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Fullsize Pre-runner Thread!

Avery4jc

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EDIT: Changed the thread title due to the fact that this thread is jam packed w/ good full size pre-runner info...

Original title was: "Anyone have a full-size pre-runner on here like this?"




I've been doing some thinking and have realized as much as I like my truck and it works ok out in the sand (only wheelin' I like ;)) a pre-runner build might be more at home for the dunes...

I ran across this and it gave me some ideas... so has anyone on here experimented with a full size pre-runner like this? Are they just too heavy to work?
Maybe a "hybrid" pre-runner (keep the 4wd) would be an option...


[youtube]HrKq-kawXu4[/youtube]
 
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I want to build a prerunner myself but out of a suburban. Want to cut the top off behind the rear door, build a cage that would angle from the roof where its cut off to the top of the bedsides at the back of the bed. I would NOT run a bid block, too heavy. I would build a big inch aluminum headed small block. AL. heads would save some weight. I would also move the motor bach to held weight distribution. Alot of short beds or mostly step sides were build into prerunners back in the 70's/80's.

A solid fromt axle is not the best idea for a 4x4 prerunner. the Ford TTB axle setup is the best 4x4 prerunner setup. Now for a custom setup the sky's the limit, but Im talking factory axle setups. GM's IFS is crap period for any real serious travel with big jumpd in mind. I would stick with a 2WD for a chevy prerunner, just run a spool in the back. it will take you alot of places. VID worked for me too.
 
I would throw as much fiberglass as possible at a prerunner to make it light, as weight is horsepower Lexan windows, Aluminum fasteners where strength is not a concern, or titanium if you can afford it. Build the cage to some sort of race rule book spec atleast. that way you know its safe. I would not just wing it on the cage. with the speeds a prerunner rips along at safety is #1 period. minimum DOM tube or chrmoly.
 
A 'sub?!?! Are you joking? Thats soooo much weight man. I see standard cab short beds get stuck out in the sand (locked rear end) so I can't imagine a 'sub. If you even get out of the throttle I bet you'd sink :)


Yeah rdn2blazer I'm thinking as light as possible...
In my mind I'm picturing a standard cab short bed stripped of pretty much everything (even doors...just do 1/2 doors out of tube)... cut the rear fenderwells out so the tires can tuck into the bed... take out the front fenderwells and replace the stock fenders w/ some fiberglass ones w/ a couple inch buldge... mild small block, th400, 14ff shaved w/ 4.56's a detroit and 35" BFG AT's... suspension will depend on $$$ but since it'll be trailered I'd probably start super simple and build up as I break stuff...

This is fun stuff to dream about...
 
Yea, a burb would be heavy but with the top cut off and everything gutted like we said it would not really be that bad. I want a 3 or 4 seater prerunner in the old body style so a burb is the only choice I can think of without cutting 2 cabs up and building an extra cab chevy. I dont want to go to those extremes. If chevy made a extra cab in the old body style there would have been tons of Chevy prerunners built. Ford cornered the market on prerunners though.
 
Wade - ktmoutfront - has a fullsize pre-runner K5. 4wd and all. He won Jason Payne Memorial trophy for the most innovative truck at Blazer Bash. I saw it in action and it is for real.
 
***avery frantically searches under the username ktmoutfront for pics and details***
 
A local auto shop that I have been dealing with for 25 years now is know for their drag racing and offroad racing experience. they have held drag racing records, have won Best in the Desert Series. the owners have codriven with some well know names in offroad in the baja 500 and 1000. last time I was there they had Parnelli Jones JR's prerunner K5 blazer he uses to pre run races with.


I was BUMMED I did not have my digital camera with me to take pics with and post up on CK5. it was a 2WD, had a trussed 14FF, full cage, 3 seat race seats. I think they said it was a 383 stroker motor, TH400 trans. looked like 35's or 37's. Dont remember if it was bead locked. it was bad ass though.
 
Wade - ktmoutfront - has a fullsize pre-runner K5. 4wd and all. He won Jason Payne Memorial trophy for the most innovative truck at Blazer Bash. I saw it in action and it is for real.


NICE :)

DSCF0554.jpg
 
[Steps Up On Soapbox]

It drives me nuts to see people type "full size" and "light" in the same sentence. If you want light, buy a small, 2WD rig, and drop a big motor in it. You would be AMAZED what sheet metal weighs.

[\Soapbox]
 
seriously bro a standard cab short bed STRIPPED probaly doesn't weigh a whole lot...
 
Yeah, it does. ;)

I won't get into it in this thread because that's not what it was meant for.
 
There's a ck5 member that races a k-5 in baja. I forgot his name though :doah:

Also I own a 2wd k-5 that I would love to turn into a pre-runner some day, but there aren't too many places to do that kind of stuff around here
 
I would throw as much fiberglass as possible at a prerunner to make it light, .


fullsize...light, hence the reason for this statement above. the only sheet metal in a fullsize prerunner should be the cab.
 
If he wants to throw cubic dollars at something, then yeah, it can be done, but so can a rail. Unless there's a fiberglass firewall out there, it's gonna be heavy.

2wd Toyota, TBI 350, TH350, tires, done.
 
Yeah, it does. ;)

I won't get into it in this thread because that's not what it was meant for.


By all means post up... my threads are open to whatever people have to say :)

I obviously don't have much background in the pre-running scene...
 
If he wants to throw cubic dollars at something, then yeah, it can be done, but so can a rail. Unless there's a fiberglass firewall out there, it's gonna be heavy.

2wd Toyota, TBI 350, TH350, tires, done.


yea, BUT it sounds like he is looking to build a fullsize. So you have to work with what you got. you sell all the sheetmatal you can if its clean and it will help pay for some of fiberglass. besides a fullsize has more cab room for a cage.
 

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