September 2010 Progress

This is the latest It has been a year since my last post. I have the front and rear assy in and complete. Brakes are nearly done just a couple of brake lines and bleed the system,the master cyl is Jaguar which uses a remote fill so that will be plumbed later.

I changed the tranny from a four speed to a five,now it is a New Venture 3500 hope that will work out as I like the floor shift position.

The clutch is Hyd and I made a jack shaft and bushings so that it all remains under the floor.

Notice on the front view that the Chev engine is off set 1 1/2 inches to the right and the rear diff pinion input is also offset so it all lines up. I did this to give room for the Jag rack and pinion steering to clear the exhaust manifold. Finished off the steering shaft and column mounts and then took the cab off to get the exhaust done and some small jobs like emergency cable routing.

I have a good 305 chev engine which I may use as I want decent gas mileage and the 350 with the 350 horse 327 Hyd cam may be to much all I want is a driver,might use a Q jet four barrel.

The suspension is from a V12 Jaguar hope it rides OK and is not to stiff,also Do not want the truck to be a ground dragger but expect it to be dropped about four inches in back and about five up front.

That's all for now.

More project details

Thanks for all the quick response and questions. It is great to connect with others working on similar projects. A few folks had some project and spec questions; if others are interested to know, here are some answers.

- I got the front and rear suspension for free from a very very rusted XJ 6 Jag sedan.
- I used the rusty stuff for mock-up purposes only. Fortunately, I came across an XJS 12 that had the sad circumstance of having a tree fall on it during a wind storm. The owners had always done their maintenance and I ended up with a very well maintained front and rear suspension for $700.
- The rear assembly is a 3.31 PowerLoc. Overhauling, ball joints, bushings etc... cost another $300. So, for $1000 I've got a beautiful front and rear suspension.
- Regarding the paint, I spent my life in the corporate aircraft business and besides filling my pockets with aircraft nuts and bolts and Dzus fastners I acquired a couple of gallons of Imron polyurethane paint. So that is what I'm going to use for the frame and the body.
- I do my own fabricating, welding, painting, and everything but upholstery.
- For wheels and tires I have an old set of Halibrants.
- The rest of the body sheet metal is very very solid. So once I get the frame finished, the body should go much faster.

September 2009 progress

Here is the XJS front and rear suspension parts before assembly.

July 2009 progress

Here is the frame boxing plates,I have a friend with a 50 ton press and we punched holes and made a radius block to radius the holes. This helps in bolting and fastening items .
The grey white colour is a phosphate coating I used before primer and paint.

April 2009 progress

March 2009 progress

February 2009 progress

Local old boys helping with lifting the frame

January 2009 progress

Here is where I was in Jan 09,frame not boxed yet and some shots of my shop and the back end of the Hot Rod.

The Dog House.

This is the garage commonly known as the DOG HOUSE!

Latest progress

This is the latest progress, photos taken last week. Suspension is overhauled and painted and in. Next thing is brake lines, exhaust and clutch.

Additional projects

One of my other projects, 1927 Model T Ford hot rod with a flat head V8.

Initial fit

This is initial fit for some components

I am building a 48 FORD 1/2 TON

My name is Tom and am building a 48 Ford 1/2 ton with a few modifications.
Some modifications are a Chev engine and Jaguar XJS12 front and rear suspension. This blog records the progress of my project.