Spill the beans, mate
Chris
Chris
Yes -- let us see the interior!I'll post more details as memory allows and as soon as I can find those Fine pictures that show some interesting things I learned along the way.
Later.
OG
Ahahahaha!!! That's awesome! A true "Woody".OK Guys and Gals,
I have to give you a little history first, so you will know the "rest of the story"!
I was close to retiring from my shoe repair shop in 1993. That winter I wanted to go to Florida to get away from the cold winter. My wife did not agree as she does not like hot weather or Florida.
So, my next idea was that during that winter, I would make a wooden vehicle out of a 1977 Dodge Van that was on its' last legs body wise - but still ran very well. It had a small V-8 engine with a stick shift called 'three on the tree', or on the steering column.
I had been dabbling in wood working for about 20 years prior to this; doing different types of projects like cradles, book cases, scroll work etc.
After making a drawing to scale of what I wanted to build, I began the tear-down in October while we still had warm weather.
I have three sons who all have various engineering degrees from Mich Tech and Mich State. They were unanimous in their opinion that 'Dad did not know what he was talking about, and the project would never get finished.' {I guess it never entered their minds that their ability in engineering did not come from their mothers' side of the family. Her side provided them with any artistic ability they might have.} I enjoyed mechanical drawing when in high school and knew pretty much what could be done. So, being the stern father {and stubborn} that I was, I took their opinions with a grain of salt and proceeded forward.
When the old body was removed with saws and other means, I moved the carcass into the one stall garage to be worked on in a somewhat heated atmosphere during our coldest months.
As soon as I can find the 98 pics of what I did, I will post some of the more interesting ones. {Organization is not my strong point, but I know they are here somewhere. LOL}
It was the middle of April of 1994 that I drove the finished product out of our garage; as shown in this full size pic. I worked on it in the evenings and on weekends.
View attachment 6891
As I am able, I will post some more with accompanying explanations. It was licensed as a Dodge Van and never had any problem getting the license renewed or pulled over to explain to the police what in the world I was driving down our roads!!! Everything on it was legal. The windshield was a regulation safety glass windshield. The lights all worked, and it drove just as good as it ever did.
Many friends rode in my Woody during that summer. I had some advertising painted on the side mentioning our business. I did drive it the whole summer of 1994 as my youngest son had to use my car to go to work across the state.
Now as you may imagine, that is not the whole story with all the gory details - and some funny ones too. If there is more interest, I will continue.
But, for now ......Hi Ho Silver, Away!!!!!!!
Old Geezer, TC
Looks like a 1975 Dodge with a 360 to me. Exhaust manifold somewhat identifying.Do you know the size of the V8, Charlie ?.......253 Cubic inch by any chance ?
i've had sensible reinstated then@wizardfromoz @Condobloke @sp331yi @captain-sensible @Vrai @f33dm3bits
Hey guys,
Starting with this one, the real fun began.
I had to figure out how to extend the steering column an additional 3 feet.
Here's a pic of how I did it.
View attachment 6978
This was the temporary 2x4 post. As I learned, there was a lot more torque on this 'new' column than I had figured. Instead of one universal joint, there was now two.
The shaft was some sort of axle from something - don't remember where.
Here's a pic of the final supports for the steering column.
View attachment 6979
However, we did 'gitter done', and it worked. Yay!
More later.
OG
Very interesting. Can you do my old Dodge next?@wizardfromoz @Condobloke @sp331yi @captain-sensible @Vrai @f33dm3bits
Hey guys,
Starting with this one, the real fun began.
I had to figure out how to extend the steering column an additional 3 feet.
Here's a pic of how I did it.
View attachment 6978
This was the temporary 2x4 post. As I learned, there was a lot more torque on this 'new' column than I had figured. Instead of one universal joint, there was now two.
The shaft was some sort of axle from something - don't remember where.
Here's a pic of the final supports for the steering column.
View attachment 6979
However, we did 'gitter done', and it worked. Yay!
More later.
OG
i've had sensible reinstated then