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Raising a pilothouse to a new level.


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Customization is fine if that's what you're into, but in my mind it just means one less old pick-up. Btw, love the feeling of riding up above the crowd.

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Tim;

:D You could use it instead of a pop up to provide shade for the crowd at the BBQ. And there is probably room for a couple of hammocks strung up between the axles for the over-nighters. Or just park it in a prominent place and use it like P.T. Barnum used the Big Top.

 

Jeff

Hey if it ever does rain it might make a decent mud truck to get you out to inspect the south 40.

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Tim;

I will agree with you that the "creators" of these trucks got a carried away......the second one in particular.

But a toned down version of the first example ........ well that makes much more sense to me than lowering them. They are trucks after all and I just can't see having to stop at every little bump in the road in something that was intended to go over them.

I say if you want a low rider start with a car........and don't take the Truck.....out of the truck.

 

Jeff

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without throwing a curve ball to anyone here but I often watch these vehicles go by my space at the swap meet heading to the show arena/car corral..the ones slammed to the ground with o-ring tires and chassis stiff as a slab of granite with about the same spring rebound as granite.....then onward to the top chop where the roof line is so low the guy driving (even with channeled body and go cart seat installed) has to still hunch his shoulders and crane hi head forward and with eye angled up to see out the small glass and then the ultra lifted chassis with the huge wheels and a submarine hatch ladder attached to the door sill for entry into the vehicle...yeah..they all represent a certain kind of build, each has their own following I am sure else why are they being built..I personally do not see the huge sacrifices in comfort just to obtain a "look"  I just cannot see where a ride of these extreme can be a comfortable experience on an extended cruise, trade off is just too great for me is all I am saying...

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Tim;

I am not a fan of any extreme treatment on these trucks. If I am being totally honest the lines of these trucks are a bit "homely" and messing about with them too much really doesn't help. I kind of look at it this way.......either like 'um the way they are ..... and I do.....or find something else. And I totally agree with you on the chopped top thing. They were known as Pilothouses for a reason......chopping the top totally negates that whole aspect.

 

I can't say about other parts of the country but I see the drawbacks of having a lowered vehicle almost every day. There are quite a few around here and besides the obvious drawbacks there is another one that seems to be never mentioned. They actually pose a type of traffic hazard. I can't tell you how many times I have been stopped behind one stuck at a bump or dip that a normal passenger car would have no problem negotiating. In our traffic it is just plain ridiculous. Bad enough when it is a Ferrari or some rice burner.........but when it is a truck? That is just wrong.

 

Jeff

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A little bit higher is good for me. Don't like low things.

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yes..I too have witnessed a couple near misses with vehicles traversing road conditions that would not have been an issue if the vehicle had been left in stock condition...I personally feel there are other legitimate arguments that should prevent some of the extreme machines from the highway...but we are not here to defend or attack local legislation....just a simple exchange on what we think is or is not within our personal tastes for vehicles..

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I think our trucks look good with the top chopped...something salt racers started, to gain better speed slips back in the day. They also lowered the vehicles for the same reason. I could never fit inside any of them because of my size.....same goes for Porches, Bmw's, and Miatas.....just don't fit. My daugther bought a 2004 Toyota...I fit, but my head hits the roof. Stock car racing rules state, "Your head with helmet on must have at least two inches of clearance from the roof". I would put my 5 point harness on and try to push up to the roof and see if my helmet touched. That's how I'd tell if my belts were tight enough. In these small cars, with no roll bars, roofline touching my un-helmeted head...remind me of the chopped hotrods without the same rollbars. One good roll over, and for me, its over. The Brick is a "Sleeper"......looks like and orginal.....but will take your pink slip right out of your shocked little hand. lol. That's what I've always liked in a classic vehicle..surprises. Infact....my next truck might be called "Sleeper".....and have wicked White Walls...lol.

 

48D

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Tim;

I certainly don't have any problems with chopping or modifying any purpose built race car. Believe me I totally get that.

Not sure I would chose a Pilothouse to build a salt flats racer.........but I get the irony and spirit behind it. And the name "the Brick" is so true. :D I just think people get too carried away with mods on road vehicles. Looks are one thing but when the mods restrict the functionality it just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

As I was putting together the interior on my truck I started to get concerned that perhaps I had made a mistake building this truck for myself. It seemed like it was going to feel a bit cramped and I wasn't real happy with the visibility either. At around 6-1 the roof seemed awfully close. I can't even imagine what it would be like chopped. I ended up making a few small mods to the seat frame which really helped. Then I found an aftermarket extended view rear view mirror I really like and now it is all good. The smaller conventional mirrors that these had fitted kinda suck in my opinion. With the clip on unit I now have I not only get the full view out the rear window but also both corner windows.......and I got to say I really like that. Best 25$ I have spent in a long time.

 

The one criticism I have of the basic cab design is the height of the door glass. Another inch or so taller would be more to my liking. But not to worry ......I am not thinking about a stretch job. :lol: We will leave that to someone else.

 

Jeff

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Only reason bikes of that design belong in the back of a truck would be for delivery to a customer.  Either ride them or leave them at home.  Truck is Ok, don't care for the paint scheme, personal choice.   Mark is right on the radically chopped one, again personal choice, Just because you can, doesn't mean you should, and he's going to play hobb trying to get glass in the corners,  should have just paneled them over, they're useless, as is the mailbox slot he has in the back.  4 wheeler is ok

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