Chopped 55 f100

[Duke55]

The air ride will be interesting to see when finished. Why was the wife not impressed ? Is that not an excuse to try something else on the lathe . Sure sounds like it to me.

Typical women...who knows what she is thinking. Show her it again and it may be a different story. However, it was the first time I have showed her something I have done and she wasn't more excited then me. In the end I will do what I want but I definitely consider all opinions because I do not want to create a vehicle that is only beautiful in the eye of the beholder (we have all seen these type of vehicles at shows before). There is a fine line to walk when thinking out of the box.

 

[Kevin54]

After reading through this thread, I need to pick my jaw up off the floor and wipe the drool from my keyboard.

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!! Even when it just had the silver and black base down it looked great, but the Candy Brandywine really took it over the top. I was wondering about the roof louvers but I see MP&C asked and it was answered.

I'm seriously speechless, but much in awe!!!!

 

[aubrey601]

Edit

 

[Duke55]

Came across this and couldn't pass it up. So I took a 2hr drive last night after work and picked it up. Looks like it has hardly been used. It is a Birlik brand from Turkey made in 2007.

 

[Kevin54]

Came across this and couldn't pass it up. So I took a 2hr drive last night after work and picked it up. Looks like it has hardly been used. It is a Birlik brand from Turkey made in 2007.

Duke......If you don't mind saying, could you tell us how much you bought it for? That may very well determine whenter you have a YOU **** coming your way also. Either way Nice score!!!!

 

[MP&C]

Nice score! Looks very similar to my German made Fasti.

 

[Duke55]

Duke......If you don't mind saying, could you tell us how much you bought it for? That may very well determine whenter you have a YOU **** coming your way also. Either way Nice score!!!!

Asking price was $800. I talked him down to $450. I based my offer on the deal MP&C got on his tool that had more tooling with it.

 

[Duke55]

Nice score! Looks very similar to my German made Fasti.

That is exactly what I thought when I seen it. Since I am now not building one from scratch this winter, I will figure out how to motorize this one.

 

[onelochevy]

First time coming across this build....holly hell. Absolutely beautiful truck man. Love everything about it. HOK brandywine is my favorite color, I saw it on a custom blazer at a car show about 10 years ago and fell in love with it. Keep up the great work!

 

[Duke55]

Finally was able to work on the truck today for the first time this week. I decided to install my shifter cover and make a shifter. Initially I planned on making another spike shifter knob to match the rest of the truck but thought I would give this a try first. It is the head off of my grandpa's hammer. I had heard a few different times that my grandpa always said once his body hammer breaks he's retiring. When my dad passed away I brought his main toolbox to my shop so nothing would happen to his tools. In the hammer drawer was this broken hammer with my grandpa's initials engraved into it. A few years ago, I had thought of using my dads favorite body hammer for the shifter knob but I decided I get far more satisfaction out of working on his truck with his hammer.





If you look close you can see his initials

 

[HOTFR8]

That shifter cover looks great.

 

[Duke55]

That shifter cover looks great.

Thanks, I am actually relieved it fits and the shift pattern worked out. I made that cover a few years ago before I had a mill so it took an insane amount of hand and air tool work.

 

[sierra_5.3]

Looks like it might take a lot of work to get from 1-6 in a hurry. Seems kinda tight. Did you practice shifting a little with it. I'm not bashing by any means. You do fantastic work and I'm jealous.

 

[Duke55]

Looks like it might take a lot of work to get from 1-6 in a hurry. Seems kinda tight. Did you practice shifting a little with it. I'm not bashing by any means. You do fantastic work and I'm jealous.

It's not bad at all with a smaller steel shifter. I haven't played with it too much with the steel/wood handle. Its functional but I wouldn't want to do it in a hurry. If I keep the hammer shifter I will be using the actual broken handle that goes with the head (this handle was another broken one I had laying around). I will turn it down nicer and a little smaller. On the plus side I like the wood for not banging up the shifter cover.

 

[drewski]

It's not bad at all with a smaller steel shifter. I haven't played with it too much with the steel/wood handle. Its functional but I wouldn't want to do it in a hurry. If I keep the hammer shifter I will be using the actual broken handle that goes with the head (this handle was another broken one I had laying around). I will turn it down nicer and a little smaller. On the plus side I like the wood for not banging up the shifter cover.

Your truck has such a history with your family... it's great that you're using items that are near and dear to you in your build.

 

[k p]

Truck looks amazing, I love the fab work you've done so far. I've always loved the gated shift pattern (the old Ferrari style is just amazing). Keep it up!

Looks like it might take a lot of work to get from 1-6 in a hurry. Seems kinda tight. Did you practice shifting a little with it. I'm not bashing by any means. You do fantastic work and I'm jealous.

It's a 5-speed no?

 

[95riosnake]

Ugh that shifter is the business, I love it!

Everything about this truck just oozes style and creativity. I've never seen the short stacks before and I have to say it's a great look

I envy your shop and the machinery you have at your disposal, gives me something to strive for shop-wise.

 

[Duke55]

Truck looks amazing, I love the fab work you've done so far. I've always loved the gated shift pattern (the old Ferrari style is just amazing). Keep it up!



It's a 5-speed no?

It is a 5 speed.

Ugh that shifter is the business, I love it!

Everything about this truck just oozes style and creativity. I've never seen the short stacks before and I have to say it's a great look

I envy your shop and the machinery you have at your disposal, gives me something to strive for shop-wise.

Thanks for the great comments. The shop and tools have been a lot of work and a long time coming but I really do enjoy them. I have a tool addiction that is only getting worse with time.

Your truck has such a history with your family... it's great that you're using items that are near and dear to you in your build.

Good to hear from you Drew. It feels good to do things that I know my grandpa or dad would like. I have done so much now that I can't even begin to imagine what either one of them would have to say (except my grandpa would hate the wheels and tires but that the rebellious side of me). Any updates on your build?

 

[blackhawkdriver]

Just read your thread from beginning to end, just awesome man. This is one of the nicest trucks I've ever seen and the story behind it is really powerful. Can't wait to see how you finish her up and test drive. Excellent work. subscribed

 

[e-tek]

Still looking killer fo sho - but I'm a little confused as to the hammer shifter. I guess I'm half-expecting the hammer-head to be on the steel rod and not the wooden handle. Looks a might tight in the gates with the wood, but totally brings back the old saying "Putting the HAMMER down"!!

Killer find on the Birlik roller! I'd love to do more ultra-custom work like that but there's little call for it when specializing in original-restorations. I'll have to leave the creativity to guys that have the knack for it - like you!

 

[Duke55]

Still looking killer fo sho - but I'm a little confused as to the hammer shifter. I guess I'm half-expecting the hammer-head to be on the steel rod and not the wooden handle. Looks a might tight in the gates with the wood, but totally brings back the old saying "Putting the HAMMER down"!!

Killer find on the Birlik roller! I'd love to do more ultra-custom work like that but there's little call for it when specializing in original-restorations. I'll have to leave the creativity to guys that have the knack for it - like you!

I drilled a hole through the entire wood handle, turned down steel rod to insert into handle. Bolt goes through hammer head and threads into center steel core and sandwiches the assembly together. If I end up running the hammer shifter I will make it a looser fit. In my mind this is a mod similar to the stacks...I just had to try and will see how I feel about it after a couple of days.

 

[HOTFR8]

How did I miss the Hammer . Now I have to ask what plans for the shifter as to match the gate it will have to be very trick.

 

[Duke55]

How did I miss the Hammer . Now I have to ask what plans for the shifter as to match the gate it will have to be very trick.

Not sure I understand the question but the shifter is fully functional. I didn't take a picture of it but all I did to mount the shifter is machine a block that bolts to the trans shifter stub. The block has a threaded port that the shifter lever (turned down straight rod) threads into. I will take a picture when I take it apart.

 

[HOTFR8]

I guess I may have missed it but I was asking as I know the hammer will not stay just what you will do to finish it and use a lever and gear knob.

 

[Duke55]

After little thought, I decided to make some metal kick panels with similar body lines as the inside of the doors. Figured I can always upholster doors and kick panels later if I don't like them but I think all painted might be pretty cool and not something you see everyday.



Cut out


Made 90 degree bend on the 3-in-1.


Finished wrapping around with hammer and 1/8" strap


Repeat


Rolled the S-shaped section up with bead roller (first time I have ever used one and I think I am going to like it).


Switched to an 1/8" round piece


Bead rolled around fish mouth


Welded seams and ground

Front view


Back view


Side view


Set in place


Both sides marked up to have body lines put in by bead roller. Now the bad part. The throat on the bead roller is not deep enough to pull this off without switching dies a bunch. I going to try and extend the throat 8-10" (if I need deeper the first time I use it I might as well fix it now). I was also going to roll a hand wheel to get rid of the ridiculous handle but I found a (way over kill) motorized gear reducer for a good price so while I am at it I will try motorizing.


Over kill new 1hp army surplus dodge gear reducer


Now to show the start of the switch panel I talked about previously that has been holding me up on the wiring.


Looks massive here but its really not too big 4" tall x 2" thick x 16" wide. It will have three So Cal billet switches on the face and the power window switches mounted on the underside. The backside will be hollowed out to contain all the wiring. Will hopefully post the finished machined part on Monday.

Lot more pictures than normal but I thought I should step it up a bit since I have moved to the fab section.

 

[Kevin54]

Duke.....everything is looking fantastic!!! Do you have any better shots of the console, or at least a couple lighter pics of it?

 

[Duke55]

Duke.....everything is looking fantastic!!! Do you have any better shots of the console, or at least a couple lighter pics of it?

Tried adding some extra light on the console






Finished machining the switch panel and installed the switches. Going to sand and polish all the raised surfaces and thinking about painting the recessed surfaces.



So Cal switches installed




Bottom side will have power windows and cowl vent switches


Back view

 

[Duke55]

Quick sand and polish (definitely more to come)



Installed in truck



Still leaning towards painting the recessed sections where the switches are located to make it look more at home and not just a block of aluminum mounted under the dash. But overall I think it fits the truck.

 

[Kevin54]

Quick sand and polish (definitely more to come)



Installed in truck



Still leaning towards painting the recessed sections where the switches are located to make it look more at home and not just a block of aluminum mounted under the dash. But overall I think it fits the truck.

What about doing some engine turning on it, then shoot some clear candy over the top. And by engine turning I'm speaking of the type where it has the circles that overlap.

 

[Duke55]

What about doing some engine turning on it, then shoot some clear candy over the top. And by engine turning I'm speaking of the type where it has the circles that overlap.

That's a good idea. I had thought of engine turning but was leaning towards painting. Don't know why I didn't think of candy over engine turned.

 

[aggierailroad]

How have I missed this until today..???

Great build, great skill and an even better nod to your history.

For the record, I'm digging the louvers. That's a lot of skill and work to get them to look so clean.

As for my .02 cents on the bed, I think you'd rather like having some type of floor to keep the inside of the cover clean. My suggestion would be removable "slick" aluminum panels, maybe turned and candied like the switch panel above. Would be a lot of work, but could give you the access you want and help keep the grit out. I'm sure that bead rolled 22 or 20 ga. aluminum would do the trick.

 

[chris fresh]

Really nice build,nice color choice as well.

 

[HOTFR8]

WOW, all that work in that switch panel. Nicely done.

 

[djjsr]

Looks great but to be honest, I think that shifter looks like it belongs on a ratrod, not a custom. jmo.

 

[HOTFR8]

Looks great but to be honest, I think that shifter looks like it belongs on a ratrod, not a custom. jmo.

Yes I am still waiting to see some very nice trick gear shift he makes up to suit it.

 

[drewski]

Looks great but to be honest, I think that shifter looks like it belongs on a ratrod, not a custom. jmo.

Yes I am still waiting'

There's a lot of history to his truck and that body hammer belonged to his grandfather who originally bought the truck in the 50's and was responsible for the chopped top. I can understand that body hammer being very special to him even though it may be perceived as out of place in a nice custom.

Drew

 

[jbdaya]

alot of work on that truck !!!! maybe a lifetime project ...

 

[johno]

Yes I am still waiting'

There's a lot of history to his truck and that body hammer belonged to his grandfather who originally bought the truck in the 50's and was responsible for the chopped top. I can understand that body hammer being very special to him even though it may be perceived as out of place in a nice custom.

Drew

I think it's out of place too.
Like you said it is special to the owner, nonetheless it is still out of place.
I have a HUGE set of moose horns, from my grandfather, that has been in my family since then, and in my life just about as far back as I can remember, they mean a lot to me, but I wouldn't bolt them to the hood of my car.

No offence to the OP I think your build is great, and it's your truck to do what ever you like.
It is a GREAT build, one of my favorites

 

[Duke55]

Thanks for the comments. As for the shifter, I cant say I disagree with most of you that it looks out of place. I made it because it doesn't feel out of place. I have said in multiple posts that I didn't know if I was going to keep it. Fabricating something that looks right will be easy...just haven't decided if I am going to do it or not.

For fun here is another chop my grandpa did in the 50's. He is standing next to it back in 1955. This car started life as a 1949 Ford convertible. My uncle now has it and the color picture below shows what it looks like today.

 

[willymakeit]

You are as talented as your grandpa. Like the thread.