1956 F100 (Project Fat Max) Build Thread

[Dr G]

Some progress pics...

Since I am increasing caster, it seemed reasonable that the load on the power steering would be increased. So I've added a power steering fluid cooler. Here is a pic of the steel shroud I fab'd up to direct air to the Earl's cooler:



The cooler is situated behind what Ford calls the "gravel pan". I am busy now plumbing it into the pump and rack.



Air is directed to the cooler via holes in the gravel pan:





In terms of maximizing air flow to the cooler, this is not optimum, but not bad. The bumper will get in the way to some extent, and I'm not ready yet to punch holes in that like Rob did.



Because my new control arms push the front wheels forward both to increase the wheelbase 1" and some more to increase caster, I had to move the rack forward and up. This was a bitch to figure out. I think I got it close, but ultimately I will need to measure the bump steer to know for sure.

The original rack was mounted on these pylons:



The easiest way I could think of to make new mounts was to enclose these pylons with new bigger pylons. Here they are welded up on the bench:



And here they are welded onto the (wimpy) subframe:



I've also finished the lower control arms and had the rubber bushings pressed in. I did a mock install today:



More to come... Gustave