Bamabob's 49 Old Raggedy Truck

[bamabob]

I posted a couple pictures of my old 49 that I'm putting on a mid 90's Explorer frame. It was suggested that I do a build thread so here goes it.

I've been wanting to put together another AD truck for years. This is kind of an "in memory of" build. My dad and I did a ton of cars back in my teen-age years in the 70's. We were mainly into 60's Camaros and Mustangs. Back then you could buy one fairly cheap, fix it up and drive it until somebody talked you out of it and then do another one. Didn't realize it but that time together sticks out as our best times together.

One day I drug home a 52 GMC pick-up. Dad was not very exited about it. His words were something like "do you realize what we'll have after we put a bunch of money and time into that old truck? No, what? "We'll just have an old raggedy truck". He got on board but still fussed about it the whole time. Cool thing is I would come home from being out with my friends or something and he would be working on it or tell me some idea he had for doing something on it.

It eventually got finished and we kept it for several years. I went of to college, graduated, got a job, got married and still had the truck. Shortly before my daughter was born I decided to sell it. That was 21 years ago. My dad died from cancer back in 1992. Every time I see an old 3 window AD truck it brings back a lot of memories so I knew I had to put one together someday.

So here's my start. A trailer load of parts I bought off Craigslist. The guy had big plans that never happened.

[bamabob]

I started out with the plan to build a low buck, chopped, fenderless hotrod. Kind of a refined ratrod(hate that word) that was to be powered by a 500" Caddy engine that I have. By the time I started cutting, plans had changed to doing a mild custom that I could drive daily. Here's some pics of the 2' chop. A lot of work for 2" but proportions should be good and it will leave folks thinking "somethings different about that truck but I can't put my finger on it"

[bamabob]

This is my first chop. I followed a how to thread posted by Metalshapes on the HAMB. Method is a bit different but it keeps the lines original. Doors are cut first and then top has to be cut in 6 pieces with filler pieces added as top comes down. The pieces are arranged to fit to the cut down doors.

[bamabob]

With chop complete, started working on the dash. Decided I wanted to make it clean and simple. Hide the radio and A/C controls. I filled and smoothed original radio location then made plates to mount everything behind the dash grille. The grill will be hinged to open downward like the glovebox door. I copied this from a build I found somewhere on the net.

[bamabob]

The floors needed some attention so while I was it it, added a "hump" to allow mounting the engine a little higher for more ground clearance. Just kind of guessed at it.

[Rods57]

Great work, cant wait to see the rest.

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by bamabob

With chop complete, started working on the dash. Decided I wanted to make it clean and simple. Hide the radio and A/C controls. I filled and smoothed original radio location then made plates to mount everything behind the dash grille. The grill will be hinged to open downward like the glovebox door. I copied this from a build I found somewhere on the net.

looks good! I am waiting to see how the dash comes out I was think of doing something similar. I was thinking to use glove box hinges and a hidden cable operated latch.

Mark

[bamabob]

Few more pictures of the dash with all holes filled. I also took the time to fill in the spot where the original steering column nestled in to. I'm using an aftermarket column that will be to the center of the gauges mounted with minimal drop. It is column shift (auto) and without the key on it. I wanted to keep the feel of 3 on the tree as well as have the ignition switch on the dash.

[bamabob]

And on to the frame swap. A friend in the body shop business has a yard full of cars to be scrapped donated the explorer frame. I wanted it because the track width is right, it has rack and pinion steering and torsion bar suspension tucked out of the way, 4 wheel disc, parts are cheap and available and the price was right. After a few hours of wrenching and 2 cans of wasp and hornet spray the body was off.

[bamabob]

I cut off the frame everything that I knew I would not use such as the body mounts and then cut the frame in half and added the 4" sections to get the WB to 116". We just but welded the 4" section in then added overlapping plates to make this spot much stronger than the original frame. We did spot weld on bracing to make sure the frame did not tweek when cut. I will also add some bolts after the running board mounts are put on. These are the pictures that I somehow erased from my camera.

[bamabob]

This is the frame ready to trial fit the cab and front end so mounts could be made.

[bamabob]

I fitted the front fenders with temporary bracing for the radiator support to determine where it needs to be.

[bamabob]

Then trimmed the inner fenders to fit around the frame and suspension. Cut off the excess frame and filled it then added brackets for the front bumper. More lost pictures but here is the resulting product.

[bamabob]

And now working on the suspension. Due to lowering the front end, there is not enough adjustment to get the camber set right, not even with a camber kit. So I'm moving the mounts for the upper control arm out 1/2". This is the passenger side with drivers side still to be done. Black paint is just rustoleum primer put over everything welded or ground. Will strip it all back down when fab work is complete and do a proper paint job.

[Lextech]

If you were to do it over again---Would you still add 4 inches to the frame or move the spring mounts/hangers back?

Jeff

[bamabob]

Originally Posted by Lextech

If you were to do it over again---Would you still add 4 inches to the frame or move the spring mounts/hangers back?

Jeff

Moving spring back was original idea but went with the section. Looked like more work to move the springs due to funky angles bent into frame at attachment points. But moving springs back would have put the front mount higher in the arch for some instant lowering.

[AUSSIE54]

Great story Bamabob. Looks like you're enjoying the build! Good luck to you with it. It's looking great so far. Love the chop, it looks very nice.

Trently.
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[bamabob]

Project is still alive. Got sidetracked restoring an old Honda CA160 that I picked up at the Moultrie, GA swap meet in November.

[bamabob]

And got back to work on the truck. Made a 180* turn on plans back to using the 500 inch engine. Did a pretty much stock rebuild adding a mild Lunati cam. Should make massive torque off idle. Transmission is a Mega Monster 200-4R.

Had to cut out the firewall and part of tranny tunnel to handle a 6" recess. Where I am now looks kind of Frankenstein-ish bu once I finish welding pieces in and grind it all smooth, I think it will be respectable.

[pinecrest]

Cool! Glad I refreshed the page, i almost missed your update!! This is gonna be killer.

[bamabob]

Couple pictures of finished firewall

[slydogg76]

It's been some time....any updates?

[bamabob]

Originally Posted by slydogg76

It's been some time....any updates?

Hello. There didn't seem to be any interest on here so I let the thread die. I did finish it
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[mongocanfly]

Looks good bob...

[faribran]

Bob, I am in Headland. My brother n law is about to start on a build similar to yours.