Thread: Thinking outside the box.

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I hope a thread like this hasn't been started before. If so, my bad.

I would like to start a thread about solving problems or doing projects with items not normally used for that purpose. They can be used due to not having a machine shop, not being able to find the item, or possibly due to the high cost. Since we hotrodders are a very innovative bunch, I'm sure y'all have some ideas you could pass along that's "outside the box".

I will start this with my two ideas.

1. Window crank base (picture 1&2) - Found at any hardware store under faucet parts-escutcheons & flanges. All different center hole diameters. Nice chrome ones were $1.76ea.

2. Simple nerf bars (picture 3&4) - Find an old aluminum lawn chair, measure and cut with the bend in place. Use metal chair leg slider caps for the ends. A couple of clamps and self tapping screws, polish and done.

Along these lines, please share any of the neat ideas you may have.

Thanks,
Milner

ps. Don't tell anyone my hotrod has polished aluminum lawn chair nerf bars.... (of course I could always tell them it saves weight, lol).

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Yeah, those "nerf" bars are definitely only for appearance, especially with those mounts.... Hope no one bumps into one walking by, but I guess they'd bark their shin on the wheelie bar if they bumped the nerf...

The old cars had solid steel bumpers that worked.
I have aluminum ones that don't work.
The new cars have plastic ones.
It's a crazy world.

I don't like stock stuff, started building some flush mount door handles for the '57, pics to follow someday when I get back on it... Also got a bit of work in on the front opening hood hinges for the Cutlass...

IMHO, thinking outside the box is what Hot Rodding is all about - - - - example "WHAT? you gonna flip the front axle over and drive it that way? You youngin's are just ruining perfectly good automobiles - - grrrrrr !"

I used one of those "window place bases" when I built my hood prop. I found an old piece of aluminum rod, trims the end into an angle that sled into the latch on the hood, painted the rod the color of the car, mounted the chrome plumbing "thingy" on the other end that covers the hole where the hood latch goes when closed.

Outside the box is were I live. it doesn't always get rave reviews, but it makes me happy

This is my home built T with 99 Cad Northstar engine and T-5 trans. the ITB injection came about due to someone on another forum telling me that my idea "wouldn't work", was "a waste of time" etc. so of course I had to build it and prove them wrong. the manifold is fabricated tubing and water jet cut flanges, similar to making a set of headers. on top of those is 2 sets of modified throttle bodies from a GSXR 600 Suzuki motorcycle with the upper shafts and blades removed. all of the sensors, fuel rails, injectors, etc were taken from the Caddy, except for the throttle position sensor, which came from the bike (although I adapted a Cad unit on my prototype and it worked fine also. just more work to adapt). I'm running the engine on a Holly HP ECM and it runs awesome. guaranteed to scare the crap out of the weak or foolish of heart. I know that for a fact, as I just did it to myself last week when the throttle pedal briefly stuck under a carpet edge. yeeeha

so for anyone with an out of the box idea of their own I say go for it. you'd be surprised what you can do if you ignore the box crowd.

That's cooler than penguin poop and slicker than new snoot.
Building a 48 DeSoto 4dr (like I did) either comes from thinking outside the box, or drinking outside the bottle and then falling off the box. Just to be sure, instead of a SBC, I used a 392 Hemi with 2 4's.

Built a 48 International, everyone said International they don't look like a hotrod. It's a 48 KB1 shortbed with a built 355 chev ,700R trans' and a 9" rearend. It's scary fast and fun to drive and something you don't see everyday, usually the only Int. at the show. It was in the Portland Roadster Show last year and was 1 of 2 Internationals along with 100s of Chevys and Fords.

My next project is a belly button 28 A coup with a hopped up banger.

I live inside a box under the freeway. But check my ongoing blog at Big redo of the old bucket | T-Bucket Forums for some odd ideas, including office chairs for seats, wood engine mounts, a DIY electric shifter and reverse cooling.

Potvinguy You are definitely out side the box. Are they aware your out.
That is really some fun stuff

I noticed Itoldyouso on that site too..

Originally Posted by Milner

I hope a thread like this hasn't been started before. If so, my bad.

I would like to start a thread about solving problems or doing projects with items not normally used for that purpose. They can be used due to not having a machine shop, not being able to find the item, or possibly due to the high cost. Since we hotrodders are a very innovative bunch, I'm sure y'all have some ideas you could pass along that's "outside the box".

I will start this with my two ideas.

1. Window crank base (picture 1&2) - Found at any hardware store under faucet parts-escutcheons & flanges. All different center hole diameters. Nice chrome ones were $1.76ea.

2. Simple nerf bars (picture 3&4) - Find an old aluminum lawn chair, measure and cut with the bend in place. Use metal chair leg slider caps for the ends. A couple of clamps and self tapping screws, polish and done.

Along these lines, please share any of the neat ideas you may have.

Thanks,
Milner

ps. Don't tell anyone my hotrod has polished aluminum lawn chair nerf bars.... (of course I could always tell them it saves weight, lol).

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How about this ? For a gas pedal...100_9130.jpg

Bass Drum Pedal.. done many times, but always cool!

Wow, what great reading. Some, like myself, go a little ways out of the box while others go so far you can't even see the box any more. I bet this trait extends to other things in your life, always thinking on how to make something better. I've come up with a lot of ideas but i've learned to sit on them for a couple of weeks because after thinking it through, the majority of them are not such great ideas after all, but once in awhile I'll come up with something good.

Here's a picture of my radiator cap that spins in the wind. I don't know who made it but I think it's cool. It has a miniture ball bearing race where the cups attach to the vertical shaft. At 70mph, that thing must be turning 10,000rpm.....

Have a great day.

Milner

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