3" chop. No fenders or running boards. No hood. Custom built bed.(this one is gonna take awhile, want to it look right but not original.) Love the look of these trucks with everything included, (hood, fenders....) but I'd like to keep it all steel and I'm pretty sure I can't afford that kind of project. Lot of details I still haven't decided on. Lot's to learn, and many hours of labor are gonna go into this build. Slow and steady. I wiil post pics as it progresses.
Thanks for the replys. As far as the 7 inch channel goes, that may be a tad much but we'll see. Anything's possible at this point
Dont get caught up in the rat rod nonsense of big channel and severe chop. Take your time, plan it out, then start collecting parts BEFORE cutting anything up. Fully form the plan and sketch it out that way you only buy parts once. If budget is a driver start up hunting up a cheap SBC and a Turbo 350/400 out of a running car that you can drive before buying. Spend $ on getting the brakes and steering done correctly as if either of those fail you put others at risk. If you cant weld go do a course then go buy as big a MIG (up to 225amp) as you can afford as that will be your best friend.
Thanks for the advice panhead pete. I have a lot of welding experience and have been saving for my new welder. Buying a millermatic 252 come springtime. 300 amp max welder that can weld 1/2" steel in a single pass. However,it also has the versatility to be dialed in for very thin steel as well. Planning on doing all my own work with the exception of the frame. That will be purchased new with crossmembers already in place. The engine will be the fun part. After the machine work I'm building it from the block up. You are absolutely right about the planning part though, it needs perfected before a single part is bought.
I look forward to any progress! You are right where I am. I'm looking around for a decent priced frame (unless I decide to go ahead with the cut down truck frame) with a later style X member. the tubular ones bother me and I'm not even the most traditional person..
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