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Old 05-15-2016, 08:49 AM   #1
Flat Ernie
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Thumbs up My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

My 14yr old son just started asking about cars late last summer. He mentioned maybe fixing up one of my old trucks. Well, I don't have any other than my daily driver '54 F100, but told him we'd find him a good project. My dad went and looked at a Willys pickup that was too rusty and also sold by the time he got there. But my dad mentioned that his '35 Pickup was pretty far down his list of projects and he wasn't sure when he'd ever get to it and if my son wanted that, he could have it.

When I told my son about it, he wanted to look at it. So, we went to my dad's (about 3hrs away) and checked it out. The carb base plate was frozen solid from sitting, so I had my son remove it and we went through it with parts from my stash. He did all the work and put it all back together, we bolted it on, and filled the bowl with gas and after filing the points, it fired right up! This really lit the excitement for my son!

My dad bought his pickup about 15 years ago. It had an early SBC adapted to the original 3-spd and hydraulic brakes, but otherwise, pretty original. About 10 years ago, we swapped in an 8BA and a '39 box, worked on the juice brakes that were previously converted with a '39 pedal & backing plates, and had it driveable. My dad started really working on the truck - disassembling it, making small repairs, and removing everything to get the interior pretty nice, but the exterior was always going to be as-is. It's a solid truck, but not without some minor rust here and there. Then my dad's life got a little busy, he was selling his business, house, retiring, and moving. Other projects got pushed ahead, and the truck just sat. But my dad had collected virtually everything my son would need to reassemble the truck into a nice driver. It was almost a kit.

Back when I was helping with the engine & brakes all those years ago, I noticed some rust undernearth the right rear frame rail at the kickup - a common rust area on these years. I welded in some strap as a temporary reinforcement, but told my dad he needed to replace that section. One of the things he bought was replacement frame sections for the area, along with replacement pieces for the crossmembers (which weren't bad).

Fast forward to a couple of months ago, and for spring break, I helped my son disassemble the bed, rear fenders, and running boards so we could get to those frame sections first. The kickup was worse than I knew, but what was even worse, was the entire right frame rail, which we couldn't see with the running boards on, was almost completely eaten away. This wasn't noticeable from the inside because someone had welded in some C-channel on both sides at some point in the distant past. The C-channel was keeping this frame together...at least on the right side

So now we're on the hunt for a decent frame. I've found a couple good ones, but they're way out west and it's simply not feasible to get them back to FL. I've posted a wanted ad here on the board:


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196390


But equally just wanted to share the excitement of another generation getting involved. I just hope we can find a frame soon - the few I've looked at locally are either butchered or as rusty as mine. I don't remind replacing crossmembers, and could easily make it work with just the frame rail itself, but a full frame would get us rolling quickly. I was hoping for few setbacks to keep my son's motivation up. I have to head out of state for a few months for work in July and really wanted to get him going before I left...
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Old 05-15-2016, 09:05 AM   #2
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Hi Ern. Really nice to see you and Clay doing something together. Hope you can find a frame. That one does look a little toasted.

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Old 05-15-2016, 10:44 AM   #3
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

I love that your son is into this! When my son was 16 he went to the dark side and bought a 69 charger,I was happy he was into cars but wish it was the early Fords.At least he knows what they are. My frames are almost as bad as yours,Good luck in thus project,enjoy your son!
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Old 05-16-2016, 06:51 AM   #4
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Flat Ernie...I am glad your son is interested and willing to work on the old pickup. What I can see in the pictures (other than the frame) looks like a very nice start. Back in the mid to late 1990's I bought a 1935 Ford pickup out in Kansas that was pretty complete. I was going to build it for my son to drive to high school. I got started on it but when my son was old enough to get his driver's license, the last thing on his mind was a stock 35 pickup with no a/c, no power-steering, no stereo, mechanical brakes, and a standard. He ended up driving a relative's hand me down Mustang Convertible alternating with my 37 pickup streetrod. He darn near gave both my wife and I whiplash trying to teach him to drive a Standard. He played soccer in high school but for some reason it seemed like he had two left feet and no communication at all between his arms and legs when it came to shifting. He is now 27 years old and I still have the pickup. Several years ago I got rid of the boxes I had because I got tired of moving them and the homes they went to were occupied by people either farther along or in one case just interested in a box I had that was made by Anthony, not Ford. I have a lot of it painted and the chassis is done except for 2 shocks, but the chances of my finishing it or my son ever wanting it without it being converted to a modern drivetrain is essentially nil. I have a couple of other projects that will likely never be completed, either.
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Old 05-16-2016, 03:15 PM   #5
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

PM sent.
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Old 05-16-2016, 06:53 PM   #6
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

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Im in two minds .. great he is onto doing the work and driving an older car certainly makes you a better driver, you learn when you NEED to brake etc. Just not sure its the right choice for a first car, Im thinking safety for him.
I still drive mine almost daily ; )
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Old 05-17-2016, 12:08 PM   #7
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

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Originally Posted by Talkwrench View Post
Im in two minds .. great he is onto doing the work and driving an older car certainly makes you a better driver, you learn when you NEED to brake etc. Just not sure its the right choice for a first car, Im thinking safety for him.
I still drive mine almost daily ; )
Make no mistake, there'll be plenty of modern upgrades with safety in mind. But the heart and soul will be mostly '35 pickup.
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Old 05-17-2016, 05:24 PM   #8
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

It's always great to see another '35-'36 Ford pickup returned to the road, especially one that doesn't get street rodded! Love 'em original or at least close to it.
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Old 05-18-2016, 08:07 AM   #9
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

My first car was a 1957 ford when I was in high school. I graduated in 97 so it was not that long ago. I kept my distance and never had any troubles driving with modern cars. I would have loved to have a 35 as my first! Good luck with the truck.
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Old 05-18-2016, 08:15 AM   #10
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Hi FE, It's good to see that your son is interested in owning and driving the
35 P/U. The mechanical brakes are almost as good as hydraulics if it has soft
shoes good drums and GOOD seals so no grease gets on the drums and the
rods are correctly set. Of course you will teach him not to tail gate and how
to use the engine compression to slow down. I talked to Skip and in support
of this new young driver he has a offered to rebuild the water pumps, provide
a 3 lb check valve, rebuild the coil, clean and adjust the distributor and set it
to original Ford specs on a Ford~Heyer strobe machine. He will do this at no
charge. This is a one time offer and is open for two weeks from now. This is
an offer you don't want to miss.
Contact Skip at [email protected] G.M.
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Old 05-18-2016, 11:43 AM   #11
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Quote:
Originally Posted by G.M. View Post
Hi FE, It's good to see that your son is interested in owning and driving the
35 P/U. The mechanical brakes are almost as good as hydraulics if it has soft
shoes good drums and GOOD seals so no grease gets on the drums and the
rods are correctly set. Of course you will teach him not to tail gate and how
to use the engine compression to slow down. I talked to Skip and in support
of this new young driver he has a offered to rebuild the water pumps, provide
a 3 lb check valve, rebuild the coil, clean and adjust the distributor and set it
to original Ford specs on a Ford~Heyer strobe machine. He will do this at no
charge. This is a one time offer and is open for two weeks from now. This is
an offer you don't want to miss.
Contact Skip at [email protected] G.M.
WOW ...Class act !! Both Skip & G.M.......
What an offer !
I will be watching this thread closely as when I finally get my Dads 48 pickup finished them I will be starting on my original barnfind 36 pickup.
Good luck & have fun.....
Cheers
Tony
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Old 05-23-2016, 11:25 PM   #12
Flat Ernie
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Quote:
Originally Posted by G.M. View Post
Hi FE, It's good to see that your son is interested in owning and driving the
35 P/U. The mechanical brakes are almost as good as hydraulics if it has soft
shoes good drums and GOOD seals so no grease gets on the drums and the
rods are correctly set. Of course you will teach him not to tail gate and how
to use the engine compression to slow down. I talked to Skip and in support
of this new young driver he has a offered to rebuild the water pumps, provide
a 3 lb check valve, rebuild the coil, clean and adjust the distributor and set it
to original Ford specs on a Ford~Heyer strobe machine. He will do this at no
charge. This is a one time offer and is open for two weeks from now. This is
an offer you don't want to miss.
Contact Skip at [email protected] G.M.
Hi GM - Thank you very much for Skip and your generosity!! I'll get in touch!
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Old 05-24-2016, 06:27 AM   #13
G.M.
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

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Hi GM - Thank you very much for Skip and your generosity!! I'll get in touch!
Good, I'll see he gets them right back to you so the truck
isn't down very long. G.M.
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Old 06-11-2016, 06:09 PM   #14
Flat Ernie
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

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Originally Posted by G.M. View Post
Good, I'll see he gets them right back to you so the truck
isn't down very long. G.M.
Just got my son, myself, and the truck all in the same spot yesterday. I had my son pull the pumps today. I sent a reply to your email a little while ago.

My son is surprised that someone (other than grandpa and I) is excited about him driving an old truck and he asked me (without my prompted) to pass along his thanks to you. So, from my son, "Thank you!"
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Old 06-11-2016, 06:21 PM   #15
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

be sure to keep us posted on the progress, got to keep up the flathead tradition. Had my 8 year old granddaughter here for the last week. she wanted to ride in little red ( 41 3/4 ton) and she shifted the gears like a pro. so went also went for a ride in the 40 wagon--she really liked that and again she shifted the gears for me. my 16 year old grandson did the shifting on these in the past but I lost him to 67 chevell!!.
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Old 05-18-2016, 09:48 AM   #16
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Cool offer!
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Old 05-18-2016, 10:04 AM   #17
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

WOW!! VERY KOOL OFFER!!!
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Old 05-18-2016, 01:18 PM   #18
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

That is a class act! Kudos to Skip & G.M. That kind of support is hard to beat.
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Old 05-19-2016, 04:20 AM   #19
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Default Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Very kind offer.. Good to see things passed on
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Old 05-19-2016, 08:13 AM   #20
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Smile Re: My dad's '35 pickup becoming my son's first car...

Start 'em young. Have 6 grandchildren 5-12 and, well a whole lot more cars/trucks....
When they turn 9, they pick any one they like. Help me restore it, and at 16 they can drive it. When they're responsible enough they can have it. They ALL love it! They look for their own parts at swap meets. Oldest ones drive everything on the farm.
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