Hackster's Autocross Track Day Truck (Garage Build)

[rustomatic]

We knew you had it in you, Sean. I also know how you wind up telling yourself that a new truck will be (so much) better than a tractor-like 12-valve in so many ways, but then wind up looking back and deciding that a bulk investment in Dynamat and creative gearing would have been better. It's just the way we motorheads must roll . . .

Trying out a Corvette and a BMW 5-series has led me back to a 1963 Ranchero, in so many ways . . .

On a side note, I miss the 1973 W200 I sold a few years ago (to get a stupid F250 p-stroke). It rode better than the F250 on its 37-inch Toyos. There's always next time . . .

Dig the Pirate thread--I love that site!

[hackster]

Thanks guys....I may have gone back to my 12 valve roots. Will know more tonight.

Been tinkering with the truck the last few weeks but also working a bunch.

Started messing around with a better stereo setup in it a few weeks back. Trying to keep it super simple and clean, you can tell that is kind of how I roll by now

I took the back corner pieces apart and cut some giant holes in them. I wanted a custom looking setup and have some interest in wood working and making some bucks.

I built a male and female buck that I could put in my press and press my own speaker grilles to exactly fit the holes I cut without any mounts or screws to show. Kind of OEM looking.

Took a couple tries but I got it to work out.



This started out as a flat sheet.



Hertz 6.5" rear mounted, grilled painted brown to match the seat brackets and harness bar as well..



Installed in the truck.



I went with the retrosound head unit, looks factory but performs really well. Bluetooth, a couple of aux inputs and about anything else under the sun.

Sounds good. I have some 5" separates I am going to do in the kicks when I get some more motivation.



Got this guy and the harnesses installed as well. The seat is surprisingly comfortable and harnesses really hold you in there.



Went through and topped off all the fluids and did the nut and bolt go around on the truck last night. Clean it up and load up all my stuff tomorrow and hit the road.

Take off here on Thursday morning headed for Vegas.

Cross your fingers I make it there =)

Sean

[waynieZ]

Good luck Sean, enjoy!

[hackster]

Well, got everything loaded up and hit the road this morning. Weather has been nice for what seems like months. Weather apparently moved in last night so I got to deal with this for about 150 miles. There was a number of times I could not see anything in front of me, keep in mind, big ass truck camper in the bed, extended hitch trailer and the f100 behind me.



But took the back roads the entire way and was rewarded with some awesome 2 lane roads for about 400 miles up through the Sierra Nevada mountains.



Looks like I have to find a car wash I can spend $100 at when I get into town....I hate dirt, this is going to drive me bonkers.



This was outside of Susanville, I could live there.



Also managed to get these designed and printed up at the last minute. Been using this as my shop tag for a while, figured I might as well give myself a name other than Hackster.



Maybe on the next one I can get it straight :-jammin

So I am tucked away for the night here in Reno....well Sparks actually.

Gonna hang out at the RV Park tonight and head out in the morning.

[SSLance]

Have fun Sean, looks like quite the adventure already.

[Centerforce]

Is that Nintendo font??

[grendel]

very nice audio work. I did something similar in my doors and rear panels.

[DBasher]

Originally Posted by Centerforce

Is that Nintendo font??

Say whaaat?

Interiors looking real snazzy, good to get some new fabrication techniques put to use as well, nice work!

[wheatie11]

How has everything been going? Any updates?

[hackster]

Originally Posted by wheatie11

How has everything been going? Any updates?

Sorry forgot to update this earlier this week.

Vegas went ok. I need to work on my driving more than the truck to be totally honest. There were some brutally fast cars and very good drivers there.

I held my own overall but did pretty poor on the AutoCross and Track Day portions.

I finished 10th overall out of 23 in my class of GTV. Keep in mind most of these guys have been racing for years and years. The truck does well in the Design and Engineering portion of the event. 6th out of 23 is pretty good for a truck that has its original ****ty paint and some rust holes here and there.

Some rediculous cars there as well. Dusold's camaro has 850HP on a full tube chassis...you can start to see I am a bit out of my league here, but still having fun.



Fresh Debut AMX was incredible.



This was the unfortunate part of the weekend, he hit the wall about 75 or so. The car is worse in person but the driver was OK and that is all that really matters, he can build another car.





Sitting in line waiting for the Speed Stop Challenge, you can see some killer cars I am lined up with. Pretty fun to even be able to hang with these guys in my old truck.



Our Road Rally took us down the main strip, it was brutal, hot and we were in bumper to bumper traffic for 2 hours.

Cool as hell though to see all that stuff and from the seat of the truck.





My buddy Martin has this killer wagon, it has a 535 hp 427 crate engine in it and hauls the mail!!! Well his 35 amp alternator, yes you read that right 35 amp would not keep up with the heat, the fans, lights and stuff in all that traffic and finally killed the battery. So we hung out here on the side of the road for a couple of hours until someone could bring us a battery and we could get Martin home safe.



That is what this event is all about for me. Making new friends, getting some seat time and having fun, I dont think I will ever be right at the top but hope the more seat time I get the better I can place.

This Holden was super cool, it looks like it is a real Holden brought in from Australia and sounded rowdy!!



Truck will have some good footage on streetcar challenge show in the next few season.



Cool Pic.



Ordered some proper wheels for it when I got back. Just finished measuring them up and am going to get bigger tires this go around as well. 295/40/18 on an 11" wheel

Messed around with the coilover setting for a few moments last night and stiffened it up in the front 3 clicks and will do the same for the rear. I need to swap the springs all the way around to stiffer rates and likely get a smaller rear sway bar.

I have a track day all day Friday, should be fun, its at my "Home" track PIR.

Sean