What to do next?

P

paetsgone

Senior Member
I am looking for some advice on what to move onto next on my 1940 pickup project. I have a rolling frame with motor and trans in. I don't know weather to get the engine running? Get the rollor in real rolling shape IE rebuild Brakes etc. Mount all the body parts on as a prefit as the truck is being built from all seperate parts? Any thoughts.
 

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What I would do is; I would get the frame assembled, put it to the side and concentrate on the body. Once you have the cab ready, mount it, run the wiring and then start it. This is just my 2 cents worth.
 
Were it me, I would test assemble the cab, bed, fenders, hood, etc. If everything fits ok then pull the motor and transmission and axles, support and level the frame on jackstands, and get the cab reconstruction work done. Best done on the frame, easier with motor and trans out. If you can get the motor running on a stand go ahead.


Once the reconstruction is done... put it all back together as a test fit. Then back apart to finish the bodywork and to do the bed. Then assemble again and get it running and driven around the block. Then apart again for paint. Final assembly should be easy... you will have had lots of practice.
 
Not to get too far into the weeds about proper construction procedure, but just as a reminder, Ford built the complete chassis with engine and chassis wiring before fitting the cab and sheet metal. Lots of videos on YouTube showing the work in process.
 
I'm kind of going the opposite direction of you. Engine first but that is somewhat because of the time it takes to have all the machine work done and then to assemble it (myself). While I am waiting for the machine work and parts to come in, I am working on the frame. I have pulled the body from the frame. My plan is to completely redo the frame (sand blast and rebuild with new suspension parts), then mount the engine and maybe test fire it (because it will be long done before the frame is and I will be ancy to hear it run) and then mount the body and start with all of that stuff. I am like you though...there are days where I struggle to see the vision of what to work on next. Just gotta remember, one thing at a time, one hour at a time and it will get there.
 
yes, you can get lost at times. I also lose time just tying to figue out the order of things. every ones approach seems correct but i think i will do a little more on the rollor.
 
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