51 Ford

[idrivejunk]

I haven't made it to the bumper trying yet... You were warned.

These are so raw they are still bleeding. I was interrupted by hunger/chores but the idea mill went runaway once I blipped it. Sat to scribble just two reminder words and had this before getting up and you can tell I was wanting to get gone.



This one started with seeing if a 67 Tbird is also too wide. Everything is. Center section could be trimmed for width, bumper maybe part used, etc... then everything the pencil put started going ponycar.



Call that a cart of ore and check it for nuggets. Oops... said a food word. Hungry again but I'll see about the bow and canoe bumpers once I mend  

[jaybee]

OMG, one of those trucks is swallowing a Mustang!

Your imagination is awesome, lots of cool, out of the box ideas.

[kb426]

More thinking.

[idrivejunk]

Several attempts at somehow using just the big grille bar there, or two. Far out wild crap. Sprucing up a 56 grille not yet tried yet, and I intend to explore bumper swap potential. Right now I hear a bird singing and boy thats been awhile.

[kb426]

I have had some thoughts but they all revolve around available parts. Like a 61 Chrysler quad headlight and grille assembly. I won't be willing to spend too much on some of the old parts I'd like to use. I think the mid 50's grille can be found for a couple of hundred dollars. That is where I may end up. The double headlight on the stock grille bar is a possible. Duplicating a mustang gt look is a possible.

[idrivejunk]

Input acknowledged.

Wish I'd thought of this one before-

97-02 Ford van front bumper. Bumper might be smooth enough under textured plastic lower cladding shown, to use bare and painted. Does away with the valance or most of it and tips of fender extensions and justifies merging those to fenders. And I bet the back bumper would fly with it. It was the thought of the day, intriguing enough to crudely render.

No promises on proportion but this looks real tempting to me at the moment with all things that I retain considered. I started off to gather canoe and bow bumper pics and this just leaped off the screen at me. The curve of it caught my eye but with the 56 grille boy it really just kinda falls in place looking right at home. In this imagination.

Somebody must have thought of it already and the van bumper must have played a subconscious part in what I came up with for the F-1 because theres a great deal of similarity.

[idrivejunk]

I have had some thoughts but they all revolve around available parts. Like a 61 Chrysler quad headlight and grille assembly. I won't be willing to spend too much on some of the old parts I'd like to use. I think the mid 50's grille can be found for a couple of hundred dollars. That is where I may end up. The double headlight on the stock grille bar is a possible. Duplicating a mustang gt look is a possible.

Is there a build out there with the carnut lights or do I need to plug one in so you can see that? Seems like I've seen it but maybe not on a 51. I would be all over it if thats available. Theres something to that stretched grille bar but only if one likes that phantom kind of look. The Tbird grille, if it fit was gonna be trick but naw. I have yet to satisfactorily depict the 68 Mustang look thing. The Mustang style infusion just sounds like trouble at the meets, as you see above folks would be quick to make sport of it.

If you do canted stacked lights, what do you picture in between... is it a 56 grille center, a couple 51 uprights, or...  :?:

[kb426]

This is a copy of the original that was done in the 60's. I can't remember the name of it.

[enjenjo]

A lot of guys would cant the front of the front fenders in at about the same angle as the headlights.

[idrivejunk]

This is a copy of the original that was done in the 60's. I can't remember the name of it.

Off the top of my head, turn that whole assembly upside down. I wasn't listening good, you said grille too.

As for the truck shown... with that assembly... it stands out and screams "Not stock" and looks real period kustom. To me, its a clash. I can't say the truck is any better of a place for it than from whence it came. The grille and truck kinda have to be digested with a smoke in between, like cole slaw and  truffles or something. Jack Daniels in Pepsi, etc. Seperate, each is better. To me. I sure dig the arrangement but on trucks it always troubled me. I can't say what it might look good on.

I concur with enjenjo though, and a little of that might go a long way. Thats something I can play with if the wild canted lamps are in your heart. Potential and merit words do apply to the idea but theres work to be done, IMHO.

The bumper swap could be thought through seperately. Really, if you pick either a grille or bumper first, that may assist in selecting the other.

Bill I know you'll have an eye out for a van to stare at for a few moments, just in case. A little tape measure action could go-ahead or cull that one right fast but I can see a heap of logic in it if dimensions jive or come close. Of course if the mental picture does nothing for you, shake that off and keep thinking. If it is viable, while mild mannered in appearance theres a simplicity home run to be had. With great function, modern availability, and a possibly unique approach for the F truck.

Simmer over medium low heat, see if it makes the house smell good. I think I am probably supposed to hang doors tomorrow but ought to just cut that fender first thing. I really need to see the truck not look crooked. Thats a segway

I was gonna post that pic on the F6 thread but figured the convo was here.  

[idrivejunk]

I put doors and a fender on. Front 3 bolt holes don't line up and hinge pins are a contortionist act. If someday someone in power says to me the front end is crooked, I'll "worry" about that then.



This fender sticking out, same thing.



This looks like an issue.



This is how bed to cab clearance turned out.



No more parts laying around is my goal.



What is after this, I don't know. Patches needed at top rear corners of front fenders at firewall.

[enjenjo]

Looks like if you slid the bed back a bit it might take care of several problems.

[kb426]

I just went outside with a 4' straight edge. The f6 cab is as good as an undamaged cab as we may find. It's not flat. I agree with Frank.

[idrivejunk]

I didn't see a problem with the bed to cab clearance, looks stock to me. Tell me what you guys are seeing. "Several" concerns me. :?

[kb426]

I think it's too close to the cab. If I have time tomorrow, I will measure the 51 to see what I did. My 1st thought was you were referring to the cab and bed not being parallel . That's why I checked the curvature of the f6. What did I miss?