I have never written because of a magazine article before. I have been following the build of your '39 with great interest. I myself have a rusty '38 project and have been very interested in seeing how I can learn from your project. I too added IFS to my truck and was faced with the same six-bolt pattern dilemma that you mentioned in your article. You never explained what you did about it and I'm dying to know. I would also like to keep the original pattern and use the OE 16-inch wheels. I have not had any luck in finding any rotors that fit a Mustang II spindle and keep the 6x5.5 pattern. What did you end up doing?
My project is moving much slower than yours, as I only get about one weekend a month. I have quite a mixture of frontend parts: A Speedway crossmember and lower control arms, Thunderbird power rack, and the rest of the suspension is from a Mustang Cobra II. I bought some new five-bolt GM rotors to roll it around on, but to date I have not been able to locate any six-lug options.
I also am finding it a little difficult to find a rearend that is as narrow as the original. My budget probably won't allow me to buy a custom Currie unit like your project. Do you have any information on what vehicle may be a candidate for a salvage yard search for something that narrow?
Randy McNeil
Via the Internet
You're timing couldn't be better-or better yet, my timing couldn't be better for you! As you see, the MII six-lug dilemma has been solved in this very issue, and thanks to CPP, you won't have to break the bank in order to fit those 16s back on your '38. As for a potential rearend candidate (that doesn't sound right ... ), you might want to consider looking into a '90s Nissan Pathfinder (4x4 V-6), Isuzu Trooper (possibly a V-6 Rodeo too), or a Mitsubishi Montero, which I'm told certain models came equipped with 9-inch differentials-and they all have (or should have) the 6x5.5 pattern.
I recently subscribed to CLASSIC TRUCKS in hopes of finding out more information about a certain style of old trucks. I've really flipped for the '60s-70s style trucks, such as the Ford Econoline and Dodge A-100. Something about these style trucks-I've been unable to find a great deal of information about them. Is there a club, website, or truck show where I might start? I was hopeful of purchasing one that might have already been restored. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for any help, and I still enjoy looking through CLASSIC TRUCKS magazine ... maybe one day I'll find some info in there that will be helpful.
Ron
Via the Internet
Ron, I wish that I had the information you're after-but unfortunately, I don't. For whatever reasons, like Chevy Corvair pickups (and even their Sport Vans for that matter), the front-engined style of truck you've taken a liking to are pretty much in a league of their own. Despite not having the support of a big aftermarket parts community like the same-era commercial models do, there is a lot of public interest-just do a Google search. I found Mark's Econoline Page www.wingsisp.com/emboss/econo.htm) right off the bat, which seemed like a great place to start.
I have a '77 Ford F-250 crew cab with a 460 conversion. I am planning on making it a sleeper, but I was wondering why Ford never offered an automatic overdrive transmission for the big-blocks?
Ezekiel Moore Jr.
Leander, Texas
Though I'm pretty far from being a Ford guru, I do know people who are quite versed in all things FoMoCo ...including transmission applications. In regards to an FE family of big-blocks, while the bellhousing pattern differs from that of the AOD trans, there is a way for you to incorporate the two. According to FB Performance Transmissions (www.fbperformance.com) and Lentech Automatics (www.lentechautomatics.com), they both offer custom bellhousing options for their AODs-whether or not they're compatible with "all" AOD transmissions is something you'll have to ask them.