New Year New Project New Bucket.

[kcline40]

So I have purchased my first bucket build. I love riding around in my In-laws and recently got to help my Father-n-law finish the rebuild on his bucket. Since he swapped out some parts I was able to get the used ones he no longer wanted.

So here is my build so far.
I purchased a complete rolling chasis in CA last Dec. My father in law picked it up and took it to CO. I picked it up this summer and brought it home. We worked on rebuilding a 92 Chevy 350 motor this summer for the project. I got the final few dress parts for it for XMAS. Thanks MOM!!! So I will provide a few pics here and on Mon Jan 2nd I am driving to Paynesville MN to get my Body and Bed.

So here is what I have for my project to get started.

Complete rolling Chasis.

Rear end out of a Pinto (year unknown) this will be replaced with a rear end out of a 63 Impala that was on the inlaws T-Bucket. He put a FORD 9 inch under his. I figure FREE saves me $$ to get going.

I can either put a rebuilt Chevy 350 in the bucket or a rebuilt Chevy 454. I have both. We will see which makes the cut.

As far as my rims go it looks as if they are original T Rims. I am not sure. IF any one knows the value of these let me know I am willing to sell to get me into some newer rims and tires.

Also my frame seems a little different than what can be ordered from speedway. My frame had running board arms. I had to cut them off to get it home. But I can weld them back on.

Please let me know what you think.

 

[kcline40]

Project update we are on our way.

 

[kcline40]

Pic update

 

[kcline40]

More Pics

 

[kcline40]

Even more pics

 

[kcline40]

Last update for tonight. More to come next week.

 

[Bennett]

Thanks for sharing the update photos. Looks like you're making great progress.

 

[kcline40]

Thanks Bennet. We have really hit the ground running in the last 2 months. Been buying parts like a mad man. Will most likely be able to buy all parts for assembly this year and may next year get it cleaned up for paint/chrome work. I just want to share and hopefully get some feedback on if we are building it right.

 

[kcline40]

Found out this week we need to lengthen the frame but not sure how long. I also have the floor completely cut and ready for glass along with the firewall. Will post pics later this week. The rearend is close to being set up and we need just a couple more big parts to have a rolling chasis completed by winter.

 

[2old2fast]

Going by what I can make out in your pics of the rear spring , it appears that you don't have the spring mounts far enough apart. With no weight on the spring , you should have to spread the spring eyes to hook up the shackles. In that case the shackles would be horizontal , that "tension" is what keeps the rearend centered.
dave

 

[kcline40]

AGREED!!!!!

Thanks Dave we actually caught that l;ast week and are rebuilding the mounts so we do not have to use NieRod to weld them back up. My Uncle says its getting a little spendy to keep welding them that way. That adjustment is in the works. Thanks for the info.

 

[2old2fast]

Are you really mounting the body that high off the frame??

dave

 

[kcline40]

I'm not channeling the body if that's what you mean. The body is sitting on 2x4 just so my uncle could see what we are shooting for and get a view point.

 

[kcline40]

Trying to add more pics

 

[kcline40]

More pics

 

[kcline40]

Weekend of August 3rd
We glued the floor to the body today and did some fine tuning to get it to fit pretty snug. Peter tore down the rear end and took the mock up motor out of the frame. We will be changing some things in the rear end to get the frame a little lower. The way we had it set up we would have been riding at 23"of the ground. Pretty impressive if you want a 4x4 but not really if you are looking for a street rod. We also reconfigured my welder. It is a little more powerful than the 120v welder we had on hand. Now we are working with a 220v welder and it seems to be able to do the job. I learned some new things about the welder itself. Things I never new were even possible. That's what having an experienced machinist/welder on a build like this will do for you. Hopefully have another build update the weekend of August 17th.

August 17th update
We glued the firewall to the body this afternoon and cut the wood floor for the truck-box portion of the T-bucket. IT fits like a glove and will be ready to mate to the body once the frame is back at the shop. I was told today we are gonna go ahead and lengthen the frame by six inches. That will give some needed room for the water pump and radiator. I worked on painting the engine this evening and my brother Kevin Cline looked at the cam I purchased online. Thanks JEGS for sending a cam for a SB Ford, when we have a Chevy motor. Oh and now I get to pay return shipping yay! The weights on in the bucket body are tractor wieghts and they are very heavy. Next update on Labor day weekend, Hopefully.
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[kcline40]

 

[Johnny]

What is your seat out of and how wide is it? Will it fit without any modifications?

 

[kcline40]

It will not fit without a mod. It's pretty close at 41 inches at its widest point. I believe it will need to be shortened 3 inches. It came out of a Chrysler Minivan. Not sure on the year I had my buddy get it from a You pull it scrap yard. I really like the cup holder on the bottom and plan to use it in the build. I also like the design of the seatbealts. Now I just have to find lap belts that will fit the buckles.

 

[kcline40]

Small update on my T-bucket. It will be coming home in May for fiberglass work. Currently painting the engine and in final assembly of it. Almost all fabricating is finished. Seat Bracket, Seat Belts Brackets, Stearing column mount, Dash Support has all been made and installed for mock up. We had a snaffooo with the 64 Impala Rear end. It is a POSI rear end and we can not gear it lower than 4.11, currently it has 4.56 gears in it and the ring and pinion are thrashed. It would be close to $1000.0 to replace the carrier and Ring & Pinion on it so we went a different route to a Ford 9" POSI rear. We are now mocking that up but will need new axles to get the same bolt pattern in the rear as the front. Hopefully you can see the pictures I am sharing. I hope you enjoy our build and we are getting close to bodywork.