Im trying to figure out how Im going to build my 34 Ford Pickup HAMB friendly or not? I really like how simple it is. Front except I want to run a suicide front tube axle and a 31 grill and maybe 1" more chop.
As they say, opinions are like *** holes, we all have one. Here is mine: I always like the idea of a full fendered but channeled the width of the frame with a mild 2" chop on these trucks. That being said, I am building one full fendered, unchopped and unchanneled. I think that these old trucks look like rat rods without the fenders.
Love the one on the top except for the bed (not my personal preference), and the bed from the second one.
How much chop do the two 34 cabs above have? they look almost the same. 2" maybe? I think that is a 28-30 ford bed in the second post.
build it right..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=525764 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=690206&highlight=truck http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=353160&highlight=truck http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=642590 more visual aid http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319208&highlight=truck http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363687&highlight=truck
Ok I would like to do this to my cab. I dont know how but from what I hear these cabs have very little room when channled and chopped so extending the cab is the only way to go. What do you think? Here is my frame design in progress
Extended cab doesn't work for me. There not that bad. Mine is chopped 5&3/4" I fit ok @ 5'9". Not my only car so it's not going to be a long haul type of ride. My frame is close to what you have. Worked out good. My rails run right next to the sills, so it was easy to channel. In the rear I don't have much depth to the bed, but lots of room for rear suspension. I did a 47 olds truck arm with a transverse spring in the rear. If I did mine over I would put a little "swoop" in the front rails. Mine is fine, but It would look better with a little more style.
That sketch you have looks like a modified Model A. I don't really care for the quarter windows in this style cab. Quarter windows are cool in 50's period chev. trucks, but not in 32-34 ford pickups. If you really gotta have a longer cab, why not extend the doors about 3 inches. Then it may even look chopped at stock height. I'd like to see you sketch that out on CAD.
Tinbender Yeah, im not real fond of extended cab either. I just want to enjoy driving it and not waiting for the next minute to get out of it. I definitly want to style the front in some manner. I was thinking of tapering it from 4" to 3" from the bottom and maybe adding speed holes? I would like to extend the doors but that may be beyond my disire time tools etc. They do need a lot of work anyway though. I just want to hear someone is happy with the size of the cab. Im 5'10 190 so it almost fits.
Jydog, Answering your first couple of questions. The first truck you posted is a Model A, not that it makes a ton of difference. The 2nd truck was Hamber Kirk Hanning's. The bed is a Model A bed and I believe the chop was 4" and the channel is 6". As far as extending the cab goes, I don't think it's needed. I'm 6' 195 and I fit in my 34 perfect. Mine is a 6" chop, 4" channel, and a full cage. The key is taking the time to get the seating, pedals, and steering in the right positions. For example I bought my cab from Kirk and he took me for a ride in his. I think he is around 5' 8" and it fit him perfect. Now he had 3 pedals and a big cushy seat. But there is no way I could of even got my feet behind the pedals. The point is they have to be built to fit you. My wife is 5' 10" and she can barely see over the dash in mine. You hear a lot of guys saying you can't fit in a chopped and channelled pickup. It's a pet peeve of mine because it scares guys away from building what they really want. My thing is if I wanted something super comfortable I'd build a custom. These are hot rods they're supposed to be loud, hot , and nasty!
My truck is not chopped or channeled,,just a simple build that was built to satisfy me,,BTW,,with the firewall design you have a few more inches of leg room than the deuce pickup. I fit in my '32 Ford truck and I'm 6'4" and 220 lbs. HRP
Here's my ratrod...it even has the roof cut off... I'd stay with a 32 car grille or a 32-34 commercial grille... Neal
HRP, SCOTT GILLEN, and NeilinCA have just shown 3 awesome versions of a a 30's ford pick up! You really can't go wrong!
This might give you a better feel for the chop/channel ratio...it's all a matter of taste & ergonomics for your body size. This first one does not appear to have any chop, but a pretty good channel. (Please forgive me if I used your truck's pic here..I forget where I plucked it from.) Here's an early shot of mine, with a 3" chop & 5-1/2" channel. I'm 5'9" & about 160 & it works for me with three pedals. Then there's an old shot of Kirks, with the chop & channel increased a tad.
Mat, my build is going to be similar to yours. T-5 chopped and channled. Maybe not as much chop. I think the lower the chop the more at***ued and the meaner they look. Im thinking of copying your x member if you dont mind. Sick looking truck by the way. HRP, that does it. Im satisfied without stretching the cab. I just got back from Cruisin the coast car show in Biloxi and would have loved to see more trucks like yours there. The whole time I probably only saw 3 and no where near as nice. Scott, very unique. Is that half sedan and truck? Tell me more Nealinca, now a want a removeable hardtop. Why did you have to show me that. Fleetside66 those pictures help a lot. Thanks for posting. Im pretty sure on the 4" channel, and just have to decide on 4-5" chop. Kirks must be about 4" im guessing? If I had any of the trucks above I wouldnt touch them. The more I see the more I am appreciating the traditional aspect of hotrodding. I like em all. Here is what I am starting with. Getting closer to cutting and welding.
And how can I forget this one? I'd wager this is a 5" chop. Don't forget, some states have minimum windshield height opening requirements. It's good that you're doing your homework before pulling the trigger.
Great info here. This looks like where im heading. I really like this but it needs a good 5" chop This but lowerd a bit. and I wouldnt mind having a 35. I like this one so much I would trade my 34. This is the truck at emerald coast cruisin that started it all.
Yes, mine is all steel part car part truck part....rob a bank....And a fast mother at that, Most of my stuff is well past what it needs. This truck has 610 hp and will never hook up if you tried.....But its mean beyond belief. It also handles great except for the dropped straight axel. its chopped a bit more but the stance is nice overall. 427 plus a Richmond 6 speed. Its very low and there are issues with that. Pipes need to go above frame rails so you don't crush them all the time.....
WillysRule, perfect! Is that your art work? looks like you just dropped the front mostly. Now i just need to scale it and take the measurements. Scott Gillen, looks like a lifetime of work went into your ride. What more could you ask for. A convertible, truck, and the room and styling of a sedan. You wont have to worry about going to a show and parking next to another one. I think we are pretty much off the subject of extending the cab but look at this photoshoped truck I found posted by "DOCMIKE" on here. This dosent look half bad to me.
Ah.... its easy to draw, but to build at the correct perspective and get it right based on that drawing.......Thats where the art is. Scott
Scott, both are hard to me. The right perspective at one angle might not look right in another. Going from two dimensions to three is the trick. Here is a frame question for you guys http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=745085 Which miter cut is better and is a compound miter ok at the bottom z?
The Jalopy Journal
