Her Name is Frank

[BUDDERS]

what is up with the bottom edge of that grill?  It looks like it is hangin on for dear life.  Also the valance to fender fit looks goofy.  Was this thing in a  fender bender before you started working on it?

[Twisted Minis]

Yeah he says it was wrecked. I found no evidence of that when I pulled it apart, other than the fact that the front sheetmetal was pushed over to the passenger side about 3/4". When I built the new core support crossmember, I was able to force it over abut 1/4" but now its difficult to get the core support bolts in, you have to force it over a bit. It doesn't look like it got hit, but nothing lines up on the truck. The hood wants to be in the correct spot, but the fenders push it over. The grill is weird, its about an inch too high on one side, but all the factory mounts are still there and none of them look bent. The headlights are held in with assrandom screws in holes I am sure are larger than they once where. He said it gives the truck character. I kind of wish he would have let me fix it, but its just more time and money, and it would likely require moving some paint, and he really wants to leave the patina look that it has now.


Heres a quote from the owner off my site after his drive home:

"Heres what happened
Cruzin home on the 101 she tops out at around 50mph but oh my, did Ethel cause a scene. I got her about an inch and a half off the ground and started south. Ive never seen anything like it! Old guys in hotrods, soccer moms, truckers, guys on street bikes, contractors in work trucks... I seriously caused traffic. I had my sister tailing me in her junker ford, just in case Ethel decided to get pissed off and quit, so shes behind me going super slow too. People behind her would get pissed, whip into the fast lane, blast past her, and then they would see Ethel. Ive never seen so many near crashes in my life. People would just slam on the brakes and stare. Never had so many people wave at me either! The guys on the street bikes is what really suprised me. Ive never seen them even acknowledge a vehicle before and here they are throwing up signs and waving. Unbelievable. Now I know why you all do this! This is so much fun!!"

[46&2]

Turned out sweet, I like it. 

So whats next?

[jimbo74]

so it doesnt have any type of bed flooring? wont the bed lsoe some rigidity jsut being sides with no floor?

[Twisted Minis]

Turned out sweet, I like it. 

So whats next?

Police interceptor, a new frame table, and a 30 Chevy.

so it doesnt have any type of bed flooring? wont the bed lsoe some rigidity jsut being sides with no floor?

The bed is framed out to hold it up. In almost every case where I have done something similar the bed has become wavy, and you have to build bed supports to hold the bedsides from flapping in the wind. The bed and frame of this truck where pretty overbuilt. And after framing the bed I assumed I would have to build supports, but it really didn't need it.

[46&2]

Police interceptor, a new frame table, and a 30 Chevy.

The bed is framed out to hold it up. In almost every case where I have done something similar the bed has become wavy, and you have to build bed supports to hold the bedsides from flapping in the wind. The bed and frame of this truck where pretty overbuilt. And after framing the bed I assumed I would have to build supports, but it really didn't need it.

Sweeeeet. What kind of interceptor? Caprice??

[Twisted Minis]

Umm, its whatever Ford makes? I can't remember the name. Guy wants to keep it looking like a cop car. He just bought the new Charger Police wheels.

[BLACKDOG]

Umm, its whatever Ford makes? I can't remember the name. Guy wants to keep it looking like a cop car. He just bought the new Charger Police wheels.

the crown victoria



Once, again, awesome work.  I'm really diggin' the latest creation   Personally, I think the imperfections of the body panels and grill just add to the "look".  Awesome work!!   

[Twisted Minis]

Thats kind of what he wanted. He said he wanted a utilitarian looking minitruck. Its a very different style than what most people build. He said he will finish it right one day, and get the replacement panels to make it look good.

[GJToyotabug]

pics

[Twisted Minis]

pics

Of?

[jimbo74]

Ford Crown Vic P71 Police Interceptor, the actual Crown Victoria badging is removed and replaced with Police Interceptor badging

[GJToyotabug]

of what ever you are working on im liking all of this

[BLACKDOG]

Thats kind of what he wanted. He said he wanted a utilitarian looking minitruck. Its a very different style than what most people build. He said he will finish it right one day, and get the replacement panels to make it look good.

Man, I'd keep it just the way it is. It really is one of the coolest minitrucks I've seen, and Its because of the patina, and the imperfections.  Makes it look like its had a useful life, not one that has been spent in the garage or in shows (no offense meant by that comment )

[82juguete]

dont think you mentioned it but did i spy a 64 or 65 ranchero in your shop in some of those last pics of the datsun??

[Twisted Minis]

Yeah its a 64. Its getting bodywork. I also built a tricky panhard for a California Special last week. Was no time for pictures, but its coming back in to get adjusted and painted up.

[THK Matt]

Yeah its a 64. Its getting bodywork. I also built a tricky panhard for a California Special last week. Was no time for pictures, but its coming back in to get adjusted and painted up.

CS, eh? Mustang?

[Twisted Minis]

Yeah, its badass too. I will bring my camera tomorrow. Its my friends car that works with me, but hes got a lot into it. Damn near a race car at this point.

Also booked a backhalf job for after the police interceptor.

[Twisted Minis]

Heres the panhard on the California Special. It sits level at ride height, and clears the diff and exhaust. It will flex a bit because of the bends, but it really stiffened the cars suspension up.  I got to go for a ride in it before and after, made a very noticeable difference.






The space was really tight to work with.  I simulated full bump with some large ratchet straps and built it up on the lift.

[Twisted Minis]

And heres some stuff for my 30 Chevy. Been collecting parts for a while. Will be starting on the frame in about a month once things in the shop slow down a little.

[BigMike]

[46&2]

Sweet, definitely looking foreword to this!!! 

[jimbo74]

Sweet, definitely looking foreword to this!!! 

[Twisted Minis]

The owner got new tires, the correct size the suspension was set up for (25" up front 26.5" out back) and sent these pictures.

[BUDDERS]

That thing looks sick!

[Twisted Minis]

Heres some Toyota lower arms I sent out today.

[Twisted Minis]

And the trucks outside the shop (before he got the bigger tires).


I really like how the truck looks.

[Duffil]

those arms are sexy. Looks like you've gotten better with the TIG as well. :bigthumpup:

[Twisted Minis]

I'm getting more consistent, but I still need practice. I really have trouble with odd positions.

[BUDDERS]

Those arms look sweet.  I know that forward portion of the arm is designed to replace the factory strut rod on the 2wd minis, but what type of joint do you run in them and do you sell the bracket for it too?  Also, what type of joint do you run in place of the ball joint?  It looks like it is set up for a uniball, but I'm curious what you use because I have a 2wd '87 Toy that I'm having a hard time trying to part with.

I'm thinking of possibly going with your lower arms, tubular upper arms and shockwaves (to simplify things and bring them down to a propper level).  My wife would kill me for not selling that truck, but I might just have to take that risk - I've put too much time and money into it to sell it for blue book value