Scott McCracken grew up riding and racing dirt bikes. A few years back he decided he wanted to build up a go-fast truck for fun and to try his hand at some desert competition. He put the word out that he was looking for a base truck for the project and a friend soon pointed him to a source that had what he was seeking.
Scott ended up buying basically a basket case 1977 Chevy C10 truck in 2005 that had formerly been a working prerunner but was in the middle of some suspension modifications when the previous owner decided to move on to another project. Once Scott hauled it home on a trailer, he set out by removing most of the front end of the truck and started redesigning it the way he wanted.
Where we, and probably many of you, can relate is the desire to build up a cool project and do so on a budget short of what it costs to fly to the moon. This was Scott's plan as well. To keep costs down, he had planned to do most of the work himself, including all the mechanical, chassis, fabrication, and welding. He did have a few ace cards that would make achieving his goal easier. Scott designs and builds industrial machinery, works in the metal fabrication industry and around some well-known builders. Cutting Edge Manufacturing, where he works, does all manner of CNC work, including laser cutting and forming, so he does have access to some excellent tooling to turn his metal ideas into reality.
When he started, he knew little about building a truck of this nature but did a lot of studying and asking questions to friends and fellow fabricators. Being a mechanical engineer by trade, Scott is adept at designing and modeling with Pro/ENGINEER 3D CAD software, so most everything was designed and checked on a computer screen before metal parts were cut and welded.
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This shot gives you an overall look at the front suspension workings. First, a subframe fr
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One typically expensive part in a build such as this can be the rear axle. Cash in five-fi
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We liked this interesting bolt-on bridge truss that ties across the rear differential hous
This truck took a few years to build given the financial constraints and Scott doing almost all the work himself. He made a parts list of components he knew he would need and was vigilant to shop for used parts or discounts that could bring in the parts he needed while minimizing the cash that left. He advised us that patience pays and it takes time to build, so look for good deals along the way.
Scott's already tried the truck out in a couple of races, placing second in class in the Whiplash Vulture Mine race and fourth overall in the Whiplash Firebird GP. He's looking forward to doing more racing regionally and in Best in the Desert races.
With the truck up and running, and starting to compete, it looks like Scott met his goal to build a DIY capable racer on a budget within reach of many of us. Maybe you'll build one too!
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Braking on all four corners comes from Coleman Racing four-piston NASCAR calipers clamping
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Out back, the upward suspension travel is limited with the help of 2.5 4-inch travel King
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Behind the engine sits a TH400 auto tranny. Scott installed a manual valve body and fabric
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The lower rear trailing arms are built from 2-inch 0.120 wall chromoly tubing and boxed in
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The upper front shock mounts are tied into the engine cage structure. A 2.0 14-inch strok
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The rear of the truck is supported by a pair of 2.5 14-inch stroke King coilovers. Damping
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Behind the cab sits a ducted cooler assembly that holds two units: one for transmission fl
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Nestled in the back of the bed cage is a 32-gallon Fuel Safe cell feeding the thirsty engi
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Behind the front tubework and Hella lights sits a Jeg's aluminum radiator. The alternator
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With the hood popped off the truck you get a glimpse of the engine cage that protects the
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Inside the cab, Scott fabricated a functional dash to accommodate a full set of Autometer
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The homebrew goodies show up in the cab as well. Scott fabricated the throttle pedal and b