Thread: New guy hoping to build Model T rod

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Hi Keith here, from upstate New York, 30 miles south of Utica, NY.

Plan to fabricate the frame, use Mustang II or similar front suspension, 9" Ford rear. 350 Chevy motor and stick shift.

Any advice and pointers appreciated, i have never build a hot rod before, though i have had Camaros and Mustangs and other muscle cars.

I have fabricated Dirt late models from the frame up, so have some idea how to build a frame. Looking at pics of some Model Ts rod frames with Mustang II fronts, looks very simple to make.

If possible i will buy one already started that someone wants to sell because they are to busy or need the cash

Nice to meet yall

Welcome Keith
Hope you enjoy your stay here. Good luck with the build.Everyone here enjoys pictures,so please feel free to post pics of your build. Don

welcome to chr keith

From one Keith to another WELCOME!

Keith

Welcome to the forum. If this will be a fenderless T, one suggestion I would make is to rethink the MMII front end. They really look out of place on a fenderless car. A straight axle front end is just as easy to build and fits the look so much better........so much cleaner and less bulky.

Just my opinion.

Don

welcome to the site,buckets are a blast , build it lighter than mine as its way too heavy and a strong 350 will be fun.
don is right that the straight axle looks good cleaner and will work great but its also hard to beat a modern front suspension.
the stang front end with the aluminum anodized pieces also looks pretty cool ( to each their own)
mine handles great but is definitly unconventional

x 2, Also getting 3 pedals in isn't easy

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Welcome to the forum. If this will be a fenderless T, one suggestion I would make is to rethink the MMII front end. They really look out of place on a fenderless car. A straight axle front end is just as easy to build and fits the look so much better........so much cleaner and less bulky.

Just my opinion.

Don

Thanks for all the welcomes and advice. I have much to learn

Keith, what style are you going for? Every car should follow some theme, be it traditional style (50's look), 60's showcar, modern T bucket, etc. The way most of us get our ideas is to go to car shows, read magazines, look on line, etc to find a car there that really excites us......then we build ours along those lines with our own touches. If you don't pick a particular theme the car ends up with different era parts and accessories. You will make changes along the way from your original plans, we all do, but generally you need to pick a look and stay within certain boundries.

For example, I build cars that I would have loved to own in the 50's and 60's, but I am not hung up on pure tradition like some are. I will deviate from things like generators and mechanical fans and put an alternator and electric fan on because I want to drive my cars a lot. So I use more modern components in certain places to give me modern day reliability.

You will find that as you get into the build the car will start telling you how it should be built. That might sound strange, but it is absolutely true. It will give you clues as it comes together about what the next step should be and what components you should use. Good luck with your project.

Don

Welcome Keith to CHR site. I back Don on the front end suggestion and if you have the time ,have a read of his thread titled "How to buid a Bucket for 3 thousand Dollars " or some like that, and don't take tooo much notice of the pricing blowout. An excellent read and also J Robinson has an excellent thread on his Bucket build.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Keith, what style are you going for? Every car should follow some theme, be it traditional style (50's look), 60's showcar, modern T bucket, etc. The way most of us get our ideas is to go to car shows, read magazines, look on line, etc to find a car there that really excites us......then we build ours along those lines with our own touches. If you don't pick a particular theme the car ends up with different era parts and accessories. You will make changes along the way from your original plans, we all do, but generally you need to pick a look and stay within certain boundries.

For example, I build cars that I would have loved to own in the 50's and 60's, but I am not hung up on pure tradition like some are. I will deviate from things like generators and mechanical fans and put an alternator and electric fan on because I want to drive my cars a lot. So I use more modern components in certain places to give me modern day reliability.

You will find that as you get into the build the car will start telling you how it should be built. That might sound strange, but it is absolutely true. It will give you clues as it comes together about what the next step should be and what components you should use. Good luck with your project.

Don

Don, thanks for the advice,

I am in the process now of figuring what i think i want to build. I think you call it a T bucket? like this one here: http://forums.hotrod.com/70/7705967/...s-6/index.html

So building a hot rod is sort of like writing a novel by the process of discovery?

I'm on the other side Keith, a MII style front suspension can be made more then acceptable in appearance on a fenderless car. Built a couple with Heidt's front ends and they look great! Ride and handling is better, too--though that will also garner a big argument among the purists or traditional type guys. Anyway, if IFS is what you want then build it that way, it's your car and with the right parts selection an IFS looks and works great. Next car I have coming in when the current project is done is an A roadster with IFS for a guy who's had numerous straight axle cars and is ready to switch! So, decide on a theme for the car, plan things thoroughly, look at lots of pics, ask lots of questions, and have fun with your build!