1961 big window project

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 26, 2014, 7:38 pm

Bought a 61 shortbed unibody big window...have wanted a red and white one for years.. has some rust but think that's pretty much the norm these days..plans are jag front end..explorer rear.. 08 mustang bullitt motor with ford racing cams and a 5 speed..

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 26, 2014, 9:22 pm

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 26, 2014, 9:23 pm

simonscr · Post by **simonscr** » March 26, 2014, 11:05 pm

Very nice. I would love to get a short bed unibody someday!

I like the two tone red and white. Are you going to paint it when you do your mods, or run it with the patina?

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 27, 2014, 7:16 am

Paint will come last...it's going to be a driver along the way

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 27, 2014, 7:18 am

Who are you guys using to chrome grille's ? I have a nice 61 painted would like to have chrome

stronger66ratfink · Post by **stronger66ratfink** » March 27, 2014, 9:49 am

did you find your answer on the chrome work?
I'm sure you can find a local place or kind of local in Missouri!

love the two tone also

my 61 3/4 ton

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » March 27, 2014, 5:28 pm

I`m pretty sure Ezer knows of a chrome plater in MO !, very nice uni by the way!

62bigwindow · Post by **62bigwindow** » March 27, 2014, 6:19 pm

Looks like a nice solid truck to start with.Where are you located? There are some chrome shops in St Louis.Hav'nt tried them but I also have a painted 61 grill that I want to get chromed.There are a few platers that show up at the swap meet in Columbia in February.Keep us posted if you find someone and I will do the same.

luckystiff · Post by **luckystiff** » March 28, 2014, 12:24 am

sounds like your flowing the same line as mine. i notched the jag crossmember 3" into the rails to get the ride height i wanted. flipped the explorer rear on top of the springs/2" blocks/pulled a coupla leaves. step notched the rear as with all of the above the the rear sat about half way into the rail. i used the Welder Series notch but would probably make my own.

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 28, 2014, 6:15 am

I'm in sw Missouri... going to check with a chrome place I heard about in a small town near by.. the truck has a polished grille on it but it has some bad areas .. just scored the jag front.. hope to do the front/ rear swap soon..going to try to get the jag hubs redrilled to a small ford pattern.. don't think I will notch my frame just mount it straight to it

stronger66ratfink · Post by **stronger66ratfink** » March 28, 2014, 8:15 am

try powder coaters also,
they have a chrome like powder that would look good and I'm thinking it might be cheaper?

Toyz · Post by **Toyz** » March 28, 2014, 11:19 am

My verdict is still not in on the powder coating! Third try with different powders and still deteriorated in areas while stored. Looked great originally! Plating down here is extremely expensive! Skip found another plater across town we'll try, and someone messages me on FB about a new spray operation they are preparing to offer.
Paul

luckystiff · Post by **luckystiff** » March 28, 2014, 1:27 pm

streetrods wrote:I'm in sw Missouri... going to check with a chrome place I heard about in a small town near by.. the truck has a polished grille on it but it has some bad areas .. just scored the jag front.. hope to do the front/ rear swap soon..going to try to get the jag hubs redrilled to a small ford pattern.. don't think I will notch my frame just mount it straight to it

if you can't find anyone to redrill the jag hubs it's way easier to get the 8.8 axles in chevy pattern to match the front. if you do find someone local to redrill the jag hubs you may also want to have them turn down the centers on the hubs as they are to large for most oem wheels(steelies and such). if you plan to run aftermarket wheels it's not an issue. another thing to note is the explorer rear is about 3" narrower than the stock rear. i'm going to just run adapters from ford to chevy pattern out back which will also push the track back out some. that coupled with 8" wide 4" backspace wheels should put the wheels centered up nice. so if you plan to just use the rear as is be prepared to run rear wheels with alot of offset. i have 15x8s 4"backspace on there for mock up and with 235/75/15 the tire is VERY close to rubbing the inner fenderwell. i mean like 1/4" close.

moser and about a dozen others can send you explorer axles with 5x4 3/4 pattern.

to give you an idea here's mine mocked up with 235/75/15 on all four corners. front will be 205/70/15 when final wheels go on so front will be about an inch lower.....

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 28, 2014, 3:21 pm

Yeah but I already have the wheels... don't think it will be a problem if I have to I can run an adapter.. I used a 94 mustang 8.8 in my last f100... this one is getting 20x10s in the back.. truck will be lower than this.

Post by **foodstick** » March 28, 2014, 7:40 pm

man, I like the way the truck above looks right now...

streetrods · Post by **streetrods** » March 29, 2014, 2:08 pm

No luck on local chrome place... epa is running them out of business

1961 big window project

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