anybody recognize this 70's kustom?

Of all the pictures that have shown up in this thread, I don't know that I have seen one of the original grille that was in the truck. If you know what the original looked like or hope beyond hope of a picture of it, I'd love to see it. For thjat matter if anyone has any pictures or more details of the original truck, then please share them on here.

When I got it, it had, still has, some sort of early Chevy front axle with a 5 on 5 pattern and looks like a slightly narrowed 9 inch with 5 on 5 1/2 rear end. The frame is z'ed in the front as well. I have a frame with a crown vic front end and a t-bird independent rear I'm considering using. I've also seen a grill pictured I believe on another thread that I'm mulling over as well...

 

Orange Crate...I'd think long and hard before changing anything on that truck...you start putting all that independent suspension in and some of its history is lost...there's nothing wrong with axle front suspension or a 9" rear...I would shoot for the purple version as my goal...just my .02

 

I understand what you're saying. I have no proiblems with srtaight axles, just not too keen to having 5 on 5 Chevys drums on the front and 5 on 5 1/2 Ford truck in the rear. The frame is z'ed as well and not he best work I've ever seen. I drive my vehicles and I plan on it being safe. I also tend to use what I have instead of reworking something else.

 

you dont think white? Id do white and gold or blue/purple like the other picture.

 

How about a flat orange with yellow scallops outlined in lime green!

 

I think its a regular thing for hotrods to have different bolt patterns front and rear...its not like you are ever going to have to rotate the tires or something. Very easy to find aluminum slot mags in the sizes you have there and return it to its glory state...that is assuming the front/rear axle werent just put in it to make it a roller. You could always drill the rear axles/drums and make it 5 on 5 like the front and gusset the frame...I think crude was pretty much the order of the day back then...

 

I'm with Black Panther on this one, modernizing the suspension partially ruins the truck. I've seen a few old customs "restored" that got modernized including a really neat old Merc that ended up getting a 70's Eldorado front wheel drive clip added, and to me it's ruined now. Not saying your Crown Vic/T-bird setup would be as bad as that, but still.

If the Z-d frame needs to be re-cut or fish plates added or whatever to make it stronger, that'd be fine, but to put late model suspension under it? I'd really hate to see that happen.

 

I wonder why it is that erverybody jumps on the wagon to change the grille and get rid of the Cougar stuff that is the essence of the original truck but then says, OH MY, change the suspension, OH NO!!!! that you can't see and will make it SAFER to DRIVE, which is what I intend to do with it!! Seems it's OK to change what they want changed but not what I do. You guys FUND the restoration and I'll do it your way.

 

Orange Crate...my personal opinion is that you change as little as you can. Try to restore it to what it was. Changing it makes it something different...that's all. I would keep the cougar taillights and whatever it was wearing when it was the purple version. But that's just me..the guys who told you to change stuff dont really care about the truck's history. They are looking at it from the aesthetics of it alone...others look at it from the aesthetics AND the history of it. There is a percentage of guys here that really do care about the history of old customs...I am one of them. If you found an old hot rod that had old pictures like you do of your truck...and that it was built by a known hot rod shop back in the day...and you posted on here that you wanted to change it around...like removing an old drop axle to put in a Mustang II in the front...or lets say pulling out a 9" rear for that T Bird setup you mentioned...you would get LAMBASTED...I say, whats the difference? History is history...what makes that truck special is that it WAS something...it has been in that configuration for nearly 45 years...this is simply my opinion...and to be honest I am kind of partial..I was REALLY thinking about buying that truck when the last guy had it up for sale..

 

I understand what you are saying about the history. But the truck disappeared years ago and has just recently resurfaced. The guy that had the truck built is still alive and was made aware of it's location. I haven't tried to contact him but I plan to, to get his opinion on things. Customs and Rods were always built to improve what a designer had started and to make it your own. How many of the old Customs that you know of are now drivable vehicles? The ones that haven't been updated sit in a museum because they are not drivable or such a chore to that it's no fun. The ones that have are driven and can be viewed and appreciated by more people than ever. I don't build show vehicles, I build drivers. If that's wrong, I guess all the old guys missed the boat, because they were driven. What I have is a shell and a somewhat cobbled up frame that I don't know if is original to it or not. I know it's not a Ford pickup front axle and there is no 427 and 4 speed still with it. Do I go back with that seeing I'm no longer able to drive a stick.....I can tell you it will be Ford powered and a cruiser not a muiseum piece.

 

That looks like a '64 mercury grille to me.