51 Ford

[idrivejunk]

$3,000 exact repro hood-



Of course a corner of the box was raked off.  But its OK. Good place for a crate on that.

[kb426]

Bumper is looking good. At 1st glance, 3 grand for a hood sounds high. Then when you look at what we pay for many other parts, it's kind of in line. I guess that means everything is way higher than it was 5 years ago.

[idrivejunk]

Another hood is available, I'm told. And that it's inner part has an incorrect shape or something though, so no go. Hood in pic firsthand looks to be OE quality. And a major pain to manufacture at that level for that quantity, it must be. Underneath is intricate. Must be a labor of pure Rocket love. The trunk spoiler survived with some fresh glass on top.

Dotted i's, crossed t's and such this afternoon. Bumpers bolted. Pockets quadruple checked then welded to brace on inside corners, tag bolted up, and a dab o' touch up welding / grinding... and I think we're golden. We re-eyeballed and remeasured fenders and I marked for the new mounting holes. When those are off, I'll close in the forward facing portion of the pan where it extends below the pocket. Flat piece, and that'll be all that. Looking to take fenders and bed off to do the front rail & stake caps and beauty treatment there.

So, one more time... with feeling. Back of truck now-

[jaybee]

This one looks like it's getting to the finish work.

[kb426]

Looks good.

[idrivejunk]

[kb426]

That finishes up nicely. On the rounded corner of the removable bumperette, is there a plan to add something to it or just finish it?

[idrivejunk]

No, they are finished. Are you eluding to something which would make the fake bumper look thick on the end, or asking about a side marker or something? Say what you mean, I ain't the shiniest apple in the bushel.

[kb426]

Fake bumper look thick on the end. There's a reason people point at things when conversing. You and I are on the same level. LOL.

[idrivejunk]

Well its like this... it was easiest for me while fitting for that to be a single layer. And if for any reasons, the fit needs to be adjusted on face of part ... during bondo or later if they bump something ... the outer tip can be tapped or pried to compensate and will comply. That joker has to stay flush or it harshes the whole mellow.

Now... during construction I had the same cheesy paper thin bumper end thought and had thoughts of what to do. But along with the adjustability, I grew to like how the thin layer presents a consistent gap appearance from a greater range of angles. Theres no brackets or impact bar behind them so I didn't think we'd fool anyone.

But. If powers that be was to express the same thought, why I'd add some rod at the tip. To fake plate-like thickness. In a heartbeat. But I believe it'd be wisest to do that after the face of the part is filler-worked so that the depths on the face are uniformly established. Like right before poly primer.

Because yeah I do see that. The front is finished that way and people stare but never mention it. Knowing when to quit is something I'm still learning.

[idrivejunk]

[idrivejunk]

[kb426]

Gettin' closer.

[idrivejunk]

Gettin' closer.

All known exterior mods are complete, finished the other side but forgot pic.

Started at inner fenders but stopped myself. My best guess is (boss avoids talk) that my next task is to complete the entire vehicle in mud and primer and kiss metal work goodbye.

[idrivejunk]

Yeah today I sanded gate and a fender. Here are yesterday's afternoon pix-