Motion Pictures Mopar Powered '35 Ford Truck {Hot}Rod! ... Will it Run & Drive 630 Miles?

Perhaps a bit off topic for the H.A.M.B. (i.e., he calls it a Rat Rod) … but I always like me some Derek Bieri (VICE GRIP GARAGE) “rescue, revive, & drive home” videos … enjoy:

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If you like his videos @HEMI32 you should check out Roadworthy Rescues on Motortrend. Just sayin.

 

Been there done that!

SEASON 1

S1 E1 · Swamp-Stang (aired September 28th 2022): In the first episode of the series, Derek extracts a 1967 Ford Mustang that has sat dormant for 28 years. But the years of rust and neglect won't stop him from transforming this car into a new creation.

S1 E2 · Bandit Chevy (aired October 5th 2022): Derek decides to breathe new life into a 1951 Chevy Deluxe that has been out of action for decades. He must be prepared to put in more than the usual time and effort to succeed.

S1 E3 · Termite Tempest (aired October 11th 2022): Derek saves a 1966 Pontiac Tempest with a rare overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine; just dusting off cobwebs won't do this car justice; Dan the Interior Man works his magic on the upholstery; Derek sets to work.

S1 E4 · Hotwired Tow Truck (aired October 19th 2022): Derek heads to a scrapyard to find a retired tow truck he can use around the shop; this 1979 Dodge D300 proves reluctant to go anywhere; Derek will have to hotwire the entire electrical system if he has any hope of making it home.

S1 E5 · Bare Metal Bel Air (aired October 26th 2022): Fighting overgrowth and the weather, Derek battles to get a 1964 Chevy Bel Air out of a field in Kentucky and back to his shop; he and his brother Chris intend to swap the Bel Air's tired 283 V8 for a 350 small-block.

S1 E6 · Black Hills Blazer (aired November 1st 2022): Derek returns to the shop where he apprenticed as a teen, and to a 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer that's been sitting for over 20 years; he and his brother, Sean, reassemble this truck into a full-on trail machine to tackle the Black Hills of South Dakota.

S1 E7 · Motor City Model A (aired November 9th 2022): At an inner-city Detroit car club, Derek finds a 1928 Ford Model A that hasn't run in over 60 years; he calls in the help of Model A expert Paul Shinn to dissect this derelict 94-year-old car to figure out why it sat for so long.

S1 E8 · Rebel With a Cause (aired November 16th 2022): In the season finale, Derek travels to the last standing AMC dealership, Collier Motors in Pikeville, North Carolina; with more than 100 cars sitting derelict, Derek finds an AMC Rebel SST convertible that needs reviving.
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... is "in the books" ... and SEASON 2 is already "in the works".

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If you watched until the end, then you heard Derek ask for suggestions for the truck's "restoration".

I provided him with my suggestion ... basically a late '50s or early '60s style Hot Rod Shop Truck ... ala @Gene Winfield Rod&Custom's '35 Ford Shop Truck:

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... but with a "Vice Grip Garage" logo on the bed rails.

I'm really curious what my fellow HAMBers would suggest Derek do with this truck ... ???

 

Skip the goofy side pipes the Winfield truck has.

Install a fresh 273 or 318 (273 came out in 64, so it should be friendly, albeit its not a common swap), and do a cooling system upgrade. Motor mounts look sketchy, too.

Fix the suspension and brakes. Not sure what makes it undriveable above 55. I would prefer a dropped beam axle, but you can’t really see what’s there, and the stance is ok.

Wiring, wipers, a decent seat, a heater, and a bed floor upgrade and it’s ready. Fix the top of the grill shell while you’re at it.

 

Engines from a Dakota… I’d wager that sketchy ifs is from the same Dakota.

My suggestion would be to start over… on everything…

 

Doubt it. The truck has R&P steering, a carbureted 318, and a 727, or so he says.

Dakota r&p wasn’t introduced until 97, and carburetors and 727s were long gone by then.

The sketchy engine mount stands aren’t factory anything, and the crossmember looks like aftermarket MII.

 

Just flat inspirational to see someone who is not afraid to hit the road in an unproven vehicle. I hate being stuck by the side of the road.

 

Here's a better question. How many here in Hamb land did this sort of thing before cell phones and social media? When a break down on the side of the road in the middle of the night in Bumfuck, Anywhere meant you really were stuck. This shit sure ain't new, but it sure as hell is alot easier.

 

I would imagine his transmission slippage problems are due to NOT having any kickdown linkage hooked up. He must not be a Mopar guy! Otherwise, neat video.

 

I put it on my "watch later" list but it's kind of a long video for my short attention span. I'll have to break it up over 3 or 4 days.

 

The first video I saw was when he bought a Model A sedan, he is amusing and a glutton for punishment. HRP

 

Yeah, Dakotas didn't have carbs, and they would be a magnum (roller) with different intake bolt angles, so the old EGR and carb intake wouldn't bolt up. Thinking the engine is a late 70s to mid 80s.
Agreed that the trans would have puked without the kickdown, either got lucky there or it's been cobbled up somehow. Like his stuff, but that was a real wonky try. I'd suggest yanking out the wiring, engine/trans and radiator and going with proven SBC stuff and fine-tooth comb the chassis and suspension.

 

sparkolators and makeithappeners.. yep, that's worn out, put the cap back on it and let's roll

 

“Part 2” of the Saga posted today:

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I find that guy to be a bit strange with the funny words he has for things. fun videos though.

 

I lost a lot of respect for him when he had the show where he called a '64 Ford Custom 500 a Galaxie.

 

Derek can be a little goofy and long winded but he is entertaining…..I’ll be following this make it better series. Ford in a ford….yes.

 

I enjoy his banter, and he is a good, resourceful mechanic, that knows how to get them running, by the seat of his pants. One of the only car related tv shows I can watch.

 

That thing is going to be good. I was amazed he made it in the first episode. I'm al for using what you got, but the wiring in that thing should be all cut and removed. It may have a few good feet somewhere, but I wouldn't trust it not to be contagious!

 

“Part 3” of the Saga dropped today:

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“Part 4” of the Saga:

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“Part 5”:

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Are we going to see New Episodes or has it been Cancelled by Motortrend Tv ?

 

During an episode of roadkill garage, someone had made a comment about him picking up a project for next season. So I assume they're doing more episodes soon.

 

Yes, Derek is filming SEASON 3 of . . . which will air on TV and stream on later this year . . .

. . . and of course, Derek continues to post videos on his & channels . . .

. . . plus the podcasts & ads for

 

I wanted to look it up on my TV and put in " vise grip garage" and realized that Derek spelled it wrong. The tool is labeled vise grip; not vice grip.

 

“Part 6”:

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“Vise-Grip” has been a registered trademark since 1924

 

From Dave’s channel:

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