Project Impaler

[demo17]

I like going over the project threads and looking at everyone's rides, but I'm going to do mine a little different.

It started life out as a '80 chevy 3/4 ton.  My dad bought this truck at a Police auction 15 years ago or so and it has sat behind the barn since.  A couple of years ago, I decided I want to build a mud truck.  I just want a toy and not put it on the road.  Some friends of mine started going to a local mud run, so why not join them.  The front axle had been switched to a 1/2 ton with 6 lug and 3.73 gears, where as it had a 14 bolt rear with 4.10 gears.  The 205 transfer didn't like it much, but it was a free truck anyways.  I got it running and scored a "good buddy" deal on some 36" Humvee tires, so I was good to go.  The truck smoked so bad I called it the "Fogger"


I go to the mud run and had a good time.  I ended up second to last in my tire class (36 and up).  This place, you run the tire class, then you pay to just run the pit until they shut the place down, usually 12 -1am.  Good party.  By the end of the night, ol' fogger had seized.  The engine no go.  I pulled the engine out only to find that it was a '59 283, unlike the 350 I thought it was.  How the hell that engine made it in that truck is still a mystery, but...whatever.  I found a sbc 400 with 30,000 on rebuild.  Swapped cams, put on a 650 double pumper, headers, now the engine is good to go.  I also found a Dana 44 front axle with 4.10 gears, and swapped that out.  The NP205 liked that much better.  Before I make it to the next mud run, my brother and I made our own mud pit for "test and tune".  I encountered a slight problem.



I find yet another front axle, this time a Corporate.  I go to 2 mud runs in 2011 and at the second one I start to hear a bottom end knock in the 400, so I load it up be fore I blow it up.  This brings me to the actual project build.  I just had to get you guys up to date.  I go ahead and start tearing the truck apart and engine.





Time for engine tear down.


#1 and 2 rod bearings spun.  Crank is junk, two rods are junk.  Time to order parts.


For now we'll stick with the engine build.  I decided to go all new bottom end.  Scat crank, scat rods, KB pistons





I score a set of slightly used Pro Topline heads, 220cc Intake runners, 64cc chamber, 2.08/1.60 valves with a set of roller rockers.  Order a new intake...got a little grinding to port match the heads.


Throw it all together, this was my first Chevy build other than which was a learning experience especially since it is a 400.



Top it off with a 790cfm double pumper and a bigger set of headers and we are complete



Now back to the body build.  If you notice up a ways, there was the bare truck frame with engine.  Why would I pull the cab and bed off just to pull out the engine??

[demo17]

So I go to the old barn and work on pulling this gem out.


'68 Impala 2 door Fastback.  My Dad is the original owner of a '68 Impala SS, so he has bought 4 parts cars over the years.  This was going to be my first car back in the 90's but decided it needed to much work for the road.  Might as well make it a bogger...right?

In order to get it out of the barn, I had to get a door open that hasn't been open for 20 plus years, move a boat with 2 flat tires, and move another '68 impala parked right next to it.  AS you can see the hay was piled over the top of the front.  Here is is out of the barn.



I built an A-frame just to do this project.  I need to lift the body without damaging it.  In the shop.



I wanted to make this thing as complete as possible, so I even worked on the wiring to get all the lights to work.  Marker lights, dome light, trunk light, brakes, reverse, they all work.  Surprising not a whole lot of work was needed to make them work considering this car hasn't seen the sun in 20 years.


While I was waiting on engine parts, I figured I should bring the truck frame in and see just how it fits.  With initial measuring the length of truck frame was good but the rear axle was going need to be moved.  Here it is just placed on truck frame.  Rear of the car is pointing to the sky, something needs changed...this isn't gonna work.


Where the truck frame comes back up for the bed was hitting the rear floor board causing the body to sit at an awkward angle.  I did not want the body jacked to the moon, so I had to figure out how to lower it.  I cut out part of the floor board so the frame actually comes up into the car body.  It is only where the rear seat floor.  It comes inside a total of 3", add a block at the firewall to level out the car, now it doesn't look to bad.  The rear axle is a little off.


Time to put the engine in the frame and fire it up.  I just slid the frame forward to set the engine in.  Hearing the roar of your fresh rebuilt engine is better than sex...always feels good.


Surprisingly, the engine compartment was less than 1 inch shorter than the truck, measuring from firewall to core support.  I was able to use the truck radiator and fan shroud, so I should have plenty of cooling for my monster.


Time to finalize body position and make body mounts.  I also slid the rear axle forward 11 inches.  I cut the spring mounts loose from the frame and moved it all.  Now the tires look like they belong under the car.


It took a little bit to figure out how to mount the car bumpers back on.  I cheated on the rear, I cut off the last foot of the car frame so I used that for making my body mounts and also mounting the rear bumper.  The front was a little more difficult.  After fabbing new bumper brackets and frame mounts, I think it turned out pretty good.


Now it's time for the first test drive.  It was great to finally see it out of the shop. 


I was going to run the Humvee tire I had, basically because I running out of funds.  But....I had a deal fall into my lap I couldn't pass up.  A set of used 40" Super Swampers.  Now thats some difference.


40's mounted on rear, they kinda over shadow the piss ant 36's


My first pic of the "Impaler" after the 40's.  First test drive since the tire swap...keep in mind, I am 6 ft tall.  These tires look much better than the old ones.



Here it is after a little playing in our own mud pit pictured above.


My rear bumper I made for it.  I wanted to keep it simple so it doesn't take away from the car look, but still functional if I need towed or pushed.


Now the sad news.  I didn't make it to my first mud run of the season.  The engine has been getting harder and harder to start.  I tried changing everything I could think of but no luck.  I had to throw in the towel when I toasted my starter the day of the mud run.  Upon further investigation, I did a compression check and my cylinders range from 175psi to 55psi with 5 out of 8 100psi or less.  I don't know what happen, but for some reason my rings are shot.  SO as it stands now, I need to pull the engine and tear it apart.  Right now it is the time for my other hobby...demolition derby.  I will work on the engine as I have time, now my goal is to have it going again for a Sept mud run.  Then the IMPALER will throw mud.....or throw parts.

[85cHeavyMetalBogger]

sweet build man

[ProGrade]

Awesome build!

[BUDGETBOGGER03]

Awesome build!

[HockeyGuy]

Now this is a cool thread!!!

[marshall]

mudtrucks, horsepower, barn impalas, and demo derby. this thread has it all. awesome

[TopFist]

Now this is a cool thread!!!

Very nice

[betterbeaters]

cool

[OHEARN.2012]

I like it. I would definately daily drive that. 

[muddnoob]

 

[Chevy Racer]

Love it.  My dad had a 68 Impala when I was an early teen.  Sweet car even though it was no where near as rust free as that one and had a 307 and 3 on the tree in it.

[burl]

That's sweet

[Gearz]

mudtrucks, horsepower, barn impalas, and demo derby. this thread has it all. awesome

x2

[STEUERDUKES]

   Sweet build!!!!

[rob69]

NICE BUILD!! Love how you made it look like it came from the factory on that frame.

[BigFrank]

     cool build  fer shure

[Orangecrush]

  Sweet build!!!!

[KORNBREAD]

BAD ASS BUILD!!!!!! BEST BUILD I'VE SEEN ON HERE IN A LONG TIME~~

[demo17]

NICE BUILD!! Love how you made it look like it came from the factory on that frame.

That's just the thing.  I see cars on truck frames and the body is jacked clear to the moon.  That look doesn't sit well with me.  I like to call it the Canadian 4x4 Impala option.