[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by Nick_R_23

I have to say, I vastly disagree. I think everyone will tell you that the whole point of this hobby is to have fun. The heart of hot rodding is improving what you have with what you can, to make your car more enjoyable! I’ll tell a little story here. I’ve always loved any kind of old car, doesn’t matter what kind it is - hotrod, Classic, muscle car, customs, cruisers, or original restos - they’re all cool! But when I was around 22/23 years old, I picked up a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe that was ALL ORIGINAL. 6 volt electrical, 4 wheel non-self adjusting drum brakes, non-synchro trans, manual steering and brakes, I believe it did have IFS though. I thought it was the greatest thing ever! A true classic, exactly “how they used to be”. I knew it was exactly what I wanted to drive, “who needs all that fancy new crap?” I would say...until I daily drove it. It was fun at first, but that fun quickly wore off. It became a chore to drive. You had to pre-plan your stops wayyyy in advance, and god forbid an emergency stop was necessary. It wouldn’t do highway speeds, so merging, or even cruising on the highway would result in tailgating, or people passing dangerously. I live in a rather hilly area, so manipulating the clutch and 3 on the tree was a constant battle. The car had considerable bump steer, and loved to spontaneously attempt its own lane changes, which was made worse by the manual steering. Eventually, it was driven less and less, until it was reserved for Saturday nights, such as going to the movies or grab a burger in town, and eventually just parked completely. I ended up selling the car - not strictly because of the old tech, but because it was not fun to drive. I didn’t want to be in it.

If I could have this classic body on a brand new chassis with every modern feature, I would do it in a heartbeat. Comfortable, fun to drive, and classic looks? Sounds like perfection to me. Unfortunately, that’s not realistic or affordable for most people. That’s why the “retro” cars, such as the modern Camaros, Challengers, and Mustangs have sold so well - it’s a reminiscent of the classics that everyone used to enjoy, but with modern features that the majority of people can attain. That’s also why it’s popular to perform a frame swap, as you get quite a few upgrades in one go. Yes, they’re a lot of work, but I’d argue less work than bringing a 70 year old, under-engineered frame up to modern specs. Let’s face it, these were intended for 90 HP and 50 MPH. We far exceed that these days. Even dropping in a bone stock 5.3L on an original frame, is a 300% increase in power with no additional strength being added.

So in short, I think everybody builds their ride with the expectation that they want to have fun in it. The more comfortable it is to get in and go, the more likely I am spend more time behind the wheel. 1940’s-1950’s tech will not do that for me, and not for many others considering the overwhelming amount of modern engines, fuel injection, disc brakes, IFS, rear axle, suspension, steering, or complete frame upgrades out there.

Yep, I hate "hot rods" and all those guys who cut up these trucks. LOL "negative posts" someone else said, HUH? I didn't do any beating or screaming I said THINK ABOUT IT that is all I said.

Yeah, damn it, those hotrodders, I chopped the top when I was 16, put a Mid Eng 401 Buick with the carb between the seats in it when I was 20, drove it like that for 15 years, tore it apart for a rebuild (that was stupid) now the top is chopped, the cab is sectioned it will have a 53 Corvette engine in it, yeah, f-ing hot rodders!

All I am saying is THINK ABOUT IT! Some of you who did the swap it was perfect for you, others that do it they made a mistake, never finished it or it was simply a waste of time and money and work because they didn't NEED it. I LOVE cars, I have driving to the drag strip with the headers uncapped and slicks on from my house in my 65 Buick Gran Sport that was SERIOUSLY set up for handling that I would drive it like it was a friggin Porsche through the winding mountain roads. I have also driven a stone stock 59 Rambler American with a flat head in it every single day to work (drum brakes and a single reservoir master cylinder, OH THE HORRORS) I have had a full on handling set up SHO Taurus I drove every day, I LOVE cars and hot rods.

But every mod isn't for everyone and I just said to THINK ABOUT IT, look at your expectations of the truck! I had done a Camaro clip on my truck and that was the plan. Then I drove a co-workers AD with a dropped axle and nice springs and such and was BLOWN AWAY at how nice it drove. I sold the clipped frame and got a stock one because it made more sense to me and my expectations of my truck.

All I am saying it think about it, it's not a MUST to, disc brakes are not a MUST do, IFS is not a MUST do, there are many ways to build your hot rod truck and have fun.

That is all I am saying. Geeeez


Brian