'50 Chevy PU mock-up pic

[DollaBill]

Obviously, its got a ways to go....the bucket and wheel holding the tires are not part of the build plan...but you can get a general idea.

The front axle is '48 Ford...still at the blacksmith shop seperating the 'bones from the axle...

The local Chevy parts counter guy came by last week and told me he had a 6-deuce set up he was willing to part with, so there ya go...and finally located another cab, so I can complete the chop on this thing over the next couple weeks.

Steering is sprint-car style....shortened a 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook column, and am using the Plymouth box.

More pics as progress dictates.

[Ryan]

Neat idea... Remember Killer's truck he was doing for a while?

Thinking out loud here - have ya thought about narrowing the body 6 or 7 inches why you have the top off? Might give it a real racy look...

[DrJ]

That's going to look cool when it's all buttoned up.

I guess you're getting another cab to widen the roof,,,,have you considered narrowing the cab instead?
Just an idea.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Hey!
I didn't see Ryan's post, honest. It went up while I was two finger typing! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[DollaBill]

Thanks...

Yeah, I keep changing my mind about narrowing the body...the frame is still just tacked together because I haven't committed one way or the other....although it IS tacked to accomodate a narrowed body, so obviously I am biased http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The plus side of narrowing the body is just that...it'd look killer, and 6 inches is just about right...the down side is that I LOVE the '50 dash, and so I'd have to lose the glove box door (which is integrated, style-wise, into the ribbed central speaker/ash tray grille)...

My guess is that I'll end up narrowing it...it would add that extra "WTF is THAT!?" factor, and thats a good thing.

[OGNC]

I don't know about shrinking the cab. Bill is a pretty big guy. Not big like me (ie. fat) big like Junior Seau is big. I think that he is going to have a heck of a time fitting in that cab the way it is! Besides, I like it like that. It looks like a something an old hotwheel designer would have come up with...

[Antibilly]

Are you building it along these lines?? or am I missing something?....

[DollaBill]

Yeah...the other thing is that because I mounted the engine so high...the transmission is entirely inside the cab...makes a nice cup holder, but it does limit interior space http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ah, well...I still have a part or two to fab before I have to commit to whether or not to narrow it...

...but yeah. If you and I get in the thing (I am offering to chauffeur you to Circle Bar Night next November)...we're gonna have to get a running start just to squeeze in http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[alchemy]

It can't be THAT narrow. Have you tried to get into a Model A pickup?

I second (or third, or is that fourth) narrowing the cab to match the top.

alchemy

[DollaBill]

Well...that thing is bad ass...I LOVE it....

But mine is gonna have a bit more fit and finish to it.

For instance, I have created a "flattened" firewall, created the grille shell to accomodate the visual mass of the cab, I'm fabricating the frame to be specific to this vehicle...

So, yeah....its KINDA like the one you posted, but (forgive me), I am going to make it all "fit"

[Antibilly]

I get ya!! have fun and keep us posted

[porknbeaner]

I'm on with the narrow cab thing also. Unless you're real wide you shouldn't be hurting yourself. You might have to fab seats, or snag a set from a fiero or something. But that wouldn't hurt much.
Nice truck.

[praisethelowered]

that thing is cool. Somebody on here was working on a ford version but the chevy has that old beltline (right term?) that runs around the cab at the bottom of the windows that makes it look more right with the older grill.

Narrowing is the way to go, and I know motors always look small when they are undressed, but I think this thing needs a really big motor or else it may look small sitting in front of that big firewall

cool project, i'm jealeous, i think I may have to copy you or the spacetruck for my next one. . .

[Unkl Ian]

I narrowed the cab,finished off the grill,
and laid the windshield back so you wouldn't have to lengthen the roof.

[praisethelowered]

oh yeah, and the peak in the roof even ties in with the grill shell.. . . damn, that's cool.

[DollaBill]

You just may be onto something there, chief. Thanks! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Courtney, you may have to ride in the bed....but it ain't THAT far to the Hard Rock from North Hall.

[DollaBill]

I agree...an undressed engine does "look small"....and that firewall IS big...it's still untrimmed, so it does get a BIT smaller...

...but like I mentioned earlier, the tacked-together frame is consistent with a narrowed body, so the consensus seems to match my default configuration...

Relative to the large space, as yet unfilled by 6 carbs and whatnot....here's a pic of the exhaust I am going to run.

This setup is on a Dodge coupe that my buddy Bob in WA state owns, and I call it "Lexus headers"....you know, as in the collector outlet is at about the same elevation as a Lexus' drivers window...

[Unkl Ian]

Some spacers under the carbs will help fill the space visually.





Those headers look obnoxious. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[OGNC]

It's too cold in Vegas in November to be riding my drunk ass around in the bed of a pee-cup! If worse comes to worse I could just sit on your lap! LOL

[DollaBill]

Um...

Thats an image that is, at best...disturbing.

A perfect NC-ness http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[stolenmojo]

Dolla,

did you trim the cab back a few inches from the firewall to eliminate most of the recess for the hood hinge and springs? are you planning the run a short style bed like a RPU as well? this thing is sweet. keep us posted

[DollaBill]

Yeah....the firewall is trimmed back such that it follows the edge of the hood ledge across the top of the cowl, and then straight down the sides, thereby eliminating the entire firewall, spring coves, and leaving only about 2 inches of the rearmost fender mounting flange, which will be eliminated with a couple patch panels.

[DollaBill]

Not the best photo, but here's the steering box...

1953 Plymouth, shortened 31"...1/2 of the steering box mount is visible against the firewall...there will be a corresponding mount on the other frame rail, with tubing bridging the two, at the top and behind the dash.

[DollaBill]

In an effort to look "fuel altered" like, and equally to look fairly ridiculous (although, relative to center of gravity, the crankshaft centerline is nearly at the same elevation as the axle centerlines), I went with a girder-style motor mount.

Yes, its solid. Yes, it'll vibrate the truck like crazy. I can't wait http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[DollaBill]

Stolenmojo...in answer to your bed question...

Yeah....the bed is going to be 4 ft long, and narrowed about 8 inches.

This thing is gonna be fenderless, so the flat bedsides will be profiled (along the lower edge) to follow the profile of these rails...so that the outside face of the bedside is flush with the outside face of the frame rails.

Bad pic, but those are crosses....on both vertical frame rail sides. The good news is that the strength of a box section is mostly in the radius of the edge transitions, and the suspension mounting points are all forward of the cutout portion of the rails...

[jerry]

if you narrow the cab you can take thesection out of the dash on the driver side by taking out the speedo hole. that way you can keep the glove box and the speaker cover. then it will just extend to the left a little more.

just thinking out loud here.

[Fat Hack]

Quick Photo Hacking....

[DollaBill]

Yeah....I was just sittin in it, thinking the same thing...

A one-holer dash would work, and save the center/glove box grilles

[ESnacky6]

So how much did you take out of the top, front and rear....?

interested to see how it comes together......

[kustombuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know about shrinking the cab. Bill is a pretty big guy. Not big like me (ie. fat) big like Junior Seau is big. I think that he is going to have a heck of a time fitting in that cab the way it is!

[/ QUOTE ]


i was thinking the same thing Court, but it sure would look killer narrowed.

Mike B.

[kustombuilder]

yer one sic phuck Bill! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[DollaBill]

The initial cut was 8"....

It'll lose another 3/8" to 1/2" in the reconstruction process

[stolenmojo]

dolla,
i have to agree with kustombuilder on this, you're a sick phuck! please don't let any mag photogs see this when its done, it'll drive up prices of the 48-53 cabs. did you laser cut the crosses? thats a pretty cool idea. if you're going to the trouble to lift the motor that high, i assume a 6-, 8-, or in your case a 14-1 blower will sit atop this actually peaking over the roof? my pants are getting tight looking at this one.....

[DollaBill]

Come to SEMA this year...you and I and Court will jam ourselves in or on it...

...and I'll christen it the Whale Boat http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[41ChevyTrucker]

cool project.

rather than narrow too much maybe look at stepping the firewall forward a little to break up the width?? kinda like 41 - 46 did stock. I dunno or maybe wide side pipes

[kustombuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
Come to SEMA this year...you and I and Court will jam ourselves in or on it...

...and I'll christen it the Whale Boat http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

i certainly hope to make it this year. it'd be fun...


Mike

[Mai Ki-Ki]

On the "lexus pipes" shown why is there a cut out to a normal exhaust system? doesn't seem to be a openable/shutable flap/plate system?????

If yah gonna annoy someone annoy them i say!

=]

Cheers

[DollaBill]

Stolen...

Yeah...the crosses are laser-cut. I actually pirated them from this Dodge project...the customer decided he didnt want them...and this pic gives you an idea how the back half will look on the '50, although I am using springs, not air bags...

Regarding the induction, it was gonna be 3x2, but then my buddy the Parts Manager at the local Chevy dealer came by, said that thing needs 6x2, and he happens to have TWO of those laying around....so, yeah. 6 deuces, with staggered 12", 8" and 6" intake tubes...a blower would be great, but only if I can find a chain drive http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[DollaBill]

Not a bad idea, but the issue with any firewall "extension" is that it enlongates the truck...and this thing needs the space between the firewall (specifcally, the cowl) and grille to be as short as is practical.

I agree that the cab could easily be narrowed too much. Ryans original recommendation of 6" is what I was thinking, although when I laid it out yesterday, it occured to me that a tapered narrowing...4" in the rear, 6" at the cowl, would accentuate the taper of the frame, and allow me to use the stock seat back, which I want to do...

...in addition, because of the "under roll" of the body, having the rear tires protrude past the outside plane of the body ruins the look I am after...so, I want to keep the body wide enough to "cloak" the rear tires, when viewed from the front.

As regards exhaust, refer to my header pic.

[DollaBill]

You can't see it in that exhaust pic, but there is a block off inside the large collector.

Essentially, there are two plates, each with four 1 1/2" holes...one plate is welded inside the collector, the other is secured to the welded plate via a stud and nut...

..to "uncap" the headers, he simply loosens the nut, rotates the "free" plate to align the holes, and viola...open headers, more or less.

[41ChevyTrucker]

oh nice! those headers are wicked. The idea of narrowing more in front than in back sounds hard as hell but I like it a lot. How would you do it? Maybe get your chop tacked together at its current width, tack the doors in place and then start a making the new cuts. If you do it with the doors off they probably will never go back on? Not trying to tell you what to do just thinking out loud. I have only chopped one truck and its addicting. Every car I look at now I start thinking how and where I would cut it. hehe http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[41ChevyTrucker]

one more idea. maybe an evenly spaced reverse step in the firewall and stretch the cab through the doors a couple inches. ok I will shut up now.

[DollaBill]

Narrowing the cab is actually relatively easy...

These cabs have a gentle radius to the rear wall, so its not an issue of a tapered narrowing where I would have to try and maintain a flat rear cab wall...I just metal-finish the seam to meet the pre-existing radius...

In the front, the cowl "peaks" in the center...as does the roof. So, the plan would be to cut out the cowl vent (so that I can reinstall it in its OEM configuration), cut out the dash, remove the center, rear cab wall brace, and about a 12" portion of the windshield brace...I'd remove that so that, when I weld it all backtogether, my windshield header seams are offset either side of the cab weld seam...

Anyway, the actual process will involve making an adjustable jig that mounts to the hinge pockets and the striker plates in the rear door jambs. I will make this jig before I cut the cab, then simply adjust the jig the the new dimensions...

...cut the cab (removing the floor, but not the floor sills, in the process), bolt the cab to the jig, lay in an 11 guage floor (untrimmed for transmission clearance until after the cab is welded), square the cab, perform the narrowing to the roof, tack it all up, verify level and square, then trim and re-install the dash.

After the dash is in, I'll hang the doors which, since I jigged the cab, should basically hang as they are supposed to, insofar as I haven't changed anything relative to the door openings (other than the top chop)...

...once the doors are hung, I'll complete the weld-up.

Piece of cake http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Keep in mind that I did this Hummer for last years SEMA...400 hours in the hood alone. Hacking a '50 Chevy cab is a total no-brainer, by comparison.

[Plowboy]

Weird=Good

I wondered how the construction was going on this since I hadn't seen any updates since your intro.

Didn't you have a concept drawing or something?

Very cool. I have been eyballing a pre-war International Semi cab for a similar project.

How about some more pics of the chick? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[DollaBill]

Nah...the concept drawing was someone elses..."Fugly", I think?

And thanks for the props...if YOU thinks its wierd/good, I must be on the right path.

And just for you...another chick pic. Notice my input to her choice of shirt http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[DollaBill]

Now I gotta stop. Posting new crap in here makes me hate myself...but she was fine! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[53Chebby]

Which one is the Hummer?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Aha! Very cool thanks Dolla!

Cheers

MAIKI

[41ChevyTrucker]

ahhh I get it! so the 12" in the center of the winshield is used to keep the same v angle and since you are putting a new firewall in anyway that will be easy to line back up.

But still! total no brainer? hehe. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif take lots of pics for us.

Nice work on her headlights!

[InDaShop]

Any update? Progress? Pics?

[choprods]

Man- DONT narrow that truck......
It would look like one of those morphidite glass sum'bitches they sell to fit an S-10.
stay with the look you got and add a little length thru the engine bay and taper the cowl into a firewall that is [ahead] of the stock location so it has "cowl sides"...also channel just the front of cab a couple inches