what needs to be done to achieve a similar look/stance

Ok, I'm a newbie looking to get into a 30's pickup. That being said, I found a potential project I need some input on.

The first few pictures is the truck that the I'm looking at(black truck). It's a 36 Ford cab, channeled 10 inches on a 55 chevy frame, 289 with 2 speed power glide. Runs and drives, needs wiring for lights and bed needs a lot of attention. Guy is asking $3500. I'm looking to achieve a look like the last picture(silver truck). Is this a good project for that style? What will have to be done? Chopped top, dropped axle, z'd frame? Thanks in advance!

 

I think you'd need a different frame to start with.

 

yeah that 55-59 chevy truck frame is not quite the ticket for an early ford hot rod....

 

Thanks for the responses. Is this pretty much the general consensus?

 

Yeap.

 

x 2 ..............

 

Yes. The other truck is likely on a 36 frame with a dropped axle and some kickup in the rear.

 

Thanks guys, this site really is awesome. Just got an e-mail from another guy. It's a 36 cab on what he says is an "early gm chassis". Not too sure what year it is, can anyone tell me from this photo? Included is a 36 grill and an unspecified motor(still waiting on a response). He's asking $1500, worth it and good for what I'm after? Thanks.

 

$500 is more like it.............This is going to depend on your skill level.

Hell, just buy the cab and go from there. You will be better off in the long run.

 

Hi, that 2nd chassis is still not the best for an early hot rod. Body has to go down and back.
The front axle has to go forward to center with the grill, you can't do that with that factory IFS.
I'm going for the same look on my pickmup using a 40 cab.

 

I'm with Bishop, the cab on that second one looks to be the ticket, but you need something like an A frame or similar to drop it on to make it like the pickup you want. I mean, you could make that IFS cab work with a LOT of cutting, welding, and scrounging. The entire IFS would have to go, replace it with a dropped axle, maybe channel the cab. The look you want can be achieved, but it won't be a job for the faint of heart. But, that's what this board is all about. I personally think it's overpriced at 1500, though. Wave 500 beans in front of the seller, because I don't think he's gonna get much more than that, especially with winter coming. Then again, from the looks of the background, he's got a good heap collection going, and he looks like he ain't afraid to let shit hang out for a while! On a good note, it's got both doors and looks fairly straight, so right away it's a better deal than most cabs I have found here in the northeast.

 

Dave, I guess it is Dave, don't buy what you don't need or won't use unless there is a ready market to get rid of it. I agree with the others on the first truck. The chassis is just wrong for what you want. On the second one you would throw away about everything except the cab and rear end. You might be to sell the front stubframe to someone but that would only bring 100 to 200 bucks back in the build kitty.

The little chopped truck you want to use as an inspiration is chopped, channeled and the stock frame is probably Z'd on both ends to get it that low.
It will probably have the factory I beam suspension with a dropped axle in front and a later axle in back with ones choice of many suspension designs. A 4 bar and bags probably being the most practical for the application.

As for myself, I don't like to pay extra for things that I won't use or won't be able to turn for the amount that they add to the cost. The seller may think that chassis is the greatest to come along since beer in twist cap bottles but the chassis isn't any good for what you want to do with the truck so it isn't worth any extra to you.

You might ask if he will sell just the cab, that is if it is a primo cab. Or wave what you feel the cab is worth to you in 100 dollar bills under his nose and see if he takes it. I have no idea of what that cab would sell for in that area of the country but it should be quite a bit less than 1500 I would think.
'

 

Dude, I see two 32-34 truck cabs, and a fenderless model A in the background. I would be looking into one of those rides.

 

You need a frame similar to this...........

 

That frame just ain't gonna cut it. The truck you like is maybe on a stock frame but it's not a stock front end setup. 36's had the spring in front, which set the wheels way back, that one likely has a spring over or spring behind setup to move the axle forward and lose the overhang that looks so odd on fenderless 36's.
I know because I have a half finished project in my garage (I got sidelined) and I spent a lot of time getting the frame set up to look right.

 

Way ahead of you Model A is gone and only one 32 Cab is left and he wants an arm and a leg for it.

 

Here's the frame we built and the truck as it sits right now. Some folks don't like these style trucks. They sure dont like them with control/a arms up front. It doesn't look right anyway. This frame cost $200 in tube and $100 for the repro model A front cross member. Front axle is early ford, 36-37 I think, dropped 4 inches, rear is dana 44 from 56 ford f100 with a 40 ford spring. Get all your suspension parts together first. ALL OF THEM. Build a mock up with 2x4's. Here's a thread I put my 2 cents in. Plan, Plan Plan.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=402919

 

No one has mentioned anything about getting a title for the truck cab...and I know nothin' bout Jersey DMV but keep in mind that at some point you will need proper paper for the project, soooooo.....


.

 

Hey price out the parts you can use cab rearend engine n tranny, then go from there. youre looking at building a frame and getting a front end off early truck/car.
parts is parts even if they are together n run. make an offer to the guy and go for it. youre second choice is leave it there, aint worth hardly nothing. very expensive to start with nothing and get it together n running. And like said before, get some paperwork on whatever you buy

 

I'm not to keen on the idea of building my own frame. Any fellow hamber's willing to do this in the NJ/PA area? Or can you recommend anyone in this area?

 

Hey, this is my 200th post!!!

There is a guy on Ebay that will make frames. But, you have to figure out what you need in order to have it built. That is the hardest part, once you've done that it's just a matter of welding it up, keeping it square, gussetts. I did it in our backyard shop. If you can weld it's not as rough as it sounds.

 

I could weld a frame for ya. Mock it up and I will weld it. I know you are looking at a lot of stuff and trying to get away as cheap as possible. I spoke to you on the phone about my cab. I just don't have the time to lay it all out and set it up for you. I also think mike 47 on here could definitely do the whole thing for you. I bought some stuff rom him and had the chance to see some of his work it looked nice