ASA Pro Truck

[woody.rbsn]

I picked up a rolling chassis a few months back from a friend in Alameda, CA. I've always been interested in the older Spec Trucks and finally found a deal that I couldn't pass up. The idea was to make an autocross and/or road race build, but I'm mostly looking to learn as much as I can along the way.

Somewhere down the line, I'd like to put a pre 1975 CA registered truck cab on the chassis and make it 'street-legal'. Not sure if anyone else in this form has done that, but the "Nascarlo" episode on RoadKill got me thinking...

So far:
-5.3L LM4 out of a wrecked Buick Rainier (all stock).
-4L80E with manual valve body (I know it should have been a Jerico, but I had the 4l80e laying around)
-GMC Sierra (Spec) Brakes.
-Quick change rear end.

Next Up (Looking for input if you have any ideas)
-Shifter = Ratchet or Gated?
-Trans Cooler = Would prefer to have a fan and/or shroud set up, but any recommendations are welcomed.
-Motor/Trans Mounts = Is solid the best way to go? The motor is stock, so shouldn't make more than 315hp all in. Is rubber, poly, or solid the best way to start?


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[astroracer]

Nice project! I love off the wall projects!
I like a ratchet shifter myself. Very straight forward to use, just yank it back and smack it forward to upshift. Real easy.
I built a complete shroud for the cooler and fan on my van build. With that said my '56 wagon has the cooler on the pass. side frame rail with no fan.... no heating issues at all.
For mounts think about doing a rubber on the passenger side and a solid on the drivers. A cheap and affective way to keep the engine from rolling but it also cuts done on a LOT of the harshness you will get running all solids.
Mark

[woody.rbsn]

Thanks for the heads up Mark. I was leaning towards a ratchet shifter as well.
Interesting thoughts on the motor mounts, I didn't know you could mix solid/rubber mounts.
Thanks again.

[astroracer]

No problem. Been doing the rubber/solid thing for a long time. You still get a little vibration but it's nothing like having full solids.
I also tried polyurethane vs. rubber trans mounts. My '02 T/A would rip up the rubber trans mount in a couple of thousand miles. The poly would last longer but it also induced a lot of vibration. The T/A had a torque tube rear suspension so that had a lot to do with destroying the rubber mounts. With a solid in the left front you may want to consider a rubber trans mount as your suspension will not put the stress a torque tube will into it.
Mark

[Project Bike Truck]

If you are on Insta or on Facebook there is a guy I have been following since the beginning who has done this in Colorado.
https://youtu.be/ranP0GCXuX8
https://www.instagram.com/officialpro10/?hl=en

[Sbeck09]

Came here to say the same thing ^. But yeah look at what he has done. It's a clever blend of parts to make an animal of a truck. Hell I'm starting to think I should have started with one of these at this point.

[woody.rbsn]

Wow, thanks for the heads up guys! Exactly what I was looking for. I saw an older YouTube video from his C10 build at the Pikes Peak track, but just gave him a follow on Insta.

I've been following your F150 build as well, such a cool project.

[woody.rbsn]

Picked up a 1964 Willy's J300 truck Cab with a clean title last weekend! The idea is to do a 'skin-graft' of sorts. Will keep the fiberglass s10 panels on the bed, but hoping get the cab and front end to fit.

Per your recommendation, I checked out Official Pro C10 and a few other places for ideas, but any recommendations are welcomed!

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[Josh@Ridetech]

Very cool!

[Motoracer838]

What Josh said, I can't wait to see the Jeep body go on it.

Joe

[Sbeck09]

Very interesting idea for a body. If you make rear fenders with similar flares that would be the icing on the cake!

[woody.rbsn]

Very cool!

Thanks Josh, will reach out after initial testing...would be great to get your input on suspension set up.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Thanks Josh, will reach out after initial testing...would be great to get your input on suspension set up.

No problem at all! Give me a call anytime.

[woody.rbsn]

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[woody.rbsn]

First few autocross events are in the books! Ran well all day. Doing cam, springs, injectors and regulator next. Was lucky enough to get my hands on some used Pirelli slicks from a local TA2 team.179583179584

[neongreen]

I love it!

[Tig]

Awesome, just awesome.

[woody.rbsn]

A few photos from a local road rally last month. I lost the air filter a few miles into the drive, but a motorcyclist picked it up and we zip tied it back on at the first stop. The truck did great.

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[andrewb70]

Very cool. Was the chassis built on a G-body frame?

Andrew

[woody.rbsn]

Hey Andrew, good eye. I'm not sure what the exact class rules were for the chassis, but it was based on a G-body frame.

[grambo]

what did you do with your spring rates? is it a super uncomfortable ride? (as in how painful is it to hit a bump? can you go over a speed bump? ect...) I am playing with a similar chassis.

[woody.rbsn]

what did you do with your spring rates? is it a super uncomfortable ride? (as in how painful is it to hit a bump? can you go over a speed bump? ect...) I am playing with a similar chassis.

The current springs are AFCO 176s. I think that's considered a moderately soft spring. It's not uncomfortable on the street and speed bumps aren't an issue. I've driven over the Bay Bridge in SF a few times to and from Autocross drama-free.

The wheel/tire set up is also forgiving on a 15in wheel. A lot of sidewall so I can run lower tire pressure and get away with more comfort.