OKC521 Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 Anyone have a picture of thier 521, or just a 521 in general, that does not have the front fenders on? Preferably a side profile pic if possible, but I'm not trying to be too picky. My truck is packed away in the garage with a lot of stuff piled on top of it, otherwise I'd pull a fender off. I'm curious how far the firewall sticks out in front of the door. I'm playing with the idea of taking the 6.0L V8 out of my wrecked 2004 GMC 2500, and making a ratrod (not fond of that term, since it's overplayed, but what else are you going to call it?) out of my 1970 521. I can draw up some renderings of the truck and play with some ideas regarding suspension, wheels, etc., but I'd like to see the firewall in relation to the front of the door. Thinking about a control arm front suspension with coilovers. Most people push the front suspension forward a lot when building this type of truck, but I'm thinking about going forward only a few inches. Bring the rear wheels a bit closer to the cab, narrow the bed a bit, and bring the tailgate forward to just behind the rear tires. Have a nice low and wide stance, with the inside of the wheels a couple inches from being flush with the outside of the body. 18's in front and 20's in the rear. Short, wide, and more than enough power from the V8 should make for a fun ride. What do you think? Don't forget about the pics if you have them! Thanks! Quote Link to comment
DatWifey Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 About halfway down this page Daniel has one of his pictured without both fenders. Not sure if it's helpful, but he may be worth while hitting up if these don't work. Quote Link to comment
OKC521 Posted May 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 That, my friend, is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Much thanks! So, now that the pictures are taken care of, what about opinions on my potential build? Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 I doubt there is enough room for the 6.0L engine, but it does sound interesting Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 The firewall is about 14 inches ahead of the front edge of the door. the back edge of the radiator support is about 29 inches in front of the firewall, not counting any lips on the fire wall that stick into the engine compartment. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 what about opinions on my potential build? Quote Link to comment
Rob W. Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 What did the 521 ever do to you to deserve such a fate?? Does it no longer run? I guess it's just WHY?! Quote Link to comment
OKC521 Posted May 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 I should have been a little more clear on my intentions. My idea is to run the cab and bed only. No front sheet metal at all. Open frame rails (which I will build from scratch). I'll have plenty of room for the V8 then. Narrow the bed a bit and have the rear wheels outside of the bedsides. Google Image "ratrod truck" and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. I was also thinking about maybe cutting the cab in half so that you would have a front half and a back half. Then I could stretch the cab 6-8" to gain a bit of room inside the cab. Basically making an extended cab without having the extended part behind the door. The door glass is flat, so having some cut shouldn't be a problem. The truck does not run. Well, it somewhat did when I bought it. It fired up with starting fluid and jumper cables. When I got further into it, someone had rigged some parts on the carburator. Not sure what the intention was there, but I scrapped it. Someone had also tried to do some repairs to the front brakes, but parts are missing, and when you roll the truck, the pads will sometimes bind up and cause the truck to stop. Then you have to back it up, and then you can roll forward again. Bedsides have a good bit of bondo. Interior is really clean though. Good trim, seat, and headliner. The grille is in great shape. I'm rambling. This is all just an idea. I have this Datsun in the garage and a wrecked V8 fullsize truck in the driveway. I could potentially create a fun little truck. Just curious what others thought. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 I should have been a little more clear on my intentions. My idea is to run the cab and bed only. No front sheet metal at all. Open frame rails (which I will build from scratch). I'll have plenty of room for the V8 then. Narrow the bed a bit and have the rear wheels outside of the bedsides. Google Image "ratrod truck" and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. I was also thinking about maybe cutting the cab in half so that you would have a front half and a back half. Then I could stretch the cab 6-8" to gain a bit of room inside the cab. Basically making an extended cab without having the extended part behind the door. The door glass is flat, so having some cut shouldn't be a problem. The truck does not run. Well, it somewhat did when I bought it. It fired up with starting fluid and jumper cables. When I got further into it, someone had rigged some parts on the carburator. Not sure what the intention was there, but I scrapped it. Someone had also tried to do some repairs to the front brakes, but parts are missing, and when you roll the truck, the pads will sometimes bind up and cause the truck to stop. Then you have to back it up, and then you can roll forward again. Bedsides have a good bit of bondo. Interior is really clean though. Good trim, seat, and headliner. The grille is in great shape. I'm rambling. This is all just an idea. I have this Datsun in the garage and a wrecked V8 fullsize truck in the driveway. I could potentially create a fun little truck. Just curious what others thought. Your intentions were totally clear. Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted May 24, 2011 Report Share Posted May 24, 2011 post some OICs of the 521 Quote Link to comment
albyneau Posted May 25, 2011 Report Share Posted May 25, 2011 That, my friend, is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Much thanks! So, now that the pictures are taken care of, what about opinions on my potential build? It's been a while since I last looked (or cared to look) under the hood of anything so new, but I can tell you this~ a small block chevy will shoehorn in (via measurements ONLY~ I have not done this swap yet!), provided some firewall mods are made for rear-mounted distributor, and the radiator is relocated aft somewhere into the next zip code. Now, if you're going to move the cab rearwards that'd be a different story.... Fitment of everything (exhaust, steering, dizzy, etc..) will be an exercisee in patience and creativity! Good luck~ and post your build!! Scott Quote Link to comment
albyneau Posted May 25, 2011 Report Share Posted May 25, 2011 That, my friend, is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Much thanks! So, now that the pictures are taken care of, what about opinions on my potential build? It's been a while since I last looked (or cared to look) under the hood of anything so new, but I can tell you this~ a small block chevy will shoehorn in (via measurements ONLY~ I have not done this swap yet!), provided some firewall mods are made for rear-mounted distributor, and the radiator is relocated aft somewhere into the next zip code. Now, if you're going to move the cab rearwards that'd be a different story.... Fitment of everything (exhaust, steering, dizzy, etc..) will be an exercisee in patience and creativity! Good luck~ and post your build!! Scott Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted May 25, 2011 Report Share Posted May 25, 2011 Double-posts and bad ideas... This thread is full of something. All I can say is that you better finish this. Ejector seats in 3...2...! 1 Quote Link to comment
OKC521 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2011 Well, it's just an idea right now. I've spent the last couple nights in the garage measuring what I can get to on the truck. I'm worried that the firewall sticks forward too much for the cab to look right without the fenders on it. I started playing with some pictures last night to see if I can get a nice rendering going. I'll post it up when I get it drawn out. Quote Link to comment
dave71 Posted May 25, 2011 Report Share Posted May 25, 2011 i started a thread bout the same idea a couple months ago... one of the guys had an interesting pic posted of the idea on there....but i can't start till i get the g/fs' 521 going:( Quote Link to comment
battlewagon Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I know this is an old thread but it reminded me of one of my favorite builds... http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/113_0603_1968_toyota_corona_unorthadox_hot_rod/photo_01.html that said, it doesn't sound like the OP got it off the ground. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.