Here's some current pics of a 69 SWB we are building... it is a truck we are building with the intent to sale. The build will feature a custom tube chassis with C4 Corvette suspension components front and rear, air ride, 20 and 22 inch wheels, subtle body mods, custom floor, custom fire-wall, custom dash, 5.3L GenIII motor... with a couple of T4 Turbos, and it will be Black with RED interior. I will be posting updated pics as the truck progresses. Hopefully I will have a rendering completed in a few weeks, to give you all an idea of what the end result will be.

When do you find time to build a shop truck with so many customers vehicles in the hole!!! Frame looks awesome.

No need for a dropmember ehh? :lol: Looks incredible already!

When do you find time to build a shop truck with so many customers vehicles in the hole!!! Frame looks awesome.

That's a good question....:confused:

We've actually been working on this for a while... it's a long story!

No need for a dropmember ehh? :lol: Looks incredible already!

This started before the Dropmember... otherwise I would have used one! (it would have been a weld-in of course!).

more picshttp://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r21/frankyazm/THUMBUP.gif

:thumbs:

Great stuff. I checked out your website last week, everything you're working on looks top notch! If anyone is in the Mesa area, I strongly suggest you stop in and see him.

you mean 20" wheels weren't optional???:bling2:

Let me guess you told the wife the truck was in the way and had to go. But it was'nt worth anything in pieces so you were just going to throw it togehter real quick so you would'nt loose to much on it right! Been their before, now I just tell her that I will loose my ars any way I go about it so I might as well just keep it.:lol:

So is that some of this rust free AZ sheet metal we all hear so much about?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Just a quick question on the upper A-arm mounts. It looks lke you didn't leave yourself much room to take out much negative camber if you need to. Other than that, you have a sweet project going there.

Great stuff. I checked out your website last week, everything you're working on looks top notch! If anyone is in the Mesa area, I strongly suggest you stop in and see him.

Just call first and make an appointment... PLEASE! I would be happy to spend a few minutes with any of you guys, just understand I am the one that does the work!

So is that some of this rust free AZ sheet metal we all hear so much about?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

The PO blasted the cab, and then never sealed it up! It will be making its way off to get blasted soon! And yes... this is a 'rust free AZ truck'!:lol:

Just a quick question on the upper A-arm mounts. It looks lke you didn't leave yourself much room to take out much negative camber if you need to. Other than that, you have a sweet project going there.

The upper control arm mounts do have a little room for adjustment, looks tighter than it really is. Since I build these chassis myself, I am able to keep the tolerances on my mounting locations extremely tight, eliminating the need for a bunch of alignment leaway. Throw a set of poly or delrin bushing in the control arms and the only way the alignment will be compromised is by a worn out or bent components.:)

You gotta quit showing us that crap..........just when I start to pat myself on my back for my frame off minor modifications restortation, I see your handy work and I just say, "son-of-a.........."!

awesome work!!!

I wouldn't begin to know where to start on something like that.

that is a work of art...

Let me guess you told the wife the truck was in the way and had to go. But it was'nt worth anything in pieces so you were just going to throw it togehter real quick so you would'nt loose to much on it right!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Shoot Kevin,
Thats where Im at right now. She didnt realize how many parts I had in boxes, now shes questioning where they all came from. :D

Porter-

Do you just butt weld the frame or is there more to it then what we can see? I have seen where it is recommended to use "diamonds" at the seems to reinforce the butt welds. Just asking because I am thinking of building a tube frame.

You gotta quit showing us that crap..........just when I start to pat myself on my back for my frame off minor modifications restortation, I see your handy work and I just say, "son-of-a.........."!


My sentiments exactly, here I am thinking I am building a cool truck and then I see that I don't have any of that perferated sheet metal on mine and just cry about my lack of creativity...

But seriously, awesome work man, love to see it.

Shoot Kevin,
Thats where Im at right now. She didnt realize how many parts I had in boxes, now shes questioning where they all came from. :D

Isn't that the truth. I have my parts shipped to work and keep many parts boxes there and just bring them home as I need them. She knows my so called budget on this truck, I just think its better for her to not see a new boxes of goodies every week.

nathan,
i talked to kyle over the phone a few days ago. & we are going to try to meet & maybe swing by the shop on sat. (hopefully) i am also friends with luis who you are doing a dropmember & i think corvette susp. on his '57 p/u with a '59 fleet bed on it (yellow & black truck) you really do some awsome stuff, if i could afford it, i would for sure have you do things for me on my '72.

again great work!!!

rodsoted-72

That is awesome, wish you where closer would like to stop by and see it.

I'll say it again, if you were closer I would never see my Blammy except
when you post updates :hm: Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet :cool:

Thanks for all the compliments guys... don't be too nice, we wouldn't want my head to explode!

The chasiss joints are butt welded, and then plated... I took a slightly different approach on this one and plasma cut the boxed sections out on my CNC and welded them together... if you look closely at the joints, the sections where it comes together look a bit larger than the 2x4 tubing. (I am always trying something that's a little different).

Plans have changed a little for the powerplant... ditched the 5.3L and 4L60e and picked up a 5.7 LS1 and a six-speed... the twin-turboes will be much more fun with a manual trans!:)

I also started working on the front fenders... removing the dents and shaving the marker lights/ emblem holes... I will post up some pics tomorrow.

This truck is going to be awesome. I love looking at your expertise. like I stated in one of your other threads, It makes my goals look more reasonable. GR8 build. RJ22

HOPY CRAP! I want that under my truck! That is excellent craftmanship, I'm scared to ask how much a rolling chassis like that would cost me, but I love it!

wow, everything he does is just sick!!! i just love the little subtle changes you try to do to everyones project......awesome fab skills and i hope to have even half the skills you have in the near future!

I like the mesh touch on the crosses, makes it look even cooler.

So this is the truck that is demo-ing the C4 back half for me? Awesome.

Where are more pics of this one Porterbuilt.

I had Carter do a rendering of this truck for me.... Plans are to have it completed by the end of the summer... early fall.

holy ****! that has to be the sickest design/truck i've seen on here... very modern and well perfect, get it done porter!!

You are a visionary with these trucks. Looks like you have your plate full with all of these projects. You need some help!! I can come help for free room and board, lots of food and six figures a year:lol:

I definitely have a lot on my plate right now... a few of the "eternal projects" that have been haunting my shop over the past year are finally making their way out! This is allowing me to better allocate my time. I am actually trying to slim the work-load down....:crazy:

im in looove:sexy:

:jdp: :jdp: :jdp: :c2: :c2:

Nathan, I cannot tell you how excited I was at how this turned out. I think it will be another portfolio piece.

Thanks again for letting us run with some of the creative. Its clients like you who make this so much fun.

Carter

simply awesome!

Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is the rendering correct as far as 1) it looks like the grill has been made talled to incorporate front running lights under the headlights, 2) it looks like the 69's hood on a 67-68 front clip, or the grill is hand made to fit the 69's front clip, 3) are you using some other type of exterior door handle instead of the OEM style, and finally 4) will it be a 71-72 bumper using the running light openings for the air intakes or will you cut them into the 69-70 bumper?

Either way, I love the drawing and the chassis looks fantastic!

Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is the rendering correct as far as 1) it looks like the grill has been made talled to incorporate front running lights under the headlights, 2) it looks like the 69's hood on a 67-68 front clip, or the grill is hand made to fit the 69's front clip, 3) are you using some other type of exterior door handle instead of the OEM style, and finally 4) will it be a 71-72 bumper using the running light openings for the air intakes or will you cut them into the 69-70 bumper?

Either way, I love the drawing and the chassis looks fantastic!


The grill was actually inspired by the new Silverado... with a vintage twist. It will be a fun piece to make!:) The front clip is all 69, and the bumper will be modified for the air vents.

Thanks for the compliments on the concept... it's nice being able to have Carter put ideas into a "finished" form before we start cutting! His work is amazing... as everybody can see!

glock, the grill is a custom made unit that Nathan and I talked about. Wanted to do something different? The bumper is a 71-72 using the turn signal holes to be brake rotor vents? The door handle came out a little small but are supposed to be factory units but with a brushed finish. Over all Nathan wanted an industrial look and feel, so thats why it still has door handles

Carter

I can't wait to see it when the front sheet metal is done. I really like the ideas on the grill. And I like the way the door handles look in the rendering, I'm thinking of maybe something grafted in from a late model car or truck with a lift-up handle would be cool? Or something from and older 50-60's model with a button, but a totally different shape?

Hmmmmm, now I'm giving myself some ideas...... :crazy:

http://i15.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/97/93/63aa_1.JPG

Bad-f'n-@$$!!! What's the fender vent from? I think I saw you use something like that on an Effy, no?

wow..nice truck frame..i need one of those..lol..super drawing to..man it looks great...actuall y im out of words to say..

this is gonna be sweet

OK, this is coming from a Blazer guy but is the bed shortened or is that just the way it looks in the rendering?

Nate,
You told me a little about it but the rendering is just tooooo cool. :metal:

I like the exhaust exiting out of the side. I've been thinking I would do something like that on mine so I didn't have to figure out how to route the exhaust over the axle that almost be touching the floor. That is a cool look and practicle when the trucks on the ground.

Jim

any progress

I see modifications that truly are amazing in their concept and will hopefully be executed in like fashion. Carter's artwork skills are amazing. The metal artistry that Porter performs is amazing. It truly takes a visionary with talent to be able to put the ideas into a visual form ala Carter's artwork, then into something that can be felt with one's hands and planted beneath one's butt when it is finished. It's like surgery.

it is getting close to the end of summer....... any progress:)

it is getting close to the end of summer....... any progress:)

Is summer almost over already!:lol: "Summer" lasts til the end of October here in Arizona!:)

I will post up some progress pics an a month or so. The new chassis design I am working on (for "Project Swingset") is too sweet to NOT use on the 69... should have the jig finished up in the next week. Once the jig is done, I will be putting another chassis together for this project. It shouldn't take more than a few days... I already have all the pieces cut, welded, and waiting their turn!

Hey Nathan! That truck is going to be sick!!!!! I will have to make a special trip out to Arizona to look at that truck when you get it done. Keep posting pics!!!

Josh

Any more progress pictures?!

Nathan, Holy Freakin Moly - That truck is going to be awsome! Look forward to the finished product.

When are you and your Dad gonna get your own TV show like the motorcycle guys?

Never thought I'd develope much a liking for Custom Trucks. That is very tasteful & well concepted.

Gonna be sweet....

what would you sell a truck like this for? im thinking 6 digits

Is summer almost over already!:lol: "Summer" lasts til the end of October here in Arizona!:)

I will post up some progress pics an a month or so. The new chassis design I am working on (for "Project Swingset") is too sweet to NOT use on the 69... should have the jig finished up in the next week. Once the jig is done, I will be putting another chassis together for this project. It shouldn't take more than a few days... I already have all the pieces cut, welded, and waiting their turn!

its been a month any updates :metal: :metal:

sick looking frame

Summers gotta be almost over??

Summers gotta be almost over??

It was 107 today!:lol:

what would you sell a truck like this for? im thinking 6 digits

This truck is for sale... depending on how far we take it will influence the price. I am trying to keep it in the $80K range. I will consider selling it in an uncompleted stage (no paint or upholstery) for somewher around $65K.

101 Here Today

101 Here Today

Sounds like it's still summer!:lol:

Well... we have decided to make some design changes to the truck in order to complete it in a less amount of time. The design changes included a "stock" 69 grill and we eliminated the side vents and side-exit exhaust. We have also decided to forgo the custom chassis and implement a Dropmember C4 and C4 back-half into the build. In other words... this has turned into a different truck. We will be building the "original design" at a later time.

Yes, this is a 3D digital rendering created by Carter Hickman. His work is off the charts. I would recommend that anybody considering envesting a substancial amount of money into a build contact Carter Hickman Design and have him digitally build it first. So much time, money, and effort can be saved this way.

Carter's work is insane :jdp: I like the simpler look to be honest.

Wow is this going to be at Sema this year???

seeing that 3d model makes me want to open Maya again and get back to work on the C-10 model i started months ago. building web sites day in and day out has kept me away from 3D stuff almost completely...

Carter has done some great work with this model and has done a tremendous job on the renderings.

regarding the truck concept... i'm really diggin' the SS air inlets on the bumper. You planning some sort of forced induction system there?? ;)

Carter's work is insane :jdp: I like the simpler look to be honest.

Me too!;)

Wow is this going to be at Sema this year???

To eliminate some possible confusion... the first pic is a digital model, a 3D rendering. I know it looks pretty dang realistic... still blows me away.

We are hoping to have the truck done early in the next year.

I love the design! I notice the deep lip on the rear wheel. Any idea on what amount of backspacing you are thinking about using. I will be watching this thread.

Josh

Nice, I received the e-mail Nathan, just shoot me over some real info on the plans for the truck.

Josh

Just curious......does anybody know what software or softwares are involved in doing this digital rendering stuff?

If a guy wanted to dabble in this stuff, where would he start?

It's beyond cool!

Tremendous computer work for what will be a tremendous truck. This board has so much talent here. Makes me want to open up a cold beer in your honor. Wait, it's Friday! :cool:

Just curious......does anybody know what software or softwares are involved in doing this digital rendering stuff?

If a guy wanted to dabble in this stuff, where would he start?

It's beyond cool!

I am sure that there is multiple computer programs but the one i know is 3d studio max.

Nathan, thanks again for the opportunity to do some design work for you. I just switched software and this is straight from a program called modo made by luxology. It is some incredible software for sure? I hope to have more to show down the road.

Thanks Nate

Carter
carterhickmandesigns.com

I can't tell in the rendering, what is going to be above and below the center chrome bar in the grille? Are you going to paint the factory plastic shell black or doing something custom??

I have a 69 also and always wonder what I'm going to do about the grille. Some days I like the 69, others I like the 67 style, and sometimes I think about the 72 style.... haven't figured it out yet. I know I want it to resemble the late 60's early 70's muscle car grilles where the entire grill kind of looks like it is blacked out and the hood, fenders, and bumper "outline" the grill area. Looks bad a$$.

can't wait for the finished product! my heart skips a beat just looking at the design of this black pearl!!!!!!!