How to: Build a Hardbody Pro-IT Series Race Truck

[Rev_D21]

What size tires were these ITT Nissan trucks running?

[nissankid83]

Here's a racey looking Nissan. It doesn't look like the most hardcore of trucks, but it's still cool
Modified by seang at 4:11 PM 2/9/2010

Dude I was looking for info on the 1988 desert runner and I came across your pix look good I have one but I have no clue how to add a pix on here

[seang]

The Desert Runner I posted is not my truck, nissankid83, sorry. Also, you have to have a photobucket account (or whatever hosting site you prefer) to post pictures in this forum. Your truck would be a nice addition to the picture thread!

[DezRacer]

...Dude I was looking for info on the 1988 desert runner and I came across your pix look good I have one but I have no clue how to add a pix on here

What do you need to know on the Desert Runner? I have the original sales brochure, videos, and over 100 photos of them. PM me.

[Rev_D21]

About Aftermarket Torsion Bars:

Nismo 2 stage torsion bars are made by Sway A Way (SAW). The SAW part number for these bars is 1440. These bars have a second set of splines towards the middle of the bar itself. A lever is attached to the bar that limits the twist of the bar. Once the bar reaches a set amount of twist these levers press against the truck thus shortening the effective length of the bar which increases spring rate. You will notice that SAW # 1440 is not available in the SAW catalog. 1440 is only available through Nismo. Also note that it is the only bar to feature the lever mechanism that I described above. These bars are the actual bars that the ITT trucks used, so if you are trying to build an actual ITT based Hardbody, you will need these bars.

I took a chance on a set of SAW 1446 bars. Want to know a secret? SAW makes the bars that are sold on 4x4parts.com and for Calmini. The only differences are the color paint they used to powdercoat them. If you look at all the part numbers they all end in 1446. SAW 1446 is a one-stage torsion that lacks the second set of splines for a lever mechanism but has a spring rate that is 30% higher than stock. SAW bars are powdercoated red and are the less expensive way to go. Why pay other companies markup when you don't have to? The Bad: SAW 1446 is not what most ITT Hardbodies ran. If you are trying to build an actual ITT Hardbody you can use these but just know they lack the second stage action that the Nismos provide.

Be prepared to pay $100 or more for those Nismo 1440 bars mainly because they are designed more for racing and are exclusive to Nismo, paying for that Nismo logo. In the trucking industry we say the Peterbilt logo on a part is worth at least $50.

[Monster2TG]

Found this while doing some searching

[ib4200]

what wheels are those that most of the hardbody guys have?

[ib4200]

they look like these, the pic is of 5 lug but they sell them 6 lug too in 15x7

[Rev_D21]

Pezi has a set, I think they are Outlaw II wheels.

[Rev_D21]

Here's a great read about Jeff Krosnoff who raced one of the original Hardbody race trucks.
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ ... -hungry/P1

[Mr.Brightside]

Hey ya'll. Figured I'd share this http://www.stillen.com/blowout.asp The Stillen front air dam is currently on that blow out sale list for $77.

[Rev_D21]

It sold quick, none left:(. No I didn't get one.

[max-8508]

what is the engine for this hardbody??

[Rev_D21]

Max, which Hardbody are you referring to?

[max-8508]

all of them??
what are their engins??

[Rev_D21]

Most of the ITT trucks had NapsZ24 engines. By the time the KA24E was available the race series had pretty much ended.

[proitchamp]

Actually there are a couple of KA trucks that raced. The #75 that Fletcher raced was KA. Mine is a Nap-Z. The old shots at the beginning of this thread include a couple of my truck in its original livery. It was #45.
I'll be racing it at Road Atlanta March 16. Come see me kick some ITC entry butt!

[Rev_D21]

Woah! Welcome to the board Mr. Brew!! Glad to have you here. Please stick around and share your stories with us. We are rabid Hardbody fans here. And yes I stand corrected, the rule book does have KA modification references.

#45


Recent:


Once again it's great to have you among us. A bunch of members here are building a huge archive about these trucks and the Coor's Racing Challenge and other road racing aspect is one of the least known chapters in this trucks history. And good luck Mar 16! You and Shane put on a good show OK!

So how's the NAPS-Z on the track?

What's this? A Hardbody holding a lap record at Road Atlanta?!? Too cool for words!
{Scroll Down to ITT)
http://www.atlantascca.com/events/club- ... k-records/

[Rev_D21]

Keeping up with the Z's

[Rev_D21]

Here's some history!! 1987 SCCA Coor's Racetruck series. The Nissans didn't win but the battles are fun to watch. Max Jones racing #6 and Spencer Low in #7. The SCCA inverts the grid which hurt the Nissans since they were fastest qualifying and had to start dead last.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnSYj1hAPs0[/youtube]

[Rev_D21]

What size tires were these ITT Nissan trucks running?

I have found out that the largest legal size was a 215/60 series tire. And they had to be street tires too.


More pics of the Coor's Racetruck Series can be found here >>> http://mwphoto-misc.smugmug.com/Cars/SC ... -Challenge

[Rev_D21]

National Champion Ken Grammer had this to say about the Nissan Hardbody trucks he raced...

"I ran ITT back in 96-98, and then a few select races after I sold my two trucks. I owned two of the Nissan trucks.

The series was a BLAST to run. The small 4 cylinder trucks were fast and handled great.

I miss racing the trucks and would love to run them again. Like Spec Miata, they were cheap and really easy to race hard. I've toyed with the idea of creating a series for small trucks under USERA, but I'm not sure there are enough people who would be interested to make a viable series.

I would love to build a V6 Nissan as a track race vehicle. The 4 cylinder was already a blast to run and it was way cool to outrace the front wheel drive cars during wet races!"

Source: http://www.sccaforums.com/forums/aft/30467


AND!!!

"I owned a pair of those Nissans back a few years ago. I sold them and moved to AS to go National racing. I can tell you that for racing on a budget, you can't beat the trucks. They are tough and fast! Most of my races in the truck were on the old configurtaion of Road Atlanta when the dip still existed. We were faster the the ITB cars and in the top third of ITA. And we dominated in the rain! Not bad for "truck".

I raced for two and bit years and never had any serious driveline issues. I used over-the-counter stock "heavy duty" brake pads and ran take-off tires most of the time. It was cheap and fun. Off the track, the truck was a definate crowd pleaser.

The trucks I owned started life as SCCA Pro Racetrucks. Atlanta Region created a Regional Only but they were recognized and allowed to run in most SARRC events across the Southeast. I ran my truck at Savannah and they have since run at other tracks like CMP. I believe this season you can run them at any SEDiv track though they really aren't a Divisional Class per, se.

If I had my way, I would add trucks to one of the National Classes and go run something tough and fun! The truck was, and still is, my favorite race "car"."

Source: http://www.sccaforums.com/forums/aft/16104


With my first ever AutoX in the green truck in two weeks I thought I would get myself in the mood by doing what I love, reading up on these trucks.

[Rev_D21]

Pics I found while surfing the net. This truck used to be factory racer #16 driven by Ken Grammer. These pictures can be found on Protourings10.com and many thanks go to the man wise enough to shove a camera under this truck. Unfortunately at the same time it answers many questions it raises more for me. For example, is that a 4x4 main leaf in that spring pack? Is that an Addco rear sway bar, Nismo or borrowed from a Pathfinder? What do you guys think? I wish a true Hardbody fan would save this truck too.












Source: http://protourings10.com/index.php?topic=896.0

[Rev_D21]

Drivers thoughts on racing the Nissan Hardbody trucks.

Ken Grammer- National Champion Truck# 16
29 Jul 2002 08:33 PM

"I actually started road racing in a Nissan Hardbody truck! Atlanta Region created an Improved Touring Truck (ITT) regional only class for ex-SCCA Pro Series Racetrucks. In fact, I revisited my old racetruck this past weekend and had a blast! The small trucks make great race vehicles. They are already tough, and handle far better then anyone would ever guess.

Back when I owned the truck, I would acationally take it to my local Solo II events. While it wasn't really set up for Solo II events, it was a LOT of fun. So I'm biased FOR small trucks. And I agree that as long as the name of the game is FUN... and the vehicle is SAFE... find a place for it to run!

For anyone interested in seeing wnat the ITT racetrucks look like, visit www.grammermotorsports.com. Hit the results page for a picture of my old truck. Like I said, these things are FUN!"
Source: http://www.sccaforums.com/forums/aft/1267

[w650gb500]

A picture from the original logbook.

A picture from the second logbook after the truck was rebuilt.

As it sits in my garage today.

[w650gb500]

Here is a link to several pictures of the truck as it sits.

http://s31.photobucket.com/user/w650gb5 ... t=6&page=1

[Rev_D21]

Woah! Welcome to NICO! Tell us more! How long have you owned that truck? Does it still race?

[w650gb500]

I purchased the truck about 6 months ago from a gentleman in Georgia. He purchased it from a local racer that was racing it with both SCCA and NASA in the Southeast Region for many years. I purchased the truck the way that you see it in the pictures and also grabbed a whole bunch of spare parts, motors, trans parts, electricals, wheels, a set of original CenterLine wheels, cams, heads, NOS special pistons, and more.

It runs as-is, but will be getting a complete rebuild. I own a fairly successful race prep and fabrication shop, so this will be a shop project that I would like to do with my father. I may give it to him to do some trackdays and hillclimbs with if he wants. If not and depending on how I decide to build the truck, it may be restored back to its original condition and run with a vintage race group. Either way, it will be back on track here in the northeast this season.

I will get a few more pictures next week.

Dan

[jbracy7]

Nice will be watching, ideas forming

[Rev_D21]

That's great to hear! If you need any help let me know. I wish we had hill climbs around here because we sure don't have vintage truck racing at the moment. I am so glad you found us! Keep us posted on the project.