The power moves into a custom-built Hughes torque converter nestled in a Super Bell explosion-proof bell housing, then goes into a B&M C-4 with a deep pan and external thermostat-controlled cooling fans. Oops! The C-4 is strong, compact, and lightweight, but it only has three speeds!
This required the installation of a Gear Vendors Underdrive/Overdrive unit! This provides six forward speeds, including overdrive. Now the transmission and overdrive tail piece is considerably longer than the original setup and requires a new transmission mount. I am forced to modify the frame X-bracing, move the transmission mount location, and shorten and rebalance the driveshaft. Building a Hot Rod is like pushing over the dominoes in a line—one thing leads to another, to another, and soon causes another fitment issue, and on and on it goes! The setup of this powertrain took me several years—I am still employed, so free time is not plentiful. Some of the labor required leaving the country, so the truck sat idle for some long periods. When I started up again, I was very worried about the motor sitting dead for all that time. But, as a good friend advised, “they never forget what they were born to do!” Charge the oil pump, new battery, and Wow! It didn’t forget—I have a roller!
The body now goes back on after a “few” modifications and adjustments, including integral grey-tint tempered glass, closing the many cab pinholes, new floorboards, new inner engine room panels, and a new firewall. The bench seat and riser were left intact as I placed all the computers, battery, audio amps, and fuse blocks under the seat. In an early small truck, space is really at a premium! Besides, I wanted all switches, controls, and receptacles hidden in the front riser beneath the seat—no switches in the dashboard—clean!
Termites had long ago feasted on the wood frame cushioning under the cab and bed! Fortunately, my father, once owner of a ’51 Ford “Shoebox” with a hot, multi-carbed flattie, was a retired cabinet maker and closet hot rodder, much to my mother’s constant dismay. He measured, designed, and cut all the new wood for the underpinnings—some tricky angles and dovetails.
Then a new issue appeared with the rear frame narrowed 12 inches—none of the bed mounts were of any use. The bottom of the bed has been re-braced and Alston wheel tubs incorporated into the sides. A whole new set of anchors had to be installed—but the tailgate still worked! Trim and detail develop next, unless some other modification does not wish to fit as advertised!
