Blue My Mind, 1972 Ford Maverick

[Boss 5.0]

With the addition of the M II front end this old crossmember was no longer needed. Without the front strut arms I decided to get rid of it. Big and ugly, it needed to go. But, I thought some good support was ultimately needed so I tabbed up this crossmember instead.






The front end I bought came from Rod & Custom Motorsports. They make M II front ends pretty much exclusively for late 60's and early 70's Fords. The one I ordered was all set up for my Maverick. It came with patch panels to fill in the shock towers, but I really didn't like the way they were looking. So I cut out the entire front end and tabbed up new fender wells.






Before final welding I rehung the nose to make sure everything was where it should be still….






I was then able to final weld, do body work and prime the front fender wells and firewall.

[Boss 5.0]

Moving on the radiator support now, I had some fitting to do as the notch for the battery box wasn't needed anymore. Also, plenty of extra holes to fill. I took the time to install the radiator and see plenty of extra space around it so I also filled that in for a better fit and flow of air.


Look at all that space around the radiator…..






The green tape shows where I had to fill in….





Patching it up….













After body work and primer it looks pretty good. These shots are also showing the fit of the radiator and the overflow can….

[Boss 5.0]

I wanted a tilt column, so I bought a universal Ididit tilt. With a little fab work I was able to make it bolt into the stock firewall mounts as seen here…






I cut some strap and welded a piece around the column to use as a mount at the top. It took a little customizing to make it work with the factory mounts, but all in all I think it came out good.







To top it off will be this billet steering column with the wood grain Hydrographics. This was made for me at Julaino's Hot Rods. Bob and I worked together on this. I had known Bob for years, he and my father went back to grade school together. Sad thing Bob passing a few years ago, glad I got one of his steering wheels before he passed on though.

[WSSix]

looks great!

[GrabberGT]

No No No No! Posting old pictures on a new forum does not qualify as a "progress update". LOL. Lets see where its at now. Cant wait for this thing to be done.

[Boss 5.0]

Originally Posted by GrabberGT

No No No No! Posting old pictures on a new forum does not qualify as a "progress update". LOL. Lets see where its at now. Cant wait for this thing to be done.

I know Chris, but these guys haven't seen where I started. I can't post up as it is today, what would be the fun in that?!

[Boss 5.0]

So before I started on the outside of the car I figured I would continue forward and do the dash and lower panel that will surround the column.

This isn't mine, but it shows the mundane stock dash…..





I will spare you all the fab pictures and move right on to what I came up with. Here I have made out of sheet metal the new gauge panel that bolts in just as the factory two gauge panel did. I instead wanted a full gauge set for the car.


Not liking the factory lower shelf the Maverick had I made this lower panel to house the stereo and the switches. I want the dash itself to be clean and simple.






Here you can see the layout for the gauges as well as the holes in the lower panel for the lights, wiper and ignition switches. This picture also shows the area that will cup the column as it comes through the dash and lower panel.




Here is the panel in primer after body work has been done. This shows the gauges I have now for the car as well as the panel that has the gear selector along with the engine light, hi beams, turn signals etc.