Here we go, I've actually started into my truck. I've owned it for almost two years and have been waiting for a garage extention to be finished. I never realised how long builders could take!! I think that took 7 months, but now I'm ready!

the truck is called a half ton, its a SWB, very popular in the states making it very easy and cheap to get bits for. Unfortunatly shippings a bitch!

I started stripping her out, very simple, two bolts broke, and everything went to be blasted and zinc primed so it can go into storage until I need it.



is how it started, engine and box missing all standard.











then I stripped it out, found minor rust, not bad for a 53 year old truck.







Next I decided to start with the rear axel, I got some mono leaf springs from a mate and a Trans am LSD axel from another. I had to make some axel mounts so the TA axel would fit. getting the old ones off was a bitch, but thankfully my wife bought me a 9inch angle grinder for Xmas - problem solved!!

Next problem is the 3 inch U bolts needed to secure the axel are too long so I'm having some made from 12mm bar, then at least I can get her back on the wheels and see just how low it's going to be.



Evolution af an Axel bracket.









I could have been rolling again if it was not for this cock-up.

Quick preview of the wheels, these are the fronts, they're 18's. the backs are 20's all rolling on 245's



350 / 5700cc chevy engine all machined up ready to go, all it needs is a good clean. Yes, that's going t o be the trucks colour!



once the axel is secure it's onto the front for some Jag IFS and installing the mock up engine, or if that takes too long I'll build the engine up on the stand.

Any thoughts and comments are welcome. I'm just sorry it's taken so long to get started.

 

You have too much money.

 

yey - looks good... I was wondering when you'd get started...

BTW, I'll send the missus round if you need a hand with the engine rebuild.

 

??

why?

complete engine rebuild kit was less than 4 cossie pistons, 4 wheels were Ł500, tyres were Ł80 + some RS parts.

It'll be together for less than a nice Sapph.

It's not what you know but who. And which ones owe you favors!!

 

nice one moose picked up yet another project today my p100

 

I like P100's too.

easy to lower, mod etc.

You need to speak to the guys at Normandy Salvage near guildford, they build mental P100's (cossied, twin turbo etc)

Wheels day should be coming up soon (good friday) and they will probably be there.

 

Craig ,

Bout time mate , good luck !

 

Looks a great project!! Love these type of projects. Reminds me of that programme 'hotrod build off' on living ormen & motors.

 

Looking good Craig!!

You sure about the finale colour???

 

Looks an intresting project mate! Keep the pics coming!

How bigs the garage extension?? 7 Months??? I 've built about 8 4 bed detached house in that time

 

I was expecting the wheels to be around 3k alone

Good work chap

 

oh yes!

I really like this and it's where I'm aiming for, maybe with a chrome grill.



and I can get it that low too!!

 

they were way cheap! only bummer was having to bring them back from Florida as my luggage!

Damn shame I had to take two holidays to do it

 

very nice

 

Now back to my original comment

 

Awesome fella , got me thinking now

 

Craig, that's a snowplough m8 Lovely colour though

 

haven't you got enough on the go???

You see all these cars with -60mm kits, well i figured mine will be -455mm! she is a bit of a high old bus.

my mate works at the airport, relatives have a house in Orlando.... see where I'm going?

 

gotta love Hot Rods

 

No but we all know you've been about abit

 

9" angle grinder....... i havn't got a license for one of those yet !

 

looking good craig

 

veeeery nice.

 

I'm gunna keep checkin on this on a daily basis I't gunna look really kool when it's done

 

I'm just waiting for the rear axel U bolts to be made, I'm hoping to get them for next weekend. At the moment the only thing updated in the garage is the roof, I'm insulating it. I'm sure no one is interested in that!

I also need to get some serious power into the garage as I'm working from an extension cable at the moment.

What I guarentee is she's going to be way-low!!!

 

Very nice project mate, keep us updated....

I used to be right into the rod scene when I was a "teen" lol.... Always fancied something like this, got a few "project" motors available to me at the moment also

One of them is a very rare Austin 8 van, ony 8 in the country apparently, I do remember seeing an Austin 8 car at a show at Knebworth house YEARS back now..

Oh and is John "the doc" Claydon still involved in the scene?? He was just down the road from my school at the time.... and IIRC wasnt it a candy red willy's coupe he built/had??

 

very very nice, gonna look awsome m8, always have liked these trucks. Im the same as Damo, always used to goto the american shows at hicksted show ground and chelsea/guildford cruise when they were mainly american cars.

I want to do a 67-69 camaro in the future, theres a bloke i know down the road from me who has a very nice dodge gto (Judge version), looks very nice and is pushing out around 600bhp +gas (150bhp i think maybe 200) for drag racing.

 

I beleive The Doc is still about, I remember the Willys.

Wheels day is coming up on good friday 25th march if you guys want to taste the sceene again.

It's at Rushmore Arena near Aldershot

 

Done some minor work today.

I got the 4 U bolts to hold the rear axel in and got it all bolted down. Put the rear wheels on and let her roll again.

Think I might have got carried away with the lowering! Probably going to C notch the chassis for clearence now.





So I moved onto the front suspension. Dead easy, five bolts and she was off! Nice simple frame, just need to add on the custom made Jag cross member now.



Got to remove the leaf spring perches, gearbox X member and box the chassis too.

 

Looking forward to seeing more pics "boyd"

 

love it

 

Quality project Mate, love seeing things like this

 

just the bak looks good already with just the rims bet its going to be proper nice when its done

 

Love it ,looking proper with the rims on

 

awsome , where did you buy the rims from?

 

I got them from http://www.visionwheel.com/v2002/home.htm they are in Alabama but they did a car show in Daytona so that's where I picked them up and carted them home.

 

very nice keep it comeing

 

Been a little busy making a jig to duplicate the geometry of a XJ Jag, I figure it's a big car, PS, 4 pot calipers, vented disks - just what I needed really.

In reality it's a fookin ugly subframe, not to mention hard to find in good condition!

The one I got was holed, I could have welded it up but what's the point?

So I got some 80x40 and set to, made some guide tubes and this is what you get!

Next to do is make some mounts so the rack mounting points can be taken.

Just waiting for those tubes to be made.



That's the drivers side, note the rust.





Not very interesting but I'll show the mistakes too! but hopefully there won't be too many of those.

got a band saw today so if I can get some 4mm plate tomorrow i'll start making the boxing plates for the rear chassis and getting on some more.

 

oh and the block, crank and heads are back from being cleaned so I can build that up too.