the Schroeder high for foot clearance then use a chain box to drop the steering low on the cowl to exit the cowl to a near horizontal position for the drag link. Although for a different steering set up, that is similar to what I am using, a steering offset box to clear the headers, for my 34 3 window re build. My prototype box uses a three gear set up but I will build the final box using a chain drive that I think will work better and will be easier to build. Keep up the great posts.

Jack.

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Jack,
Would really like to see yours if you have any photo's.
Ken

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Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Ken and others

A rocker stud will work when you need a 7/16 x 3/8 bolt, but not available in SS

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That would be to long for where I was going with mine. I would rather use something already available than going to all the trouble of making one. I will polish mine when I tear it apart to detail it.
Ken

Ken,

I don't have a pic of the open box, just this one of the box mounted on the firewall. It consists of the input shaft and gear connected to the steering column, idler gear, and output shaft and gear. This one works but I will make a better (stronger) box for the final version that will be a chain drive. Will use this till the other box is made,

Jack.

I had missed this thread before. Great sedan I need to go back and spend some mor time reading the whole thing but that is going to be a great looking car . love the Ardun are you running orgional head or repos?

Rex Rogers

Jack F-Thanks for posting this.

rexrogers- These are just plastic replicas.


I got a little more done. I'm doing the pedals, dash, and steering kind of all at once. They all will get strength and rigidity from one another.
First thing was to get a piece of 3/4"x.120 wall tubing bent to match the inside of the cowl, so I used the firewall as a template. then welded it inside of the cowl. Then used the master cylinder for a template to drill the fire wall. Then made a wooden template of the 3/4" plywood for the curvature of the bottom of the dash and bent a piece of 1"x1/4" flat bar.
Ken

Then made a paper template of what the mounting bracket should look like. Transfered that drawing on to a piece of 1/4"x12"x12" steel plate and drilled all the holes. welded that to the tubing and mounted the pedals. Then put the lower dash mount went in, before I welded that in I laid out the holes for the steering drop and drilled and tapped that. bolted the steering drop in and clamped the dash in just to see if it all limed up. Bolted the master cylinder in everything fit, thank God :LOL:
Ken

Next comes a ton of bracing and the Schroeder steering.

Looking good Ken, always nice to see a three pedal car! Going to mount the Shroeder with the pillow blocks like we had them in the sprinters?

Dave,
Yes, but it is going to be a real bear. There is a lot going on under their!! Ah, if it was easy it wouldn't be interesting :LOL:
Ken

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Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

Dave,
Yes, but it is going to be a real bear. There is a lot going on under their!! Ah, if it was easy it wouldn't be interesting :LOL:
Ken

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Heck, if it was easy everybody would be doing it~!!!!!!:LOL:

Nice progress Ken. Looks pretty solid! How are things? Haven't seen you around here lately.

nice progress, I love this thread.
keep up the good werk!!

I can only say, at this point, I wish you lived a few miles (like 2,200) closer to me .... some kewl ideas & exicution .... of those ideas.

REGS

stovens-Thanks, we have been busy at work, thank God!!I have been watching your progress, you are getting really close.


STREETWERKZ- Thanks, yours is coming along nicely.


REGs- Thanks, but I ain't moving. :LOL:

I have been working on the rear sheet metal panel that needed replacing.
I'm going to make a change in my rear suspension. I just don't like the rear spring, it looks to narrow for the width of the car and I think it should look like a model A style. To me when you have a Quick change rear end the spring should follow the lines of the rear end. So I have to take the body off, cut the spring cross member out and move it rearward 3/4" to line up with the factory hangers on the rear end and clean all the brackets off the housing. Then I will use the stock spring hangers on the rear end. I'm having the spring made now it should be done in 2 or 3 days. It never ends. :eek:

Ken

Is this the project that you were working on that adjustable ride height crossmember???

Yes, this is the one.

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Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

stovens-Thanks, we have been busy at work, thank God!!I have been watching your progress, you are getting really close.


STREETWERKZ- Thanks, yours is coming along nicely.


REGs- Thanks, but I ain't moving. :LOL:

I have been working on the rear sheet metal panel that needed replacing.
I'm going to make a change in my rear suspension. I just don't like the rear spring, it looks to narrow for the width of the car and I think it should look like a model A style. To me when you have a Quick change rear end the spring should follow the lines of the rear end. So I have to take the body off, cut the spring cross member out and move it rearward 3/4" to line up with the factory hangers on the rear end and clean all the brackets off the housing. Then I will use the stock spring hangers on the rear end. I'm having the spring made now it should be done in 2 or 3 days. It never ends. :eek:

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Good to hear buisness is keeping you busy! How many hot rod projects do you have in the works right now?:D

Steve,
I'm driving the new roadster, I've been putting off tearing it apart, I'm collecting parts for the new truck, and really just working on the sedan. Work has been the priority, we had such a lousy year, last year. This year, so far, has started of really good. I just hope it continues.
Ken

Good to hear things are picking up Ken... Seen a couple little spurts of improvement around here and sounds like construction work will be good this summer..... Let's hope things get better, anyway.

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Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

Steve,
I'm driving the new roadster, I've been putting off tearing it apart, I'm collecting parts for the new truck, and really just working on the sedan. Work has been the priority, we had such a lousy year, last year. This year, so far, has started of really good. I just hope it continues.
Ken

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Speaking of the new roadster, how's it drive? I'm still in awe of watching it get built. Your determination and dedication for the fine details was fun to watch.
Also speaking of roadsters, haven't seen Don around here lately. Hope all is O.K. with him.

Dave Severson- Things are definitely picking up around here. everyone I know that has a street rod shop is booked, parts and car fabrication. On the motorcycle side it seems dealer's aren't doing well on new bike sales but parts, battery's, belts, and tune up stuff, is doing well. People aren't buying new stuff there fixing up there old bike.

steve- When you come down, if you have time, I'll take you for a ride if you want.


I got the new spring and am much happier with the way it looks in the car. Here is a before and after shot.
Got the rear patch panel on.

Really starting to shape up nicely Ken!!! Sure is fun watching this one go together, and that from a guy that doesn't even like Sedans!!!!!:LOL::LOL::LOL: I've got a couple customer projects to get finished, then I'm going to get busy on my stuff the rest of the summer! Just not enough imagination allowed when building somebody else's stuff!!!!

Ken it seems the same up here. The hot rod shops and part places are doing well, as are the bike repair businesses but not new bike sales. The local Harley dealership looks barren compared to two years ago! I guess it's easier to shell out cash in a vehicle you can use in the rain!
On an interesting note, my motorcycle repair man/friend has been booming with work, just frustrated that people can't pick up their projects(i.e. pay for the work in a timely fashion).
As for the ride offer, I'll take it! Not sure of the southbound trip, but will keep in touch.:3dSMILE:

We are in the same boat, been going 10 hours a day minimum, 7 days a week for the past 3 months. I'd love to hire a few guys, but we're so far behind from last year, and not confident this $$$ surge will last to do so.

Hopefully it's a sign of the time's, as much as I like fried baloney... I'd like a steak every once and a while :)

That's the hard question, will it last. We went from over 50 employee's to 30. I'm only working halve days (12 hours). I don't want to hire people back then lay them off in a month. We have really good people, every one is wearing multiple hats to get threw this. It looks promising at the moment.
Ken

Ken,

As always....your fabrication skills are impecable!


On a serious note.....would you concider adopting a 41 year old? I'd sleep in the shop and play guard dog...:LOL:

David

David he's already got some big bull dogs, might have to come up with garage assistant or something!:LOL:

Ken, glad to here the work picking up, was laid off after 20 years with the same company was out of work for 6 months. Started with a new company this jan.
You should raffle of rides in this sedan it's looking good.
Bradc

what cars are you bringing to LARS??

David - What Steve said, :LOL: but if you get out this way stop by.


BradC-That's a bummer. I can't imagine after 20 years of work. Well I'm glad you found work. It is devastating for both my wife and myself to lay people off. It really makes us work harder to bring every one back as soon as possible. I have known these people and watched there kids grow up. I just hope the economy continues to get better for every one.


Ronbo- You won't be able to miss my roadster there it will be the Red one :LOL:

Ken

I thought this was a interesting shot of all the cutting that's been done on the body. The vertical cut next to the B pillar is where I shortened the body 1 1/2", then raising the wheel wells 2", replacing the inner wheel well and the rear section of the body, then chopping the top. Looks like Frankenstein inside. Here is a chassis shot also.
Ken

Heck Ken, about all you didn't do on the body is section out a couple inches!!!!! I really like the way the center bracing came out on the frame, some very labor intensive fabricating on those pieces!!! And the Ardun head flattie with a 5 speed, way kewl!!! Curious, what flavor are those rear tires? Tread pattern looks really nice with the car!

Dave- Thanks a lot, I do have many hours in the chassis on this thing. The tires are Toyo 325/60/18. but I'm thinking about running the Firestone dirt track tires they are making them in 18's now. We'll see.
Ken

Thanks Ken, do like those rear tires! Going to have to check and see what they have for other sizes! It gets to be truly amazing just how many hours a guy can really put into a chassis, the detail is very labor intensive but it's really what makes the build!

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Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Thanks Ken, do like those rear tires! Going to have to check and see what they have for other sizes! It gets to be truly amazing just how many hours a guy can really put into a chassis, the detail is very labor intensive but it's really what makes the build!

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Dave I thought the bikini photo shoots made the build!:3dSMILE: