Thread: 1929 Essex Highboy

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Onward and Upward-----
The 'Z', or kickup on the rear of the frame was predicated by the necessity of space for axle movement under the frame yet keeping the body from being 'step ladder' height! And yet giving some thought to some day having a rumble seat, after all, it IS a rumble seat coupe! I thought the 4" kick would be ok, but I wish (kinda) now that I had gone another 2". But it's not bad. Much lower and I would've had to put a skid plate underneath! This is Maine, don'tchaknow? Yeah, we got roads, but hardly more than wagon trails. heehee
Here is a shot of the Model 'A' grille shell and stock radiator. I was told that this was from a truck model, and my Mentor confirms this. In the end I couldn't use the radiator for the overall height was taller than the cowl. So on advice from my Mentor I got a '65/66 Mustang radiator (off ebay). Works perfect, thanks Friend. And a picture of a Model 'A' front spring I got. This turned out to be too wide for this application. I found that a house trailer (mobile home) spring was exactly the right width and the same as sold from some of the hot rod stores. For FREE too, from a long time friend.
And a shot of the Model 'A' front axle and bones that I ruined with the torch (gas axe). By the way, I didn't invent that phrase, I read it somewhere (on another forum). I take no credit for it, other than to propagate it's use! That's it for today folks. I'm tired and it's an hour past my bed time. This work business is for the young and hardy. heeehee

And here are a few pictures of the '91 Chevy S-10 transmission. As taken out, DIRTY. And after a half dozen or so cans of degreaser! Here is the mock up, minus the bell housing which I didn't have at that time. And showing the planned on height in relation to the floor. I want a flat floor which is one reason I didn't drop the body lower.

Here are a couple of shots of the square tube parts cut and nearly ready to assemble. One kink here is that we don't have any 220 volt power in the 'garage' so we will have to take everything down to the shop, about 300 feet from the garage, to do the welding. First two pics are of the Watch Dogs! And being a copy-cat, I had to drill the front axle!

OK folks. Enough dilly-dallying. Here is the frame assembly. Got all of the parts cut and assembled, piled onto my trailer along with horses, blocking, tools, etc., and moved it down to the shop where the 220 welder is. It's an arc welder SMAW, not MIG or TIG. I'm old fashioned, also not well enough off to buy those kind of hobby tools. I am retired/disabled and have limited income. Most things I have came in more prosperous times! Anyhoo---First picture is of the mobile home spring I got to replace the Model A spring which was too long for this application. Then a shot of the splice between the front of a Model A frame and the 4 x 2 square tube used for the remainder of the frame. I drilled several holes in one side of the front ends of the square tube, cut two sections of flat stock for splice plates, then inserted them into the ends of the square tube, clamped them against the previously drilled holes, and then plug welded through the holes. Then I reached inside the ends of the square tube as much as I could and welded along the edges of the splice plates. After having done both sides we fitted these into the open 'C' sections of the Model A front frame section, clamped tightly, then welded along the edges of the splice plate. Here is my Grandson Steve doing some of the welding. He is a High School Student and takes Diesel Technology from the local Trade School Tech Center, where he has had training and instructions in welding. And a shot of the welder we have, a Lincoln AC/DC 225. I learned to weld years ago on a straight AC 225 unit. Thanks for reading along, I hope I don't overwhelm you with pictures. I have hundreds, but won't post all of them!

Here are the rest of that group. I hope you are enjoying this recap as much as we have doing the build.

Here are some pictures of us assembling the frame. First is an overall view of our make-shift work platform and the perimeter frame. Next is adding a section of boxing plate over the spliced section between the 4 x 2 box tube and the Model A front section. There will be more boxing plates added later on. A shot of the trailer loaded with frame parts, tools, horses, etc., going or coming from/to the garage and shop where welder was. Perley

This is after welding all of the frame parts up and moving the frame assembly back up to the greenhouse 'garage'. Steve sure has some things to tell his Grandchildren about, dumb stuff his Grampa did. haahaaa
Here is a shot of the mock up for front radius rods, '49 ford f1 steering box, and drag link (not the actual part). I have relied heavily all through this build on other builds I've studied on the Forum and especially from Don (I told you so) Hot Rod 46, and my Mentor J. Robinson and his Modified build. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jim last April, a really nice man and a fabulous fabricator. To say nothing of being a very knowledgeable person. Thanks Friend.
And a picture of the cardboard pattern of the front axle radius rod bat wings. At this point still figuring on a support mount brackett for the steering box. Hope you're enjoying this post. Perley

Here is a mock-up of the cowl section sitting on the frame with a practice drivers seat!!! Yeah, the motor noises notwithstanding. haahaaa
A shot of coil springs and head scratching trying to picture a mounting system. And here a Thank You to Brian Angus for the excellent post on building a hot rod frame and in particular to his reply and lovely computer aided drawing of mounts for my coil springs. Thanks Brian.
At this point I recognised that there might be a tight fit (or no fit) between the front spring and shackles and the tie rod. But I just charged right ahead, instead of studying for an adjustment. I actually planned on bending the tie rod out around the mounts etc. haahaa

Forgot the other pictures, sorry. Also picture of Steve putting the T-5 bearing retainer back on after cutting it for fit to Inline 6 engine. And a shot of the ROUGH cut batwings. Spent a LOT of time with grinders fixing them. I'm a lot smarter now. heeheee

Here are some pics of the internal structure, 'K' member if you will. Don't look like a K though! And showing the boxing plates clamped into place, ready for welding. Horrorsssss, another trip to the welder shop with a trailer load!
I did the internal bracing with 2 x 2 square tube, a tip I picked up from other people's builds, to save weight and expense. I did use a 110 volt stick welder and a 110 volt small (85 amp) MIG to tack some of these parts in place. When my ship comes home, I'll get a nice 220 volt MIG. haahaaa
I can see my Grandson's interest waning some, he's 18 and hormones are raging, methinks! And he is very impatient, wants to be driving it in a week or so!!! I am going to our Daughter's in Connecticutt for Thanksgiving week, so won't be posting any updates until first of December. I wish you and your Families all a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Hope you are enjoying the build. Perley

Hellloooooooo! Anyone out there? Am I wasting my time posting this stuff? Anyone reading it, care about it?

Looking like a nice, heavy duty frame that will withstand many miles of fun-time cruising!!!! Are you going to run a crossmember of some sort under the engine? Seems like a fairly long stretch of frame on the front without a support between the rails....

As for the grandson losing interest......they usually do, but he'll be back for the test run and the inevitable, "Hey Gramps, gimme-da-keys"!!!!!

We are indeed interested! Keep sending the photos. Love to watch these projects take shape. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving; we do have so much to be thankful for. (I know.... don't end a sentence with a preposition)

Yeah, Perley, keep the pics & explanations coming. Your thread is just beginning to find its audience. We all like build threads...

Looks great, keep the pictures coming.
BradC