1/2 ton car hauler conversion?

[joehalford01]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about ditching my 63 project and purchasing something larger to use for car hauling (i want to start doing road racing/destruction derbys,etc.). But it occured to me that there are lots of car hauler conversions, is it possible to convert a 1/2 ton longbed into a car hauler? is the frame strong enough? the suspension? if not, how could i re-enforce it to go that route? i already have it down to the frame, so it's not like i would have a lot of work ahead of me getting there, i was getting geared up to work on the frame anyways....lol. thoughts? thanks guys!

[Rogue 64]

I saw one that was FWD, I assume.
It was a cab with a car hauler trailer behind the cab.
tandem axle, and real low profile.

Wish I had a pic of that thing.

[joehalford01]

Originally Posted by Rogue 64

I saw one that was FWD, I assume.
It was a cab with a car hauler trailer behind the cab.
tandem axle, and real low profile.

Wish I had a pic of that thing.

That sounds cool, i guess if i was going to do that though i could just finish the truck and buy a trailer lol. I just like the idea of having a dedicated car hauler.

[jonzcustomshop]

Unless you are hauling little foriegn cars, I would think that you would need to upgrade the frame/suspension to 3/4 or 1 ton.

[HotRodYJ]

I wouldn't try it on a 1/2 ton frame or running gear, it's just not stout enough. You'd be better off finding a long bed 4 door dually chassis and sticking your cab on it. It would have the HD ratings necessary to haul a 4000lb car and alot of the length already you would need..

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by Rogue 64

I saw one that was FWD, I assume.
It was a cab with a car hauler trailer behind the cab.
tandem axle, and real low profile.

Wish I had a pic of that thing.

I've seen that too. I'm pretty sure it was on eBay about a year or so ago. And, I remember the guy had at least two of them, you could see the other one in the background of the picture. I think it was an early 90's 4x4 and he had cut the frame just behind the cab and "subframed" a 16' car trailer on it. Really neat idea.

[HotRodYJ]

I have seen some 90's trucks done that way at the Charlotte AutoFair years ago. There was a vendor there selling them and they used air bags on the rear also so the rear could go really really low for loading and unloading bascially with no ramps at all. Neat idea, until you start thinking how much stress is then being out on the t-case and IFS front end crap that was never designed to move that much weight all by itself with no rear drive at all.

[joehalford01]

thanks for the opinions, i think your right, maybe i should just get my butt in gear and finish the truck and buy a trailer . My wife is out of town this weekend so I actually worked on it today for the first time in a while. I removed the main rear crossmember and the rear bump stops so i can start mocking up the 10" step-notch bridge kit. I tell you what, removing those rivets holding everything to the frame is a freakin pita . I guess they never wanted these trucks to come apart .

[Imperial Kustom]

If I knew anything about how to use a computer, I would give you the link to a '65 car hauler for sale on Craigslist here in Boise, Id.

[joehalford01]

Originally Posted by Imperial Kustom

If I knew anything about how to use a computer, I would give you the link to a '65 car hauler for sale on Craigslist here in Boise, Id.

Don't sweat it dude, If i brought another project home my wife would have me by the you know whats.....that's why i wanted to kick this idea around first. I'd have to sell what i have before i could get another lol