Trying to Understand.................

[CVA59]

I am sure this will draw a ton of flack from some. However, I am not writing this to make anyone upset. As the heading reads, "I am trying to understand". I typically keep to myself but lately seems like more than ever, I have seen so many awesome looking trucks get cut up and slammed to the ground on here. I know the 'ol saying "to each his own" and that is good with me. I guess i just don't get it because this is not what customizing and general restorations are to me over the 40 years or so that i have been in and around restoring old cars and trucks. I see guys get a perfectly nice looking truck and the first thing that happens is the frame and suspension gets cut up and slammed. HOWEVER, I will say the craftsmanship is AWESOME but i am just not able to see the desire in having these trucks bumpers sitting on the ground. Again, not trying to offend! only trying to see what makes this so desirable. Maybe someone can explain this to me?????

[blackdawg]

Yes i have to agree with you.I have a 1966 step side that i have been putting together and just looking to turn it into a old school hot rod.nice rebuilt 350 4 bolt main,400 trans,shift kit,and nice little lift to the rear end with some nice meats on the back.This will not only be a nice fast ride but she will look cool too.The low rider have there own look and it does look a little cool.but i would be afraid of hitting something close to the ground and ripping out your business.that would suck,just my two cents.blackdawg

[daverod]

"to each his own" I think you said it all. I don't think I would say that it's not customizing. Never thought I would build a lowrider. Now that I've started it's all I think about. It's kinda like trying to telling someone that loves counrty music whats so great about rock. I'm thinking age might have something to do with it? Although Strodder it old as #uck and he digs it.

[duallyjams]

On older vehicle some of it is simple to update and correct geometry ( disc brakes, bump steer,power steering ) and in the process getting the ride stance lower. JUST IMO

This off topic a little but my truck pic in my avitar of my 2002 GMC crewcab dually has full air ride suspension and is very low. Now I use it for long road trips and pulling a trailer. Now by lowering I picked up fuel mileage(with diesel fuel at over 3 bucks a gallon 2mpg is alot) and I can actually haul and tow more wait as i can just put more air in the rear bags and the truck is always level.

[DRTYRAT30]

If I had to explain you wouldn't understand... Ask George Barris why he did what he did or Kenny Howard. It just makes some of us feel warm and fuzzy.
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[allengator]

I don't get it either.... But my dad thinks hotrodding a truck like you described (and like I am doing) is ruining them...

I guess it's all about taste...
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[62 Bowtie]

Restorations? maybe not, customizing? definitely, 40 plus years working on vehicles, different generation. Things would get boring fast if these trucks were all the same. my 2 cents

[CVA59]

LOL, I hear ya guys. I guess i am just being too old school or something. Slammed trucks just weren't part of my generation or geographic area of hot rodding and customizing. My growing up working on trucks and cars, lifting them up was the trend. Everyone tried to see how many spring shackles they could stuff under the rear of their ride with a pair of ladder bars. Throw a straight front axle under it and they were good to go. I guess it all boils down to me being set in my ways, LOL.

[daverod]

Why would you want to lift them? I don't get it.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by daverod

Why would you want to lift them? I don't get it.

Exactly.

[CVA59]

Lol.

[enick72]

I think you said alot with geographical area. Low riders have been around for a long long time. There does seem to be so many on this board but if that's what people want then it's their money. I was at a guys place last week and he has a a 56 2dr with smaller tires on the front than the rear and the same on the 55 that he is working on. The cars are awesome with lots of moey sunk into each and I look at them and think "those cars are awesome but why would you do that ?" I remember my uncle always had some old chvy or mopar with big tires on the back but not my style.

[bagged69c10]

It's a matter of taste. I dig lifted trucks too but low is just my thing. The thing about tearing stuff up on speedbumps isn't the case with bags. Here is a sub I bagged, gets plenty high for speed bumps and rides great.
Layed out

up

[rustyrodknocker]

it's all about extremes and nothing more. every automotive trend goes that way and has for ever. intill people either get bored or get the idea that there is no end and move on. as soon as somebody lowered their truck till the rockers touched the grass at the car show some guy went home and cut 6 inches of the bottom of his doors. funny thing is each and every time it comes back around. in ten more years nobody will care about 30 inch rims sticking through the hood with the door handles throwing up sparks off the street. 13" daytons will be cool with a 6 inch drop. in the rear.

[1LOW4X4]

I slammed my '01.

But as for my 86 and anything older, part of enjoying the "old truck" experience is the original frame and the original suspension.

Why would I want to stick a new S-10 frame under a 50 chevy, or bag a perfectly good 60's truck.

Same goes for swapping in the LS style drivetrains. Would I put a carbed 350 in my '01? No, thats impractical. Part of the fun of driving my old truck is all the "oldness" about it

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by bagged69c10

It's a matter of taste. I dig lifted trucks too but low is just my thing. The thing about tearing stuff up on speedbumps isn't the case with bags.

Air bagged trucks can get torn up or break..... just like old school hot-rods jacked-up w/big rear tires & ladder bars can break when they're used (trannys break, rear-ends break, motors break, etc...).

I don't like all lowered vehicles (not into the throwing sparks while driving down the road or planting the sheetmetal on the ground @ a car show). I don't like all raised vehicles (not into vehicles so high you know if they swerved to avoid something they'd tip over; can't stand 4x4's that never see the dirt). I don't like everyones idea of 'what's hot' or 'what's right' & they don't have to agree w/what I like.

I do like a well built vehicle regardless of the 'style'; especially those built by the owner w/pride. I love cars, trucks, & bikes. I always have, & always will until my last breath of air. I'm a gearhead.....

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by rustyrodknocker

it's all about extremes and nothing more. every automotive trend goes that way and has for ever. intill people either get bored or get the idea that there is no end and move on. as soon as somebody lowered their truck till the rockers touched the grass at the car show some guy went home and cut 6 inches of the bottom of his doors. funny thing is each and every time it comes back around. in ten more years nobody will care about 30 inch rims sticking through the hood with the door handles throwing up sparks off the street. 13" daytons will be cool with a 6 inch drop. in the rear.

Well said and right on the money!

[timjt]

I don't really like the extreemes (Im 22 so its not just an old school thing) I'd sort of like a couple inches dropped on the 83 I used to own for a better ride and possibly better gas mileage but I'd much rather lift my 85 so I can fit slightly bigger tires on it so that I can get through the fields a little easier. I see alot more practical application with lifting a truck for farm use, especially if you own bottom land that gets flooded but other than that I like to see them kept original.

[Mechanic77]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Air bagged trucks can get torn up or break..... just like old school hot-rods jacked-up w/big rear tires & ladder bars can break when they're used (trannys break, rear-ends break, motors break, etc...).

I don't like all lowered vehicles (not into the throwing sparks while driving down the road or planting the sheetmetal on the ground @ a car show). I don't like all raised vehicles (not into vehicles so high you know if they swerved to avoid something they'd tip over; can't stand 4x4's that never see the dirt). I don't like everyones idea of 'what's hot' or 'what's right' & they don't have to agree w/what I like.

I do like a well built vehicle regardless of the 'style'; especially those built by the owner w/pride. I love cars, trucks, & bikes. I always have, & always will until my last breath of air. I'm a gearhead.....

I couldn't have said it better myself

[gimmy 64]

i don't think i would own a totally slamed on the ground truck but i have consider airride on my 64 gmc just for being able to adjust ride hieght. also i think a real CAR GUY likes everything automotive whether its lifted, lowered. 4 banger with coffee can muffler or a low rider with hydralics. and i also think it has to do with where you live. if you live in the country on a dirt road sure your going to think a tottaly slammed truck is dumb.

[jimmydean]

I go back and forth. Lifted, lowered, lifted, lowered. Stock would be cool, but I like technology too much.

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Air bagged trucks can get torn up or break..... just like old school hot-rods jacked-up w/big rear tires & ladder bars can break when they're used (trannys break, rear-ends break, motors break, etc...).

I don't like all lowered vehicles (not into the throwing sparks while driving down the road or planting the sheetmetal on the ground @ a car show). I don't like all raised vehicles (not into vehicles so high you know if they swerved to avoid something they'd tip over; can't stand 4x4's that never see the dirt). I don't like everyones idea of 'what's hot' or 'what's right' & they don't have to agree w/what I like.

I do like a well built vehicle regardless of the 'style'; especially those built by the owner w/pride. I love cars, trucks, & bikes. I always have, & always will until my last breath of air. I'm a gearhead.....

EXACTLY...

Even my own tastes have changed somewhat over the last 20 years...I like just about anything if it is well built. I do nearly ALL of my own work, somethings are left to those smarter/more knowlegeable then me...

[CVA59]

Aggie, shoot me a pm. I would like to meet ya sometime. We are just down the street from one another. I would like to check your truck.
ZM

[dtkarst]

Its just a matter of personal choice I think. Some of the work done with the trucks that are lowered and all the are really like a work of art. I prefer taking things back to factory with a few modernized odds and ends. But either way its done, I believe it represents someones personality and whether its done back to factory or slammed and chopped, its an art that involves a lot of skill.

[jonzcustomshop]

60-66 trucks have some nice horizontal lines that really look good when lowered.

A level lowered stance seems like a natural look for them.

That is probably what is creating this mass psychosis that you are wondering about.

if you want to see one really cut and lowered check out my 60! (link in sig V )

My tastes run the gauntlet though.. here are 3 of my favorites: