Well, I have been hanging out here for over a year and never posted anything about my project. So, here is the story! A little over six years ago, I was moving to Houston and sold my 41 chevy sadan and 58 chevy pickup. I decided that street rodding was too expensive. Being a hot rodder, I could not stay away. I decided to buy a project that would not cost the children's college fund. So, I went to Ebay and bought a rat rod project. The ads location was Dallas and I lived in Texas, so good match. After the auction was over, I found out the project was in Dallas, GA, not Texas! But, I paid for it and drove to Georgia. The project was a 1949 F-1 cab mounted on a homemade frame with 1940 frontend, SBC with 3 speed, and late model camaro rear suspension. It looked cool ad I was pretty excited. A friend of mine heard about it and turned me on to the HAMB. He said check it out. There is a lot of information on there. Well, I did and got hooked. I realized that I did not want a rat rod. I like my stuff a little more finished and not dangerous. The more I read the more the 49 cab had to go. Here is what the original project looked like!!!
So, I started thinking about what I could do to change this project. I didn't want to start over (it would of been easier and cheaper to sell this project and start over). I found a 1938 ford pickup cab and started the transformation. I yanked off the f-1 cab and channeled the 39 over the rails. It was looking a whole lot better, but the cab was messed up. It had been rolled out in the field and was rusted with the doors rotted out.
it a good start. look around on here. i'm sure you could find a deal on a good cab. or maybe some good parts anyway. rust can always be repaired.
So, I started looking for another cab! A ggod friend of mine introduced me to Bob (owens salvage in Weelington). I asked bob if he had another 38-39 cab and he did. The cab that I got from him was almost mint. There was very little rust and a rub spot on the back. So, I picked it up and brought it home. Bob is the best and that salvage yard is a field of dreams. So, i channeled this cab over the rails and built a new sub floor out of tubing. I decided that the late model camaro rearend would not look reight in my traditional hot rod truck (It was mounted just like it was in the camaro with sway bar and all). So, I got a posi 3.73 Ford rearend and old school g***er style ladder bars for the back. and mounted them. I also found a grill for the front. the head light is mocked up. I had to change the front spring pad, and remount the bones. I also changed the trans to a camaro T-5 with a old school hurst shifter handle. more pics to follow...
So with the cab on the frame, I started thinking what do I want to do??? I grabbed the saw zaw and cut the top off (my first chop top). After i got it cut and started putting it back together I thought WTF??? I seriously thought about selling it at this point. One screwed up truck project cheap!!!! But, I'm not a quiter, so i kept working it until it looked right. It started as a 3 1/2" chop and ended as a 4 1/2" chop. I can't cut a straight line for ****!
The pickup cab is sitting way to far back on the frame. maybe you can hammer in the firewall and move it up about a foot or so.
Looks like it is coming together just fine. Keep the progress reports coming. I agree on moving the cab up. Tom
The chop still needs to be finished, but it has turned out pretty good! Getting the doors right was hard, but I kept at it until it was right. I built the header for one side and still need to build the other one. They are sprint car style with cut outs. I will be posting more information and pics in the next few days, weeks, and months as i try to get this truck done for the LoneStar Round up. I hope ya'll like it, cause I do!!! More information on the parts the motor in the pics is a roller 305. I have a 67 SJ 327 with domes, camel humps, a rowdy cam, and three dueces that i hope to have together before April. The front wheels are 15" camaro spares, they look just like the 8" smoothes in back and measure 4" wide. It does have the disc brake conversion on the front, but, I will be able to stop!
You may like it, but I agree....it would look 1000% better with the cab moved forward about a foot. It leaves far too much gap. Bias plys would help too. Good start though.
I may be a hack at microsoft paint but with it so far back it still has the proportions of a rat rod. I think it has a lot of potential though.
Take some time to really study stance and profile... You'll be glad ya did. I love the fact that you are hitting this yourself and learning while you go. Don't be afraid to s**** stuff and start over.
Last night, I also photo shopped it. I am starting to agree with moving the cab forward. I can move it 6-8 inches without much work, but I'm also thinking about the engine forward about 3". Thanks for the suggestions
I think you'll pull it off if your willing to rework things, here is a link for fenderless pickups on the Hamb that you might get some ideas from. I'll look forward to see'ing updates. good luck http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276380 :Edit: Actualy after realy looking through that thread I noticed that your truck will look way better than most of those. anyways check out billy gibbons 37-38? pickup.
Ok here is the real deal cab moved forward about 7". I think that I'm going to move the radiator back 2". The change made it 36" from the firewall to the grill. It does have better proportions now! Thanks to everyone for the suggestion!
Thanks for the suggestion! I want bias, but they are an after item! I already had these tires. I'm also going to run old ford script caps and ribbed rings.
Pushing that grill back was a big improvement too. If you have a long water pump now, you can save some space by switching it for a short water pump. At the parts place, just ask for a water pump for a '70 Corvette. Corvettes had the short pumps up until around '72.
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