The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Slammed Down or Original

I'm sure I'm gonna hear some good and bad. So how do you like the 47-53 trucks slammed to the ground big motors ? or all original ? give me your answer and explain why. For me I like the airbag lowered but i still like the look of the original body not much custom work. Thanks guys and HAPPY NEW YEAR

I am not a purist ; my '54 3100 is not at all original.

Having said (admitted) that , in answer to your question -
"Slammed to the ground" is a look I have no use for. It looks sad and dysfunctional to me.

Horrible thing to do to a truck.

Eye of the beholder...

The really butt-ugly ones have the front bumper almost dragging the ground and the rear close to original ride height. They remind me of a floppy-eared blue tick hound that's just come out on the losing end of a close encounter with a skunk!
Jerry

To me it depends on what condition and how original the truck is. I wouldn’t want to destroy an unmolested 60-70 year old original truck in decent shape. Once you slam it you can’t go back to original.

Now if the truck has been “worked” on by so called mechanics that own a pipe wrench and BFH with that “Git-R-Done” attitude, then I’m all for it.

I've never been keen on notching a frame and dropping them to the ground. I just never liked the look (cars or trucks). I wonder what percentage of them get finished.

I am not a purist, just have never been into low riders, slammed or whatever else you call it. Not my cup of tea.

John.

Do whatever makes you happy. I never wanted a brand new 1948 truck but I never wanted to morph what I have into something else. I just want to do what a rancher along the Rocky Mountain Front would do to keep his truck going.

Again, do what you want. You'll find plenty of fans!

For me it's kind of two sided, I love a true original truck, I also can appreciate a "GOOD" modified truck. I don't really care for the "Air Bag" suspension or the "C" notched frames, I have seen to many hack job's doing this to a truck.

That being said is my 59' stock .. No, but it also isn't chopped up or butchered. I still have a solid axel up front and leaf's in the rear, it's lowered but not to the point of "Jerry's" interpretation. I have a V8 and 4 speed , not an LS (I do like Barnfind's truck) but the truck didn't have the Stovebolt when it came to me. The point is we all have our idea of what a truck should be, do we like them all .. No, but you can enjoy a well thought out build.

I like the look of a tastefully lowered pickup. Maybe a couple of inches is plenty. Would I do that to a nice unmolested truck that runs and drives as intended? No! A truck drug out of a locust grove out in the south 40 after 30-50 years of acquiring patina, heck yes! As always, it’s yours do what YOU want.

This is an over-exaggeration, but suppose you want "the works". Today you spend mega bucks on the latest hi-tech engine, transmission, suspension, modern interior, huge chrome rims with 1" high rubber tires with fantastic body paint and chrome that will blind. Fast forward 10 years. Your dream car has lost public desirability because the ride is too harsh, doesn't have the latest hi-tech EV motor, autopilot, collision avoidance system, computerized steering, 3D entertainment system etc.

Unless you have money to burn, consider the return on your investment before you shuck out the $$$. I venture to say that there are tens of thousands hot rod classis cars that spent most of their lives sitting in a home garage, beach house or storage facility. The owner's lose interest and it goes up on an auction block or car lot. Most of the money you have spent goes in someone else's pocket.

There is another aspect. The parts that are removed may end up in the junk pile for the metal recyclers to shred and melt down. These pieces of history will be gone forever.

This forum is about "old work trucks" that today happen to be collectible. To me it's all about the noise, slight aroma of burning oil and the satisfaction you get from trying to keep a 60 year old truck running halfway decent. The on-going challenge. The skinned knuckles and the cursing. The enjoyment of reading Hot Rod Lincoln's witticism's.

Not a big fan of the trucks down on the ground and original is to high. Everyone has their likes and dislikes I guess. I have my 49 lowered and it sets level. Not a fan of the California rake either.

I agree. The postal truck "squat" isn't very attractive either.

Lowering to dirt level should be reserved for the lesser makes. Most of them are already ugly.

While I like the look of a slammed truck, I hate the "gimmickyness" of it. It's basically akin to the hydraulic lowrider-hopper cars ("Oh look, my car does tricks!"). I've been in hot-rodding a long time and I've seen lots of fads come and go. Like mullet haircuts, the cooler something was in its hey-day, the more embarrassing it will be after it's time has passed. Someday the slammed look will be regarded as ridiculous as the "high-heel" elevated rear of the 1970s, but a simple static-lowered stance will be classic forever.

My former '50 longbed: low enough to look good, but never scraped anywhere:

Someday the slammed look will be regarded as ridiculous as the "high-heel" elevated rear of the 1970s, but a simple static-lowered stance will be classic forever.

AMEN, a little off the front and a touch off the rear please.

When i was 17 I built a nissan hardbody on air bags. Loved that truck. I dragged through a few oil pans, gas tank, front perches. I had sooo much fun in that truck. I still love lowriders. My next truck was a ford superduty that I mildly lifted on 35’s. Love that truck and it was perfect daily driver height and look. Now my 49 GMC I like to look 100% bone stock. Its a personal opinion on what or how you build it. Who cares if anyone else likes it or if some guys say it “devalues” it or whatever. To each his own. Its your truck so build it exactly how you like it. When you go to sell a truck someone somewhere is gonna be in love with it and buy it.