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Jan. 8, 2010 5:15 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

I am starting to do some research on my, hopefully, next project car. I figured you guys know pretty much everything and could help me out here.

What i envision is either taking a modern full frame car/truck with its running gearand put it underneath a cool old car body, or taking a modern full frame frame car/truck (for modern reliability) and just putting a cab on it or something really minimalist.

The first idea seems kinda straight forward. I was looking mainly at the Ford Ranger, Crown Victoria, and the Chevy S10. The trucks are stupid easy to swap engines into, get lower, and upgrade as they are popular with the mini truckers and they are cheap as heck. The Crown Victoria is a mammoth, but it would make a nice platform for a nice cruiser/mild performance car. If you go that was you just gotta line everything up and measure a lot. Then its just getting all the components back together. This idea is winning over the other, im just waiting for a cool old car to come my way.

The second idea is one that has been on my mind non stop. Its to take a frame from above, but im leaning towards a Crown Vic and just mount a cab on it from a truck or something. (even older dump truck bodies seem like they could work) Because of the rear suspension design, you could cut it and have it end almost right after the rear diff so you get a clean look. The frame rails between the front and the back look like they are mostly straight so if you need to cut em and shorten it I dont see it being too bad. (shorten driveshaft) the front is where i get worried. The suspension stuff might look kinda ugly exposed and you need a place to mount the radiator so it still looks pretty. You get something that weighs a bunch less then a Vic to begin with so performance should be steller.

I plan on starting this project as soon as i find a body to work with. trying to keep it low buck and fun.

So what do you think? good idea? bad idea? any insight
Jan. 8, 2010 5:30 p.m. wearymicrobe Reader

The S10 swap is very popular on Killbillet.com there is even a few companies that sell body mounts that fit the S10 no fab required.
Jan. 8, 2010 6:22 p.m. cwh SuperDork

I love the idea of a modern chassis under an old truck cab. A '40s COE with a fabricated bed, something like that. Go bigger, get a motorhome frame from a roll-over, make a cool race car carrier. Put any old cab you can find on it. Watch the little people swoon upon your entrance. So much grassroots appeal here.
Jan. 8, 2010 6:31 p.m. nocones Reader

I Inherited a truck kinda like your suggesting from my Dad. He put a 1954 willy's truck on a 1994 S10 blazer frame. It's great because it runs and drives like a modern truck but gets attention like no modern vehicle. It really confuses people when you are driving down the interstate in a 1954 truck at 80mph. It's still down at my mom's house in St. Louis, but I'll see if I have any pictures.

Truck frames do work better than blazer frames, as my Dad scabed on the back of a S10 truck to the front of the blazer to get a flat back area for the bed. I'm keeping the Custom cruiser around to put a 1930's something body on whenever I need another project. Don't tell my wife though. she thinks I'm "getting ready to sell" the cruiser, just like I have been for the last 8 months.
Jan. 8, 2010 6:31 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

i dont need anything to tow with or haul stuff.im trying to keep this project somewhat uhhh like, for lack of better terms, practical. something i can rack up miles on.
Jan. 8, 2010 6:51 p.m. jwdmotorsports HalfDork

Dang dude. I've wanted to build a rat rod for years. This thread has me hunting a possible project.
Jan. 8, 2010 6:56 p.m. cghstang Reader

I have thought about using the panther platform in exactly the same way. I'm guessing you've found pictures of bare panther frames. The biggest issue I see is that compared to your typical 'hot rod' chassis, the panther is very wide in the mid-section.
Jan. 8, 2010 9:36 p.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork

I got to be honest I never have been the biggest fan of this concept but I like 40s COE on modern frame idea. Those COEs are the coolest trucks ever.
Jan. 12, 2010 11:57 a.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

Panther chassis is wide, but everything else about it has me really into it.

Look at these pics. It looks like it could be narrowed by, geez, like 6 inches per side, at least for the middle section

If you keep it stock width, whats holding you back from using an older semi-truck cab?! They looks spot on to the old truck cabs and i like to look.

How would you register that though....in ohio. i reckon you could get a title with the cab (or parts truck) and register it as said truck, but then what about the whole CDL thing? obviously not running all that gear but would they check or anything?
Jan. 12, 2010 12:17 p.m. ClemSparks UberDork

That's just nuts. You're talking about an over-the-road cab on a panther chassis. hahaha!

Clem
Jan. 12, 2010 12:27 p.m. cghstang Reader

Minimalist and somewhat sacrilegious ? How about a Jeepster or CJ8 tub on the P71 frame?

The Jeepster would do a better job hiding the ifs
Jan. 12, 2010 12:45 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

I'm waiting for 2005+ Frontier pickups to become cheap.

Full frame 4.0 VQ (nearly 300hp once you uncork the exhaust) 6-speed etc.

:-)
Jan. 12, 2010 12:50 p.m. RossD Dork

Per, then what would you do?
Jan. 12, 2010 12:58 p.m. Adrian_Thompson Reader

RossD wrote:

Per, then what would you do?

WWPD ?
Jan. 12, 2010 1:03 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

I have visions of a Toyota truck with Supra suspension and drivetrain.
Jan. 12, 2010 1:07 p.m. slantvaliant HalfDork

Crown Vic-based Locost. Do a slant-back truck version to match.
Jan. 12, 2010 1:35 p.m. John Brown MegaDork

Everyone who is encouraging him must spend thirty hours cleaning the internet.
Jan. 12, 2010 2:35 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

I'd probably use it to build some sort of EMod critter. Not sure what body.
Jan. 12, 2010 3:23 p.m. ReverendDexter Dork

93celicaGT2 wrote:

I have visions of a Toyota truck with Supra suspension and drivetrain.

Seen it done.
Jan. 12, 2010 3:31 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

ReverendDexter wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote:

I have visions of a Toyota truck with Supra suspension and drivetrain.

Seen it done.

Yep. There's a 1jz powered one running around locally. But it's more of the fast mini-truck variety. I'd want a hilarious track animal.

But because it's been done, that makes it easier for the next guy, which makes it better for me.
Jan. 13, 2010 6:24 a.m. ultraclyde Reader

as an aside from a cool idea thread, does Panther = P71? What am I missing??

As for the build idea...do it! That way I can live vicariously through you and not bankrupt myself.
Jan. 13, 2010 6:34 a.m. cghstang Reader

P70 = Panther, 6" streatch (my'02 up)

P71 = Panther, Police Interceptor, '92^

P72 = Panther, Livery (police/taxi/fleet spec), '92^

P73 = Panther, base Crown Victoria, '92^

P74 = Panther, Crown Victoria, LX. '92^
Jan. 13, 2010 8:52 a.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

Am i nuts of is this somewhat doable? I talked to a guy who sells refurb CVPI and he said hell keep his eyes open. A roll over or rear ended one would rock (neeeds a straight frame)

This is so absurd but it works
Jan. 13, 2010 9:25 a.m. aeronca65t HalfDork

Per Schroeder wrote:

I'd probably use it to build some sort of EMod critter. Not sure what body.

How about a nice, "styled" body like this old special? (hey, it worked!)
Jan. 13, 2010 9:43 a.m. cghstang Reader

In reply to aeronca65t:

Wouldn't that be awesome with a fiberglass jeep tub instead of the hardware store "body" ?

It would make lots of people mad too

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