Projects Pickup box mockup for my Essex. Opinions?

I did a little messing around with a cardboard box this evening. This is just a rough first shot at what I want the new box to look like. It's almost 6" taller and 10" longer than the old plywood one that was originally on the truck. I always thought the proportions looked odd with the old one. The new box will be made of steel and will have a functional tailgate.

Old...




New...

 

The old does look too short in comparison to the cab, mock up new one looks good! I like the break at the top of the bed side. Tonneau cover?
Are you redoing the truck the same as it was?

 

I like it!!! Fits the truck much better. I have the same issue with my Ford I am going to do the same thing you did. What are you using to hold the cardboard together at the corners?

 

Ive just brought a 29 Hudson cut down into a truck, and i have to raise my bed sides, so this is very interesting. I like what your doing.
Is your grille a Chev?, because i have one on mine, and it looks exactly the same.

 

Hey, BW;

Your proportions are a lot better. Looks good,

Marcus...

 

Thanks! I'll probably add a tonneau cover later on. The truck will have a completely different look to it when it's done. Plan is for light grey paint and a black interior.

Thanks! I used short machine bolts to hold the pieces together. I'll see if I can get a better shot of the ends for you.

Thanks! Yes, the grille is a 1930 Chev. In fact, most of the truck is based on a 1930 Chev car...frame, fenders, splash aprons, running boards, and grille. The only Essex parts are the hood top and cab. I modified the grille by adapting some Essex grille shutters to it.

Thanks!

 

i think it would look good with some recessed panels, almost like the pinstriping on the first bed. heres the one we made for my essex, maybe it will give you some ideas?

 

Neat looking box! I do plan to have some kind of recessed areas on the new box sides.

 

The proportions look spot on, nice mock-up! Include a beaded design on the tailgate to avoid the flat-panel "street rod" look and it's a home run.

 

I plan to go one better than that if I can..."ESSEX" embossed on the tailgate in the proper font.

 

Then forget the home run. That's a grand slam!

 

It looks great. I do like the longer look of it.

 

Thanks guys! I have a ton of cool ideas for the truck, the hard part will be implementing them.

Unfortunately, things have really slowed down on the build. Two months ago my wife was diagnosed with a late-stage cancer and given a year to live. She plans to prove the doctors wrong, but working on the truck will be taking a back seat to dealing with her condition. I still plan to do a bit to it when I can just to get my mind off things, but my priorities have changed dramatically.

 

Im sorry to hear about your wife! Prayers sent..

 

Thank you, Jason. It's going to be tough going for the next little while but we're going to enjoy every moment she has left.

 

Terrible news about your wife, I hope that you can share some good times before the tough times. Don't lose your faith.
Prayers from Davo.

 

This idea is alot of work but, if you widen the rear fenders then you could narrow the box so the overhang is flush to the cab.

 

Damn, sorry to hear the news about your wife. In our thoughts and prayers.

 

Bad tidings about your wife, you guys are in my prayers.

I like your mockup. What i would do is put the hood back on and with about a 1" wide tape i would follow that center of the radius that starts at the radiator surround and extends across the hood and it kinda disappears when it gets to the cab but that tape will help you locate it. Anyway, this is the line your eyeball will follow and it'll expect for the line to transition into the bed rail.
I expect you also know taht you need to push it outside for the final looksee.
Nice truck.

 

Essex, I like it from the get-go. I have to say just looking at the photos of your shop
and your Ideas about the resizing of the bed looks great. Clean shop .Cleans lines.

 

Payload for the cardboard is going to suck, you hauling feathers!?

Looks great. Remember, you and your wife still have an invitation down here. Trent

 

Wow, really sorry to hear the news. We've been through cancer, and will be thinking about you and your wife. Yes, the truck can be put on hold, but, sometimes it helps to have a project to help take your mind off things. I know when I go out in the shop, I'm quickly lost in whatever I'm going, and the hours fly. This can be a great stress reliever, you may find you'll need a little respite.

The box looks much better in your mock up, BTW.

Good luck with everything, and keep your spirits up.

Regards,

Brian

 

Hi Boyd.Sorry to hear about your wife.I lost two friends within a year(Husband and wife)to cancer.Really sucks.Love your Essex.
The redo sounds really sweet.Me and the Missus will remember you and yours in our prayers.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the kind words. I was debating whether to post anything about her at all, but sometimes it helps to get things out. The prognosis isn't good due to the type, size, and aggressiveness of the tumours, but we're taking things day by day. This is not a curable cancer and the timeframe they gave us isn't very long. To say I'm heartbroken is an understatement.

Trent...Thanks again, but sadly the trip down there will not happen now. The doctors have told us not to travel out of the country at all because her health could fail without warning and the costs could be enormous in the US. If her health allows it we'll do a trip out to the east coast of Canada as she's never seen that part of the country. At least our health care will cover her within the country.

I'll still be out in the shop doing some "therapy", but until this is over the work will mostly be stuff that doesn't cost much. I did manage to scare up enough money to buy the tires I'll be using and order the custom-offset wheels I wanted. Hopefully the wheels don't take too long to arrive. I'd really like to get the truck back on the ground so I can roll it outside to see how the proportions really look.

 

Finally got the shop cleaned up enough that I could push the truck outside for some pics.









Hopefully my new wheels arrive this month so I can sell off the slots.

 

Now that you can see the full side profile i think it could be a few inches shorter it just seems to hang out too far just my 2c, by the way nice pickup.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I lost ay dad and my best friends dad to cancer. Just keep her positive and comfortable.

I agree that the bed seems to hang a little too far. It seems the rear wheels should be as close to center as possible. Great looking truck by the way.

 

Naw I think ya nailed it. I like the longer, and higher look of it. Its suposed to look like a truck.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your wife, just went through all that with my Dad. Prayers to your family!

About the truck, the mockup has the right height to it, but there is something about the length of it and the square corners at the bottom of the bed sides that just doesn't "look" right to me. I can't put my finger on what...

 

Prayers for strength for you and your wife as you travel this uncharted path. Cherish the time you have.