Building my own truck?
Posted by Random__guy-@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I want to make my own work truck. I saw a Chevy Corvair truck with the side gate and immediately loved it. The problem is that’s the only truck like it and it’s too rare to use and abuse. Now I want to make my own compact, long bed, low to ground truck with a side gate and take gate, but with modern features. Such as more safety, a bed that is actually flat, better fuel efficiency, and more horse power and towing capacity. Is this something that I can actually do or is this a paperwork hellscape? (I live in America if that helps)
jfisk101@reddit
If you have to ask, you're really not qualified to build it.
jckipps@reddit
Start with an existing model and work from that. And don't kid yourself into thinking you'll end up with something that's cheaper or far better than a factory-original truck.
You can't have everything. You'll need to prioritize what you're after, and build accordingly.
Take my truck build project for example -- I'm working with a 1987 Chevrolet v20 (k20) pickup, and am aiming to modernize it enough that it can basically do anything that a mid-2000s 3/4-ton truck can do, but with a bone-stock interior and exterior appearance. I won't have the chassis rigidity of a 2500hd, but it will be similar to a 2500. My engine and transmission are from newer models, axles are from newer models, and the suspension will be upgraded for slightly better ride.
It will still ride rough enough that no one will mistake it for a newer truck. And the cab will be cramped compared to newer trucks. I'm fine with that.
Legality isn't a big issue for me in Virginia. But that's quite a bit different if you live in California.
Random__guy-@reddit (OP)
The Corvair truck was basically a van with a bed instead. So I’ll probably just get an older van and make it a pickup with a side gate.
jckipps@reddit
Find a classic van and use that instead. Unless you're hauling really messy and bulky stuff, the enclosed van body is far preferable to a pickup for a general work vehicle.
This is my daily driver. Once the 1987 truck is back on the road, I'll put this van under the knife for a 100-mile-range EV conversion. The intention is to continue using the van as a local runabout and 'mobile toolbox', and use the truck for longer distance driving and towing.
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Why not take something like a "newer-ish" minivan and cut the cargo top off?
I did it with an '86 Econoline 150. It was my mom's former handicap van. My brother got her a new van and I decided to do something fun with the old one since it had seen better days and wasn't worth trying to sell.
Cut the cargo top off just below where the side windows stopped, starting just behind the front doors. This particular one had the split side doors. So all I had to do was move the top hinges down and the side doors still worked. Did same thing with the rear doors. Used sheet metal to cap off the new "bed sides" and cut the cab wall off of a wrecked F-series to make a cab wall for the "new truck". Dimensionally speaking they're basically identical so combining the two was pretty easy. Kept the chair lift in place on the side doors so it essentially funtioned as a lift gate. Whole thing actually worked quite well.
There's a guy in the next town over that took a late '80s Merc sedan, cut the roof off just behind the front doors, cut rear doors horizontally at the height of the quarter panels. Capped the sides and he put in an aluminum diamondplate floor and sides inside to make the bed area. Bed was only about 12" deep. However, it didn't have a functional tailgate. But it was a well executed build.
ChemistAdventurous84@reddit
Have you looked at Japanese KEI trucks? I believe that when they are 15 years old, the import restrictions are reduced.
HobsHere@reddit
The paperwork aspect will depend completely on which state you are in. In some states, you could Just Do It with no problem or paperwork at all. Others aren't going to let that pass inspection.
wpmason@reddit
You can’t engineer and fabricate a safer vehicle at home unless you’re doing cages and harnesses, which flies in the face of practicality for a daily use vehicle.
Random__guy-@reddit (OP)
That’s mostly likely my plan. I didn’t mean safer than modern cars, just safer than the 1960s truck I was inspired by.
Uncle-Istvan@reddit
If you have to ask, it’s more work and/or money than you should invest.
Random__guy-@reddit (OP)
I’d assume so, but I figured I’d ask while I still have a fixation on it before moving into the next thing to make my monkey brain turn.