Tow Truck Show Rod - WIP - Updated 3/26

[stevielewis]

I thought I would post a few Work In Progress pics of the tow truck show rod I'm currently building. My inspiration comes from Scurvy's "Rattlin' Bones" build. My version is using the Li'l Mixer cab. The engine will have the two blower setup from the Gridiron Grabber kit, instead of the three blower setup Scurvy has. Kits used so far are Gridiron Grabber, Chuck Wagon, Popcorn Wagon, Li'l Mixer, which was a glue bomb build I got about a year ago. The Li'l Mixer cab was brush painted with Green and Yellow enamel paint, which you can still see some traces of, which were coverd by the tube glue that was used by the original builder years ago. It's made of white plastic, so it's an "original" Li'l Mixer, not the reissued parts found in the last reissue of the Li'l Gasser.

I also was able to win a built MPC "The Scavenger" Datsun pickup tow truck on the Bay, so I'll have the same kind of towing setup as Scurvy's build. I still have a lot to do yet. Will post more when I have something to show.



Sorry if the pics are too big for your screen. The largest I could make them were 800x600 pixels. ;D

[stevehammann]

Hey a little exaggeration never hurt anyone. That's what Showrodding is all about. Kind of a quirky build, but you have a nice start on it.

[stevielewis]

Thanks Steve. It is a bit exaggerated, but it's been a long cold winter here. I need to have some fun with this build. ;D ;D ;D

[RatRod]

Looks like Scurvys build, only different cab. Nobody says we can't have two!!!!

coffincorner.proboards89.com/index.cgi?board=wip&action=display&thread=1201834234

[stevielewis]

You're right Ratrod. That's why I mentioned it in my post. Scurvy and Fred both inspired me with their builds. Mine won't be an exact copy of Scurvy's build...at least I hope it won't be. Lol! ;D

[Brandon]

I like it when people inspire others, and the variations that it creates... Nice start.... if it were mine... I'd tilt the cab back to a more level angle along the frame rails and run single rear wheels..

[stevielewis]

Thanks for the suggestions Brandon. I like the dual slicks in back so those are gonna stay. I may tilt the cab up more as well. I think the tape let loose and the cab tipped down in front more than I had it last night. Lol! It's just a mockup for now.

[RatRod]

Steve, didn't mean to sound harsh on my above post, I love that idea too!!! Hell, I have everything to do something like it myself, and just might too....

[Brandon]

It would be cool, ( and probably a lot of work.... lol) to narrow the dual rear wheels into skinny slicks.... hmmm.... (wheels spinning in my head..) I just passed up a built up Grid Iron Grabber at the NNL....

[stevielewis]

RatRod...no problem bud. It would be cool to see what you can come up with!

Brandon...I thought about narrowing the slicks into one as well...seems like a lot of work, but could be done. Actually, the Hard Hat Hauler HAS one slick in back like you mentioned. It just so happens I have one of those kits on it's way to me as I type this.

I'm off to work fellas. I'd like to read what you all think of my WIP so far. I'll be home tonight around 11:30PM EST.

[chromecop]

Lookoing very good so far. Hey, why not widening tha cab to make room for Three seats? That'll make even more different from the other guys builds!

[kustoms]

One word description AWSOME !
Bud Ellis Kustoms

[Pegleg (Hotwheels Bob)]

Now thats gonna be one boss hook

[junior73]

chromecop said:

Lookoing very good so far. Hey, why not widening tha cab to make room for Three seats? That'll make even more different from the other guys builds!

Widening the cab on that would be slick! No matter what you do, it's lookin pretty kool....

[scurvy]

WOW! I'd better get going on mine, or you're going to finish first! BITCHEN!

[stevielewis]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I hadn't thought about widening the cab. I have a lot of extra Mixer cabs, so it's possible to do. Hmmmm......

Don't rush your build Dave! It's taken me two weeks to get this far and the only things glued so far are the engine halves, the oil pan, the two parts of the dual blower manifold and the rear axle. The blowers are just tacked on with Elmer's glue. I would like to know how you mounted the front axle to the frame. It looks like it's glued directly to the front axle and not to the spring. Am I correct? If not, what did you do?

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the suggestions and feedback. ;D

[chromecop]

stevielewis said:

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I hadn't thought about widening the cab. I have a lot of extra Mixer cabs, so it's possible to do. Hmmmm......

Well, if You DO widen the cab using an extra cab, then You can use the remains to build a very Cool Trike!

Just a thought.....

[scurvy]

I would like to know how you mounted the front axle to the frame. It looks like it's glued directly to the front axle and not to the spring. Am I correct? If not, what did you do?

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the suggestions and feedback. ;D

I scraped off an area on the back of the spring and glued it to the front of the spring perch after I cut it down quite a bit - I used the radius rods to determine how much. I felt the front end just needed more drop. With an exaggerated ride like this one, I figured the more rake, the better.

[stevielewis]

Thanks Dave. That's kind of what I thought you may have done. I agree about the front end needing to be dropped more. Thanks! ;D

[hobbybobby]

:oKool project! I like it! It`s gona be wild! ;D ;D ;D

[stevielewis]

A few more pics of the Tow Truck Show Rod I'm currently working on. I received the "Hard Hat Hauler" yesterday and have added the "wheelie bars" to the rear axle. I have dropped the front end some. Since doing that positioned the frame lower, I found that the tie rod for the steering won't fit as intended. So I removed the front spindles and swapped the lower parts with tie rod arms, thus placing the tie rod in front of the axle, similar to the setup used on the Li'l Yeller, Gasser, Mixer, and Cashbox. (See the below pics.) I have also decided to level the cab floor making it even with the frame and have added the cowling to the front of the cab. In the pictures you'll notice I'm using the radiator/headlights from the Chuck Wagon. I'm not sure if I'll use that or the radiator/headlights from the Li'l Gasser series.

It's coming along. Waiting on the built Datsun "Scavenger" to arrive to get the towing boom and associated framing. Should have that sometime next week.






Thanks for looking. ;D

[fredmellini]

Man that is lookin' KILLER!!!!!!!...................Can't wait to see this one and Scurvy's finished. I got mine finished up, but the pictures went to the gallery so I cannot show it before its time!!!

[stevielewis]

Thanks Fred! I know what you mean about your pics. I gotta add some color to this build besides the white and grey plastic and blue tape. The chrome looks nice though. lol! ;D

[stevielewis]

Thanks Bobby! I appreciate your comments. I hope my build comes out looking half as good as your builds! ;D

[RatRod]

Steve this one is getting better, and better!!! I like that grille & head lights too, the V in the top of the grille matches the V in the roof of the cab!!! ( I know you planned that too, right? )

[stevielewis]

I hadn't even notice that about the "V" shape of the radiator grill matching the cab roof line, RatRod, until you pointed it out. Thanks! ;D

[JerryG]

Hey..this looks like a real showrod Steve...I hope you go with a nice retro paint job. are you going to(or can you?) turn your tires around to get rid of the "lettering"?

[stevielewis]

Thanks JerryG! Retro paint job....hmmmm....got the wheels turning in my head. Neat idea!

As for the tire lettering, I'm going to sand/scrape that off. It's so outta scale anyways. The way the tires are designed, you can't turn them around so the lettering faces away. Not only that, the wheel rims only fit the opening they're made for.

[Brandon]

Nice call on the cowl!! Looks awesome so far... A hangman boom would drop right on the rear frame kick-up... It will be interesting to see how the Scavenger rigging fits... way cool build, I love it.

[TheMadModeler]

Steve that's Lookin' Good.. At first I wasn't sure I'd like it
because of the outta scale tires. I think it's just that I don't like
plastic tires. Rather use rubber.. But I now think the rear
tires gives it that Show rod look to win me over..
What are ya planning for a shifter? Something to do with TOW..
Maybe a Hook? and Chain?
BiLL..