1958 FC-170
- Thread starter 58-fc170
- Start date
Also finally squeezed in the bilsteins that have been on the shelf long enough. It took a little odd mounts to get them to clear the links, bags and brake lines. I also grabbed up a sprinter 1.125" rear sway bar to squeeze under there, one bar in the front and one bar in the rear somehow.
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Explorer I
First and foremost, I like the way you think but might I offer a suggestion for you to consider? I know I am overstepping here but when I was building my 1966 F100 4x4, I learned a few lessons the hard way. From the picture, I cant clearly tell but it seems that the air bag mount is welded to the 4 link bracket. This definitely adds strength but adding a few gussets on both sides of your air bag bracket to support that middle welded section might prove worthy. I see 3 welds to gain your height but I would content that any forceful lateral movement of the axle adds a high potential of snapping those welds. Vertical strength, no issue but lateral??
I cant say enough about how I like your build. Just my 2 cents.
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That is a good point but there is very little side force on the air bags and link bars. All of that force is in the panhard bar.
I will see if I have the room to put in some gussets. Overbuilt is always better than broken.
I will see if I have the room to put in some gussets. Overbuilt is always better than broken.
Finally weighed the thing and it is 6,989 lbs in its current state. So out went the load E tires and bullet hole rims that were only rated to 3,000 lbs . In came the load F rated tires and slot mag rims rated to 3,700 lbs each. I think the tread is a little less aggressive than the prior tires but still looks good.
Windshield fit fine tuning is close to complete(lots of grinding to go) then on with the rest of the body work. It is road legal and insured now as motivation for myself to finish it this summer. 
Windshield fit dialed in now I dug out the other glass and new gaskets for a test fit.
On to fixing the other body dents and then paint . The curves are a challenge under the windshield.
j
On to fixing the other body dents and then paint . The curves are a challenge under the windshield.
j
Getting metal work smoothed out and closer to paint
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The slotted wheels are brand new and are already the 2nd set of new rims and tires I have had on it . Considering it hasn't even left the yard since I started building it. They are going to have to work for now. I looked at wagon wheels but are only rated for 2,200lbs.
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I love the 60's hotrod look of the slotted mags! And damn, the Ford wagon wheels are just classic! Too bad the are not heavy duty.
I forgot this thing had heavy axels under it.
I forgot this thing had heavy axels under it.
Front bumper and lower high/low beam lights installed , also removed the gray headlight rings and they will be black to match the bumper.
Blinkers, washer squirters and new two speed electric wiper motor adapted into the original linkage .
Apparently i did something right . Now to wrap up the led back lights in the gauge cluster . 
Enthusiast II
- 509
- First Name
- Brent
- Last Name
- Hannam
- Member #
0426
- Service Branch
- Airforce
