treehick
Member
In the introduction page, I commented on how I'd like to make a hybrid between a late 40's sedan rat rod and a rock crawler...if I could do it, and when I have the time/money for it. Main reason I like the sedan - is I like the longer body style, and I'm quite used to driving a logner wheel base (driving a 21' truck for ~4-5 years now (that'd be a ext cab, LB truck). And futuristicly - if/when I have kids - I'd like to think I could carry at least 2 in the back.
So - either a late 40's sedan or an early 70's suburban. The sedan is more narrow - which is ideal for the trail, but less ideal for the build and comfort...maybe. The suburban - cause it might offer for space for everything I want to do - but either way - chopping the tops and extending the leg room (I'm 6'3" - need some room).
Ideally - it'd be pretty sweet to find a diesel that is low profile and as mechanical as I can find (get rid of all the wires everywhere - cause I don't want a hood all the time) But since that's not too typical - I might have to go with a straight six or a 350 v8 or a 454....I'm really going to have to shop around - cause I need clearance at the bottom for offroading, but with a chopped top - I'll need to be able to see above/around the engine
I'm thinking as far as bottom end clearance - do what GM did with the humvees - put the transfer case as high as possible (sitting in between the driver/passenger seats) and route the drive shafts down the center of the vehicle. I'll probably have to start off with leaf springs - but honestly they make the vehicle sit too high, so I think 4-link w/ coil springs would be best.
For offroading - 40's front and rear, but for on the road/cruisin - I'm thinking something like 20" tires on the front and 265's or 245's on the rear - try to drop the height with the tires. May have to figure out a modified frame to tuck the axles up - but not sure how/if that's possible - to keep the clean(er) look that you typically see with Rods.
The axles would be a favorable Dana 60's front and rear - both steering. Actuality - if this project ever happened - I'd probably start out with 14 bolt rear drum and D-44 front - with 11" brakes = 16" wheels?? maybe? I don't want to go IFS, but if there are issues with clearance, weight, etc - that might be an option.
Removable exo-cage for the cab and engine bay. If I decided to have a removable hard top - then I'd have to put the cage on the inside.
Again - I've got NO money for projects (yet I still look around for deals). I've been searching for a more fuel efficient vehicle for a daily driver since my commute is 32 miles 1 way, but if I came across something that I could "use as a secondary cheap, just-in-case vehicle" than I might be interested in starting early.
I'd probably start out with an early 70's suburban/truck 4x4 - just so I'd already have the axles/springs/frame/motor/etc.
Soooo am I crazy? Most of my family/friends think so, and I haven't even told them of this new idea, haha
So - either a late 40's sedan or an early 70's suburban. The sedan is more narrow - which is ideal for the trail, but less ideal for the build and comfort...maybe. The suburban - cause it might offer for space for everything I want to do - but either way - chopping the tops and extending the leg room (I'm 6'3" - need some room).
Ideally - it'd be pretty sweet to find a diesel that is low profile and as mechanical as I can find (get rid of all the wires everywhere - cause I don't want a hood all the time) But since that's not too typical - I might have to go with a straight six or a 350 v8 or a 454....I'm really going to have to shop around - cause I need clearance at the bottom for offroading, but with a chopped top - I'll need to be able to see above/around the engine
I'm thinking as far as bottom end clearance - do what GM did with the humvees - put the transfer case as high as possible (sitting in between the driver/passenger seats) and route the drive shafts down the center of the vehicle. I'll probably have to start off with leaf springs - but honestly they make the vehicle sit too high, so I think 4-link w/ coil springs would be best.
For offroading - 40's front and rear, but for on the road/cruisin - I'm thinking something like 20" tires on the front and 265's or 245's on the rear - try to drop the height with the tires. May have to figure out a modified frame to tuck the axles up - but not sure how/if that's possible - to keep the clean(er) look that you typically see with Rods.
The axles would be a favorable Dana 60's front and rear - both steering. Actuality - if this project ever happened - I'd probably start out with 14 bolt rear drum and D-44 front - with 11" brakes = 16" wheels?? maybe? I don't want to go IFS, but if there are issues with clearance, weight, etc - that might be an option.
Removable exo-cage for the cab and engine bay. If I decided to have a removable hard top - then I'd have to put the cage on the inside.
Again - I've got NO money for projects (yet I still look around for deals). I've been searching for a more fuel efficient vehicle for a daily driver since my commute is 32 miles 1 way, but if I came across something that I could "use as a secondary cheap, just-in-case vehicle" than I might be interested in starting early.
I'd probably start out with an early 70's suburban/truck 4x4 - just so I'd already have the axles/springs/frame/motor/etc.
Soooo am I crazy? Most of my family/friends think so, and I haven't even told them of this new idea, haha
I think fenders would be rather nice - but they'd have to be removable, and I can't really comment on exactly what body style I'm looking for, unfortunately, because I don't know alot about the older cars. 
