Call me crazy - Ranchero's (again)

[doghows]

I just got a headache from reading this. I hope I never have to measure my extendo???

[Luva65wagon]

Hey - my Mom reads this thread...

...but to be clear, I learned Gene's extendo is longer than mine and I'll need to come up with something to add some length to mine. It would behoove you to measure your extendo too.

Here's what Gene and I did tonight. (Rated G)

[doghows]

Is it just me or does that rear axle look especially good? (must be the powder coat?)
Just kidding it ALL looks very good. So close to being back on the solid ground. I like those rear shock/springs. I think mine need replacing where did you score those at?
I might have to make a trip over just to see how you progress looks in person.

[pbrown]

Is it just me or does that rear axle look especially good? (must be the powder coat?)

It looks great for basic black .

[doghows]

I think we would have done it in a color, but I don't think Roger knew what color the car was going to be at that point???
I should have mixed up the boxes of powder and shot it bright red like the wheels.

[Luva65wagon]

I was seriously considering hot pink...

I hauled the red rims and the Summit rims w/tires down to Discount Tire today and had them swap rims out. Then lifted one into the hole -- didn't like it. The flare didn't match the centerline of the wheel, so I went to pep-boys and bought a 1" lift/lowering kit and used it to move the rear-end back 2" to center it up. Took a little fabricating to get something that won't shift around, but much-much better now. Now I need a 3" longer brake hose, but oh-well. Driveline isn't made yet, so better now than after I made that. Still could lower it 3 or more inches. Tons of room.

Front brakes tomorrow and then down on the ground for the first time in 4 months.

[doghows]

Picture?? I can't wait to see it now. I just dropped off 4 wheels for mine, and I will powder them bright red as well. Now for some hub caps?? Any good suggestions?

[Luva65wagon]

I was out there until 10:30 last night, but I had to re-do the rear brake line and then get the master cylinder and brake pedal hooked up. I decided, last minute, to modify the new push-rod from the new master cylinder to make it the right length, but they messed up and made the back step (the part that pushes the brake switch) a little too long. So when I bolted it up, the switch was on all the time. So pulled it and machined about .025 off of it. All was well then.

Just took too long to rework some of that, so I never did get the system bled and the wheels down on the ground. But the front brakes are on, bearings in the drums and cinched-up. Got the front shocks and export brace bolted onto the shock towers, but still need to drill holes and bolt the cowl section down. Once I get the brakes bled, I will put all the wheels on and drop her down.

I have been studying the pattern of the powder coat on the wheels and it seems to me that if you baked the rims flat, you may find this issue we saw go away. You hung the rims and I could see where "up" was. The powder did well at the bottom (I assume from gravity), but had the bubbles more as it went to the top of the rim. So, if you could hang them flat, it might solve this.

As for hub caps - what is the cap diameter? Ford had 9.5" and 10.5" poverty caps.

[doghows]

Only problem with laying them flat it would make it hard to get to the bottom side? I have played with different ways to try to get them the best and every way seems to have a good and bad about it?? I just try to take the lesser of the evils?? Soon as I figure out the anti gravity machine all will be good.
I'll have to measure the wheels and see. They were the ones off of the pole car. 14" steel ones.

[Luva65wagon]

I think 4-lug wheels are 9.5" and 5-lug had to go to 10.5" to accommodate the increase bolt circle.

I would think you could run two wires as hoops though the 4-lug rim (in a cross pattern) - or two through 3 (in a vee pattern) to get the rim to lay flat. And since it is static attracting the powder it would get the underside. Just thinking...

[doghows]

I am experimenting with mine as we speak. I ran 3 wires with washers twisted in them and suspended the rims. I will see what they do. Other than that the prep is the same as yours.
Now the explains why my ears are burning all the time. Glad I could distract you for a while. I just hope the distraction didn't cost too much...

[Luva65wagon]

I just hope the distraction didn't cost too much...

I purposefully burn my receipts to keep me from getting any more depressed than I already am.

Honestly - I don't want to know.

[Jeff W]

I think 4-lug wheels are 9.5" and 5-lug had to go to 10.5" to accommodate the increase bolt circle.

That's what I used to think... but if you remember my quest (now solved thaks to steve) there are four lug with 9.5" and 10.5" poverty caps.

I think the 9.5" have the three mounting ears and the 10.5 have the four mounting ears.

I have two of the 14" four tab (10.5" caps) right now that would be free for the ask. I had them @ Monroe with no takers. Good rubber as well.

[Luva65wagon]

Ah - that's right. I remember those wheels. I was surprised when Chris with the white Ranchero showed up a couple weeks ago with 13" 5-lug wheels. I would have never thunk. Ford... what were they thinking. I'm thinking I can get 22"s under mine now.



OK, maybe not.

[doghows]

Ok mine are 14" 3 tab wheels and looks like the hub caps size is 9.5. The wheels are very red now, but had the same results as yours did Roger?? Back to the drawing board. I remember doing a set of new steel wheels and they did not have the same problem. I think I am getting some gassing out in those areas. Might have to spend a little more time with a dental pick cleaning them out???
Anyway sorry about the hijack, how is the flarechero going, is it on the ground today??