Post by Mopar Charlie on Dec 6, 2018 20:05:18 GMT -5
Did not want you guys to think I bailed on Mopars because I own a Ford now. So without further delay, I introduce you to my latest crazy Mopar build. I never had a great liking of this kit as it was so not like the real Little Red Wagon. I wanted something nobody was building and I think I hit it on the head.
I took a good portion of the center of the truck out. I did use the original floor pan and frame. Just shortened and pinned the frame, cut the floor pan to fit and then cut the body in half and filed it to size. One item that was bugging me was the height of the suspension, it was too high, mainly in the front. To get the stance lowered and not deviate from the stock suspension I did some mild customizing to the front leaf springs. I then drilled out the center of the spring and the front axle and installed a small .035 metal pin, mounted the axle on the bottom side of the springs and tacked it onto the chassis. To lower the back I straightened out the rear leaf springs and filed a bit off the back so they fit cleanly in the stock mounts. The static setup on this truck had Pro Street rear tires and wheels. I decided to go another way. The first setup on the built chassis had skinnies and fat tires with Torque Thrusts. Did not care for the look. Found a set of 4 aftermarket wheels and tires in the parts box. I made mounts for the backs of the wheels with Evergreen tube and got them to fit. The front tires are slightly smaller than the back tires. Not installed yet are disc brakes. Plans are to install a HEMI in the stock engine position, run full exhaust if possible. Because of the lowered rear end I might have to go with AAR Cuda like exhaust? Going to use all stock outer body parts and interior. No clue on paint yet but Sublime Green might be the choice with a black interior and a simulated black spray on bed liner are being considered. Well, that's about it. Enjoy the pictures!!
I took a good portion of the center of the truck out. I did use the original floor pan and frame. Just shortened and pinned the frame, cut the floor pan to fit and then cut the body in half and filed it to size. One item that was bugging me was the height of the suspension, it was too high, mainly in the front. To get the stance lowered and not deviate from the stock suspension I did some mild customizing to the front leaf springs. I then drilled out the center of the spring and the front axle and installed a small .035 metal pin, mounted the axle on the bottom side of the springs and tacked it onto the chassis. To lower the back I straightened out the rear leaf springs and filed a bit off the back so they fit cleanly in the stock mounts. The static setup on this truck had Pro Street rear tires and wheels. I decided to go another way. The first setup on the built chassis had skinnies and fat tires with Torque Thrusts. Did not care for the look. Found a set of 4 aftermarket wheels and tires in the parts box. I made mounts for the backs of the wheels with Evergreen tube and got them to fit. The front tires are slightly smaller than the back tires. Not installed yet are disc brakes. Plans are to install a HEMI in the stock engine position, run full exhaust if possible. Because of the lowered rear end I might have to go with AAR Cuda like exhaust? Going to use all stock outer body parts and interior. No clue on paint yet but Sublime Green might be the choice with a black interior and a simulated black spray on bed liner are being considered. Well, that's about it. Enjoy the pictures!!
