Can you say "Ranchero"
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Carnation, Washington
Can you say "Ranchero"
Someone has a post about what to do with the rear hatch/area behind the seats. I think it could be made much more useful, with a little imagination.
This is just a junker I am using for mockup. These parts will be installed on a very nice 84 GSL next summer - the red and silver one shown on my Cardomain page.
I will retain the storage compartment behind the driver, and the spare wheel will fit behind the passenger seat. The tail lights have been separated (not a trivial project), with the turn signal on the quarter panel, and the brake/tail/backup portion on the tail gate, which will fold down flat with the bed. The red parts are from a B2000 that was being scrapped.
I will post photos next spring as it goes together.
This is just a junker I am using for mockup. These parts will be installed on a very nice 84 GSL next summer - the red and silver one shown on my Cardomain page.
I will retain the storage compartment behind the driver, and the spare wheel will fit behind the passenger seat. The tail lights have been separated (not a trivial project), with the turn signal on the quarter panel, and the brake/tail/backup portion on the tail gate, which will fold down flat with the bed. The red parts are from a B2000 that was being scrapped.
I will post photos next spring as it goes together.
You always have the coolest modified 7's man.
When I first saw that pic, it almost looked photo-chopped.
I really like the lines you did with it, looks like a Subaru Brat, only nicer.
If you make it so it has a true fold-down door, and
a spray on bedliner - it will be the bomb.
When I first saw that pic, it almost looked photo-chopped.
I really like the lines you did with it, looks like a Subaru Brat, only nicer.
If you make it so it has a true fold-down door, and
a spray on bedliner - it will be the bomb.
Last edited by Directfreak; Dec 15, 2007 at 03:29 PM.
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Wrkn Toyota, Rootn Wankel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,642
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From: "Haystack" Hayward, CA
I uhh... Don't know what to say?
First thing that came to mind was "OMFG WTF?!" Then I was thinking and I was like, "Its like a lil Mazda OutBack Baja!" And then my heart melted and I thought it was the coolest little idea I have seen...
A christmas story...
But seriously, as replusive as that idea seemed at first. I really like how it looks! Can't wait to see it finished up.
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
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From: Grand Rapids Michigan
I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry... I'm not sure if I love it or hate it. lol. Can't wait to see the final thing though. Maybe you could mount a big camper unit on the back for long trips, eh?
Brap, Brap, Ole!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,461
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From: kalamazoo, mi
Yeah, the idea did grow on me after a little more time looking at the pics, then i thought about how cool it would be to have that as a DD. Can you imagine going to pick up a motor or tranny and tossing it in the bed? That would be great!
That would be great!
great work
It's been done already with an FC.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ighlight=truck
I think it's a pretty neat idea. Keep goin.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ighlight=truck
I think it's a pretty neat idea. Keep goin.
Have you thought about making a topper for it? It could use modified hatch hindges and lift up. This way it would not require the glass behind the drive/passenger. I would also put a rollbar in it.
been done before with an FC ... full thread is here about it :
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ight=truck+bed
Not to mean to hijack your thread or anything ... but might give you some insight ..
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ight=truck+bed
Not to mean to hijack your thread or anything ... but might give you some insight ..
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: Carnation, Washington
"Yeah, the idea did grow on me after a little more time looking at the pics, then i thought about how cool it would be to have that as a DD. Can you imagine going to pick up a motor or tranny and tossing it in the bed? That would be great!"
That was exactly the point. If you have seen my cardomain page, you know I have a very nice flatbed Ford, and I drive it about 2,000 miles a year. But it gets about 10-12 mpg, and is obviously not as fun to drive as the RX-7. It occurred to me that most of my running around, picking up parts, and even carrying engines, trannys, wheels, tires and various other parts, 90% of the time I am carrying things that would fit in a space about the size of this box I am building.
I thought about lengthening the body 8-10 inches, but then I consulted with a friend who has built some really fine street rods, and he pointed out that if the tailgate folds down,there is no need to make it longer. He also suggested splitting the taillights, to make it look as much as possible like a factory job. At that point I could visualize the lines and decided to go for it.
That FC is a nice piece of work, and quite useful, but you have to lift things pretty high to get over the side. I think a fold down tailgate will allow me to carry three girls, maybe four. Anything more than about 5 - 6 feet long can go in the Ford. I originally had intended to use the corrugated floor from the B2000 box, but it is held together with about a million spot welds - the guys in Hiroshima apparently did not want it to be taken apart, so I will use a piece of Baltic birch plywood, same thing I used for the bed on the Ford - very bulletproof stuff. And it will have a spray-on urethane liner.
Since these photos were taken, I took it apart and had all the pieces stripped to bare metal, ready to go next spring. The tailgate hinge assembly bolts to the bumper mounts. I will probably spit the rear bumper like I did the lights, but I am still thinking about that.
That was exactly the point. If you have seen my cardomain page, you know I have a very nice flatbed Ford, and I drive it about 2,000 miles a year. But it gets about 10-12 mpg, and is obviously not as fun to drive as the RX-7. It occurred to me that most of my running around, picking up parts, and even carrying engines, trannys, wheels, tires and various other parts, 90% of the time I am carrying things that would fit in a space about the size of this box I am building.
I thought about lengthening the body 8-10 inches, but then I consulted with a friend who has built some really fine street rods, and he pointed out that if the tailgate folds down,there is no need to make it longer. He also suggested splitting the taillights, to make it look as much as possible like a factory job. At that point I could visualize the lines and decided to go for it.
That FC is a nice piece of work, and quite useful, but you have to lift things pretty high to get over the side. I think a fold down tailgate will allow me to carry three girls, maybe four. Anything more than about 5 - 6 feet long can go in the Ford. I originally had intended to use the corrugated floor from the B2000 box, but it is held together with about a million spot welds - the guys in Hiroshima apparently did not want it to be taken apart, so I will use a piece of Baltic birch plywood, same thing I used for the bed on the Ford - very bulletproof stuff. And it will have a spray-on urethane liner.
Since these photos were taken, I took it apart and had all the pieces stripped to bare metal, ready to go next spring. The tailgate hinge assembly bolts to the bumper mounts. I will probably spit the rear bumper like I did the lights, but I am still thinking about that.
