Meet Carston's "Nuthin' Special" hot rod roadster pickup build thread part 2.

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2017: Meet Carston's "Nuthin' Special" hot rod roadster pickup build thread part 2.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Thursday, November 09, 2017 - 10:55 pm:

Well I think our build bread got a little to long as no one responded to it the last couple of times.

To recap Carston and I started building a little hot rod pickup out of a running 1920 chassis we had, and leftover parts lying around the shop. So far we got the front end sorted out and lowered it 6 inches.

We put the body together from left overs. The body is a 1915 roadster tub welded to a 1926 roadster cowl. The pickup box came from a 1960's hot rod (1927 steel bed cut down 2 feet). Steve Blanchard gave us a tailgate to finish thing off.

Carston is 10 going on 11 and he has been doing about 75% of the work with our guidance. The dangerous stuff where we are doing heavy fab work that he might get hurt Clayton and I do. Carston is learning a lot and having fun working with us on his hot rod truck " Nuthin' Special". To top it off we are trying build this on a really tight budget. Like no budget we are trying with the least amount cash out lay as possible. So far we have spent less then $50.00. Most everything was traded for, given or what was leftover in the junk pile going to the scrap yard.

Our inspiration is Mike Robison's "No Dollar Special"



Many thanks to Clayton Paddison, Tim Williams, Melissa Becker ( Carston's mom) and Rich Briggs for lending a hand when needed.









Oh yeah we are teaching Carston how to start and drive it too!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George n LakeOzark,Missourah on Thursday, November 09, 2017 - 11:33 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 12:09 am:







So newest project for Carston has been sanding the old finish off of the plywood steering Wheel to prep it for restaining and a re varnish.













We started pulling three rear axles apart, two small drum and 1 large drum. We are combining all the good parts of the three to make one good large drum. Carston got good and greasy this day.

We will be Going to Clayton on Sunday to pickup another large drum half so we can assemble next week. We are going to split the wishbones as I have a set that would be perfect to split. Bad theads and boogered up Y where it attaches to backing plate. Also need to do some spring work. Lastly need to build simple panhard bars front and rear. So stay tuned.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 12:24 am:

Here is the link to our original build thread....

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/708324/783970.html?1509331983

Thanks Chris and Carston Becker


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 12:25 am:

Thanks George it has been a fun project with my son.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 01:54 am:

Wonderful stuff!
Enjoy these days.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James G Fisher III Peachtree City, GA on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 05:37 am:

Very cool stuff. Look forward to see him driving it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By FreighTer Jim on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 07:51 am:

Chris,

My favorite thread of the year is the original one & this one.

You are a Good Dad.

Thanks for including us in the build with the great images & narrative.

This would be great to see in The Vintage Ford for those folks who only read the magazine and don’t get on the interweb.

FJ


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Conger - Wyoming on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 09:49 am:

Chris

I can't get enough of this!

wonderful posts

I agree 100% with FreighTer Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Blancard, Fredericksburg Va on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 01:20 pm:

Yep - keep the posts coming Chris. I really enjoy following.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Duey_C on Friday, November 10, 2017 - 08:47 pm:

Thanks you two! You guys know we love this stuff!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Saturday, November 11, 2017 - 12:48 am:

We will we've been wrenching on a stupid 1996 F250. Started as a dimple water pump replacement. In the process the timing cover got broken so I ended up having to replace it. So that is hat is what is stealing our time working on Nuthin' Special. I thank you guys for watching our thread Carston enjoys hearing your commentary. And by all means if the Vintage Ford Magazine would like to use our thread it would really cool. Gonna try and work on it Saturday a little bit.

We did mockup some seat springs out of Tin Tillie our 1919 touring. Dale I think the springs you have for us will work perfect.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Blancard, Fredericksburg Va on Saturday, November 11, 2017 - 08:07 am:

Hey Chris, quit hogging the keyboard ;-) Let Carsten tell us what he's doing on it!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, November 17, 2017 - 06:19 pm:





Thought I would post a teaser of last nights quick job of making split bones for the rear axle. I am going to help Carston type up this post in his words. But I need to setup his tablet. He did quite a bit of making the rod ends so we can weld them together.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Rogers - South of the Adirondacks on Friday, November 17, 2017 - 07:11 pm:

Look at those dirty hands- nice!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, November 17, 2017 - 08:19 pm:

Tim here is another dirty hand picture of Carston when we were lapping the intake valves on our 1907 Holsman


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Andreasen on Friday, November 17, 2017 - 08:23 pm:

That is one lucky little boy.........to have a Dad and mentor to guide him through life! He will grow up to be a wonderful, responsible adult who knows how to use his hands.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, November 17, 2017 - 08:50 pm:

And get super dirty hands!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gary hammond-Forest, Va on Friday, November 17, 2017 - 09:11 pm:

Looking good!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, November 17, 2017 - 11:53 pm:



So last night we went the shop and we made up some rods with threads on it. Dad helped me with my hack sawing skills. Mom got in and helped to. We also made threads on one rod. We then grim joint and locknuts on and then called it a night.



safety first!!!



Tonight we went over to the shop again. We did some more hack sawing. Then dad took up his gas welder and usher the rods we made last night and then welded them up. We finished up the split wishbones. Next is on to finishing the rear axle. Hopefully before next Sunday when Clayton comes over to help put it in.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Saturday, November 18, 2017 - 12:04 am:

Not grim joints supposed to be hiem joints. And it was supposed to be pushed the rods into the radius rod end... stupid auto correct


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Blancard, Fredericksburg Va on Saturday, November 18, 2017 - 07:12 pm:

Lol - great work Carsten, keep the updates coming!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Duey_C on Saturday, November 18, 2017 - 08:18 pm:

Yeah Carsten, I figured auto-correct got ya.
How's it feel to be posting on a model T site that's viewed all over this planet?
Kinda cool mom comes out to the shop, ain't it?
Thanks you folks!
Shoot, I've been blind-sided by the term Heim joint before. To me, they will always be "spherical rod ends".


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Saturday, November 18, 2017 - 10:22 pm:

Thanks Steve will do!

Duey....Carston say it awesome possum to be seen worldwide. He also says he is very happy to have his mom help with our project....most of the time


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Sunday, November 19, 2017 - 11:18 pm:

This evening spent a couple of hours cleaning a main leaf for a rear spring. Next weekend we are going to try and reverse the eyes with a huydraulic press.

The goal for next weekend is to replace the bad axle and spring set with a good axle reverse eye de- arched spring pack. Hopefully lowering the back about 3-4 inches. After that build simple pan hard bars for front and rear axles.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Sunday, November 19, 2017 - 11:38 pm:

Finally finished the truck I have been working so now Carston and I can get back to business!



This show we left her this evening


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - 01:15 am:

So an hour was spent together staining the plywood steering wheel we have on the Nuthin' Special. Should have used gloves oh well both of our hands are stained a Cabernet red!













We were given some model T taillights not sure years but they will work perfectly for the back of the T. Spent a few minutes discussing where to put them on the car.





Think we decided where they will go..... stayed tuned for the next installment......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Rogers - South of the Adirondacks on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - 08:50 am:

Won't be long before he has his driver's license. I will want to see a video of him wheeling into his high school...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - 08:59 am:

Yeah Tim don't rush it. I am not ready to be that old yet.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 10:41 pm:

Carston approval.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 10:42 pm:

Well this weekend was whirlwind of refurbishing a rear axle. Clayton Carston and Melissa and myself met up for breakfast. After breakfast Carston and Melissa had 4-h stuff going on so I had all day to myself. Rich also came over to help. His wife just had shoulder surgery and I think he was getting stir crazy. When Rich showed up he started in pulling the ball cap bolts while Clayton and I pulled the rear spring U bolts. after we dropped the axle Rich and I split the cases to inspect the internals. First thing we found was babbit thrust washers. The other thing we found was pinion and ring were heavily pitted.
We pulled the ring gear off and replaced it with better one and new bronze thrust washer. Then proceeded to put everything back together. So that is were I am at right now.
I Am still working on the lab are bar. Still needs some work. It getting there.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 10:44 pm:

Not lab bar but panhard bar


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 11:06 pm:

We tore three axles apart to get enough parts for one good large drum rear axle. Now I need to fabricate mourning plates for the frame to attach the split wish bones to. We started to reverse the eyes on the rear spring in the hydraulic press. We used a junk spring to see if we could do it and ended up breaking when we were almost done. So we now know we can reverse the eyes. So next Saturday or Sunday we are going to do the good main leaf and re assemble the spring pack. Just put in the refurbished rear axle. Glad we checked as we were told it had new bronze thrust washers and we found good. A bit ones. Put in new bronze washers, good to go.

Thanks, Clayton, Rich, and Carston for all your help.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Duey_C-west central, MN on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - 12:42 am:

Fantastic progress!
We be watchin' you folks!
How'd you get the bronze thrust washer so quickly done and fitted?
Interested to see your lab bar (Panhard)... ;-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - 07:58 am:

Bronze thrust washers I have were the size as my babbit ones. To be honest we didn't check the clearances very good long as everything meshed, looked and no binding we were good to go. The only thing we changed was the crown gear and that we moved from a bad third member with lots of pitting and bad axle key ways and stripped threads to a good one that was nice and clean. Then we took the matching pinion gear and driveshafts ( didn't touch the driveshaft assembly) fit it real quick, did a quick visual said ok and put it together. It might be a little noisey but it's fine by me. I will get pic of the lab bar when I get to the shop this evening.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - 11:00 pm:

nice project for the kid. nice to have a dad to get him involved, i wish you the best. maybe one kid now will not devote his life to starring at a cell phone


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Braddock - SW Kansas on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - 11:36 pm:

How about a quick lesson on reversing the eye and also de-arching the springs? Am lowering my roadster and am interested in the process. How much length do you gain eye to eye by de-arching 4"?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Thursday, November 30, 2017 - 07:53 am:

Clayton it has so far been a fun project. I enjoy working with Carston on the T with him he picks thing up so fast.

Randy as soon as we can this weekend try another albeit much better spring then the we started with will let you know the process and dimensions when we are successful . Right now we know we can do it but broke the junk spring in the process so don know the final results yet.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, December 01, 2017 - 01:16 am:

More painting tonight. Only had and hour. So that is what Carston and I did was paint. Cleaned and painted the new rearend and started painting parts on the front end.

I also burned out a couple more plates for the split bones.













Also burned out two more plates for split bones



Then we had sweet tooth craving and ended up a Starbucks for peppermint hot chocolates



Melissa photo bombed us as we we're taking a selfie.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, December 01, 2017 - 01:16 am:

More painting tonight. Only had and hour. So that is what Carston and I did was paint. Cleaned and painted the new rearend and started painting parts on the front end.

I also burned out a couple more plates for the split bones.













Also burned out two more plates for split bones



Then we had sweet tooth craving and ended up a Starbucks for peppermint hot chocolates



Melissa photo bombed us as we we're taking a selfie.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, December 01, 2017 - 01:19 am:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Friday, December 01, 2017 - 08:56 am:

Duey - we also finished up the panhard bar. Made it out junk parts from the scrap bin.










Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Evan in Paso Robles on Friday, December 01, 2017 - 09:04 pm:

Wow, I just got the new Hemmings Motor News and low and behold the "Nutin Special" and crew are in the front slick pages!!!! Way Cool!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Duey_C-west central, MN on Friday, December 01, 2017 - 11:25 pm:

Hemmings? Very cool yous guys.
I'll have to let a buddy know to look at your project! He's more mail order than internet and gets the Hemmings.
Panhard bar: Interesting the bar is part of the way back on the "radius rod", yet I get it. :-)
It had been suggested that a Panhard bar could even help some of us "street stock" T (hehehehehe!) guys too so always looking for more! Very cool and thank you.
That's really looking good you folks! Doggone it. NO thinner on the skin, NO paint on the skin. It'll soak in. Yuk.
Like the ground wire on the genny Chris.
Carsten, sorry you had to grow up around this old stuff. ;-) Thank you for liking it. :-)
It's pretty neat, ain't it?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Saturday, December 02, 2017 - 05:08 pm:

Evan, was that December or January issue of Hemings motor news?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Evan in Paso Robles on Saturday, December 02, 2017 - 05:52 pm:

Hello Chris,

It was the January 2018 issue that just arrived. If you want to PM me with your address I will mail my copy to you for a keepsake.

Evan


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Saturday, December 02, 2017 - 11:50 pm:

Will do pm sent


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Govoni Fredericksburg, VA on Sunday, December 03, 2017 - 09:20 am:

I just got to the story in HMN. As soon as I saw it I said "Hey I know those guys!" Great story and a lot of fun to read on the forum.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, December 05, 2017 - 12:47 am:

Well Sunday was spent re arching the rear spring. For Evan in Paso Robles California, I went ahead and documented the process.

First step take your spring pack apart.

Our next step was to lay the spring in a price of cardboard and get an original outline of main leaf arches before we started pressing the spring around.



We didn't have an anvil on the bottom of rod ( bottom of the bottle jack). We made our anvil out of a piece of black pie and 1 inch tee plus achingly 3/4 square rod welded to the bottom of the tee.



With the anvil made and the patter laid out, we took the spring and with a sharpie we laid our press point along the spring at 1" intervals. These were done on the main arch with center hole and further down the spring towards the eyes. You can see our sharpie marks towards the center hole.



Now it's press time. One person holds the spring while the other runs the press.

So basically you go back and forth across the spring pushing down with the press till the spring is totally flat. Then you flip it over and start going in reverse an out the arches back. Thus reversing your spring eyes. When pushing the spring to de arch it and then rear he it you have to push the spring past it's normal line of deflection (push it almost to breaking point and then back off. Check against pattern repeat till spring Eyes are on top of spring rather bottom ( gives you 2.5 inches of drop)



You will probably have to cut and reshape the ends of the secondary leaf as now it is too long to fit between the spring eyes.

Finally revolt the spring pack together. And the install in car.



Total time reverse the eyes took. About 4.5 hours. Stay away from the center hole as it is your weakest point.

Thanks Rich N' Clayton for the help


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, December 05, 2017 - 12:48 am:

Now Carston and I can go over and do final assembly and put cotter pin in.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees _____Tax Capital, NY on Tuesday, December 05, 2017 - 06:11 am:

Chris, good pics showing and telling how it's done.

When you get it all back together, you need to do another side shot (preferably on the same spot the original was taken) as posted above on Nov 11 and post them one on top of each other so we can see the comparison.

Great job from both of you, and Clayton and Rich too, this little pickup has become my inspiration for my next project build (like I need another). I really dig the look of it, especially that wonderful side shot.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Tuesday, December 05, 2017 - 08:28 am:

Chad thanks it a fun throw together. Perfect project to do with Carston and a bunch friends.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 11:49 am:

Well finally got the "Nuthin' Special" back on it wheel. Installed the new and improved reversed eye spring we made. Went to shop yesterday bolted up the ball joint on the tour we tube. Changed out the spring perches from early tall one to late barrel style ones. With these conversions we 4" of drop in the rear. We bolted up the split wishbones and started to see how we need to modify the brake rod hangers that go over the split radius rods. Also four some more tube out of the floor to get seat lower per Clayton Paddison's ideas.



We also wanted a cool battery box. Well I work for a local family run dairy ( Alpenrose Dairy opened in1916) as Commercial CDL delivery driver. The owner Carl Cadanua gave us a 1966 wood and metal milk crate to use to store the battery in. Had to cut some of the wire out ( had spots for 6 half gallon glass bottles) ad now the battery has home.





So we will be back at the shop today bolting in the radius rod bracket to the frame. Stay tuned...,,


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Duey_C-west central, MN on Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 06:21 pm:

Very cool you guys. 4" drop in the rear? Nice.
Oh oh. Looks like 1 by 2 tubing for body framework. I don't feel so alone anymore. :-)
And what a cool battery box!
Thanks for updating. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 07:39 pm:



Just about wrapped up rear suspension. Did some more work in the seating. Also fixed the windsheild so it folds out. Will do some more in the evenings this week.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 12:26 am:

Finally our schedules kinda matched for an hour today. So our job today was putting on parking brake shoes. Carston got a crash course on how to take the wheels and drums off. We put on the brake shoes the reversed the process till it was sitting on all fours again. Still need to put new axle oil seals on and cotter key everything.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott on Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 01:16 am:

Outstanding work. Love the stance. That is one lucky kid


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James G Fisher III Peachtree City, GA on Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 07:39 am:

Very cool. Great foundation for a young life.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 08:59 am:

Thanks guys it is slowly getting there. Once we have the rearend done I think we will get it painted blue.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 10:08 pm:

Saw the nice write up done by David Conwill of Hemmings Motor News. Thanks David we really enjoyed reading about our project. thanks Evan for sending us a copy.


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