Air-bagged trucks --> height dimensions

[Crank]

Hey Slammed67! I was wondering if you'd recommend throwing on some 20" or even 22" like i was thinkin would look cool??? Im not wanting to have it sitting on the ground though, I was thinking about adjustable coil-overs. You seem to have a good grasp of the same things i like. Also Could you post some pics of your shaved firewall and kinda explain how you did it. Thanks. Brandon

[Crank]

Also XXL, how did you do the led's, is it like hardware store stuff or what??? Because I think that the big a$$ lights on stepsides gotta go. Thanks.

[Slammed67]

Here ya go Brabra.......

All I did was cut out pieces (from sheet metal) to fit the larger holes and welded them in, like the heater holes, wiring harness hole, clutch pedal hole, etc. All the misc screw-sized holes were just welded shut and ground smooth. For the smaller holes (like an inch and smaller, I cut out a piece of metal a little larger than the hole, placed it on the back side of the firewall and welded around the perimter of the hole (on the engine side). Once all welds were ground flat, I went over it all with body filler to get it nice and smooth. The key to getting it straight is to block sand it over and over and over and over again! It was very time consuming but I think it was worth it. If you've never done body work before (or even if you have) it'll be quite a job.

As for 20's and 22's....... I think 22's would be too big and 20's are border line.... not sure if I like them or not. They look good on some trucks, but not on others.

[Crank]

Yeah, i too think 22''s would be too big; but i want something different than the little civics w/18's. I want something with 8 pistons, and bigger rims than a civic could sport without a damn lift kit.:p But I dont even wanna have it sittin that low... Like have it sittin alittle lower than factory, but with bigger rims. But lately the trucks everyone here is building are catchin my attention. So keep up the progress and keep us posted. Also, since you shaved out the firewall where your heater and air box is, do you not have them??? Are they coming at a later date? Thanks for the pics, and info. Brandon

[XXL]

Originally posted by Brabra
Also XXL, how did you do the led's, is it like hardware store stuff or what??? Because I think that the big a$$ lights on stepsides gotta go. Thanks.

The LEDs I'm using are off-the-shelf pieces from the bigger electronics supply places, but you won't likely find then at any walk-in store. The ones like Radio Shack, etc., sell aren't near as bright as you need. Most people just use an 1157 bulb when they redo the taillights but I wanted a little more reliability and the "instant-on" quality of LEDs.

Also, for shaving the firewall, you can buy a "kit" from Turner Enterprises with all the metal precut but it's probably just as easy to get some snips out and make your own. That's what I did. Also, I chose to fill in the dip in the passenger side where it is cut out to clear the blower motor. This required extending the horizontal piece below the firewall lip around into an arc, then filling it with a piece of steel. It's a little harder to tell on these pics because it's still just in body filler...



Both pictures are of the same thing. I've just marked the second one to show you what was added on the passenger side.

Kenneth

[JHickson6]

Thanks again Slammed67 for taking the time to measure your all of your dimensions on your truck. Looks like I might go with that same sort of setup, the height looks good. And on the other topic of chopping these trucks, I think they look terrible, too much door to them, not enough glass. Beside how are you going to see the stupid slack-jawed look on the face of that Mustang or Civic driver, when looking out you 5" tall windows. Also I think 22" wheels are pushing it, 20's I think only look good on some trucks like this one! Just My 2¢.

Thanks Again Jared

[justin]

Good Idea with filling in that corner xxl.
Wish I would have thought of that.

[XXL]

Originally posted by justin
Good Idea with filling in that corner xxl.
Wish I would have thought of that.

Thanks. It's not too late... you're still in primer.

Hey, what did you do on your fuse box? Did you fill it? If so, where/how are you planning to mount it and run the underhood harness?

Kenneth

[Crank]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and information. I also think that 22"s are too big, but thanks for your 0.02 thats what i was looking for. I think that the shaved firewalls look extremely good, especially XXL yours looks very nice. good work. But what are you'll gonna do about the heater box??? Thanks again. Brandon

[jay-dawg]

I wonder where NSANE 68 is....he should have posted by now.

jay

[XXL]

Originally posted by Brabra
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and information. I also think that 22"s are too big, but thanks for your 0.02 thats what i was looking for. I think that the shaved firewalls look extremely good, especially XXL yours looks very nice. good work. But what are you'll gonna do about the heater box??? Thanks again. Brandon

Kenneth

[XXL]

Originally posted by Brabra
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and information. I also think that 22"s are too big, but thanks for your 0.02 thats what i was looking for. I think that the shaved firewalls look extremely good, especially XXL yours looks very nice. good work. But what are you'll gonna do about the heater box??? Thanks again. Brandon

OK... actually, I'm going to use a heat/defrost unit from Old Air Products that tucks way up under the dash. The unit feeds the defrost vents above and dumps heat onto the floor below and has an either/or control (either defrost or heat) and a temperature regulator control. The water lines will run inside the frame rail and enter the cab down low. Last winter was coooooolllld but I've got one of those "Michelin Man" coats and I carried a towel to act as my defroster. This year I'm going to use Rain-X Fog. BTW, I drive the truck most days but only a couple of miles to the train station.

Kenneth

[Crank]

Nice Jacket Where do you find that heater? I'd like to hear more, if you have a website or something. I live in Kentucky, it doesn't get as cold here as it does in some places, but i know its deathly cold out here. I like the look of the shaved firewalls, I think it'll be a modification I'll try. Thanks... Brandon

[Smooth68]

Ok....you guys and your bagged rides finally got me interested. I don't have the bags (installed) yet, but here's my firewall. Sorry I didn't stay with the "factory" one...

[Slammed67]

I don't plan on driving mine in the winter, so I'm not too worried about a heater. I also considered a unit like XXL is going to use, but again, I don't see me using it much, so for now I'll go without. I've also thought about making up a heater with the original blower motor and heater core...... just making up a box that'd fit under the dash.

ProSt68Trk...... Nice looking firewall!

[XXL]

Originally posted by ProSt68Trk
Ok....you guys and your bagged rides finally got me interested. I don't have the bags (installed) yet, but here's my firewall. Sorry I didn't stay with the "factory" one...

Schwing! And ProSt68Trk does it again. Great firewall. Did you skin the whole thing? Cut out the old one? Or??? And, is the lip still on top or is that filled (the one that catches runoff water just below the cowl)??

We need m o r e p i c s !

Kenneth

[jay-dawg]

ditto man...that looks great.

jay

[Low68]

Is your sweater really PINK???
Just Kidding!

[Slammed67]

Man this thread has gone all over the place ..... height dimensions, neighbor chicks, smooth firewalls, LEDs, under dash heaters, pink coats, wheels sizes......... what else can we talk about?!

[katdaddy]

XXL

I ordered the stepside rollpan for my '68 truck.

I have two 14" cutouts on both sides, but there are no mounts in the inner of the rollpan to mount the lights. I emailed the place that I got them and he said use SILICON. I really don't see how silicon would hold them during all the bumping and stuff.

How are your lights mounted to the bumper?

Do you have pics?

[justin]

Well XXL, Actually it is a little late to fill that piece in.
My fuse box is in the same place. I think it was taped off in that photo.
I am with Slammed67 on this one, I don't believe I will be driving my truck in the winter if and when this money pit is ever truely finished. Never the less, I do like your custom heater option!

[Smooth68]

Originally posted by XXL


Schwing! And ProSt68Trk does it again. Great firewall. Did you skin the whole thing? Cut out the old one? Or??? And, is the lip still on top or is that filled (the one that catches runoff water just below the cowl)??

We need m o r e p i c s !

Kenneth

Yes cutout the old one and fab'd up the one you see here. The 2 lines on either side are just or looks and a little help in the rigid dept. Here is one from the side - no lips on this thing, its a male truck!

[jay-dawg]

sup justin, nice shot.

I tried to get on your site but it said site not found. Just a question though, why didnt you fill in those dimples by the brake booster? I like your color scheme too. I am going to go with metallic grey or black (dark grey). I was debating on whether to go with black for my chassis and engine or go with a wild color like yours.

anyway, awesome man.

jay

[justin]

Well jay dawg, Unfortunatly I am no body man or painter! I have tried a little body work in my day and let me tell you "I am no body man" The guy that is painting this truck I guess overlooked smoothing the dimples. Big time bummer for me but I did not notice untill the color was allready sprayed. What ya gonna do??
So evidently I am going to have to take some auto body classes before I start another project!
Try this http://home.att.net/~justin.lewis

[XXL]

Originally posted by ProSt68Trk


Yes cutout the old one and fab'd up the one you see here. The 2 lines on either side are just or looks and a little help in the rigid dept. Here is one from the side - no lips on this thing, its a male truck!

Hmmm... Now you've got me thinking overtime. I may have to go out and start welding. I never liked that lip area anyway, and in fact, that's where my current cab was rotted through (that and 5 other places ).

I'll post updates if/when I tackle getting rid of the lip.

Kenneth