My winter project!
 

Well.........................It's time to start my panel project!

My plan is to put my 1953 Ford Panel

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...rdpanel003.jpg

On this 1973 Ford HiBoy 4X4 chassis

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...hortbed006.jpg

It will be powered by a 427 Medium Riser Police Intercepter/ with a NP435 and divorced transfer case.

Panel is in the shop and should be removed from it's frame today!

Next step will be to shortin the frame by 16", then pre-assemble and make sure everything fits right. I'm still looking for some 37"X16.5 tires for it.................

I will post more pics as I get further along :-X22

How long do you figure it will take to complete Don?

Outstanding, Don!........What motor is on that Hi-boy chassis right now?

looks like alot of fun

As long as I have it will probably never be "finished" :-X15...................

But the plan is to get the chassis finished and painted in the next 30-45 days, then start the body work, (not much) then put it in primer so I can tow one of my ski-boats to the summer GTG :-X22

A very worn out 360...........................x(

cool don so far so good.....

Upon further inspection and reflection I need a pair of doors. I need a pair of 53-54 cab doors complete. Any ideas? I have a perfect 56 cab and doors but they won't fit................

I got everything apart today, but it got dark before we could pull the body. Tomorrow we will have it off!

Backstory:

I bought this panel from my brother Earl in 1973 for a case of Budweiser ( less than 5 bucks) In 1976 the engine blew up and I put Jeep 4X4 running gear under it with a 400 Pontiac and Muncie 4 speed. Flash forward to 1988, I installed a Chevelle front suspension with a 455 Old's in it. From 1988 till 1994 it was my daily driver. It has sat outside at a friends farm since then. It's time to make it all Ford again!

Great project worthy of the winter. The panel sure does have a lot of history :-X20 .

Mike

It looks like you are getting reconnected to an old friend. Hope it goes well.

That old panel could tell some stories..................
I've had it since before my kids were born. Both of them remember riding in it as kids.

My son (30) is the one helping with the reconstruction, and my daughter (32) and son-in-law will do the interior next winter.

It will be a family adventure, I have 4 grandkids to share it with!

Just headed out to pull the body off. Will post more pics tonight.

Sounds like it is more like a member of the family than a friend. It is great when you can share your passions with the ones you love.

Made progress today!

The body is ready for lift-off

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...scford1002.jpg

Body off and ready to set on sawhorse's

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...scford1003.jpg

The body is now on the frame!

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ford1005-1.jpg

Now it's time to take measurements to shorten the frame

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...scford1008.jpg

Tomorrow I'll take it back off, put the frame in the shop and start the shortening process......................

cool don.........

What part of the frame are you going to section?

Right in the center of the chassis is a 32" straight and parallel part between two crossmembers. I'll cut that section out and weld it back together. The section is after the transfercase so I'll only have to cut the rear driveline.

All 8 of the rear mounting holes line up with the frame rails, so all I have to do is drill the holes in the frame.