The Ugly Thread (1 Viewer)

[Combat Chuck]

So in some fictions, an "Ugly" is a hodgepodge vehicle made out of whatever working parts are to be found. (My inner Star Wars nerd is showing) I thought I'd just start this thread to toss around an idea I had on my lunch break this morning about making my own "Ugly".

I was kicking around the possibility of building a cheapo buggy out of wtf I can find for little scratch so I can turn around and beat it to kingdom come with little remorse.

What I got:
- 1 Oldsmobile V8 out of an '85 Cutlass Calais. My roomate wrecked it, but the engione is solid, as he wrapped it sidelong around a tree. Crossing my fingers that the radiator didn't bleed out and kill a head. This is an ideal motor because of it's higher deck height, and deeper stroke than an SBC. Plus, we've got the whole car, so that means harness, gauges, brake system, and a complete V-Belt setup.
However, if it is shot, I do have an SBC collecting dust as well.

- 1 '80 Chevy Bellhousing. Hoping it'll mate up to the SBO motor. We'll see.

- 1 SM465, also collecting dust. It's from an '87 Jimmy, with the long output shaft. I was planning on rebuilding it to the short shaft for an AA adapter, but it would be cheaper to source the correct adapter and Dana t-case for it. It's in unknown condition overall, but when I got it some years back, the seller told me they bench-tested it and it's fine. Don't care if it's a little tacked, this is a beater.

- 1 Sag PS gearbox from an S15. Seems okay. We'll see.

What I'm thinking:
Frame:
I'd like to get either a pre-smog Chevy LUV or Ford Courrier, if such a titled truck exists. I could also mod the Olds Frame (I love how Oldsmoble never wnet Unibody until GM corporate absorbed them!) which looks straight. I'm leaning toward the Oldsmobile frame and LUV cab, and maybe knock some sheetmetal around to fit a mini-truck hood and Cutlass grille on it; just for kicks.

Axles: 14-bolts or Ford 9-inchers. I'm leaning toward the Fords because I've been told they're a little tougher, but mostly just to get another manufacurer into this deathtrap.

T-Case: Whatever's a direct-fit here, not so picky. Deeper gears or a doubler can be added later.

Bed: I was thinking flatbed, but now I kinda want to clearance the Cutlass trunk. Maybe a roll-barred trunk?

Suspension: Whatever's to be raided from Pick-n-Pull. Chevy rears up front, Ford in the rear, with likely RuffStuff hangers and home-brew hangers.

Edit:
open to suggestions. Also open to ideas as to where to stuff hardware of other makes as well.

 

[cody c]

Sounds like a start for a build. The drivetrain sounds like a good start.

What body are you going to run? I think that an interesting body would give the project a bit of passion.

Especially something a little bit different. I don't mean to spend time thinking about the cosmetics of a beater/buggy, but it does give some character to it.

A 60 series cab/truck bed would be cool to see..

 

[Chop Shop]

are you serious? (trying to figure out how rude to be).

I might just leave this one alone.

 

[RAYJON]

use a truck frame the olds frame is going to be a lot of work..take another look at it and you will understand why...olds motors are ok just difficult to source a flywheel and BOP bellhousing...anything is possible just have a plan and sometimes it is cheeper to start with something you know will work...look at pirate 4x4 for some ideas...good luck..

 

[fzj75macka]

sell the SBO or trade for a rolling chassis pickup. Grab the SBC mate it up to the other parts, drop it in the truck, make sure the wiring is gtg. Then proceed to bash the ever living **** out of it.

 

[GarageRat]

Chevy bell won't fit the Olds. If you want to keep the bell you can get or make an adapter plate since the bottom holes align but the upper 2 do not. When you compare the patterns you'll see what I'm talking about. At the moment I'm using a TCI plate adapter to fit my Pontiac to a Chevy bell, it wouldn't be tough to make one but I had it from an aborted 700R4 to Pontiac project in a different car. Ideally you want a BOP bell but they're getting tougher to find. Also, you'll want to consider a pull type slave mounted in reverse or to relocate the throwout fork and all to the passenger side since the starter is on the driver side which will require some cutting depending on the bellhousing (IIRC the Olds location is the same as my Ponchos). As far as flywheels go you'll need to source one from Jegs, Summit, or an Olds knowledgable vendor since Autozone/Advance/Etc WILL sell you a SBC flywheel and DO NOT have any correct BOP driveline parts, BTDT.

 

[porten1134]

Go Chuck Go !!!
yes, there may be different ways to go with different parts, but then it wouldn't be as "ugly". i'm hoping to see something mad max-ish. just make sure to post pictures!

 

[Combat Chuck]

Sounds like a start for a build. The drivetrain sounds like a good start.

What body are you going to run? I think that an interesting body would give the project a bit of passion.

Especially something a little bit different. I don't mean to spend time thinking about the cosmetics of a beater/buggy, but it does give some character to it.

A 60 series cab/truck bed would be cool to see..

Yeah, this is very much in the planning phase, but we'll see. I would love to chop the Olds back at the B-pillar, and button up the hole the back of a K/C 1500 cab, but the driver's side of the cab is totaled, far too wrinkly for easy use.
I'm leaning toward a Chevy LUV cab just for the oddity factor. Somehow mate the LUV to the Olds hood...

are you serious? (trying to figure out how rude to be).

I might just leave this one alone.

I may too...

use a truck frame the olds frame is going to be a lot of work..take another look at it and you will understand why...olds motors are ok just difficult to source a flywheel and BOP bellhousing...anything is possible just have a plan and sometimes it is cheeper to start with something you know will work...look at pirate 4x4 for some ideas...good luck..

I'm leaning strongly toward the Olds frame at this point just to see if it can be done. This won't be a classy build, just something to do for the sake of doing.

Plus the mental imagery of yanking a stuck truck out of the mud with an Oldsmobuggy sounds pretty rad.

sell the SBO or trade for a rolling chassis pickup. Grab the SBC mate it up to the other parts, drop it in the truck, make sure the wiring is gtg. Then proceed to bash the ever living **** out of it.

That may just end up happening if this proves too wrecked.
And I will.

Chevy bell won't fit the Olds. If you want to keep the bell you can get or make an adapter plate since the bottom holes align but the upper 2 do not. When you compare the patterns you'll see what I'm talking about. At the moment I'm using a TCI plate adapter to fit my Pontiac to a Chevy bell, it wouldn't be tough to make one but I had it from an aborted 700R4 to Pontiac project in a different car. Ideally you want a BOP bell but they're getting tougher to find. Also, you'll want to consider a pull type slave mounted in reverse or to relocate the throwout fork and all to the passenger side since the starter is on the driver side which will require some cutting depending on the bellhousing (IIRC the Olds location is the same as my Ponchos). As far as flywheels go you'll need to source one from Jegs, Summit, or an Olds knowledgable vendor since Autozone/Advance/Etc WILL sell you a SBC flywheel and DO NOT have any correct BOP driveline parts, BTDT.

Good to know, I may just see if I can get the Olds' TH400 mated to a t-case if the bellhousing angle proves too difficult. I'm just more comfortable with bolting the 465 together. But the auto still turns, and will be easiest to leave well enough alone. I'm just a little panicky about tearing into the tailhousing to change out the output shaft.

Go Chuck Go !!!
yes, there may be different ways to go with different parts, but then it wouldn't be as "ugly". i'm hoping to see something mad max-ish. just make sure to post pictures!

It may just look more mad max-esque. I also have headers and collectors laying around that I may bend up to run parallel to the a-pillars and over the cab. Maybe bend up some schedule 40 (yeah, yeah, poop pipe) in key areas.

I'll see if I can photochop a rough idea.


Thanks for the imput everybody.