I was just going to ask him if he was related to those guys! Ryan welcome to the hamb young man. It's going to be fun watching this thing go together and watching what you build next.
I don't know PA..but in a lot of states an inspection is required.. Do you know if it will be able to get registered ?
that thing looks sick! I hope you follow through and get her on the road, just my 2cents, flip the frame back and take out almost all of those leafs if your gonna run her bare bones you wont need all those springs, u could even give it a mild c-notch if low is where u want, and all that talk about scrub line is real, especially if that thing ever gets above 45mph, a tire blow out could be real bad for you and whoever that thing hits!and you wont be able to change the tire, if you want it lower get those leafs out and put the body down more on the frame. I really like that thing, it looks crazy in a good way, keep us updated on what you get going and lets see her on the road!
WELCOME TO THE HAMB!!!!!! Great project, the fact that you are 17 and building that is very impressive. My Grandfather had a 1912 Regal Underslung to drive when it was new. Checkout all the underslung cars built before 1915 for spring mount details, Norwalk, American and Colby built underslungs, and M.G. and Riley sports cars from England underslung the rears in the 1930's. Good luck, keep posting photos of the progress.
i still have yet to remove and rearrange the leafs in the back, im going to remove 4-5 of the small ones and rearrange them from largest on top to smallest on the bottom, beacuse as of right now the rear rides on only one leaf, rearragning in decending order will give me my load capacity back and removing will bring the back end of the frame up thus alleviating my scrubline issues
Why not when you repack the rear leaves and ditch some, put the axle under them. I.e. between the frame and the springs. That will orient it the way it sat stock with the spring perches up, and the rearend spinning the correct direction. Now just notch the frame with a "C" for axle clearance and rock out!
Sounds like you were raised right. Making "Crazy" stuff is a good thing on my planet. First,search here for Underslung. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/search.php Should give you a few more "crazy" ideas. Juggling leafs is no problem,loose several while you are at it. Scrubline is doable,once you realize it is a problem. PA is serious about fenders,for some reason, so that will be a "problem". EDIT: since the truck is a '38 ,you might be able to get Street Rod plates,and get around the rule that way. Caster and Pinion Angle are fundamentals everyone should consider. Once I had the chassis sorted,I would mount the grill shell lower. The top shouldn't be any higher than the cowl. Shorter tires on front would look better,to my eye. Keep up the good work,and keep us posted.
Ok.. I'm confused. When you say repack in the oppite order what do you mean exactly? Flip each individual leaf over and then reassemble? BTW, I kinda like this build... if it can be done safely. As a matter of fact there's a '46 Ford flatbed sitting in a barn just down the road.... Hmmmm
Might have to relocate some of the spring mounting points, since the springs will get shorter(eye to eye) instead of longer.
I had an Austin Healey 100/6. It had an underslung rear suspension. You might want to take a look at how it was engineered. There are blowup drawings online or at your library if you can't find one around Butler. It was a 1957 model and handled quite well. However it would drag the muffler on the white line. Good Luck on your build.
Loose the motor, hell a poxy SBC would be better, find a car rear end and ort that out and bobs your uncle. Sorry dude but like it is I realy dont like it. But hell its your first build and I understand $$ are tight. My first project had an ex race car 12a rotary that I got for nada! My parents knew George Fury's egine builder and this was a 'last year used motor'........................ I guess only Aussies know who George is. Hell, keep going. It could be worse, you could be building a tuner!
I like it, friggin kewl! I also dig your dad's car.... I saw it at Zelie last year! Did you guys ever sell it? Keep up the good work! Eric
I think your truck looks good. If your rims sit lower than the frame by at least 1 inch at true ride hight, you wont have to worry about the scrub line. The spring pack and making sure the rear end is in the right direction is good info to. Now finish it.
This 466ci. 7.6 liter diesel engine will make around 300hp with about 850+Ft.Lbs. of torque. I think that may be enough, wouldnt you say?? But these numbers will vary with turbo size, i didnt like the stock garrett this engine came with so im gonna run the big mofo (ill post pics of it as soon as i can get em off my phone)
Sure looks like a place for one heck of a " back seat." I agree that there needs to be some springs removed and to be honest, you could put a cool dump body on it.
dont build it......it might not work..... you might get hurt..... someone might not like it..... The sky is falling blah blah blah go for it kid.... its awesome looking... and you will learn alot!!!!!!
If we are looking at the top of the frame,the leaves are still backwards. The shorter leaves have to go on the bottom. My unscientific,uneducated,GUESS is that you will need another two shorter leaves,or more.
When you get to the point that you need shocks,try looking here: http://www.monroe.com/catalog_lookup/misc_app_docs/08_MountingLengthSheet.pdf I would mount the shocks "right side up",if the valving isn't 50/50,it will be close enough.
I like it, but not many people like my truck so maybe me liking your truck isnt a good thing? ha ha. I love the factory wheels on it, i thought about trying to run them on the front of my truck but thats a no go, the truck isnt going to be large enough for that to look right on mine. You gonna put sheetmetal up front? I think it would look cool with the factory grille and hood, minus the fenders and the side panels of the grille modified\cut off.
Just remember, the entire weight in the back 1/2 of the truck is only being supported by 4 u-bolts. Scary if you ask me. build something cool, not stupid. Its not worth hurting your self(or others) over. Looks neat thought. Just set it up differerent.
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