Project Public Enemy 38' ford truck

So I'm finally going to start the build thread! So I've been back and forth on all the ideas of what I want and how to go about doing it. I'm sure I'll get some flak for not building the frame myself but here's where I'm at as of tonight:

38' ford cab with 1940-47 doors
99 chevy 5.3 fuel injected vortec motor
Ford 8.8 complete disc to disc
Th350 trans
Brand new speedway I beam axle with 4 bar suspension and cross steer kit

Here's the plans:

Z'd custom built frame
Bagged rear end
Custom skull logo my brother is designing to go with the build
Possible chop possible full cab not sure yet
Big single turbo setup on the 5.3 keeping it fuel injected
Not sure if I wanna go for the monster pro street look or something different.. What's your opinions??

Keeping the body almost entirely as it sits or as close to it as possible aside from the possible chop. Here's some pics of when I got it and getting some of the stuff loaded up, she's off to get the frame built tomorrow!

Day dreaming when I got it

Loaded up gotta grab the engine in the morning

Chop
Chop
Chop
Chop

Chop..................

Other than that, sounds good can't wait to see some progress!!!

The only frame flak you'll get will come from the buddies around your place, not the buddies on this site
Those trucks look so much better chopped, especially on a Z'd out frame. But not too much chop.
What did the rearend come out of ?

Old Iron said:

The only frame flak you'll get will come from the buddies around your place, not the buddies on this site
Those trucks look so much better chopped, especially on a Z'd out frame. But not too much chop.

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Neverdone said:

Chop
Chop
Chop
Chop

Chop..................

Other than that, sounds good can't wait to see some progress!!!

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We were thinking 2-3" since I plan to drive it as much as possible didnt wanna go too crazy

3 seems to be the best for proportions. A little more in the front gives it a mean rake and is appealing to the eye. jmho

Yep 3 is a nice round number.......

Old Iron said:

3 seems to be the best for proportions. A little more in the front gives it a mean rake and is appealing to the eye. jmho

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I think it will also have to depend on the wheel/tire combo i go with. the ride height is going to be around 6" and the bags will level it and slam it at the shows so its just a matter of how i want it to look with whatever tire combo i end up with

So got everything up to the frame shop, front axle was already mostly assembled and he's going to get a start on it tomorrow, I'm way excited to see it turn into a vehicle!!

Looks like Christmas came early at your place....

Nothing wrong with daydreaming a bit....looks like you've got the goods to start the build....we'll be watching....[P

sgtpontiac said:

Nothing wrong with daydreaming a bit....looks like you've got the goods to start the build....we'll be watching....[P

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Hoping I have a roller here soon!

Somehow I missed this, but I think a chop is in order as well.
I think leaving a windshield and side windows about 9-11" tall is about the lowest I would go with really wanting it as functional as possible...

Ain't a dang thing wrong with having someone do the things you do not have the skills for, especially a frame, the foundation of the whole build.

Dirtyrat said:

Somehow I missed this, but I think a chop is in order as well.
I think leaving a windshield and side windows about 9-11" tall is about the lowest I would go with really wanting it as functional as possible...

Ain't a dang thing wrong with having someone do the things you do not have the skills for, especially a frame, the foundation of the whole build.

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Thanks, I'm no welder/fabricator, but put some tools in my hands and let me build a fuel injected motor and I'll show you what I can do!

The main purpose of this build is to be able to drive it and have fun just like everyone else so the big chop isn't gonna fly with me. We decided to not channel it rather z the front to get it lower. I'm short only 5' 7" so a small chop I think would suit it just right but I want to see what I've got once it's sorta sitting how we want it.

Ya know just cause it's a rod doesn't mean ya have ta chop it.
I'm not choppin or channelin my 33

I don't think 5'7" is short.

Nice cab and good ideas for your build. Some day I wan to try one of those new fangled engines.

bob w said:

I don't think 5'7" is short.

Nice cab and good ideas for your build. Some day I wan to try one of those new fangled engines.

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They're not as bad as people make them out to be. I'm used to them since they're all I've ever built

Some progress. Setting the ride height at 6" with roughly a 28" tire in the front. Engine needs to come up a ways yet

Looks like they did a real nice job notching the tube for the frame! 6" is a nice number, with my bags up that is about what I have.

Couple of setup pics from today checking it with a 28" front tire, checking wheel base, figuring I wanna bring the engine up a couple of inches but the bell housing is gonna be WAY up against the dash, gonna flatten the firewall out as well and set the engine back about 5"

Love these trucks its gonna be bad ass,

I'm having a hard time visualizing wheels for it. We are thinking a 35" all terrain/mud terrain style tire on the rear and a 28" front but I'd like to do a staggered 17/15 setup too.. Any thoughts? Ford 5x4.5 bolt pattern