buildiing a fenderless 38 chev 1/2 ton need imput

Hey guys whose got or built a 36 to 38 chev 1/2 ton what frame did you use and pics would be great. My plan is to be channeled no fenders and dropped axle up front i do have a stock 40 chev 1/2 ton frame

 

My 37 is on a 40 frame. I had to move the rear axle forward 1 1/2" to compensate for the 37's shorter W.B.. Of course I used fenders.

 

Why aren't more people building their own frames?

 

Why would Anyone build there own frame when a REAL frame gives your car so much more than a Box tube frame ?

Why are so many people Fucking up Old truck by building them with No fenders would be a better Question.

 

Because some states are getting "fussy" about frames not having the original serial numbers matching the title is one possible reason.

I have a 40 with a 4" dropped tube axle. It doesn't sit quite as low as I would like, but with the original leaf spring set up, it is harder to get it much lower and not screw up the steering and handling. I'm using fenders.

 

sounds like another rat rod in the making. and as stated before another old truck wasted.

i have a 38,39 and a 46 and they all have fenders.

 

I like bobber trucks if they've got the right proportions. Be very, very careful laying out the truck, 'cause as pointed out (somewhat bluntly) they totally suck ass if they're not right. I'll add that I don't thing the stock frame is going to lend itself to what you want, and the dreaded rectangular tube frame will get it done better. But, what do I know...

 

Oops, forgot the upload the photos of the "right" proportions

 

You gotta be kidding. That thing is awful. It's got some great parts but as a whole really missed the mark. Especially the grill. And those cabs look like ass in the cowl area like that.

 

The reason for no fenders is iam just building at the moment with what i have laying around this is a low budget build plus i already own 3 trucks that are full fendered plus 5 cars so need something different

 

Its only a waste when done poorly iam not one of these youngsters i have 30 yrs exp. under my belt it will be fine trust me i to agree some of these so called rat rods are crap this will be done tastefully and may i say SAFE

 

It's just going to be a traditional rod, right? A tratrod.

 

What are you runnin? Other than your mouth.
As for me I would rather see another old car on the road.

 

Roof will be chopped 3inch,s body very slight channel 283 with powerglide full box with possible bobbed fenders in rear chev 10 bolt diff

 

To each their own

 

No Sir, I'm with you. Do with it what ya like. I'm glad to see it gettin going.

 

Just tryin to save another one from the scrapper thats all Keepin the body low budget but makin sure the mechanicals are safe

 

Cool man get at it.

 

whats with these know it all haters, and their problem with fenderless pickups??? i have little books from back in the day with pics of fenderless trucks. are the "know it alls" gonna say thats non traditional too??? i think some of the guys on here are takin the traditional thing a bit far. maybe to the point of more traditional than what really was traditional. and why are no fenders OK on coupes and sedans, but not trucks? im building a 36 chevy pickup right now, and i aint runnin fenders either. i cant wait till its done so i can hear all the shit talkin then! build what you like, you dont have to impress anybody on here!

 

I have seen a few well done examples I liked, but unfortunatley, most are 20 feet long and ratty. I built a similar truck a few years ago with a Dodge cab; I had mixed emotions about it, so I sold it after it was a roller.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223155
Here's some H.A.M.B.ers helping build it:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233885


I really like this one:

 

LOL! Gee Zman, tell us what you really think! I do think it'd look better with a hood (no offense, Crafty!), but I think the proptions are spot on, the stance is great, and it makes a statement.

Brian

 

The area around the cowl looks like ass fenderless on those trucks, there is no easy fix. That's why so many, myself included think 35 is the end of fenderless that looks good. Tractor grills look silly. And stance, sitting on the ground or damn near like that is not stance.

 

The grille is higher than the cowl top AND is falling forward like something came loose.

 

I'm pretty sure that's the lense.

It's be funny if people building traditional rod could only use the tools they had back then. Seems only right.

 

I have a CPP drop tube on my '41 with de-arched springs. Gave me about 5" drop up front. I put a 12 bolt on the stock rear springs and added 2" lowering blocks. I'm happy with the stance and it rides well. Not sure how low you would need to go if you're not going to run fenders.



As for the rest of the arguing, I'm sitting out of this one.

Good luck. Hope it turns out ok.
Mark

 

you mean like MIG welders and bead rollers and planishing hammers and shrinker/stretchers?

 

I don't think we're argueing, it's more of a matter of perspective!

 

I actually put some thought into this. I saw a pic of a truck sitting on the ground and a guy had qouted the pic and wrote "killer stance". I was just about to type what you typed but I thought about it first. A vehicle sitting on the ground does have a stance, it has no rake, but it is a stance. The word stance stands for how does the vehicle sit. If the vehicle is higher in the back it has a rake, if it's lower in the back it is a lowrider, if it sits flat it's sitting level, and they are all stance's. I like to think before I type.

 

You over thought it. When we talk about "stance". We talk about the car sitting "right". Don't get over technical on it.

 

The 35,36 and 37 Ford cabs look so much alike most people can't tell them apart. I've built a 40 chevy 35 ford 36 ford and 2 37 fords all fenderless and they all looked great. The last one sold on ebay in less than 12 hrs, for way more than my reserve was because the guy really like the truck. I'm getting ready to do another 37 ford with 4 inch chop and 4 inch channel and a shortened bed and will probably keep it. Build what you like. If there done right they look kick ass. Just make sure the grill top isn't higher than the top of the cowl and don't use a tractor grill. Make sure you don't get the bed to short but don't leave it stock length. Front axle placement is important to. I've seen alot of them stuck way out front and that really kills the look. Just my 2 cents worth.