Beachin' 1953 ford ranch wagon

[chokasurfin]

Just started to finally dig into the 1953 Ranch Wagon which I have been wanting to build for some time now. The plans are to attach a gen 2 camaro front clip along with some other suspension modifications. Will be powered by a 5.3 Chevy ls motor which will receive a carb conversion with a Holley 670 street avenger and will be backed by a 700r4 transmission putting power through most likely an 8.8 inch rear. I also plan to switch the dash for a 1954 ford unit. Other than this I plan to restore most everything else to it's original form, save for my wheel selection which is yet to be determined.

[chokasurfin]

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[chokasurfin]

The original frame now joined with a 1977 camaro z28 crossmember equipped with a 13 to 1 high ratio steering box and a 1.2 inch solid swaybar. Still have some welding and bracing to finish.101643

[1966longroof]

Always like a Wagon. Should be an interesting build. Keep the pix coming. Additionally, where you located?

[chokasurfin]

I am out of Fresno. As can be seen the car has some definite rust issues but nothing overwhelming. I have been welding in small patches and pinholes here and there, still trying to decide what all to do myself and what to simply buy patch panels for.101645101646101647101648

[chokasurfin]

Finally got some time to work on it again and finished up both sides of the frame, ended up looking pretty good for a subframe swap I think. Now to clean up the rest of the frame, paint it, and then throw the body back on to figure placement of the engine and transmission.101685101686101687

[chokasurfin]

I have a 10 bolt out of a 1964 chevelle which I have laying around that measures 59.5" hub to hub that should do the trick with an inch of backspacing on each wheel if my measurements are correct. Now I am just trying to decide whether to go with the leaf springs, which would involve buying new springs, cutting all the mounts off of the axle, and welding on perches, or just fab up the chevelle 4-link which seems to be a tempting option to me at the moment.101817

[chokasurfin]

Out with the old and in with the new! Rear disk brakes off of a 3rd Gen camaro are going to be installed soon. For the moment I am going to use the original Springs for the sake of simplicity and budget with the intention of ultimately installing composite leafs in their place. 101999