buildiing a fenderless 38 chev 1/2 ton need imput

i agree sum fenderless trucks are a waste! but alot of them look really nice and i know we all have are own oppinion, i have a 46 chevy 2 ton truck i got given to me other wise it was guna get crushed, i couldnt afford to restore it and the fenders are way 2 big so im goin fenderless and i think it looks good, im building my own frame and i have disc brakes on the front, my only goal is to be safe and fun, thats all that matters i would rather see a bad proportioned truck then to see them get turned in to toyotas like lots already have.

 

Here we go again. "It looks like ass...blah, blah, blah." "Anything '35 or later shouldn't be fenderless...blah, blah, blah."

That cowl looks not much different than a '33/'34 Ford cowl. In view of the scarcity of good, reasonably-priced early tin these days, you can't blame a guy for building these types of vehicles. I see nothin' wrong with 'em. What I do see wrong, is more unsolicited opinions from the elitsts, as usual. zman, hotrod56cars didn't "over-think" a thing. He's right...stance is how a car sits, not how it should sit. I'd be careful about settin' 'em too low. Any thing below the scrub-line, get a flat, and you'll be slidin'. That's not safe. But I'm not gonna give somebody a hard time for building what they want, style-wise. I see no good reason for it. Good luck with your truck, oldscolrick!

 

I'll be starting a similar fenderless truck rod, using 2x3x3/16 steel tube - scratch building my own frame, dropped front axle, split bones, disk brakes up front, drum in the rear. Right now it's all a bunch of parts. Cab is a '40 Ford that will get a chop. I'm using a Chevy in-line 6 for motorvation. No pix yet, sorry. But I will offer you my encouragement. Ignore the ridiculous comments here, some people have odd opinions on what hot rodding is really all about. LOL.

 

Anyone have info/additional pix of the green truck^. I'm lovin that truck!!

 

I am in the process of gathering parts for my 37 Chevy pick up. I will use the stock frame because thats what I have but I will box it. Also running fenderless because I don't have any front sheet metal, unless someone wants to give it to me lol. I have a 36 Chevy grille that a friend gave to use on this project. Keep us posted on the build.
p.s. Its your's to build the way you want.

 

Forgot to say...I imagine the '40 frame would work, but if you notice, most of these trucks use a transverse front spring and axle, usually from a Ford. There are reasons for this. The Chevys used parallel leaf-springs in front, and that required a little longer frame-horn...it stuck out forward further. If you don't want your front axle to be behind the radiator, (and most guys don't) then you're going to have to move the axle forward. Either that, or move the body, engine, and radiator back. Moving the front axle is probably more feasible, but to do it, you probably will want to build a crossmember directly under, or slightly ahead of the radiator to mount a Ford spring and axle. Of course, you could always lengthen the frame, if you really want to use parallel springs. And if you don't mind the radiator hanging out in front of the axle, I suppose there's no problem with using the Chevy front suspension. But that gives the car a "nose-heavy" look, and that goes directly against any attempt to emulate proportions of the early cars.

 

Do what you want this "lifestyle" or "hobby" or "love" is makeing something into something you enjoy..... if you dont like fender leave them off the truck....

 

Build what you like but make it safe...... some people on this board just know more than everyone else and they are proud to tell you about it.... and put down everyone else's project if you don't agree with them....

 

your right hotrod33!! i though this site was for gettin info and getting encouragment not getting shot down , its ok 2 say wat you like but u dont have to say some 1s truck looks like shit etc

 

Here is a start on a 38 chevy on a 51 chevy 1/2 frame. Frame cut 2' to a shorter wheel base. Chaneled down 7 1/2" in front and 3" in the rear.Nuff said. TOM (Tired Old Man)

 

Its pretty sad that we have all these guys runnin around on this board lookin to stir shit up. Chasin down newbies with no intros and lookin for peoples projects to call "ratrods". Sorry not all of us have the means to buy a usable model A coupe to build a "period" car so we can cruise next to a guy that built one just like you.

I agree with the right proportions on a truck. I think its critical. As for your frame choice, use that 40 frame....at least half of it. I used the stock frame back to the firewall then tubing the rest of the way wich is unseen.

My proportions are not perfect on my 37, ill be the first to admit. But it worked with my "unique" front suspension and got me on the road.

Good luck with your truck! Im all for saving old pickups, fenders or no

 

I say who gives a shit what people are saying or think. Its your p/u, build what you want bro! That is what makes this hobby so great!

 

any thing 35 and newer needs fenders! and bobbin trucks does not look good and especially using traactor grilles on a rod! WTF. i hate ratrods but then sometimes i think that atleast that old beyond repair rusted metal is still gettin used but now they have there own magazines P.O.S monthly they are gettin glorified too much! thats my opinion. whatever you do dont put the radiator in the back

 

Fenders or not...really doesn't matter to me...build what you want....BUT, I do know that the fenderless LAW here in Oregon applies ONLY to AMERICAN made vehicles built PRIOR to 1935....Johnny law will stop you and question you about not having fenders even when you are legal (been there)....So I guess what I'm saying is; just make sure whatever you're building,check with your states law on fenderless...might save you a hassle and some $$$$