Projects Newb to traditional hot rods

Totally understand i just want some instant gratifacation! Haha what should i do frame wise?

 

Welcome to the forum. You did great on the price on those cabs, and the 35's are one that I would love to have myself.

You've probably felt the pressure from some of the comments not to build this one in what some call "Bobber or Rudy" form.........ie, no fenders, chopped, channelled, short bed, etc. Me, I like those, personally, and if I had one of your bodies that is exactly how I would do it.

We sometimes forget that not everyone has the same exact taste or vision of what their car should be, and a younger person will incorporate some ideas that are more from their own generation. That seems pretty traditional to me, after all, I understand the first hot rodders were pretty bummed that the younger guys coming along were using those new fangled 8 cylinder flatheads instead of the "traditional" four bangers that they liked.

As for the 347 stoker, go for it. I am running a 331 stroker (I debated between the 331 and 347 and only went with the 331 because there is some discussion about the 347 having higher cylinder wear due to rod angle). I absolutely LOVE it in my 27 and it has way more power than I can use. Just accelerating through the gears puts a new smile on my face every time. With some finned valve covers and old timey touches a sbf can be made to look pretty good in there.

As for wanting to keep it lowbuck, good for you. My current project is a 29 rpu and I am keeping it lowbuck, plus I want it to look a little lived in, like an old shoe. There is something to be said for that look.

Keep us posted on your build.

Don

 

Here is what I built using a 1935 ford cab.
Some people like it, some don't.
I just like to drive it...

 

im not alone!! Haha thats exactly how i feel i like both. I like evrything!

 

Welcome
and just remember...

When you skip school you have time on your hands<O</O
When you have time on your hands you browse junkyards<O</O
When you browse junkyards you get illusions of being a hot rod builder<O</O
When you think you are a builder you weld a bunch of mismatched shit together<O</O
When you weld mismatched shit together and think it’s cool, you post a thread on the HAMB<O</O
When you post junk on the HAMB you get hammered<O</O
Don’t skip school<O</O

 

Im not building junk im just not going to build it fendered...

 

Fuxl i like your truck alot! Id say its good proof that the world wont end if they dont have fenders! Haha

 

I tried to build one of these "bobber" trucks years ago(search for "The Ugly Truck" under my screen name. I learned a Hell of a lot about faricating a car from scratch. I also learned no matter how I tried, it just didn't look right. The I got my hnds on a '27 T roadster, which just screams "fenderless hot rod". I dumped the Ugly Truck for way less than half of the cost of the parts, not to mention tons of labor. Just throwing that out there, because I've been there.

"We're from the H.A.M.B., and we're here to help."

 

That's thing is pretty sweet

 

I would take that truck in a heartbeat. Maybe not everyone's style, but it sure is mine.

Don

 

Right with ya!! Awesome truck!! And yeah a sbf does look good!

 

Plenty of parts out there to dress up a sbf with a nostalgia touch! Looks good i like it alot!.

 

Any advice on using a 37 frame for this project? I planned to just build and entire frame but im thinking maybe this 37 would be a nice start point to modify from?! Thanks guys

 

1935 to 1940 Car frames are the same. just different mounting holes.
1935 to 1941 truck frames are also the same as the car.
http://www.wescottsauto.com/Tech/FrameDiagram1935-40.pdf

My truck is sitting on a 1933-1934 frame. Worked out alright for me.

 

We seem to have found another exception to the rule! This truck is very nice!

 

Well, I'll be the first one to say it out loud with no disrespect intended. If you are going to apply any part of the "rat Rod" philosophy or styling to this build thread you are in the wrong place and if you continue it will end badly. Contrary to what seems to be popular misconception, it's not what we do around here. I only mention this because from what I have seen this kind of Bobber truck is usually (though not always) taken on by people who confuse "traditional" with "ratty".
Tread carefully and listen to people's opinions on here without getting confrontational, and then decide if it's wise to continue.
Best of luck, and in the hope that you will choose the right path,
Paul

 

Ford Ranger II will probably suffice.

 

Well the way i see it is im going to build what i like. Im not going to build a truck based on what a group on a forums pushes. I dont mean that as a jab to this site its just in general that im not going to let anyone tell me what to regardless of who or what site im on. With what ive been looking at and what people commonly refer to as a ratrod or traditinal truck im thinking my truck would fit better in a hotrod category or something along those lines. Im not going to build it with period correct only and pipular parts so the traditional is out. And im also not going to hack up ten cars and weld them together with skulls for headlights and vise grips for door latches so to me it wont be a rat rod. Im gping to take a cab and potentially the 37 frame and build 90% of everything else custom. Its going to be what i can best decribe as a radical bobber truck?! Now what category that falls under i have no clue but thats what i want. Im not here to ruffle feathers and start fights ive already been warned by many what will happen and has happened on here a million times. I just want to build my truck and im going to post progress on here and look for hints help and parts along the way. If people like what i do kool if not thats kool also!

 

Welcome K-ville....

If you want a Rudy/bobber truck, you have a good start there. Personally, I like them when done right. Not many are done without going too far "over the top". Fuxl's is cool for sure.

"Traditional" is relative. This site is mostly about "early" traditional hot rods and customs. "Traditional" for me also encomapsses the bullet proof stuff Pete & Jake and Lobeck were cranking out and beating on hard in the late '70's/early 80's. Real hot rods - respected hot rods - for sure, but differnet from the stuff built in the 40's-60's.

I had a buddy once who drove an unchopped '37 Ford truck as a highboy for a year while he saved $$$ to purchase and paint the fenders. It was on a stock frame but had a dropped front end, ladder bar rear suspension on a 9" Ford rear end. It looked like a truck without fenders..... but the SOB also looked pretty cool.

If you want to drag the rockers on the pavement, build your own frame. If you think you might want to do something a little more traditional - something a little more "hot rod" - trade your extra cab for a good original frame and as many original suspension pieces you can get thrown in with the deal. A stock rolling frame would net you a solid foundation, wishbones to split, spindles, springs, and an axle to drop. Adding a motor, trans, and rear end/suspension then becomes a true "bolt on" with a few pieces from Chassis Engineering. Make your own bed.

I can't find a photo right now but Limey Steve (Limeworks Speed Shop) had one of these unchopped highboy trucks running fenderless at one point. It would be worth the effort to find a pic of it.

Funny how everyone wants a "Rudy/bobber" truck when a stocker or even an unchopped highboy can look so good..... & at this point "different" from all the rest who follow the trend. To each his own though.

Good luck. Keep us posted on your progress.

JH

 

A couple from Des Moines to think about. Photos by KIRK!

 

Thanks guys, for the nice comments about my truck.
Here are a few more pics, and also the link to my ongoing build thread:







http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313603

When I started building this truck, I didn't have a clue what traditional meant.
But I had my vision. The current version of my truck is still pretty close to my initial vision, but I've made changes along the way. Simple things that I didn't know any better, but reading on here and talking to people, it made a lot of sense for me to change them...

 

quote k-ville;
'so the traditional is out.'

From the HAMB mission statement; "spreading the gospel of traditional hot rods and customs".
I don't want to pick a fight either, but without "traditional" this would be just another hot rods and customs site. I really don't understand what is so difficult to comprehend.I do genunely wish you luck and hope yur build fits in.
Let the "traditional Nazi" name-calling begin.
Paul

 

I agree with Kripfink and add this. You can build it anyway you like, it is your truck, however you posted pics here and were looking for info, so we assumed you would want guidance from us and we are trying to give it. You have been abit defensive, this is common for new members who jump right in, so we will let it slide.


Many here build rides that don't quite fit into the traditional guidlines and we don't post them. Yes, some items/rides do sneak in/by but that is not the norm. Don't be defensive, we just want to keep the site true to it's intent...TRADITIONAL hot rods & customs.

 

Yeah i get what your saying. I enjoy traditional and as far as im concerned my truck will have a traditional look. But i dont think you guys will agree. I will say this site is way overboard on how alot of you act but hey it is what it is.

 

Welcome.
I like the look of fenderless but brings back memories of fenderless MC riding in the rain.
So, I guess my 42 is too new to go without.

 

Well Harrison welcomed you and that says a lot.

That said and no disrepect for harrison intended but if you donot like our attitude about keeping the site traditional there is probably another site better suited for you. Perhaps you should go check one of the other sites out.

 

I understand. Never planned to do a build thread just posted what i have.. but i get what your saying im not being defensive on purpose. So let it slide or not ill be fine either way. Im not going to walk on egg shells worrying about everything i say just like i dont expect you guys to do either.

 

So because i have a truck i plan to be non tradition i cant enjoy the site and peoples traditional cars?

 

Black truck is identical to what i want!

 

Don't sweat it buddy. Build it like you want it. Look at a lot of the cars on here. Bagged, aftermarket air, over shoulder seat belts, third brake lights, radial tires. Im not trying to be a jerk, I just am getting tired of guys just looking to bash someone else.