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Projects Got me a unibody

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by CG, Jun 12, 2012.

  1. Me and a buddy have been going back and forth on a trade. He wanted my 71 K20 and I wanted his unibody. We finally got it all worked out. I should have it at my house in a couple of weeks.

    Its running a Mopar torsion bar front suspension. I believe it has a Ford nine inch out back (not positive). And the Ford guys will flip, but it has a very nice 350/350 Chev combo for power.

    It was a long box and he cut down the rear a little. So I'm going to have to get some good side shots of it and compare it to stock short boxes and decided if it looks goofy or not. May have to move the rear end and wheel wells forward a bit.

    I have a couple of ideas of where I want to go looks wise (one mild and one wild). Definitely going to be built in an earlyish 60s style though.

    The wheels on it right now are just rollers ... I'm leaning towards chrome steel wheels ... or chrome reverse.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I plan on doing the paint and upholstery myself this time ... gonna be a first for me.

    Ill add build pics to this thread ... when I make any progress lol.
     
  2. KustomCars
    Joined: Jul 31, 2011
    Posts: 3,465

    KustomCars
    Member
    from Minnesota

  3. chaddilac
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,021

    chaddilac
    Member

    Sets right!! Just needs some taken out between the rear wheels and the cab!
     
  4. oldrelics
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,727

    oldrelics
    Member
    from Calgary

    love them trucks......do it right...yep lose the wheels
     

  5. fordpatina
    Joined: May 12, 2012
    Posts: 1,574

    fordpatina
    Member

    I had one of those 3 year ago almost gave it away. it was a big window neat trucks yours looks good what are your plans?
     
  6. oldtruckadmirer
    Joined: Dec 7, 2009
    Posts: 5

    oldtruckadmirer
    Member

    I'm not familiar enough to know if it proportional with a stock short wheel base but it looks cool from the shots posted.
     
  7. Mattilac
    Joined: Oct 27, 2007
    Posts: 1,156

    Mattilac
    Member

    Thats gonna be a hot truck with some paint and wheels!!
     
  8. WhiteZombie
    Joined: Jan 16, 2007
    Posts: 653

    WhiteZombie
    Member
    from Denton TX

    Here is a side view on mine...ugly ass flames and all.

    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 16, 2012
  9. 50Poopbox
    Joined: Mar 5, 2011
    Posts: 78

    50Poopbox
    Member

    i like the way the bed looks better then factory. At least in the picture you posted. i dont think its that noticeable, not even worth touching in my opinion.
     
  10. We have been thinking about this deal starting back in 09, and back then I asked the question here about wheel bases and bed lengths.

    Got this answer Well This is according to the Standard catalog of American light trucks. The 1961 Styleside (smooth side box) came in a 6 1/2 ft. bed with a 114in. w/b and an 8 ft. bed with a 122in. w/b.

    So I guess depending on much he cut off the back of the box I may need to move the rear forward as much as 8 inches, that would be stock shortbed. I wish he would have kept it stock length. I like long beds.

    I really like the tire and wheel combo on Coby's van, thats what Im leaning to right now. Just not sure if I want 14 in vs 15 in.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2012
  11. Ya need some MERCURY trim and tailgate on that truck! I'll see what I can find!
    Truck looks and sits right! Great score!

    -Shiny
     

  12. I have a couple of ideas in my head, but Im open to any suggestions. The Mercury parts sound pretty cool. Give me a shout if you run across any.



    Mark
     
  13. Very nice truck! Enjoy!
     
  14. 100% Matt
    Joined: Aug 7, 2006
    Posts: 2,747

    100% Matt
    Member

    Bitchin.... I have a whole big window custom cab assembly if your interested. I think the wheel base looks fine. Stick with 15"s on the rims
     
  15. slim sammy
    Joined: Mar 17, 2009
    Posts: 20

    slim sammy
    Member

    Nice. Makes me want to get another one.
     
  16. FivesDaddy
    Joined: Feb 7, 2005
    Posts: 64

    FivesDaddy
    Member

    I like it...sets nice...where was it cut down? Looks like a long bed to me from your pics...
     
  17. The Big M
    Joined: Dec 22, 2005
    Posts: 231

    The Big M
    Member

    Long bed owner here too. :)

    The bed looks like it's a touch longer than 6.5' to my eye, but I kind of like it. It's done much better than the shortened ones I've seen. The long and short beds had different tailight pockets, so that's usually a giveaway.

    The hood/fender/cowl gaps look very nice!
     
  18. Gator
    Joined: Dec 29, 2005
    Posts: 4,016

    Gator
    Member

    I'm not a huge fan of that genre of Fords but I gotta admit I could dig a uni...
     
  19. Well your truck is a HUGE inspiration for sure! Course everything you do is inspirational, you have incredible skills.

    It wont be at my house for a couple of weeks, but when its here Ill post up a side view and get opinions.

    I was talking to another buddy today and he said he thought it would be cheaper and easier (since I dont have the skills to move the rear forward) to just find donor parts to put the rear of the bed back to stock length if the proportions dont suit me.

    As far as getting that big back window that would be cool, but way outta my budget Im sure. I love Chris's shorty with the big back window. I haven't talked to him in ages. Not sure if he even comes on the board anymore.



    Mark
     
  20. Kato Kings
    Joined: Aug 22, 2006
    Posts: 707

    Kato Kings
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Here is a pic of my shortbox for comparison.
     

    Attached Files:

  21. derbydad276
    Joined: May 29, 2011
    Posts: 1,336

    derbydad276
    Member

    what has been done to lower it?
     
  22. Lowered via Mopar front suspension graft, and not 100% sure on how rear was lowered. I do know it has some sort of blocks and possibly lowered springs.

    I did find out today he took 10 inches off the back and it is c-notched, so that means i will not be moving the rear and the fenderwells forward. Way to much work and expense.

    The front and rear suspension was done by a pro shop and if got in there and tried to tweak with it, the truck would just end up in the scrap yard lol.

    So now I need to find a parts truck or something so I can add the 10 inches back to make the proportions better (in my eye). He said he didn't know how I was going to be able to do it, but it seems like it should be fairly straight forward.

    Cranium I need to get your tire and wheel size, yours look perfect except I want to go with a thinner white wall ... Nice truck you have.
     
  23. JOHNNY ARMIJO
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 65

    JOHNNY ARMIJO
    Member

  24. Wolfman1
    Joined: Jul 8, 2010
    Posts: 265

    Wolfman1
    Member

    I kinda like the altered wheelbase, it's different
     
  25. LM14
    Joined: Dec 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,936

    LM14
    Member Emeritus
    from Iowa

    Here's a couple pics of my short box at similar angles to yours.

    You might like the longer wheelbase, it may ride better than the shorter wheelbase. It will also make people scratch their heads when parked next to another 61-66 truck.

    SPark
     

    Attached Files:

  26. Got this side shot. Maybe with a bumper hanging off the back the proportions would be ok?

    [​IMG]
     
  27. fastair
    Joined: Sep 17, 2008
    Posts: 7

    fastair
    Member

    I'm building a '66 short styleside now. I really like how yours looks as it is. It's just different enough so that it will stand out in a crowd but only someone with some knowledge will pick up why. My vote is leave it alone.
     
  28. WhiteZombie
    Joined: Jan 16, 2007
    Posts: 653

    WhiteZombie
    Member
    from Denton TX

    If it were mine I'd swap wheels and tires make it one color and drive the wheels off. 9 out of 10 people wouldn't even notice the bed length.
     
  29. HuffDaddy
    Joined: Apr 27, 2008
    Posts: 443

    HuffDaddy
    Member

    I love those trucks, short or long bed!
     

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