1937 Chevy Drag Truck

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I can't wait for the holiday season to end...too much stuff going on interupting my build time!!!!

I need to do something with the windshield opening....it is too tall as compared to the door side window height...I'm thinking visor maybe???
 
Few changes taking place.......

got a smoken deal on a Small block Chevy all roller engine..one of those deals that you just have to grab...so I did!!! The Caddy motor will either be put under the shelf or sold...most likely sell it due to my lack of space in the garage.
 
Found a few hours this past weekend to start on the frame....

2x3x .125 tubing was used...may sound a liitle "light"... but will be installing a 10 or 12 point roll cage (1.750" x .134") to stiffen things up a bit!

Here we go...


Two rails clamped to a nice flat even surface

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Installing rear drop crossmember

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Aligning rear frame rails (Competition Engineering ladder bar frame rails)

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Perimiter frame done

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With the cab placed on chassis

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Still have a ton to do on the frame...bit at least it's started!!!
 
Very nice. The frame is certainly heavy enough with a roll cage. BTW a cage only needs to be 1 5/8" diameter. A roll bar must be 1 3/4" diameter.

I'm gonna love this truck.[cl
 
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Very nice. The frame is certainly heavy enough with a roll cage. BTW a cage only needs to be 1 5/8" diameter. A roll bar must be 1 3/4" diameter.

I'm gonna love this truck.[cl




Yep..I knew that on the 1 5/8" tubing...but I have about 100' of 1 3/4" x .134 tubing...sooooo instead of spending more $$$ on the smaller tubing..1 3/4" will be used.
 
Got a few more hours in on the project:

Truck is up on work stands..makes it a bit eaiserier to work on....Started bending up the roll cage....

Here you can see how the front bars exit the firewall... these are not fully fitted yet...the cab still needs to come off to weld the top of the roll cage. Then the cab goes back on..gets bolted to the frame..then the front struts can be welded in place.

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Here are the rear "C" or bed bars..they are just in place to see how they look.

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Front view of strut bars, motor mounts and you can see the cage inside the cab.

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Not a good shot...but here is the inner cage so far (just tack welded in place...will be fitted better once I take cab off).

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Another vire of the front bars.

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Rear view of bars how they will look exiting the cab.

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Sooo I'm at the point to remove the cab....weld up the cage ..put the cab back on..weld the front struts and the rear kicker bars. I'll be installing door bars as well...but I'll wait until I get a bit further along so I'm not crawling on and over them during the build!!
 
Looks great, Tom. You will get "thumbs up" from the NHRA tech. inspectors.

Thanks...This project will have more street time then strip time even though I'm building it as a STREET/STRIP truck. I really enjoy the drag race look on the street! It won't be no slacker either...Pretty nasty SBC with a Poweglide and transbrake ...5.13 gears out back to help turn those 31" tall Mickeys...ought to be one hell of a street ride!!! Look out you Fast and Furious wannabee's!
 
Well..not to much done lately due to snowstorm after snowstorm!!! We got 25" week or so ago...then another 5" of snow and ice few days ago...something else brewing for Weds!...argh!!!

Did find a couple hours the other night to start hanging the rear:

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Ford 9" with Big Oldsmobile ends, Competition Engineering ladder link bars w/diagonal link to locate it.

Made some mounts off the frame to secure the bedside...

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Also made a cardboard mock-up of the "stepside" running board I want on this truck

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Had to take it off the chassis stands to see what it looks like on the ground

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With even more snow expected this week...gonna loose more garage time!!!!
 

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