Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Tony,

Thankyou for the photos. I will copy them for now and print them to give to engineers when the chassis is sent in for work. I have requested and been granted a week of annual leave for the week starting 23rd this month. That is when I plan to deliver chassis for the blasting & rear member.

If the new piece is placed in the same position as your photos (location of rear spring hanger), there should be enough chassis rail behind so that the end looks correct...........ish!

I do have a tow pintle assembly, with all pieces complete and unmolested. It mustn't be off this truck originally, as EVERYTHING on this poor old thing has been buggerised some way! Thankfully not irretrievably buggerised for the most part.

At first glance.............and possibly second glance as well, this vehicle looked like just a collection of junk, but it does have a number of redeeming features, in that some parts that would normally be difficult to find, were present and part of the sale. For example: Pintle assembly, Very good spare wheel carrier, tool box (not perfect but very restorable), wheel hub nut removal tool (and others as well), Near perfect grille and of course the door top canvases that were a good starting point for patterns.

When I started this rebuild, I had intended to return everything to original specifications, but over time it became apparent that this would greatly delay many stages of the process. In some instances, originality was forsaken in preference of functionality and safety. E.G: Seatbelts will be installed, 12 volt electrics being considered, stone guard used in several places including inside rear lower cab panel, and of course the addition of insulation for heat and noise where possible. In other cases, this was simply a matter of convenience. Some of the fastener hardware would be a good example of that.

These changes are regretable on one level, but for longevity of the vehicle and to increase productivity (mine, not the truck) these decisions were arrived at. I would expect that the new rear chassis member will also look different to how it should, because the height of chassis rail will be increased at new location. Even though it won't be a surprise to see the finished product, it will be unfortunate to see that happen none the less. Still, at least it will be sound and presentable.
front end off 2.jpg front end off 1.jpg front end off 3.jpg
I did get the front end off last Sunday. No problems in doing so, but the very front cross member didn't want to be changed, and I still have one or two of the rivets to remove, before I can change that for a better one I have.
crossmembers small.jpg
It came with the portion of chassis that was attached to the engine I bought about 100 years ago now. Will need to swap the nose panel attachment point, because the good member has the bad point, and the bad member has the good point (well better, at least). Doesn't the chassis look ridiculous with the smaller diameter wheels and axle on front!

As you can see from the photos, steering is off, as is the steering box mount itself. Next week, the plan is to go get the second axle that will replace the rear end, and swap them over on Sunday. I'll finish getting the front cross member off also. The 'new' one will be bolted in place to keep as much of the chassis strength while it is being transported, in several weeks time.

Still not found the chassis number anywhere, and I have been looking!