Crab's '63 bagged and ragged Ranch Wagon

several yrs ago a book was printed about a green ford wagon maybe 62 or 63 i think t was a George poteet car. i believe iy
t had an air ride technologies system . you might wanna find a copy for the pics and info

 

Wiring for all the modules is almost complete.


Large pile waiting to go into the car.


Subframe connectors.


Couldn't source a fuel tank, so I'll be using this Jeep one.


Hit the undercarriage with the needle scaler. So much detritus... Mice were all up in the remnants of the headliner. Tough to continue this punishment while finding comparatively great deals on Craigslist.


Front sub is now installed in the car.


Task list is a smattering of everything with no order of when it's to be accomplished, so everything is done at the same time. Dash now modified for Meteor stuff.


Picked up some cheap tires and slapped on the mickies.


Lots of details being worked on before installation of major components is final. It will be a great day when paint finally goes in this engine bay and under the car.


The headers require several revisions for clearance.


Radiused the fenders and testing suspension articulation/clearance.

 

I was wondering when you'd check in. The frame has plenty of meat to weld/bolt to?

 

Ditto. Nice work. You were showing some of the airplane/helicopter additions you put in your cars. Which made me think of you when I saw this. Proof there can be too much of a cool thing:

 

The only area of concern is the driver's rear torque box area. I will probably end up doubling the size of the boxes out to the subframe connectors.
I'm not sure what Ford was thinking...

 

It was the bean counters, the "Whiz Kids," interfering with the engineers.

 

Still struggling with getting the engine into the car. I've realized that I'm going to need the generation 1 version of the Mark VIII intake manifold in order to clear the hood.
Here's a shot of the big fun around the starter.


finish swapping the pedal assembly and master cylinder from the newer explorer. Unfortunately no room for a power booster.


Some progress has been made on getting fuel into the car. Jeep Wrangler tank shenanigans...




Found a fallen longroof that had a 3rd row that was too close a match to leave behind.


After a quick narrowing job to the frames...

 

That back seat looks like it fits nicely.

 

My shop is just full of boxes and totes of stuff for this car. I've never had so much debris from a build before. It's kind of overwhelming and hard to keep track of. In the process, realized I was missing the cargo flap for the 2nd row. This piece is very heavy steel and Impossible to source. Well, 55crownvic did me a solid and somehow grabbed one for me. That guy RULES.

Aside from trying to force the engine and its new home, I've just been amassing tons of little bits an odd and ends that somehow take all of my time just in getting ahold of them. All new mirrors (Falcon inside mirror), antenna, carpet, upholstery things, electrical parts, seat belts, etc...

 

The vacuum booster may not fit, nor a Hydroboost, but there is a self-contained brake booster system that uses the brake fluid to pressurize the booster. But I forget what it's called, but it may fit in that narrow space.

 

My 1970 Opel GT had the cylinder with booster mounted on the bulkhead, instead of on the firewall. There's nothing that says a mastercylinder couldn't be mounted further away, using a long pushrod or even a slave cylinder.
Once you have the following page open, the image will enlarge, when you move the cursor over it. You'll have to give it time to load up first, though, if your connection is slow: https://www.visualopel.com/product-page/opel-gt-master-cylinder

I've even seen units mounted sideways. But, can't yet remember which cars had that. Probably, something French like a Citroen. The master cylinder doesen't care where it's mounted in the car

 

Ivy's right. I usually see them on Dodge, and older Ford, vans where the booster and M/C are turned 90*. So if that (and the car above) can be done, something can be engineered for the Crab Wagon.

 

Crab's smart enough to pull it off. No brainers like that are at the bottom of the Totem Pole of Worries

 

I believe there is also a kit available for first gen Bronco's that allows for a power brake booster to be installed, although I don't think it turns 90* but more like 45* from the firewall.