Idea for a build. E150 to Rat Rod???

[lvin4jc]

She's a beauty isn't she?

So I ended up with a 1982 E150 in good running shape for almost nothing. I have absolutely no use for this behemoth but in staring at it I couldn't help but notice how far forward that front axle is.

That got me thinking about the look that a stretched axle pickup has, which I like a lot. Has anyone pulled the body off of one of these and stuck an old truck cab and bed on there with a grill way out front?


From this:

To something like this:

 

[05snopro440]

You can do as much as you want but in the end I think it will look like you used the frame from an E150. If you don't care, that's great. But it just wouldn't look right IMO.

 

[lvin4jc]

You can do as much as you want but in the end I think it will look like you used the frame from an E150. If you don't care, that's great. But it just wouldn't look right IMO.

What do you think would be the issue? Height, length?

 

[05snopro440]

What do you think would be the issue? Height, length?

You would most likely need to move the engine rearward (maybe not), but modern frames and suspension just don't look good fenderless. An aftermarket tubular front suspension or a straight axle look great, but trying to use anything else just doesn't look good.

It's much better for the finished product if you use something that will look pretty. Again, maybe you don't care about that?

Modern vehicle control arms and frame rails are not good looking when you try to make them fenderless. The odd guy tries and succeeds, but most look pretty bad to me.

 

[Toad]

What do you think would be the issue? Height, length?

Those frames are huge & bulky!

Toad

 

[lvin4jc]

You would most likely need to move the engine rearward (maybe not), but modern frames and suspension just don't look good fenderless. An aftermarket tubular front suspension or a straight axle look great, but trying to use anything else just doesn't look good.

It's much better for the finished product if you use something that will look pretty. Again, maybe you don't care about that?

Modern vehicle control arms and frame rails are not good looking when you try to make them fenderless. The odd guy tries and succeeds, but most look pretty bad to me.

Yeah I guess your definition of modern is what would make the difference. This girl still has twin beams like my '69 F100.

Who knows, it could be fugly under all that sheet metal, I dunno.

 

[Sam_Fear]

It's fugly. Twin I is not pretty mostly because of the huge spring towers. The frame itself probably isn't bad - I'd bet it's very similar to what's under your truck.

 

[soltz]

Eye of the beholder
But some people think i'm a little odd[S

 

[sawzall]

If it's good pull motor, trans and rear end for future build then scrap the rest.

 

[Old Iron]

The track width of the van will create an issue.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Who knows, it could be fugly under all that sheet metal, I dunno.

It is.

That old stabbin' cabin has no real use other than living down by the river...

 

[Old Iron]

That old stabbin' cabin has no real use other than living down by the river...

Holy crap I almost blew water all over my computer screen [ddd[ddd[ddd

 

[kenny c]

It may be useful for an early Cab over with a pickup bed behind it.[S

 

[BlueNorther]

no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, a thousand times NO,

that twin I beam FS is THE UGLIEST SUSPENSION DESIGN EVAR!!!!!!!!

IT ONLY LOOKS LIKE IT IS FAR FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE SHORT HOOD.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.

I beg you pick something else, please, please, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CORPO]

I may be making this up in my head... but didnt one of ZZ rodders many awesome creations have a twin I beam front????

 

[bob w]

I may be making this up in my head... but didnt one of ZZ rodders many awesome creations have a twin I beam front????

Yes, I think it is his all home-made (body) pickup.