Hi all,


I have been a member for a while now, thought I would introduce myself and my project,


I have gained so much motivation from everyone's posts, I think I should return the favour and show you guys some images of what I am up to over here in the UK (hopefully the image works)

 

So its a '54 short bed straight six with 3 on tree

 

So she's a '54 shortbed running stock, I-6 and 3 on tree

 

So what are your plans? Looks pretty solid.

 

Its fairly solid, does need a little welding, my plan is to strip down and rebuild with Jaguar V8 engine / trans and front running gear.
I have bought a 2002 Jag XJ8 which will be the donor


Not decided on a rear end yet

 

Here is a pic of the donor:
http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/...48625_04X1.jpg
I am hoping to fit this engine from the J*g, currently researching the feasibility of the project what with all the electronification and all that on the engine... Any advice muchly appreciated!!

 

It`s nice to see another 54 being saved.

 

No going back now!!


Today we finished stripping down the cab. We lifted the cab and moved it back onto some blocks of wood, further back on the chassis.


This should make it easier to remove the engine and trans

 

I would say grab everything off the Jag you can think of. Never done that sort of swap. But quite a few of the guys have. Don't get rid of the donor car till the truck is running like you want it. Might be some little gadget you missed that will make all the difference. Good luck way over there.

 

So here's an update, I spent lots of hard earned cash and shipped the cab, chassis and body off for shot blasting. I don't have access to a sand blaster so I would rather "work for the man" and pay for this, rather than have to deal with all that endless sanding, grinding and rust.

 

The chassis received a quick "scotchbrite" for a key, and then two coats of black smooth gloss so i can leave it outside over the winter.

I set the cab inside and started the welding - cab lower corners inner and outer, front and rear.

 

so i started with the front corners

 

I made a template of the section to be replaced

 

Transfer to steel


Cut out the rusted area and weld in the new section


The front corners were not too difficult to do, but the rear corner on the driver side, around where the fuel filler goes took ages, and if i was to do it again i would buy the repair panel.

I am sure you have all seen how this is done so i won't bore you with too many photos of this.

 

Once the corners were done, I fabriated the centre section and welded that in




Once I was happy with the welding, the cab was tipped back onto it's front - could do it on my own as a bare cab - and i sealed the welded areas with polyurethane sealer and then stonechipped it all including the rear area of floor.

The front area of floor is rusted through and needs welding and i need to finish the front corners, but i got a bit bored of welding, so my next move now is to set the cab back on the frame and come back to finishing the front floors and corners of the cab later, as i may need to modify the shape of the front floor for the engine and transmission