Can't seem to get the proportions right...

[justsomeguy]

I'm trying to get my frame layed out and can't seem to get the rear to look right. What length of bed are most guys running? The cab is a 41 Chevy that I'm gonna chop four inches or so. Probably going to run a 9" in the back but I just can't seem to get the layout to look "right" in regards to the Z for the four-link.

Any pointers?

 

[RAT IHC]

best thing to do is mock things up with either wood or cardboard to get the portions right. You might go so far as to cut wheels out of cardboard as well.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Take a picture and post it.

 

[justsomeguy]

It will be this weekend before I can get the pics up. I just left for the week from work and won't be home until the weekend.

 

[rainman]

Mines 4 feet!!!

 

[Tripper]

best thing to do is mock things up with either wood or cardboard to get the portions right. You might go so far as to cut wheels out of cardboard as well.

Yep... Don uses 2x4's to mock the frame up & that's what I'm gonna do on my next build. If it's good enough for him... that's what I'm doin'!!!

BoB

 

[rainman]

You talking about the bed or the frame?

 

[justsomeguy]

You talking about the bed or the frame?

Frame right now. I don't have a bed, so I will have to build one. Just trying to get the vertical right on the four-link post behind the cab as well as figuring the length for the frame under the bed area.

Here's a question, how do you decide where to start? I feel like this is a catch-22. I don't want to build the frame until the cab is chopped, but I don't want to chop the cab until I have a roller. I can't build a bed until the frame is done, but I feel like I need a bed done to look at how far to chop the cab. Frustrated.... [

 

[RAT IHC]

I know you want to start right away, but take your time. If you have the cab you have a lot to go from to build the frame. You should start gathering as much as you can before you start anything. Suspension, tires, rims, axles front and rear. Then mock everything up. It's better to take time and get it right the first time, especially when you're building a custom frame.

Just my two cents....

 

[rainman]

As stated earlier, use wooden 2x4's and mock it up!! Thats the cheapest and easiest way to get exactly what you want!!
If you want it really low, you'll probably end up with somewgere around a 12 inch kick up in the back, maybe, 4 to 6 in the front, depending on how high, or low you mount the engine in the frame!!

Don't even think about the cab chop right now, concentrate on getting a platform to build from, A FRAME!!! Sounds to me like you need to research a little more, to figure out what it is you really want!!

 

[donsrods]

The guys have given you some very good suggestions. Building a car is like building a house, you need a blueprint (at least in your head) of what the finished product will look like. You also need to have most of your major components BEFORE you begin, like the engine, body, wheels and tires, and stuff like that. They don't need to be the exact components you will end up with, but close enough for mockup.

Once you have them you start by blocking up the body at a ride height you like, then you push the motor on front of it where it looks good. Then you block up some wheels and tires to where they seem to fit the look, and it is time to sit back in a chair and stare at it for a while. A cold beer or two help.

The car will start to tell you how it wants to be built. You might find you need to shift the front wheels forward or back a little, same with the rear tires. Leave enough room at the back of the engine for distributor clearance, and plenty in front for the radiator and fan. That area always seems to get tight, no matter how well you plan.

2 x 4's and cardboard are your friend. You can make a temporary frame out of 2 x 4 lumber and the cardboard is great for building a mockup bed. I also use masonite for that purpose. But even if you do these things you always have to plan for screwups and adjustments, it just happens. So be prepared to cut and redo stuff as needed.

Don

 

[Tim...Ok]

All good advise.. my bed is going to be about 40 inches with the wheels centered in that.. but I like that short bed,stretched front look, not for everybody though.. I did 8" in front and 18" in the back on my frame..so far it seems to be working out.

 

[Old Iron]

It's overwhelming to think of a new build all at the same time, that's why Don told you to put the components in there respective places, then you can move them around to suit your taste as needed
I agree with Rainman forget about the chop that's one of the later things

 

[Sam_Fear]

Yep. Don't worry about the chop. Build it to look right with the tall cab. Then chop it and it will look 5 times better.

My .02$ keep the back as short as you can, the front 10" longer than you think you need and about 4" off the ground.

 

[justsomeguy]

Okay, so I got a different cab (48 Ford Truck) I have decided to run with. I picked up a bed I'm gonna canabalize for mine as well. I started a thread in the build section on it.

I included a picture I found on this site (can't remember where exactly) of what I am shooting for. I know, wrong make/model/year/etc. I have been staring at that picture as my background for a few months now and I really love the way it flows. Just seems to be proportioned the right way.

What are everyone's thoughts on ground clearance? 5", 6"? I'm not bagging it or anything, so the height will be fixed. I want to run the frame pretty much inside the "plateau" of the floorpan, so the body will be almost as low as the bottom of the frame.

 

[rainman]

Personally I won't go any lower than 4 inches, prefer 5!!!!