A RPU of my own!!!

I guess I'll need to start a build thread soon. I have been slowly acquiring parts for the last while, more over the last year. I have my frame boxing plates and a bunch of other stuff for it.

Yesterday was my birthday, and my employer gives us our birthday off. I went to my local speed shop, which was formerly branded So-Cal Speed shop and still carries So-Cal stuff. I was going back and forth on what axle to buy (Speedway, Pete and Jakes, So-Cal), and ended up pulling the trigger on a full front end from So-Cal. They're not the cheapest but it's a nice forged axle and good parts, GM brakes and calipers, hairpins, etc.

I wanted a forged axle for safety, and since I planning on buying the vehicle once, I went with the slightly more expensive option so I don't ever have to question whether I should have upgraded.

And away you go, Snopro. I've been waiting for this build, ------ semi patiently.
It sounds like Murray King sold out, eh?

cool project snopro. Looking forward to see some progress. [P

MercuryMac said:

And away you go, Snopro. I've been waiting for this build, ------ semi patiently.
It sounds like Murray King sold out, eh?

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I've been trying to find a rear end, and I need to get the engine from my dad and tear it apart to find out what it needs. I'm getting closer and closer to having all the parts I want to start actually building and go full speed ahead. For instance I want to have my radiator before I start mocking up the engine, because it will be thicker than stock and I want to limit my firewall intrusion. I need the rear end before I can get my ladder bars and the correct width lowered rear spring. I have the engine and trans.

I've been silently stockpiling parts, and now that I have a place at home to build, I'm stockpiling a lot more quickly and getting excited to start.

Murray is still there. He changed the name of the parts side from So-Cal Speed Shop Canada to Kustom King Parts. He has all the same stuff as he did before and most of it is So-Cal still. He gave me a tour of the shop after I bought my stuff, they're working on some cool stuff.

Wow, can’t believe I missed this one! Looks like a great start! I’m with Smalls, you don’t find much that complete in my area for less than $10000.

What engine and trans are you planning on running? IIRC, a Maverick or Granada rear is the right width, if you can find one. I think a Explorer 8.8 is close, too, and might be easier to find.

Bamamav said:

Wow, can’t believe I missed this one! Looks like a great start! I’m with Smalls, you don’t find much that complete in my area for less than $10000.

What engine and trans are you planning on running? IIRC, a Maverick or Granada rear is the right width, if you can find one. I think a Explorer 8.8 is close, too, and might be easier to find.

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Well, I am thoroughly a GM guy. It's getting a 283 small block Chevy and will have a healthy rumble, I think it's going to get a 700R4 and I'm searching for a 2wd S10 rear end in 3.42 or 3.73. The S10 gives me the width and bolt pattern I want, plus I've got 2 others in vehicles so common parts are nice.

My plan for the truck is early hot rod style with some modern touches. The least intrusion into the firewall for a newer V8 in terms of engine length will be the SBC, and going 283 gives me the nostalgia factor I'm after.

I like your plans. I went back to page 1 and took another look at the RPU. You've got plenty to work with.

Very good score my friend!!!! Will be a fun ride!!

bob w said:

I like your plans. I went back to page 1 and took another look at the RPU. You've got plenty to work with.

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Thanks Bob. It has been patiently waiting for me to start.

Snopro, I also, always enjoy a shop tour at Kings place. [cl[cl

Bamamav said:

Wow, can’t believe I missed this one! Looks like a great start! I’m with Smalls, you don’t find much that complete in my area for less than $10000.

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Luckily I paid WAY less than that. If I was looking for one today, I'd be hard pressed to find anything at all.

When I first finished my 46 in 2013, I went to the Radium Hot Springs car show and a friend of mine from around there had a 28 Model A RPU for sale. I fell in love with the body shape. Unfortunately almost every panel on that truck needed rust repair even though it was complete and straight. The friend price was $4,500. I kind of brushed it aside that I "didn't need another car", then 2 years later I posted an ad on our local classifieds just checking to see if anything was out there locally as I couldn't get a 28/29 RPU out of my head. This guy emailed me, told me what he had, I went to see it, and agreed to buy it and didn't even negotiate on the price. The deal was too good! Now it has been sitting nearly 7 years waiting for me to be in the right spot to start. That spot will be this year!

I'm hoping I can acquire enough parts that I can make it a fairly quick build.

I always kinda dug these! [dr

BoB

!![cl!!

Those are cool, Bob! I'm planning something a bit less radical... More along these lines in terms of the body configuration and stance.

I see four little boxes with "x's" inside.

bob w said:

I see four little boxes with "x's" inside.

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You should see them now Bob.

I like that one too Snopro!

smallfoot said:

I like that one too Snopro!

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Isn't it sweet? Mine won't be that awesome (A professional builder built it for his dad) but I'm inspired by that beautiful piece of art.

Spring is here Colin, time to get 'er done You've got a great starting point, should just be a couple months, right?
I've been collecting parts too while I'm in Arizona and had time to mentally build and draw plans for a Rattish 20 something scratch built pickup along the lines of Bob W's pending Fargo build.
(Sorry, Bob for ripping off your idea) He's my hero for having so many builds on the go simultaneously, so I figure I can do the Packard Gasser and that one too. Getting home to B.C. next week, time to get busy - maybe we can both make it to Radium this year?
Charlie

zzrodder said:

Spring is here Colin, time to get 'er done You've got a great starting point, should just be a couple months, right?
I've been collecting parts too while I'm in Arizona and had time to mentally build and draw plans for a Rattish 20 something scratch built pickup along the lines of Bob W's pending Fargo build.
(Sorry, Bob for ripping off your idea) He's my hero for having so many builds on the go simultaneously, so I figure I can do the Packard Gasser and that one too. Getting home to B.C. next week, time to get busy - maybe we can both make it to Radium this year?
Charlie

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Haha, thanks for the encouragement Charlie. I'll be happy if I can get mine started this year. A rolling chassis with the drivetrain installed would be success for me this year. It's a small truck, so it should be faster to build, right? I did already take cues from you on how you're approaching the Packard Gasser, I bought the good parts the first time and am continuing to.

I found a rear end this week, which I'll get soon and will be perfect to run a 15x8 rear wheel with meaty tires to fill the fenders up. Once I get it I can order my rear spring and ladder bars and get going on the chassis.