Ive got 33 ford cab that im having a new frame built for but, i wanted to post a couple of questions before i let the builder start. First off were using 33 style rails. But i cant deside on how much to kick the frame in the rear. The builder said for the look that im wanting he would kick it 12-15''. And like 4-6 up front. Does that sound like a good number? Also, were going to channel the cab somewhere around 6''. Im going with superbell axle, and batwing radius rods, with so-cal buick brakes with the disc inside. Im just concerned about the kick in the frame, and if i should go stock wheelbase or maybe add a few inches. thanks!
What is the look you're going for?? And what are you running for rear suspension? There's like 45,000 different ways to build a pickup, about 3 of which look good. As far as the front goes, are you planning on running spring over axle, or a "suicide" style setup? I'm guessing you want low since you're talking about kicking the rear 12". Without running a suicide setup, you will need about a 6 to 8" Z in the front...how much exactly depends on rake, rail kickup and a bunch of other factors. if you're planning on a suicide axle, all you'll need is about 3" of kickup in the rails. 12" in the rear will get you sorta low, but not REALLY low. I am 7" off the ground in the rear with 31" tall rear tires, but needless to say, my rear suspension may differ from yours. Attached is a bunch of pictures of my frame, both bare and with a cab on it, If not ideas, at least maybe it'll help you come up with more questions. It's 5" C channel, close enough to stock rails for our purposes. It's 12" up in the rear, and has a 3" sweep on the front of the rails. Front spring is a stock A pack with a reverse eye main leaf from Speedway or Pete And Jakes or somewhere. Rear spring is a front spring from a 40 sedan, I think. Front tires are 26" tall, rears are 31"....frame is 4" off the ground under the cowl, and about 7" right before the kickup. Also, there's some good info in this thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90778
Yea, im going to run a suicide axle up front. Rear end im still not sure on... More than likely a 9'' like your doing. I was wondering if you kept the stock wheelbase or did you go further out? Looking at your pictures, it looks like about the same thing im wanting to do. Theres some guys about 50 miles north of me thats going to build my frame. www.streetcargarage.com Ive been talking with them over the phone about what im wanting. Ive seen several of these trucks on this site but none have given specs, thats why i posted this. I was talking to the frame builder the other day, and was asking him about shines bare metal truck. They said that was 33-34 style rails, with around 15'' of kick in the rear. I didnt think it was that much. But anyway thanks for giving me some info. and the pictures.
No clue what stock wheelbase is, never been in possession of a stock pickup frame, and never bothered to look it up Mine's 118" which is kinda long by regular hotrod standards, but witha suicide axle there's not much way to make it shorter. Shines is roughly the same length or a hair longer. As a point of reference, I doubt Jimmys rails are that high in the rear, he was runnign tire diameters similar to mine, and his frame height is pretty close to what I've got...(keep in mind he's channeled 1.25" farther) With 12" of kickup in the rear, I have something like 6" between the housing and the frame rails, 4" would be plenty, even with a bumpstop. I don't know offhand what Jimmy did in the front, the truck frames have that goofy S bend in the that facilitates getting it low without having to do much other than setting it up with the spring off the hairpins. In fact, I'm pretty sure mine is lower at the sweep point under the cowl than his is. Main point being, all this***** is pretty easy to figure out with some thought and some measurements. When I did the drawings for my frame, all I had was a cab and a knowledge oif my tire diameters. Everything was figured using those diameters and a rough idea what the springs would do when compressed (measured some springs on one of Dads cars)
4" Z in the front, 9" Z in the Rear. 30" Rear Tires and 26" Front tires or so. Wheelbase on this is 118 I think that the stock wheelbase is supposed to be 112" but I took measurments off a '34 for mine and I got 118" so I don't know. I wish that I would have made it 115" to center the back wheel a little better. Note - the cab is not channeled The low part of the Chassis is about 6"-7" off the ground. Chassis made out of 2x4x3/16" Tubing Like my frame table? - Yeh it is two of those plastic Saw-Horses with a 4x8' 1/4" Thick Plate on them I'm not exactly entirely happy with the way that the chassis cam out and will probably make a new one @ some point - but it will be the same basic design - just better fitment/welding
Just a little fyi these trucks are small and chanelling them makes it even more cramped. I am 5'6 and mine was unchanneled chopped 5 inches and rather tight fit. I think with the z-ing front and back it will be low enoughm but its your truck and build it the way you want but make it fun to drive and enjoyable
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