Boxing Update

Boxing is 90% tacked in.  Looks great!

Heidts Mustang II IFS Install

Began installing the Heidts assembly Friday night.  In preparation, we filled and ground the extra holes in the frame to get it that nice smooth look.

Fixin' the Frame's Issues

Frame to Bowman Bombers for Upgrades

I just got the frame back from Sandblasting and dropped it off with the Heidts Mustang 2 at Kevin Bauman's Shop, Bowman Bombers.  The frame is not perfect, but is in pretty good condition for being over 60 years old!

Rust hole located rear/passenger/front leaf spring mount.  Bracket will be removed, hole fixed, and new Heidts Triangulated 4 Link will be installed.

Rust hole in Center/bottom support beam.  Will install a patch.

Crack next to passenger/front cab support.

Frame to Sandblasting

After a nice picture with Jack, we dissassembled the truck and sent the frame to Mulder & Son's to be sandblasted. 

Countdown....

Wheels are ready!

I just received my wheels from T & C Powder Coating.  The color (Diamond Vogel Bone White) turned out perfect.  The finish is not too bad, but I'm learning everything can't be perfect.  For instance, once I install the beauty rings, expect scratches on the finish.  Maybe there is a way to install them without so many gouges.  More pics located here:  http://picasaweb.google.com/mccarthylf/Wheels#

Original Documents and Pictures

My Grandma (Velma McCarthy) gave me the best birthday present this year! The original documents from when the truck was bought new by it's original owner.

Newsam Chevrolet of Omaha, NE took delivery on July 20th, 1954. Anna Kodet, of Burke, SD, purchased it for $1600 new August 9th, 1954.

Francis and Velma McCarthy purchased the '54 less than 1 year later for a nicely depreciated $1000 on June 7th, 1955. What a great deal!

Since the pictures are copies of legal documents, I removed the specifics of my title. :) I will be renewing it soon!!!

I've also been going through my Grandma's many pictures and have found a few that include the '54. This picture is of my Dad, Dean McCarthy, in Winter 1955/1956 riding his horse. He just turned 6 years old.

Frame Swap / '48 Frame Mockup

The right tool definately makes the job much easier! Utilizing my newly acquired cherry picker, I hoisted the cab off of the original '54 frame and set it on the more solid '48 frame. I made a cab dolly out of a couple of pallets and caster wheels for when the frame is receiving its upgrades.

I put a lot of thought it my "high-tech" cab dolly and still ran into a design flaw! Oh well, I guess Will and I will have more fun making the modifications!!























I installed the new sheet metal for the bed to make sure everything is square. The final piece of the puzzle is the wheels; which will allow us to measure the proper width for the rear-end and get final measurements for the frame modifications for the '48 frame. More pics from the work this weekend are posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/mccarthylf/1954HotRodMockupWNewFrame#

Jack Attack!!!

Disassembly is now 100% complete; thanks to Jack Attack!!! Jack helped me remove the windows and hardware from both doors. I may need a few things off my parts truck, but for the most part, we're ready to do final mockup and send the frame off to install the upgrades.

I'm looking for a Cherry Picker to help with removing the cab. I wonder if someone has one available to borrow? :) Otherwise, I will be looking for 4 strong volunteers.

Will the Thrill

I received my 3 clutch head screw drivers and decided to continue to disassemble the cab. Will sure did a good job helping me remove some weather-stripping! I'm about 95% complete with the cab.

September 2010 update

I really need to upload this blog more often! I've been doing alot of research over the pats couple of months.

Since my last update, I've sold the LTD, Jeep, and began buying at auctions and selling on ebay to make more money for the project. A couple notable pics; Champion Thermometer "Its Fun to Fly" bought for $23, sold for $300!; RCA TK-11 Television Camera bought for $50, sold for $2000!!, and hopefully....the list goes on!

I've ordered my wheels from www.stocktonwheels.com. I decided on smoothie's; 15 x 6 in (centerline) in the front and 17 x 8 (reversed 3" offset) in the rear with hot rod smooth beauty rings and 1947-1953 Chevrolet script chrome hubcaps. Even though the hubcaps are not true to 1954, I thought the Chevrolet script caps would give it more of a hotrod look. I ordered Goodyear Eagle RS-A's (235-65-17) for the rear in preparation for mount/mock-up.

I decided on a color. I'm going with the original color of the truck, coppertone (see pic). Depending on the sunlight, it can look redish, orangish, brownish, etc. Its a nice retro color that will be unique! The wheels will be powder coated bone white; which is cream color. Powder coating will be done by T & C Powder Coating out of Harrisburg.

On September 7th, I ordered the front bed panel, cross-sills, and angle strips for the bed from Mar-k. I need a square bed so I can do a mock-up on the '48 frame I'm planning on using. This is not a cut a dry change. The rear of the frame kick's-up 2 1/8 more than the 1954 frame, affecting the bed height. Mar-k has a couple of nice suggestions; I'm hoping to go with shaving the top of the frame down. I will know alot more after mocking up the bed and setting the tires underneath.

The cab is almost completely disassembled. On Sept 8th, I ordered a clutch head drive set from Jim Carter so I can remove the door hardware and heater box. I'm planning on installing the clutch head bolts again.

In July, I visited my Grandma Velma in Burke and removed a 9" rear out of a '66 Ford F100 Twin I Beam. I was hoping to rebuild this rear end and use it on my truck. After disassembling it, I learned it was a 28 spline with 3.50 gears. I also found some major corrosion on the ring gear. I took it to Egge Transmission to see what it would cost to rebuild it. I wanted 3.25 gears, 31 spline axles, and a posi....$1500+ to rebuild!!! WOW! For $500 I can have all new brakes and rear. I sold the rear end Sept 7th for $60 and am planning on buying what I want from http://www.9inchfactory.com/.

Project pics will be posted soon.

So it begins.....

I'm finally starting on a project that I've dreamed about for over 15 years!

I ordered my Heidts Mustang II IFS from Bowman Bombers today. So, in 2 weeks I get to drop 2500 bones and bring it home waiting for installation this fall.

The IFS will come with:

• manual rack
• 2" dropped spindles
• Stainless Tubular Arms
• Stainless Tie Rod Ends
• 11" rotors with Ford bolt pattern and GM calipers

Next step, sell my grandma's 1978 Ford LTD and a 1977 Jeep Cherokee Chief to help pay for the rearend. Hopefully I can have both the front and rear suspension done and paid for by October.

The Inspiration