Smashed tailgate has me thinking.....

[theastronaut]

I definitly think you're concern is legit, here's a pics of my cousin's car after his wreck. He drives a lowered early '60s Chevy and recently rear ended a Cavalier. If it had been stock height, he probably wouldn't be replacing the whole front clip right now. That said, I'm bagging my '66 C10 and I daily drive a '64 VW Bug that's dropped low enought that I can't get a floor jack under it.

On the other side of the argument, a friend of mine drives a bug a couple inches lower than mine and had an 18 wheeler cut him off this past weekend. The rear overhang of the trailer actually passed over the top of his hood/fenders/bumper. If the car hadn't been lowered, it might not have cleared!

[Str8axle]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

I definitly think you're concern is legit, here's a pics of my cousin's car after his wreck. He drives a lowered early '60s Chevy and recently rear ended a Cavalier. If it had been stock height, he probably wouldn't be replacing the whole front clip right now.

If that Impala WASN'T lowered, he'd be replacing the FRAME by the looks of that hit.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by Str8axle

If that Impala WASN'T lowered, he'd be replacing the FRAME by the looks of that hit.

Here's a shot of the car he hit, barely any damage. If the bumper/frame hadn't been under the cavalier, it would have took out the rear of the car he hit instead of tearing his own car up. The radiator support took the brunt of the impact and the thin sheetmetal panels crumpled around it. I'm sure the frame would have suffered way less damage.

[losthope]

i think you should build it the way you intended in the first place but look into buying a stock rear bumper and bumper brackets(not a thin cheap re-pop)....might have not dented your tailgate!If you worry about "what if happens" might as well keep it in the garage all the time.....but "what if" garage catches fire while trucks in there?? ...build it for your enjoyment or weld a gaint roll cage around it and drive the thing! A truck can always be replaced,take my 65 for example ,life moves on!