Posted By: 4bbl
50 truck hot rod project - 01/31/10 10:30 PM
What's the cheapest way to lower the front of the 85 coil spring chassis? Some say cut others say heat. what's the cheapest and best method? How is it done?
50 truck hot rod project
Posted By: cuhemida
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/01/10 01:28 AM
droped spindels inst the cheapest but its the best when you cut the springs you have less travel and i find most don't lik eth ride after and heating to shorten sprinf dose the same im sure after your done you won't like any one of the ways you asked about but thats only the way i feel
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/01/10 02:32 AM
As wide as that 85 chassis is, if you lower it that much, will you have to really cut up the wheel openings to be able to turn the thing?
I ask because I have a 50 cab on an 80 4x4 frame (both Dodge) and my truck sits way high because of the tire clearance and engine clearance. I even have the big truck fenders. Originally we were going to lower the truck, but it looked lot a lot of cutting and welding. What I ended up with was still a lot of custom fab work, but much less then I figured lowering the truck would have been. Mine has been on the road for 8 years now. Gene
I ask because I have a 50 cab on an 80 4x4 frame (both Dodge) and my truck sits way high because of the tire clearance and engine clearance. I even have the big truck fenders. Originally we were going to lower the truck, but it looked lot a lot of cutting and welding. What I ended up with was still a lot of custom fab work, but much less then I figured lowering the truck would have been. Mine has been on the road for 8 years now. Gene
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/01/10 02:59 AM
Nice looking 4x4. You're right the front wheel opennings are going to be changed quite a bit, but that's the plan.
Posted By: Cheeto
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/07/10 04:03 AM
Mustang offset wheels may fit those tires inside the wheelwells. Just be sure you have the room between the tire and frame/suspension.
If you're going cheap on the springs then I vote for cutting . Do it with a chop saw or cutoff wheel though to minimize the amount of heat you put into the coil.
If you're going cheap on the springs then I vote for cutting . Do it with a chop saw or cutoff wheel though to minimize the amount of heat you put into the coil.
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/22/10 01:41 AM
fire wall in now. about off to the blaster
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/22/10 03:47 AM
A little bigger picture for us going blind old guys would sure be nice. Gene
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/23/10 02:11 AM
new pic of fire wall. sorry , just started with pictures
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/23/10 06:22 AM
nice job,looking goood
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/23/10 01:10 PM
Thanks, I noticed something though. I need to reconstruct the drip rail in the upper middle of the fire wall. I don't want to get the distributor wet when I wash the thing.
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/23/10 10:00 PM
Thanks for the bigger picture. 
Looks good! You diffinately want to redo the drip rail, and close off the centers of the two side pieces, its amazing how much water runs through there when its wet. How deep did you end up going into the cab with the recess? When I did my 54, I was almost 6" deep, the width of the engine with manifolds. Made the center of the seat almost useless. Gene
Looks good! You diffinately want to redo the drip rail, and close off the centers of the two side pieces, its amazing how much water runs through there when its wet. How deep did you end up going into the cab with the recess? When I did my 54, I was almost 6" deep, the width of the engine with manifolds. Made the center of the seat almost useless. Gene
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/24/10 03:09 AM
Here is another look during construction to give a better idea of depth at the top. Things tapper back to clear the 727 bell area. I plan on a small center hump, with drink tray kind of stuff. I kepth the cab body back and hope to sneak the front wheel openings forward as far as possible with out looking wierd, but as you see, that,s a ways off yet.
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/26/10 03:11 AM
Snow is too deep to get it out the door but ready for the blaster after a little de-greasing. 85 chassis, shortened 22.5 inches (took the "z" out and rear axle over the springs with 2" lower blocks
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 02/28/10 04:38 AM
Chassis ready to go to the media blaster, back to work on the cab so it can go when we pick the chassis up. See where 22.5 inches cut out,and boxed area.
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/07/10 06:44 PM
spring hanger pic, chassis is gone to blaster. Should be painted and motor back in by next weekend
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/07/10 08:32 PM
drip rail is completed. Should keep things dry now
Posted By: scratchnfotraction
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/07/10 09:31 PM
on a stock 85 truck with the axle floped,that rear rubber stop is gonna be real close to the axle tube
makes a 5-150 almost scrap like that,but may not with yous..depends on the wieght
the flip flop and pocketed/short spring is the best ride for the 85 frame and ez to do cheaply
great project,nice workmanship
makes a 5-150 almost scrap like that,but may not with yous..depends on the wieght
the flip flop and pocketed/short spring is the best ride for the 85 frame and ez to do cheaply
great project,nice workmanship
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/09/10 04:29 AM
If your keeping the cowl vent, be sure to have a hose to drain the rain water out between the housing and the gasket or it will dump on your passenger side floor. Keeping these cabs dry inside seems like a full time job. There is more places for rain water to run in then one can imagine. I've been chasing leaks for 5 or 6 years now. Best I can say is I have it slowed way down, for now........Gene
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/09/10 06:39 PM
did not se the drain fitting until the other day. Good point thanks
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/27/10 06:31 PM
Cab going to media blaster
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/30/10 11:37 PM
Quote:
Cab going to media blaster
nice dolly you made there,,cant wait to see the bare metal cab
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/31/10 01:07 AM
thx, fstfish66, should have more pictures later this week. 
, Having the etch primer done in the same town this week too. I have time issues so thought I had better get that done before rust came back. It will still need some work before prime/paint. Hemi orange?
, Having the etch primer done in the same town this week too. I have time issues so thought I had better get that done before rust came back. It will still need some work before prime/paint. Hemi orange?
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 03/31/10 02:47 AM
Quote:
thx, fstfish66, should have more pictures later this week.
ORANGE?? just my opinion a nice darker color,,orange it may really stand out like a sore thumb,,,just my 2 cents,,
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/03/10 08:05 PM
chassis back, motor in. waiting for the cab from the media blaster
Posted By: lunacy
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/05/10 01:27 PM
Looking good, I always hate cars with shiny new paint jobs and you look inside the wheel opening and see nothing but rusty parts underneath.
If that Valiant ever starts getting in the way of your truck build, I'll be happy to come haul it off for you
If that Valiant ever starts getting in the way of your truck build, I'll be happy to come haul it off for you
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/05/10 04:49 PM
Thanks for the compliment, and don't worry about the Valiant. Test and Tune is this month and my right foot has been spontainiously jerking to the floor for a month already
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/06/10 03:23 AM
Quote:
chassis back, motor in. waiting for the cab from the media blaster
looks good,,,lets se it from the front,,,i for got what the motor is,, i can seee its a small block,,
Posted By: 72blubird
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/06/10 04:01 PM
It is looking good. Are you keeping the butterfly hood maybe missed that. I am curious how much did the change for the 727 effect your leg room?
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/07/10 12:17 AM
Quote:Trying to keep the hood, but not sure. foot room is limited. We'll see.
It is looking good. Are you keeping the butterfly hood maybe missed that. I am curious how much did the change for the 727 effect your leg room?
Oh and for above, motor is pretty stock, little more bore, little more piston, little more cam, 650 4bbl. Gonna be a driver for sure.
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/10/10 01:28 AM
Naked cab is back. Got a little work to do now. 
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/10/10 01:58 AM
naked cab front side. doing work before metal etch primer.
Posted By: Robbins
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/10/10 02:25 AM
Killer project! Can't wait to see the progress. 
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/10/10 03:46 AM
Quote:
Naked cab is back. Got a little work to do now.
dont look bad at alll
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/10/10 04:23 AM
Quote:Quote:
Naked cab is back. Got a little work to do now.
dont look bad at alll
pin holes, rust in some thin areas, top and bottom of the roof, floor.
Posted By: scratchnfotraction
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/13/10 07:53 PM
Posted By: dodge41
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/15/10 04:49 PM
Looks good so far! Keep up the good work. I love these type of progress threads!
Matt
Matt
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 04/16/10 02:07 AM
Be patient,I'll get back to it soon. Had to hold up here for a week or so. Picked up the sealer/primer just need a little time to "getter done"
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/05/10 09:23 PM
Starting to do things again.
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/07/10 07:42 PM
looks like its doing a wheel stand,,,,
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/13/10 01:35 AM
Finished bottom side with rocker panel guard, may do the whole fire wall? Anyway ready to bolt the dolly back on after we get the under side of the dash painted. Anybody got good easy ways to do that with out some fancy pressure feed gun? Figured I would just spray bomb it.
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/14/10 02:07 AM
A paint gun would be nice, but a spray bomb will work too. May I suggest painting the underdash white? It really brightens things up when you need to climb under the dash to do something. Gene
Posted By: moparx
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/14/10 11:54 AM
Quote:
A paint gun would be nice, but a spray bomb will work too. May I suggest painting the underdash white? It really brightens things up when you need to climb under the dash to do something. Gene
gene is on the money with this tip.
if white isn't quite up to your liking, a light machine grey will work well too.
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/16/10 06:37 AM
Quote:
A paint gun would be nice, but a spray bomb will work too. May I suggest painting the underdash white? It really brightens things up when you need to climb under the dash to do something. Gene
GENE GREAT IDEA,,,,,
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/17/10 01:52 AM
Can't take the credit for that one, I stole it someplace. Silver works too, probably most light colors. Gene
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 05/17/10 02:14 AM
Too late,I used red primer rattle can. I did read the note before I primed the rest of the inner cab, so sprayed lite gray primer under there as much as I could. Thanks for the tip.
Posted By: 4bbl
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 06/21/10 02:25 AM
Cab back on chassis, happy Father's Day.
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 50 truck on to 85 chassis, lower? - 06/23/10 04:06 AM
Quote:
Cab back on chassis, happy Father's Day.
nice how about a close up of chassis and motor,,