1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[40FordDeluxe]

Today I spent time gathering junk tires as tomorrow is our town's local clean up day. I can get rid of tires for free. I have 32 I gathered up that need to go. Probably the bad side effect of having this hobby. Junk can gather quickly.

I didn't get much time to mess with the 40. But, I started mocking up the lower tubes for the X member, and my vision of the lower bars being directly below the upper bars is not going to work. It would work if I didn't want to be able to remove the trans but I do. The trans gets wider at the middle and I didn't take that into consideration in my head. So I'm going to have to move the bottom bars in about an inch or so that way the trans willl be able to be removed without having to pull the engine and trans like before. I guess that is a part of the process of stuff not fitting.

[40FordDeluxe]

I managed to get some decent progress done over the weekend. Saturday I got rid of all of the junk tires we had and hopefully by next year I have some parts trucks gone and can get rid of them as well. After that we did some yard clean up and mowing. Had to do some repairs on our JD 317, and rake a bunch of gravel out of the yard from snow plowing. Big fun.

I got started on the frame in early afternoon. Getting the lower bar in there was real fun..... I finally had my brother come help me hold it while I tacked it in place. I then started making my cross bar stiffners and the pieces to tie the upper and lower bars together. Unfortanately, I decided to bring my X member so far forward. I didn't give it a thought that the frame getting smaller the farther you go forward would limit my space for exhaust to pass through. So, I'm going to have to go below the X member first bar and then up inside of it.






My brother and I had to go pick up an old entertainment center for my wife. She's going to make a kitchen play set for my daughter. Sunday I tilled our garden and it was very wet and whipped me pretty good. Then I went to my parent's place and we put my mom in a new side walk. Today I got the LH lower tube fitted in and tacked in place.




It's starting to look like a frame again. My air bags also showed up and I sat one in the front suspension to get an idea if they would fit.



Mounting plates





This leads me to two new questions. I see a lot of IFS air ride set ups with the air bag at an angle instead of straight up and down. Is this to help with laying the frame? I'm assuming the straighter, the better ride and longer life of the bag? Also, is there an affordable properly valved shock for running air bags?

[34_40]

Ryan, I'm curious why the lower bars are shorter and fasten in a different location forward of the top bar.?.?
I don't think it's an issue.. just curious!

[40FordDeluxe]

Ryan, I'm curious why the lower bars are shorter and fasten in a different location forward of the top bar.?.?
I don't think it's an issue.. just curious!

The main reason is my lower suspension bar welds to the frame below the upper bar. The lower bar of the X member would hit it. I decided if I placed the top bar over the center of the bar hanger, and the lower bar in front of the hanger, this might provide a little more support/stiffness in the chassis. That's my thinking any way.

[34_40]

And your way of thinking... and explanation - make perfect sense!

[40FordDeluxe]

Today I got the bar stiffners made and in place. Last night I ordered a power booster master cylinder kit that came with a proportioning valve and residual valves. I also ordered some new body mount bushings. I need to get a gas tank sending unit and figure out what I want to do for fuel and brake lines. I'm trying to get everything together so I can get the body back on the chassis as I want to take this to Good Guys here in Des Moines July 4th weekend........




I have been trying to figure out how I want to incorporate the trans mount into the X member and I think I decided on this. I think I'm going to take some 3/8"x1 1/4" flat stock and weld it along just below center of the lower X member tubes. I will take a 1/4" plate and bolt it below the pieces welded on the x member and the trans mount will bolt there. The center plate I plan to cut triangles out so it looks like an x from below.

[34_40]

In regards to your shocks.. I'd select someone who you'd be willing to work with and talk with their tech people. I had a bad experience with one of the "name" co's... then I went to AFCO and they set me up right! But there are a lot of shock companies out there!

[40FordDeluxe]

I already have learned don't call rod shops that push parts more than build rods and ask them. They immediately tell you you need the ride tech shock waves. Uh yeah, about that, that's going to be way down the line dude. I may just try proper sized bilsteins and go from there since I'm on a budget. Unless I find an actual spec'd shock that's not out of line. Haha

[40FordDeluxe]

Today's progress included a design change in the trans mount/cross member. I decided the 1/4" plate and my mounting pieces may be excessive. I decided I'm going to use my 1 5/8" tubing and cut it in half. I'll weld 4 or these pieces on the top of the outside lower X member tubes. I made an X out of some scrap tubes I had. I will bolt the little X to the big X and at the back of the little X I will have a piece of 1/4" plate welded and my trans mount will bolt there. Should be strong enough and still look nice too. Plus it should be easy to service.





I have the material to make my front air bag mounting cups. Now I need to remove my inner mounts on the tubular control arms so I can make new ones for it. I need to put the spindles on and my brakes to see if my 14" wheels will clear. I'm hoping they will so I can save a little money to get the car driving and worry about buying different wheels later.

[34_40]

I'm admittedly lost with the big X going to the little x bolting to some other X...

I'll wait (somewhat patiently) for the picture.... Okay Ryan.. we're watching!

[40FordDeluxe]

The little X is the orange tubing under the trans resting on top of the floor jack. It's not easily seen due to the trans covering it up.

[August Mariner]

Using Air Lift brand, I have my air ride, auto leveling, priced at $2629.24 (Amazon:
Air Lift 82106 Long Air Shock Pair - 2 Piece,
Air Lift 82605 Long Air Shock Pair - 2 Piece,
Air Lift 27671 AutoPilot V2 Compressor Kit).

[40FordDeluxe]

Yeah, that will be a nice set up. Mine won't be that high tech at the moment.

[40FordDeluxe]

No big progress on the 40. I have had some real life hit and realized that I need to get working on my 72 so I can drive it this summer. The 40 can be worked on later. I doubt I'd have it done enough to drive to Good Guys in July. Here's a shot of the frame sitting on the ground before I put it in storage.

[Scooting]

Darn, I want to see the size of your grin when you take that first ride with the new setup. Hurry the truck so you can get back to the good stuff.