Just started building my dads old dodge truck he's own it for 30 years sat in a barn the last 10. This is my First build but here it is my Dodge "Bobber" truck build. I know this look is a real toss up but heres my plan: 4.5-5" chop 4" channel suicide doors, frame probably be custom built or i'll at least buy a perimeter frame, its not going to have the front end way out there and be crazy low. will hope to achieve the right look well see how the build goes. Motor 318 not sure on a transmission or rear end. I always don't mind some input also so let me know what yall think The Cab before the dip shop After the dip shop Nice clean metal, No Real Bad rusted out areas. Right Cab Corner Lines up nicely. Measure the flatest part on the back of the cab and it will line up better with no splice cuts Back of the cab, Stock back window but probly will take 2" out to make it look more portioned to the rest of the windows Head on shot before i cut the roof in half. Looking out from inside. That brace is for wood buck Wood Buck to hold the roof up Before i cut the roof After i cut the roof and and tacked and welded the back and front into place
waiting for the lead to get here, still have to weld some things up on the door old hinge area and door handle
wow no replys :/ i dont think the front end is way out there on this truck. the look that im goin for
Nice cab you have to work with. I've got a '37 Terraplane grille assembly that I'd sell you, if you are going for that look pictured! I've got a '41 Plymouth pickup, myself, seen over there<<<<<. Good luck on the build. That 318 will do fine for you, and be a dependable engine for a driver. What rear axle are you going with? A rear out of an Explorer would do nicely, they are plentiful and strong.
Terraplane grille assembly is a great idea...seldom seen. Truck should be a Winner when you finish ! Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net
front end will be a pete and jakes dropped axle with hairpins and the rear will be a 4link or a 350z independent rear end , i'm probly gonna use the top half of two dodge grilles for the front but that terreplane grille is really sweet looking I also plan on making a one piece hood for it. Motor will be a 318 with 360 heads and some other little things, not sure on the rear end yet but thanks for the info on the explorer, I currently have a Dodge Aspen rear end. I know that this bobber truck look isnt really liked on here unless its done right so hopefully it will. im also new to the straight axle stuff some im sure i have question but also doing alot of reading.
I just bought the same cab and doors this weekend. How wide of a filler did you use on the roof? Do you have more pics of the chop? Keep up the good work.
Great job.Want to do the same chop on my 47. I also have a donor truck to play with. Check with the gasser community for the straight axle ???? Just read a build on a Nova shoebox with coverage on the sraight axle. Keep us all informed on progress. Maybe some text with the photos always a help. Build it like you want it.
Country gent i wouldnt cut up that other cab, if you have two of them you can cut one half of the roof longer and only have the one splice to weld up. What other pics of the chop do you want. im not sure on the filler piece it depends on how low you go with the chop. mine is 4.5"-5" up front 4.5" rear for the straight axle i ment chevy or ford axle it will have a suicide front end on it or a torsion bar setup with the axle
You're doing some nice sheet metal work! Keep the pics coming! Always like to follow them build threads!
i had to do alot of work to the hinges sure would be nice if i had a torch but cutting and bending. http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/vonhyde4/a8cd1eb2.jpg The paint i think im gonna do
I did a 46. I didn't do a super technical job. Just a get the look and go build. There's a couple vids of it on youtube under 46 dodge. I chopped the top 3" which was my first ever chop. What a bitch. The top is bubbled and those damn door frames taper all the damn way! The good thing bout the dodge cab is that bottom skirt can be cut off or at least way down and it really shortens the look, the channeled effect with little effort. I used the stock frame z'd,stock front axle, made my own disc brakes by using gm calipers on homemade brackets, on mustang rotors fitted over stock hubs. speedway transverse spring. Hairpins front, and ladder bar rear. My wheelbase was too long at 128 inches. But it was my first try at this kind of truck. rammed 440/727, ford 9 inch 4:11 spool. fun.
this chop i think is pretty easy, a lot easier than like a 50's chevys truck. the doors were also pretty easy what taper area you talking about?? since your chopping it you can make the top skin however you want, i took less "bubble" out of it, and flattened it out a lil bit. As for the channel i'm going to use 2x4 tubing or a 1950 ford truck frame, the channel will be 4", the stock frame is way to big, I would love to run a hemi but i want a nice cruiser that doesn't have to stop at every gas station especially the way gas keeps going up, maybe ill make it run on some Moonshine i haven't got a lot done lately due to looking for a new house to move into and probably going up to Alaska in June to work on the pipeline and make some good money to get this project further and done right.
I spy a profile black jack sproket and a 3/16 chain... I used to rock the same set up back in the day! Lookin good man
looks great. I'm in the same boat as you with my 46 Chevy. got any more pics of the suicide hinges? thanks / keep it up!