JimLev's Build

[JimLev]

Skip that wiper if you live in a place where rain is always a possibility. I got it wired up and running today.
It does a lousy job on a wet windshield. It’s underpowered and moves slowly on a dry windshield, wet is a little better.

And I got it insured today.

[Mastertech5]

Congrats on the insurance. Good to know about the wiper, thanks. I'm not sure if a wiper is required here for inspection. some say no for a replica of it doesn't come equipped, so?

[JimLev]

I was going to get the wheels aligned today however it’s raining and I don’t have the door weather strip seals installed so I’ll wait for better weather in a few days. I drove around the hood a bit yesterday so I could checkout/adjust the brake bias.
I also installed the engine side covers. There’s a lot of heat that comes out of the side vents, glad I installed them.

8E17CF72-96D5-4388-B983-10F170B68E68.jpeg

[JimLev]

It’s finally done, if you can ever call it done. Aligned and registered yesterday.
I still need to do little things like add the weather stripping to the body for the doors, connect the LED’s for the rear number plate light, etc.
The mufflers are a bit LOUD even with the exhausted wrapped from the header collectors all the way to the back.

D9BF6CD5-5935-4B90-9A96-6F839F67205E.jpeg

808C3C10-DA3C-43EC-AD0E-4B702301333F.jpeg

6FC5CDC3-8F69-474C-8271-C0730F351C02.jpeg

Now to collect all the parts I didn’t use and put them in the For Sale section.

[Jeff33Ford]

That looks fantastic!! Pictures like yours keeps me motivated. Thanks for sharing.

[edwardb]

Love it. Great job. I'm partial to the full fender/hood/top look. Hence the similar configuration of my truck build. Tell me about the pieces you have on the running boards where you step. Looking for some ideas. Thanks.

[JimLev]

Jim (33fromSD) gave me the info where to get them.
https://www.raneystruckparts.com/cus...-iowa-customs/
Lots to pick from.

I built a boxed steel support that attaches to the bottom of the chassis and extends almost to the outer edge of the running boards for support so if someone was to step on the RB’s they wouldn’t break.

[edwardb]

Jim (33fromSD) gave me the info where to get them.
https://www.raneystruckparts.com/cus...-iowa-customs/
Lots to pick from.

I built a boxed steel support that attaches to the bottom of the chassis and extends almost to the outer edge of the running boards for support so if someone was to step on the RB’s they wouldn’t break.

Thanks. Those look interesting. The truck running board option includes very robust steel platforms (think heavy) under the running boards that bolt to the chassis. More than strong enough to stand on. Wasn't aware the hot rod didn't have something similar.

[33fromSD]

Thanks. Those look interesting. The truck running board option includes very robust steel platforms (think heavy) under the running boards that bolt to the chassis. More than strong enough to stand on. Wasn't aware the hot rod didn't have something similar.

The stepping plates work really well and Raneys Truck parts have a lot of options to choose from. Mine are just polished aluminum, but they have several colors to choose from. Spendy, but to avoid folks scratching up the paint when stepping on the running boards to me it's worth it.

Jim

[33fromSD]

It’s finally done, if you can ever call it done. Aligned and registered yesterday.
I still need to do little things like add the weather stripping to the body for the doors, connect the LED’s for the rear number plate light, etc.
The mufflers are a bit LOUD even with the exhausted wrapped from the header collectors all the way to the back.

D9BF6CD5-5935-4B90-9A96-6F839F67205E.jpeg

808C3C10-DA3C-43EC-AD0E-4B702301333F.jpeg

6FC5CDC3-8F69-474C-8271-C0730F351C02.jpeg

Now to collect all the parts I didn’t use and put them in the For Sale section.

Looks awesome Jim!! Great Job. Another one on the road.

[peterh226]

Thanks. Those look interesting. The truck running board option includes very robust steel platforms (think heavy) under the running boards that bolt to the chassis. More than strong enough to stand on. Wasn't aware the hot rod didn't have something similar.

I got the supports from FFR and I’m using them on the hot rod. I did have to make some changes to the mounting to raise them up a bit, but they really make the running board secure.

[33fromSD]

I made my own supports bolted to the frame. Solid as a rock, you can jump up and down on the running board and the car rocks up and down but the runnings boards do not.

20210103_092742.jpg 20210103_092748.jpg 20210103_114614.jpg

20210103_121954.jpg 20210103_122001.jpg

Jim

[JimLev]

I had the car weighed today at an official weigh station (tractor trailer scale), not sure how accurate they are on something so small.
It was 2700 lbs. front axle was 1280 and rear axle was 1420. I wasn’t in the car. The fuel tank was on 1/4 full.
Doesn’t make sense that the front is less than the rear.

[RoadRacer]

I could see this depending on your motor. 47% front isn’t far off. Mine is 50/50 when I did corner weights but has a iron head SBC. But mine only weighed 2280 on the scales.

[JimLev]

All aluminum LS3 and aluminum 4L65e tranny. Shipping weight on the engine was 400 Lbs and the tranny was 110.
The only heavy thing in the back is the IRS LSD that is 100 lbs.
Most everything I added was in the front half of the car.

[RoadRacer]

Right, so that kinda makes sense, right? My motor is ~550, my tko is 120. My car (at 50/50) has more weight up front. So jealous of the all-aluminum LS3.

I always thought the wheelbase on these was crazy. so much longer than you think - it tricks the mind with the wheels so far forward.

[JimLev]

James, if yours was only 2280 then the truck stop scale I used must not be accurate at the low end of it’s range.
I should fine someplace that has the scales you put under each wheel.

[JimLev]

I found a shop that has corner balance scales so I’m going to have them weigh it. Unfortunately they can’t get me in until Jan 26th.

[narly1]

Here's a discussion on truck scale accuracy:

https://www.centralcarolinascale.com...-truck-scales/

Given what they have to say I'm predicting that the weights you already got are going to fairly accurate, out by +/- a few lbs (at most).

Earl

[JimLev]

Thanks for the info Earl. I just fine it hard to believe the front weighs less than the rear.
I’ll post what each corners weights after I get it done,

[RoadRacer]

Here are my corner weights - of course, I have minimal bodywork compared to you.

Anyway, I'd recommend doing the corner weights both raw (no driver) but also with you inside so you can adjust the suspension to be more equal. I only had to tweak two spring perches up about 3/8" or so IIRC.

[JimLev]

Thanks for the corner weight info, good stuff James.
Today I’ve been figuring out how to program the 4L65e shifting points. Everything is configurable, up shifts, down shifts, shift pressures, etc.

Last week I registered my hotrod, today in the mail I received the title. It was registered as a 1933.
They used the chassis number for the VIN.

[Mastertech5]

I don't know if you have come up with a shield for your air filter yet but I thought I'd let you know what may work. I mocked this up with some card stock thinking of using some 6" black stove pipe cut in half. If you cut it to leave 4 tabs then bent them down around the filter clamp end, as in the picture, you can hold it on with the clamp. I'm going to try it this weekend. $10 for a 12" section of pipe.
IMG_20230120_232316_hdr.jpg IMG_20230120_232349_hdr.jpg

[JimLev]

Thanks Bruce, I like it. I have some sheet metal and a small combo brake/shear/roller to make one.
I was trying to come up with an easy way to mount it. Yours looks the easiest and simple way to do it to mount it.

[Mastertech5]

I wish I had that equipment but I never really needed it before on any kind of regular basis so I couldn't justify the expense. I have to come up with creative solutions. I stare at stuff and think of how can I do this.

[JimLev]

Got my vanity plate today……..

5261CF8D-3953-46BE-B34F-D2B0D79772BC.jpeg

[Just 1 More]

Got my vanity plate today……..

5261CF8D-3953-46BE-B34F-D2B0D79772BC.jpeg

You're going to have to explain it to me, THX138 ?

[Mastertech5]

I know! No room for the other 1? I loved that movie! Good choice!!!! We can only have six here too.

[RoadRacer]

You're going to have to explain it to me, THX138 ?

Milners license plate in American graffiti.. named for an earlier movie directed by George Lucas.

Love it!

[JimLev]

Yup, Milners plate in American Graffiti.

A5C5B246-BD25-4C8C-B2D1-EFEA4D0C0569.jpeg

[RoadRacer]

“Milner” was on my short list of available plates

[Mastertech5]

I didn't realize that was his plate. I was thinking of the science fiction movie THX1138, as mentioned above. I guess I haven't seen American Graffiti enough, not recently anyway.

[Mastertech5]

On another note. Did you put your rad Replica Parts fan shroud with the slanted end up? That's what makes sense to me because the grill lays back. Mike said it was self explanatory. I'm assuming it also goes with the flat panel the fan mounts to out, not in like the FFR fan mounts are in the manual. Thanks.

[JimLev]

I bought my shroud from Mike Everson (Replica Parts?). I don’t recall a slanted end.
One note that will save you a lot of hood cutting time, don’t lay the grill all the way back. If you do you’ll need to cut the sides of the hood so it will close to the tops of the side engine covers.
86A13C49-C685-4733-BA76-57D323799AB3.jpeg

I don’t think I’ve ever seen THX1138, will have to watch it.

[Just 1 More]

I bought my shroud from Mike Evens also, I put the slanted end at the bottom. 20221226_211741.jpg

[JimLev]

I couldn’t see the bottom of mine now that it’s mounted in the car so it must be on the bottom, it’s not on the top.

[Jeff33Ford]

On another note. Did you put your rad Replica Parts fan shroud with the slanted end up? That's what makes sense to me because the grill lays back. Mike said it was self explanatory. I'm assuming it also goes with the flat panel the fan mounts to out, not in like the FFR fan mounts are in the manual. Thanks.

I put it at the bottom as well. I assumed it was that way for clearance. The bottom is close to everything.

[Mastertech5]

Ok, thanks. Just trying to do something. Taking my intake tubes to have the MAF bung and PCV fresh air fitting welded on soon. No grill till at least April so all I can do is mount the fan and shroud on the rad.

[33fromSD]

The side and rear windows are tinted, not the front.
I used 3M single step primer and 3M urethane Windo-Weld to install the glass. I taped off everything around the openings and still got the black windo-weld on the body. It does clean off real easy with lacquer thinner on a rag.
To drill the hole thru the glass I used this diamond hole saw and water for lubrication. Go slow and clean the bit often. The plastic between the layers of safety glass will clog the bit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

Pretty sure I got the wiper from Speedway, it’s not that great. I only need it to get it registered. It doesn’t rain much here. I had to shorten the blade so it doesn’t hit the body, the stroke is only about 90º.
Here is the one I bought, however I remember only paying about $35 for it. Maybe I got it from Amazon??
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Unite...de,419260.html
The box says model TY-302, made in Taiwan.

Jim, yes it feels real good to be almost done. Post a few pics of your F100, it has such a nice body style.

Jim, here are the latest pics on the 55 F100 Build as requested. Being on the lift I haven't done any full body pics to this point. These are the latest with the doors mounted and gapped. Prepping the last body panel for paint (the hood). Huge part to work with. Also include some early rear shots of the box, bed wood & tuneau cover.

Jim

20230202_085220.jpg 20230202_085432.jpg 20230202_085456.jpg

20220424_140827.jpg 20220424_140847.jpg 20220424_140928.jpg

[JimLev]

Wow, looks great. Better than new!
Thanks for the pics.