Scrap Truck to Race Truck

[WasagaChris]

Hello all, this is my first post on this site.
A friend and I are building a race truck to run on the local track here.
We picked up a 72 long box from the wreckers for $200. It had no drive train and no box. We also got some long box bed sides, box front and a pair of fiberglass rear fenders for a step side for $50.
The truck will be a short box step side.
After getting it home a Saturday was spent stripping out the cab and then the frame was cut to shorten the wheelbase.
Two more weekday evenings and the box sides and front were shortened, then tacked into place and the fenders attached.
The cab is really rotten but that doesn't matter for a race truck.
Here are a few shots of the 1st evenings work after the frame was shortened.

[WasagaChris]

Here are some shots of the second nights work:

[WasagaChris]

One more evenings work and the roll cage is starting to take shape.

[WasagaChris]

We got a little more work done on the roll cage this weekend in between rainstorms.

[WasagaChris]

We also removed what was left of the front clip so that we can replace the fenders with some decent used ones that were donated. The doors also were removed from the cab so that we can finish the roll cage and then repair the floor and rockers.
I got a line on front floor pans, floor braces, cab corners and outer rockers all for $340 CAD.
With the front clip removed you can see the outriggers welded to the frame to support the roll cage. The rules are 6 points welded directly to the frame and because the frame on a truck is so far inside from the edge of the body the outriggers are needed.

[WasagaChris]

Today I ran the truck over to a local blasting shop and had the seven layers of paint taken off.
It looks much better now that all that mess is gone.

[webfoot]

I think that will be cool. What eng/trans you going to put in it?

[WasagaChris]

Originally Posted by webfoot

I think that will be cool. What eng/trans you going to put in it?

It will be a 350 with a 3 speed manual transmission. It will be mostly stock as that is the class of racing. Some small mods are allowed and some won't be found out.

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by WasagaChris

It will be a 350 with a 3 speed manual transmission. It will be mostly stock as that is the class of racing. Some small mods are allowed and some won't be found out.

What race series is this being built for? Is it FTMS Pure Truck? If so, that looks pretty fun.

[WasagaChris]

Originally Posted by ghalperin

What race series is this being built for? Is it FTMS Pure Truck? If so, that looks pretty fun.

You hit the nail right on the head. Here is the link to the track's website:
http://www.fullthrottlemotorspeedway.com/

[WasagaChris]

I got busy and forgot to post last weekends work. This build is a family affair. The driver is building it with his two sons.
Here is his 15 yr old trying his hand at welding.

This shot shows the truck's driver explaining to his 18 yr old what is being cut off the wrecked race car's cage to be recycled into the roll cage of the truck.

Next the passenger door was gutted to keep only the outer skin. It was hung back on the hinges and tack welded temporarily into place so that the door bars could get bent up and tacked into place.

Then we worked on setting the base for the race seat.

[rusty76]

I think I might just follow along.

[WasagaChris]

No drastic moves forward this weekend. Saturday was spent at the u pull it yard. Scored a complete rear axle and trailing arm setup. 3.73's in this axle too so it will be a complete swap. The axles need to be drilled out to install the racing wheel studs.

Also scored a gas pedal, clutch pedal linkage, power steering lines and a few other small items.
We also hung the driver's rear fender and the better driver's front fender and cut out the inside of the driver's door and hung it temporarily to see how it will all line up. The lower outer edge of the door is shot like the passenger side so that will be patched once the final install of the door is done and it is welded shut. There is more interior work and roll cage work to be done so the door will be coming off and wait until all that is done.

We also scored a racing steering column for free. Had to cut it down to fit but it is now mounted with the removable steering wheel.


We also installed all new front brakes, rotors, calipers, pads and flex lines. No pictures of that because it is all stock and pretty boring.

[ghalperin]

It's looking good. Are you allowed to used fiberglass body parts?

[WasagaChris]

Originally Posted by ghalperin

It's looking good. Are you allowed to used fiberglass body parts?

Nothing in the rules says you can't.

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by WasagaChris

Nothing in the rules says you can't.

Sweet

[WasagaChris]

Originally Posted by ghalperin

Sweet

Yeah they will be easier to fix if they get hit. Hopefully the only part that gets hit is the rear bumper. Hoping to be faster than everybody else so they're all behind us.

[RDrancher]

Just have to watch this one.

[WasagaChris]

I've been busy lately and forgot to post an update.
We started playing with the ride height. The track rules allow us to drop the truck to just 5 inches off the ground. However it must retain stock components and aren't allowed to notch the frame so the best we could get so far is 10 inches from the bottom of the cab to the ground.
This is just a test and we cut down some extra front springs and just set them in place. The front springs were heated with a torch to drop the ride height. It will get lower because there is no engine or transmission in the truck yet.
We also swapped out the second axle with the better set of trailing arms and installed all new rear brakes(shoes,drums,wheel cylinders and hardware).

[rusty76]

So do you have to run a stock frame? Would it be possible to z the rear? Keeping the stock frame rails. Also could you use inline six springs up front that might get you lower. Or maybe V6 springs from a 73-97 truck. I know they might be minute but some thoughts. We used run in the street stock class at our local track and the car was really no where near stock. It's funny how street stock now is so different track to track. We ran an inline six in an old nova. It had a pretty good kick up in the rear and truck arms. That darn car was absolutely predictable. No matter wedge or not. Then we got another car that was more like a late model. Multi link out back. It was a pain to dial in. Oh me it was fun racing and I really miss the early years. Cool truck. I really look forward to seeing more.

[WasagaChris]

Originally Posted by rusty76

So do you have to run a stock frame? Would it be possible to z the rear? Keeping the stock frame rails. Also could you use inline six springs up front that might get you lower. Or maybe V6 springs from a 73-97 truck. I know they might be minute but some thoughts. We used run in the street stock class at our local track and the car was really no where near stock. It's funny how street stock now is so different track to track. We ran an inline six in an old nova. It had a pretty good kick up in the rear and truck arms. That darn car was absolutely predictable. No matter wedge or not. Then we got another car that was more like a late model. Multi link out back. It was a pain to dial in. Oh me it was fun racing and I really miss the early years. Cool truck. I really look forward to seeing more.

Yes stock frame with no notching. I don't know what you mean about Z the rear can you explain it to me. As far as the springs go what we are using now is just to test the ride height.

[WasagaChris]

A few more things done this week. The driver's door cage bars are built and installed.

Also the driver's door skin we were working with was total junk. Somebody in the past re-skinned the door poorly. Then it rusted out and a lower skin was installed over the rusted out re skin. Basically the entire door was junk so we got another good door unmolested. Once the inner were cut out a test fit was done. It needs a little dent repair but will be much better.


Next the racing accelerator pedal was modified and installed. We also installed the clutch pedal linkage.

[mud.man.rj]

Interesting build and cool you started from almost nothing, excited to see the changes coming yet.
Mudman.

[WasagaChris]

It's been a long time since I updated this thread because I have been away on winter vacation. I got some pics today of the truck.
It's ready for the engine and transmission to be installed now. After that just a little wiring and she is ready to race.
Enjoy!

[rusty76]

Originally Posted by WasagaChris

Yes stock frame with no notching. I don't know what you mean about Z the rear can you explain it to me. As far as the springs go what we are using now is just to test the ride height.

I feel bad for not replying sooner. But I was wondering if you could cut the rear frame move it up towards top of bed. Basically a kick up in the rear. I feel sure you wouldn't be able to but I was just curious what the rules are. Truck is looking great.