I bought a '75 chevy shortbed. I knew it had rust issues but didn't know just how bad it was til I got it home and really went over it. I have an extra cab on a parts truck thats pretty good, about 95% better than the one on my shorty. So I am going to swap the cab. But with summer coming up here in a few days I got to thinking, why not build a roadster out of the rust-bucket cab and just put off the cab swap til fall? So here is the idea- Weld passenger door shut from the inside, cut off top, cut down windshield to around 14"... With all the rust in the floors I figure simply whacking the top off would result in an instant taco so I thought welding the passenger door shut might give it enough strength. What do you guys think? I don't really want to spend a TON of time re-enforcing everything since its coming off in a few months but I dont want the door sag/won't shut problems either. Loseing the use of the pass door is no biggie, the wife sits in the middle anyways so its the same distance either way lmao We just thought it would be a fun hair-blower for the summer. Also, I've never delt with glass before...can I cut down the windshield myself or need to find a glass shop? Is this even possible? I thought of plexiglas but I think the stock glass would fit & look better. Thanks & sorry for writing a novel lol -John
Fairly easy fix. First, brace up the engine and transmission really well. Next, lift the cab up off the frame and throw it away. Next, find a model A body (or something similar) and replace it on the frame. Next, remove the frame from the body and engine and trans and replace it with a model A frame (or something similar). Last, go cruising in something worthwhile that you can now say you built
When did this place get all fuckin single minded? I bet all you build are pre 1960's cars? Whatever. Body mods like what I'm asking about are far more common in this part of the car world, thats why I asked. I used to be able to get actual help on here... Sorry guys, I get a little irratated at this kinda closed minded crap. I guess if theres anyone who has anything useful to add... -John
Useful: The board rules state we only discuss 1964 and older vehicles here (IE Traditional Hot Rods & Customs), with the only exceptions being those that carried over into 65-66 or whatever else Ryan feels like making an exception (early funny cars and other '70s drag racing stuff for instance seem to be OK). Useful: You may find some answers in the 73-87 truck section at www.chevytalk.org - Useful: About the only 73-up stuff that makes sense in a traditional ride is when the suspension is used to upgrade a 60-66 Chevy/GMC truck - Less than useful: Posting that on here, you should feel kind of like the gay guy that accidentally walked into a biker bar. Or vice versa.
Actually, everything in my shop right now is 20s and 30s. You have been here 3 more years than me, but you haven't figured out that a 1975 truck doesn't fall into what the HAMB is about? Honestly, I'm suprised the thread wasn't already deleted.
Wow....attack of the internet flame-brigade. I have been here three years longer and lots of guys have posted lots of questions about what we like to call OFF TOPIC cars and trucks...thats what "OT" or "O/T" means, asshole. It was "ok" before, we just put the "OT" in the subject so anyone not interested could go on to other posts. Useful- being a cool car guy... Less than useful- being a keyboard wielding asswipe... -John(gettin pissed that this place is changing)
I copied and pasted the rules, doesnt say you cant talk about the truck hes asking for help on. Rules: 1. No profanity in subject lines 2. No political/religious/racial posts 3. No Porn. 4. All personal information listed on this board is private and protected. The HAMB does not sell this information and you are not privy to use it for your own reasons. Test us on this one and we will bite. 5. New Users must fill out thier profiles. Every bit that you can. Simply click on "User Cp" above and get to work. 6. New users must introduce themselves in the intro forum. If he was selling it then that would be a no go (pasting again) Cars For Sale Traditional hot rod & customs cars for sale. 1964 and under only fellas... Instead of completely bashing this guy, why not tell him how to manage the problem, other than replacing it with a different vehicle. Its the same process as if he was doing this to a 63 chevy. Technically the year isnt the topic here, its how to do a certain mod. Not trying to start anything, just trying to clear up some mud in the water.
I would think that if the passenger side door was welded up, then minimal bracing would be needed to the drivers side. I think after all the work involved though it would be easier to swap the cab over though.
Got a better idea. I pulled this from the same place you copied the board rules from, paragraphs 1 & 2. WTF is traditional about cutting the roof off a rusty '70s Chevy pickup, again? And don't tell me you're going to paint it flat black with red wheels. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, or wrong, this just ain't the place for it. It's been clear to me since 2004, I don't know how anyone else could miss it. Now I did offer some advice about where to find answers for his questions, but maybe I shouldn't have bothered.
I'm just trying to get him some help where he looked, He obviously thought that the knowledge of this board would provide the best answer, maybe he should have left out the model year. It would have most likely been answered by now.
Amen...and thanks for the useful information. I've posted alot on here about traditional stuff like when I was building my '55 olds, offered advice on things I knew about, and never had any problems until today with this kinda stuff. I mean c'mon, I didn't ask about a '05 Accord... Maybe its overflow from the OSR forum lmfao... -John
Nothing traditional about the fact that its a 70's, but the idea of doing it is traditional. If it would have been a 63 what would your answer have been?
By my way of thinking, the truck frame should be pleanty stout enough to cut the roof off the cab without having to worry about anything. The cab is soft mounted to the frame, so it contributes very little, if any to overall chassis stiffness. Remember back in the 80's-90's when the roads were flooded with P/U trucks with convertible conversions? Now, question answered... Back to talking traditional rides
Thanks man...I would let you guys know how it turns out but Im thinking I'd be E-Thugged again lmfao -John
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