All MetalShaping

Go Back   All MetalShaping > Metal Shaping Projects > Automotive Projects
  Today's Posts Posts for Last 7 Days Posts for Last 14 Days  

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-16-2017, 05:36 PM
draxler1374 draxler1374 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Hewitt, Central Wisconsin
Posts: 30
Default 1950 Chevy Truck Forward Tilt Hood

Does anyone have experience with converting to a forward tilt hood on the 1950 Chevy Truck body style? Is there a kit available? Can it be done safely and strong?
__________________
John L. Draxler
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-16-2017, 07:39 PM
cliffrod cliffrod is offline
MetalShaper of the Month January 2020, March 2022
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 2,845
Default

No direct experience, only that there was a 40? Ford pick-up street rod local to me converted to a tilt front in true shade tree fashion. Basically, all they did was very minimal trimming for clearance, weld the panels together, hinge the front and cut it loose at the back. Not a good idea.

Lots of repairs had been made around the hinges. It was heavy and without dampening was very scary to handle- both opening and closing. I sure didn't want to work under it.... I expect your truck's front end would be even heavier.

Now, a tilt aluminum front end would be a whole different story and very cool....
__________________
AC Button II
http://CarolinaSculptureStudio.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzSYaYdis55gE-vqifzjA6A Carolina Sculpture Studio Channel
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-17-2017, 12:12 AM
crystallographic crystallographic is offline
MetalShaper of the Month October '14 , April '16, July 2020, Jan 2023
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Sierra Nevadas, Badger Hill, CA
Posts: 4,388
Default

I've given the hood thing some thought over time and I still like the Cad V16 side-to-side design. Latches on both sides also act as hinges. Release both sides to remove hood. Nice design.

I should think that the forward tilt would be to work up a pair of husky barrel hinges and some reinforcements inside the hood and along the core support to carry the loads. Tons of gas struts to choose from, these days.
__________________
Kent

http://www.tinmantech.com

"All it takes is a little practical experience to blow the he!! out of a perfectly good theory." --- Lloyd Rosenquist, charter member AWS, 1919.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-17-2017, 10:41 AM
Raidmagic Raidmagic is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Brandon, Fl.
Posts: 3
Default

Hit your local junkyard and check out mid to late 80's Buick Park Avenue hoods and their hinge systems. They attach forward and the front of the hood lifts up a few inches then the whole thing pulls forward and lifts from the back. It's a great set up and would be easily adaptable to most anything you wanted to make a flip hood one. It's a nice feature to have the front of the hood lift before flipping. Helps with clearance.
__________________
Steve
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-17-2017, 10:44 AM
draxler1374 draxler1374 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Hewitt, Central Wisconsin
Posts: 30
Default

This the concept I would like to use.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/10...hood-kits.html

Thoughts and concerns I have are the 50 chevy is a tapered hood so positioning of the rods and angles would be a challenge. Also control and weight while trying to open or close it, doesn't seem very stable. I don't want this to be "floppy" during operation. How much reinforcement would I have to add?

I wonder if I should walk away from this conversion?
__________________
John L. Draxler
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-17-2017, 11:05 AM
draxler1374 draxler1374 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Hewitt, Central Wisconsin
Posts: 30
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raidmagic View Post
Hit your local junkyard and check out mid to late 80's Buick Park Avenue hoods and their hinge systems. They attach forward and the front of the hood lifts up a few inches then the whole thing pulls forward and lifts from the back. It's a great set up and would be easily adaptable to most anything you wanted to make a flip hood one. It's a nice feature to have the front of the hood lift before flipping. Helps with clearance.
I remember these, thanks. I will look into it.
__________________
John L. Draxler
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-17-2017, 10:19 PM
CaptonZap CaptonZap is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 86
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by draxler1374 View Post
This the concept I would like to use.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/10...hood-kits.html


I wonder if I should walk away from this conversion?

If you are the one who gets to work in the engine bay, consider this. It is rather hard to work in there when you are leaning over the fenders. It is easy when you stand on the bumper and lean over the radiator.
__________________
Jerry Roy
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-17-2017, 11:13 PM
steve.murphy steve.murphy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 650
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptonZap View Post
If you are the one who gets to work in the engine bay, consider this. It is rather hard to work in there when you are leaning over the fenders. It is easy when you stand on the bumper and lean over the radiator.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe figure out a way to make the hood open more from the rear?
__________________
Steve

ærugo nunquam dormit
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-20-2017, 10:12 AM
draxler1374 draxler1374 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Hewitt, Central Wisconsin
Posts: 30
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.murphy View Post
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe figure out a way to make the hood open more from the rear?
I was thinking of this also. I will be the one working on it in the future and will need to make it convenient. These are big fenders to reach over. The customer really wants this but I am still battling the Cool vs Practical decision. UHG!!! What to do, What to do?
__________________
John L. Draxler
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-22-2017, 08:54 PM
Oldnek Oldnek is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ulladulla, Australia
Posts: 1,346
Default

Years ago I had to replace a water pump on a Dodge Fargo that had the bonnet welded from 3 Piece to one and was hinged at front, what a ripe pain to work on, ended up pulling the bonnet off, and took another 1hr to line it back up again.
It was not the done the way you posted the F Truck. That would still be a pain..
__________________
John
EK Holden V8
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:00 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.