i need some views and opinions

Hey guys im new here, the names ryan and im an aspiring 17 year old rod builder. My current project is a 1-1/2ton underslung chevy pickup and i was just looking for some views, opinions and imput on it. This truck was given to me by my dad (whom is the reason ive been bitten so hard by the rod and custom bug), it was the leftovers of his 1938 chevy tri-turbo 1/2ton pickup, these leftovers were a 38 chevy flatbed, I really didnt want to be ridin around in a flatbed and was feeling creative so i threw a chain around the frame and flipped it upside down. After messing with and reworking the suspension i discovered that this thing might actually work. I had a Detroit DT466 diesel engine layin around and a Eaton 6 speed to match, This combo made its way into the frame and from there its been all down hill.

 

its too low... if you get a flat on the freeway your ****ed.the back could probably be fixed by removing some of the leafs , to get the axle closer to the frame, the front im not sure what you could do.
you dont want any part of your car to be closer to the ground than the edge of the rim

 

I don't know how it will ride but looks cool go for it.

 

Wow and welcome to the H.A.M.B.. Sure looks like you have your work cut out for you. Pinion angle is gonna be a killer but if you can make it work it'll be very cool esp. with the 466. I also applaud your effort for being so young. Take your time and really think this through and ya might just pull it off. Keep us posted

 

I do not know what to say..........

 

Check your scrub lines- like oilsslinger said, you're flirting with disaster if and when you have a flat. You could probably flip the rear end spring mounts to the "new" underside of your frame to get the back off the ground safely.

 

And I sure wouldn't want to get hit by that big som***** if it does blow a tire or something.
kinda cool lookin' though in a roadwarrior kinda way.

 

OK, now I know what to say. You need to look at Norm Grabowskis "Boogie Til You Puke Truck" and then flip that frame back and turn it back into a FLATBED!

 

Setting aside all my opinions on how it looks.....you might as well weld that rear end solid to the frame, because that is how it's going to ride with that setup. And did you flip the frame and rear end as a whole? If so, the truck is going to drive backwards.

 

didnt think about that... that truck will go backwards

 

If you want that specific look for the truck, there are ways you can do some simple modifications to correct any problems. I think some of the other posts that are concerned with ride and handling have a point, but just address those things without changing the look you're after.

 

Like wow!!
Hey man i'm kind young here myself, I would NOT flip the ch***is back upright I dig it just like it is.
Is there not some blocks that you bolt to the fron srpings un btween the spring and the axle that you can buy to raise that front end slightly??
I say let the creativity roll with dude.
Looks *****in'.

1shot

 

Agreed.

1shot

 

doesnt look to be enough space between the axle and the crossmember to use blocks. could be done if he were to put a channel in the crossmember.

 

I dig it. But, you do need to make sure all the "engineering" is correct on the car. That is why you are here.
Figure out a way to make it work, try not to stick with the status quo. Doing it your own way doesn't make it "non traditional", if that matters. Years ago people were trying to figure it out also.
Have fun, but be safe. ( for others on the road, not necessarily for yourself)
wil
www.sakowskimotors.com

 

please keep in mind these are mock-up pics, and there is still much work to be done. The rear is prob gonna lose a few leafs, pinion angle has been dealt with and as much as it doesnt look the scrub line has been thought about and will not b an issue.

The real point of building this truck is extreme shock factor, as is the theme with all of my and my pop's builds, like the 1963 Twin Turbo Pontiac lemans (Flashlight Drags clarion) here it is on its latest run at maxton N.C. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3IuTIDnaV0
(B.T.W. our fastest time has been 215.6mph)


thanks to all who think the truck is bad***, there will b update pics as the build progresses

 

Hell yeah, I can chime in here.

Bad ***, I like how you think SON!

I started the same thing a couple years ago, then it got backburnered for other projects and now racing. maybe one day I'll get back to it. This is motivation to beat you!!! ha lol!

Ok the 1st thing you need to repack your leaf springs, in opposite order since the underslung "hang" forces are different on the spring pack. Other wise only the main leaf is working for you. You can also get away with ditching every other leaf as well since you are going to be considerable lighter now, and not hauling heavy loads.

With that front axle you'll have to stick with tall *** tires to keep the frame off the pavement. My suggestion, either find someone to "de-drop" which will make the stance wider or find a comparable axle to swap on.
I ended up using a straight tube axle from Speedway. No I dont like it at all, but its working for now as a roller. I want it to be "i" beam something or other.....

Anyway I started with a 1.5 ton as well.


Now have this 9well this is old, but its not too much further along.


You can check out the thread i started about it. here...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165119


Good luck, i like it.

 

That's actually kinda cool looking, but like Fidgiter said, you may as well weld on the rear end. I would probably invest in some kind of suspension seat.

 

thanks for your insight ryan,


but im gonna have to say ive never been fan of "simplicity" or the mundane, and furthermore as a 17 year old kid i can only work with what i can scratch up with my teenage salary.

 

You know, my first thought is that's just wrong, but hey, the naysayers probably would have told the "blastolene brothers" the same thing, and look at them now..
http://www.blastolene.com/

Brian

 

Say you ruin this truck, you'll still be miles ahead in experience and skill than most 17 yr olds and your next build will be way better. Build it and learn. On that note most of the above tips will need to be addressed and can be with reasonable cash and effort. Good on ya for not being a ricer.

 

Looks like fun to me but you'll need to re-stack the springs as was described. I built a 31 chevy pickup lakes modified ch***is with underslung suspension. Another HAMBer [Xderelict] finished it and drives it on a regular basis. Loves the way it handles. You're working with huge amounts of unsprung weight so don't be surprised when it rides rough, choppy and violent. Those heavy axles/wheels and tires will bounce the **** out of you but it can be done.
BTW, I drive a IHC with a DT466/6 speed every day. Has all the power in the world. If you can shift the ****** fast enough, it should go great!

 

InDaShop i love ur ride, i didnt think anyone (other than the guy with the 29' dodge in HotRod) dared to build an underslung it really isw an awesome concept, but anywaysss

the tall ten lug split rims you see in the pics are stayin, and i have yet to remove and repack leafs from the rear and that will bring my frame up enough to deal with the scrubline ****.

all in all despite what most say i think it will turn out just fine

P.S. dude ur truck is the **** keep us updated with some progress pics if and when u get back on it

 

First off...

...that thing is nuts...

I love it. Make it work paint it and drive the hell out of it

Secondly...
could you flip the rear axle and springs (makin it drive forward) and raise the height of the spring perches in the rear to make it work while keeping the ride height. Not underslung in the rear but then you wouldn't have to mess with spring combos as much to get it to ride right and still be able to maintain some sort of load capacity

 

Welcome to the jungle. I love it! Who cares if everybody or nobody "gets it"? I think it can be built safe and look cool too. Be careful though, stuff like that can go from damn, that's cool to damn, that's cheasy in a hurry. Rock on little brother and show all the old men they were wrong. By the way, ditto Sawracer, bless you for not being another ricer clone.

 

i love this site

thanks guys for bein real

i mean ive been on other sites and not found the hospitality, concern, and insight i have here, thank you to everyone
Ryan

 

if you can make it work-do it. that's a cool idea, the 1.5 ton platform is unique and that deserves a thumbs up. others have brought up some great points. get it hammered out and let's see some finished pics.

 

Sawracer and EvilWickedMean&Nasty i have to say, I HATE THAT RICE **** it can stay over seas for all i care, there is so much more to be had in the rod and custom world

 

Lord Humungus called, he wants his truck back. That Pontiac rules.