The Ford Barn

51504bat · 09-11-2019, 01:13 PM

I'm getting ready to pull the 239 and 3 speed in my '54 Ranch Wagon to install a 302 and AOD. In the process I'm going to completely rebuild the front end with new parts including the springs and rewire the entire car. It's been suggested that I should pull the front clip off to make things easier for all the work that is going to be done. Don't know how hard it is to pull the front clip or if it would be worth the effort. Anyone pulled the front clip off a '54 Ford and if so how intensive is the process? I realize that it would be much easier to do everything that I'm planning on without the fenders, etc. in the way but don't know if I'm asking for more trouble by doing so. Thanks all.

Ole Don · 09-11-2019, 01:30 PM

Not only is it more trouble than time saving, but may be difficult to line up afterwards. The front end rebuilding is easier when three hands are involved with the tools I used. I used a big vice to press out and back in the A arm bushings. If you can still find one, Granada spindles and disc brakes are a near bolt on. Springs meant for an Aerostar will lower the front with the lighter engine. An aftermarket one or 1 1/8 front sway bar will make it handle like a slot car.

darrell · 09-11-2019, 02:35 PM

another thing if your cars paint job is good you can get a lot of chips getting it on and off.

56sedandelivery · 09-11-2019, 06:13 PM

I did my 56 and while not hard there were a ton of nuts and bolts to remove. Did my because it is down to bare shell and having body work done. Would not do it if it were painted.

51504bat · 09-12-2019, 10:47 AM

Thanks to all for the replies. After reading all of them plus the ones on the HAMB I'm probably leave well enough alone and not pull the clip.

poolplayer1 · 09-12-2019, 04:09 PM

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I have a 55 ford ranch wagon that I replaced just about everything in the front end,including the upper and lower control arm bushings,springs,tie- rods,centerlink,and any other part that needed to be replaced.I did all this without removing the front clip.
My wiring was all in pretty good shape and therefore,did not have to be replaced.
Back many years ago I had already removed the 272 engine along with the 3 speed manual tranny and replaced the engine with a 302 and I used a C4 transmission to replace the manual tranny. Still not done yet but I'm at 90% done.

09-11-2019, 01:13 PM	#1
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,009	Pulling the front clip on a '54 Ranch Wagon I'm getting ready to pull the 239 and 3 speed in my '54 Ranch Wagon to install a 302 and AOD. In the process I'm going to completely rebuild the front end with new parts including the springs and rewire the entire car. It's been suggested that I should pull the front clip off to make things easier for all the work that is going to be done. Don't know how hard it is to pull the front clip or if it would be worth the effort. Anyone pulled the front clip off a '54 Ford and if so how intensive is the process? I realize that it would be much easier to do everything that I'm planning on without the fenders, etc. in the way but don't know if I'm asking for more trouble by doing so. Thanks all. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

09-11-2019, 01:30 PM	#2
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Pulling the front clip on a '54 Ranch Wagon Not only is it more trouble than time saving, but may be difficult to line up afterwards. The front end rebuilding is easier when three hands are involved with the tools I used. I used a big vice to press out and back in the A arm bushings. If you can still find one, Granada spindles and disc brakes are a near bolt on. Springs meant for an Aerostar will lower the front with the lighter engine. An aftermarket one or 1 1/8 front sway bar will make it handle like a slot car.

09-11-2019, 02:35 PM	#3
darrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: p.e.i. Posts: 1,060	Re: Pulling the front clip on a '54 Ranch Wagon another thing if your cars paint job is good you can get a lot of chips getting it on and off.

09-11-2019, 06:13 PM	#4
56sedandelivery Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Arkansas Posts: 525	Re: Pulling the front clip on a '54 Ranch Wagon I did my 56 and while not hard there were a ton of nuts and bolts to remove. Did my because it is down to bare shell and having body work done. Would not do it if it were painted.

09-12-2019, 10:47 AM	#5
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,009	Re: Pulling the front clip on a '54 Ranch Wagon Thanks to all for the replies. After reading all of them plus the ones on the HAMB I'm probably leave well enough alone and not pull the clip. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years. Last edited by 51504bat; 09-12-2019 at 10:58 AM.

09-12-2019, 04:09 PM	#6
poolplayer1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 399	Re: Pulling the front clip on a '54 Ranch Wagon Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a 55 ford ranch wagon that I replaced just about everything in the front end,including the upper and lower control arm bushings,springs,tie- rods,centerlink,and any other part that needed to be replaced.I did all this without removing the front clip. My wiring was all in pretty good shape and therefore,did not have to be replaced. Back many years ago I had already removed the 272 engine along with the 3 speed manual tranny and replaced the engine with a 302 and I used a C4 transmission to replace the manual tranny. Still not done yet but I'm at 90% done.