Lil Big Rig
A Street Rod for Truckers!
Lil Pete prototype progress October 2008
(see more pictures on page 3 of the photo gallery)
More Lil Pete Info
Hello everybody! Thank you for all the positive feedback on the Lil Pete Update October 2008!
One comment that stood out, above all the others was, "How big/small is it?". We have attached the pictures above to show the size comparison. The two gals in the pictures are employees of Lil Big Rig. One of them is 5' 5" tall and the other is 5' 10" tall. We hope this gives you a good indication of the size of the Lil Pete! Please keep all the questions and comments coming!
Lil Pete Update October 2008
Well folks, it's finally here! The long awaited Lil Pete update! We have been so swamped with Lil Kenny orders we have had limited time for the development of the Lil Pete project.
Our projected October 2008 completion date for the Lil Pete prototype was somewhat optimistic due to the delays caused by our Lil Kenny workload: however the Lil Pete is steadily progressing. (check out more pictures on page 3 of the photo gallery)
We have the hood, front fender and grille assembly prototype finished and ready for the molds to be fabricated. The hood, fender and grill outer shell will be constructed from hand laid fiberglass. The grille insert and rim will be constructed from aluminum.
We have received the custom designed fuel tanks, visor, battery box / cab entry steps, west coast mirrors, bumper and rear fenders. We also have the exhaust stacks in stock. The rear tandem axle will have air bag suspension. We have the windshields on hand but they have not yet been installed. As you can see from the pictures, some of these items are mounted on the truck temporarily to give you an indication of the proportion and how the finished vehicle will look. These items will all have to be removed again for finishing, painting, etc.
There are some items yet to be completed to finish the prototype Lil Pete and they are fuel tank mounting brackets, fuel tank steps, air cleaner assemblies, tandem axle trailing arms, a regular Pete style visor and chrome plating the front bumper. All of these items have been designed and construction is underway.
We have orders in hand for the Lil Pete so the waiting list is growing daily. Your deposit today will get you on the list for an April 2009 delivery.
As usual, our customers' comments and feedback is appreciated. Please send your questions / comments to lilpete@lilbigrig.com.
Lil Big Rig "Lil Pete"
Body Assembly
Due to overwhelming requests for a Pete look alike over the last 4 years, in October 2007, Lil Big Rig started the development of a Lil Pete body assembly. This has been an ongoing development project since that time and we expect to have body assemblies ready for market by October 2008.
We are often asked about the availability of Lil Big Rig body assemblies for other truck brands and models. Of course there are so many possibilities that it is not feasible to develop a body assembly for every make and model. The development work is very substantial, both in financial outlay and in sweat equity so it is necessary to focus our efforts to the most popular options.
The Lil Big Rig Lil Pete is an easy to assemble body assembly, which converts a long bed extended cab 2WD F-250 7.3 diesel Ford Pickup (late 1980’s to early 1998 models) into a Big Rig look alike, while retaining the size of a pickup. This model of Ford pickup is readily available at a reasonable cost, and provides a strong but simple donor vehicle from which to work. The body assembly consists of all the fiberglass parts brackets and other components necessary to build your Lil Big Rig Lil Pete. The cabin and body panels are all hand laid fiberglass with sandable gel coat. They are reinforced with steel where required. All hinges, latches and seat belt mounts are steel-to-steel construction. No welding is required as all components which require welding are fabricated at the factory. The project can be completed using basic hand tools which would include an electric drill, 4 ½” grinder with a cut off wheel and miscellaneous wrenches, etc.
This is a very comprehensive and complete body assembly. The components are pre-assembled for your convenience and for easy assembly. The cabin sleeper unit is pre-assembled complete with floor, with the mounts set out and drilled to fit the existing mount locations on the designated model of pickup. The door assemblies including power windows are mounted to the cabin unit and adjusted. The dashboard is pre-fitted. A rectangular steel tube is fitted behind the dashboard and steel reinforcement is included to mount the brake booster and steering column. The rear and side sleeper window options are pre-installed, as is the sleeper door assembly option, if ordered with the body assembly. The windshield is installed without the trim. Four 12 mm dia bolts are all that is required to mount the cab assembly to the original pickup mounts.
Lil Big Rig has done hours of extensive research to find all the optional extras available to make the Lil Pete look as much like a Pete as possible. The custom fuel tanks are made exclusively for the Lil Pete, to dimensions to make it proportionally correct. The fuel tanks are available in two different finishes. You may choose from a brilliant polished finish or a satin mill finish. They are complete with custom mounting brackets, vented fuel filler cap, draw and return tubes and Stewart Warner type fuel gauge flange. The battery boxes / cab entry steps are also custom built to Lil Pete specifications from polished aluminum diamond plate and include custom mounting hardware, exclusive for mounting to the Ford donor vehicle. The catback exhaust system is custom for the Lil Pete and includes the “y” adapter, 4” diameter exhaust stacks, mounting brackets and installation hardware. The visor, front bumper and rear fenders are manufactured to be proportionally correct to complement the look of the Lil Pete.
Pricing Information
The Basic Cab / Sleeper Assembly includes: OPTIONAL EXTRAS FOR THE LIL PETE BODY ASSEMBLY ARE:
Sleeper rear window - $255.00 each We started taking orders for the Lil Pete body assembly on June 18, 2008. Please use the above price list and options pricing to calculate the total for your Lil Pete body assembly.
We accept cashier’s checks, money orders, personal checks (subject to bank clearance) and e-checks via PayPal. Sorry, no credit cards, debit cards or PayPal direct accepted.
Please fill out sales order form (click here) and mail, along with down payment, to our mailing address: Lil Big Rig Please direct any questions about orders and/or delivery to:
The price for the Lil Pete body assembly as described is $12,950.00
Main cabin/sleeper unit constructed from hand laid fiberglass with steel reinforcement around the door frames that are tied together with a rectangular steel tube spreader bar behind the dashboard. The cab is complete with floor, seat belt mounts and DOT approved laminated safety glass windshield
The doors are fitted to the cab with stainless steel hinges and bear claw latches
Power windows with tempered glass and the glass tracks as well as door handles are included
Front hood and fender assembly complete with hinges
Dash board molding with mounting brackets
Transmission tunnel
Brake booster/steering column mounting bracket
Windshield molding
Weather strips for doors
Front hatch stay cables
Front grille
Radiator mount assembly
Inside door handles and fitting kit
All fasteners
Assembly instructions
Sleeper side window - $210.00 each
Sleeper door assembly including installation - $1,115.00 each
Front Bumper w/mounting brackets - $470.00 each
Fuel Tanks w/mounting brackets & cap (satin finish) - $1,875.00 pair
(For polished finish add $300.00)
Battery Boxes / Cab entry steps w/mounting brackets - $1,640.00 pair
Catback Exhaust System (4” x 72” stacks) - $795.00 complete
Air Intakes - to be determined
Rear Fenders w/mounting brackets (tandem 14” x 76”) - $660.00 pair
Tandem Assembly (tag axle & fitting kit) - $1,380.00 each
Visor (7” drop) - $395.00 each
Jr. West Coast Mirrors w/mounting brackets - $140.00 pair
Headlight Assembly (4 ½” x 7 ½” rectangular) - $345.00 pair
Cab lights (5 light set) - $85.00 set
Air Conditioning Unit w/dash vents & defrosters - $750.00 complete
(excluding compressor)
Wiper Assembly including arms & blades - $395.00 complete
Gauge Set (special Stewart Warner 6 gauge set) - $660.00 set
Lil Big Rig requires a 25% down payment at the time of order and the balance is payable prior to pick-up or delivery. The current lead time is 16 weeks, however, that is subject to change depending on the number of orders received. Delivery will be on a first come first serve basis. The shipping costs for a Lil Pete body assembly will be quoted on an individual basis.
Hermitage,
Marsha Robinson @ 615-218-6613
F A Q s
What is it built on?
Late 80’s model to early 1998 model Ford F250 ext cab, 2 WD, auto trans with a 7.3 Powerstroke diesel.
Will the kit work on a 4 X 4?
No, the front suspension set up is totally different and the leaf springs extend forward on to the part of the frame that has to be cut off. It could work with a lot of fabrication, altering the front spring set up. In my opinion, it is not worth the effort.
Will it work with a dually?
The Lil Pete is 77" at its widest point, which fits onto a 3/4 ton single rear wheel vehicle also approximately 77" wide. Most duallys are 102" wide, the same as a big truck, so it would be out of proportion unless it was fitted with an altered short pick-up box with the dually flared fenders. The Lil Pete looks best with a 10” wide rear wheel width which keeps it in proportion with the rest of the truck.
Will it work with a standard transmission?
Lil Big Rig has researched the clutch and brake pedal assembly and it appears that it will bolt up to the same mounting brackets as the auto transmission models. It also appears the clutch master cylinder will fit on the Lil Pete in the same location as the donor vehicle. Some modifications may have to be done to the shifter as the Lil Pete body work is located further back on the frame than the stock vehicle. The prototype is being built with an auto transmission, as that is what 90% of the inquires have asked for and also there are more auto transmissions available as donors, than the standard transmission.
Is there room in the sleeper for rear seats or a bed?
The inside dimensions of the sleeper are 75" x 42" x 54" H. With the front seats all the way back there is approximately 40" behind the seats, so there is room for a seat or a bed. We will offer the sleeper in different configurations. The basic body assembly will include a standard sleeper with no windows. The options are as follows:
1. Rear window only
2. Rear and side windows
3. Rear window with right hand door or left hand door
4. Rear window and doors on both sides
Will it work on a GM or a Dodge truck?
The answer to this question is an actual e-mail communication:
(customer) "I am very interested in building a Lil Pete. I see you are going to use the Ford running for the base. I have a GMC one ton crew cab that I would like to use for such a build. I hope that you would make an adapter kit so that I can build this on that frame. Please let me know if this will be possible."
(Lil Big Rig) "The reason for the Ford donor for this project is the layout of the frame and the relationship of the front wheel to the front of the frame. It just works best on a Ford. The Chevy and Dodge front wheel center line is too far back to give the Lil Pete that long wheel base look. Check out the distance from the front of the wheel on your GMC to the front of the bumper, and then a Ford F series, and then look at a big pete and you'll see what I'm getting at. This wheel placement is the reason our current kit does not work well on a Ford but works fine on a Chevy and a Dodge. I hope I haven't confused you."
(customer) "Thanks for the e-mail. No you have not confused me with your response. I know that the pete is not a set back front end. I was hoping that with a crew cab Chevy, the hood could be moved back on the frame enough to get the look that is needed, but still have room to be able to set everything into place. Thank you for the quick response."
(Lil Big Rig) "You could move the cab and hood back on the frame of your GM but you would have to move the motor back also, as the balancer on the motor is approximately 6" - 8" in front of the front wheel. By the time you stack a radiator and fan in front of that you would have about 13" - 15" plus the grille sticking out past the front fender. Same deal with the Dodge. On the Ford the balancer is about in line with the wheel so it just works better. The whole idea for this kit is to minimize the amount of fabrication for the builder. I guess what I am trying to say is that a kit for GM and Dodge products is not planned for this project, at this time, but maybe on a later project. However, if someone wants to do the fab work to adapt it to their own project or fit it to a special frame, that would be up to them. I would like to use our dialog on the Lil Pete page of the web site, if that is okay with you. It might help some other folks understand the reasoning. Thanks for the input. It all helps in the design process."
Will a turnkey vehicle be available?
That may be a possibility in the future and maybe on a new frame and running gear (new truck). This is being researched to see if it is economically possible to build at a reasonable price. (Please e-mail us at lilpete@lilbigrig.com and let us know if you have an interest in this)
Will the body assembly fit on an E type Ford van?
Originally I was going to build the Lil Pete on an E250 van because of the front axle placement but I found that there are not enough donor vans available with a diesel engine. Most seem to have a gas engine. I chose the F250 pick-up because of the availability and the cost. Lil Big Rig has designed the Lil Pete to fit specifically on a F250 and any modifications required to fit it to an E type van would be the responsibility of the builder.
What modifications have to be done to the frame of the donor vehicle?
The Lil Pete body kit is designed to use the original mounts on the donor vehicle. No modifications are required other than cutting the front of the frame off close to the radiator support, although the dimensions have yet to be established. The dimensions will be included in the assembly manual at later date.
What parts are required from the donor vehicle?
We recommend purchasing a complete donor vehicle. You are going to require numerous components from the donor vehicle which include, but are not limited to, the radiator and air conditioner condenser, brake booster and master cylinder assembly, pedal assembly, steering column and switches, wiring harness, computers, accelerator pedal and related components, etc.
What is involved with getting a title for a Lil Big Rig? Can I use the VIN on the donor vehicle?
As far as the licensing of the completed vehicle, it will depend on what state that you are in and what that states laws are. In the state of
Will an F150 work as a donor vehicle?
The Lil Pete would fit on the frame of a F-150 ext cab as the body mounts are in the same location as the F-250 ext cab that the Lil Pete is designed for. However, the F-150 frame is lighter gauge material and lower than the F-250 and usually has a gasoline engine. The design of the Lil Pete body assembly is focused on diesel applications.
Is a day cab available?
Over 90% of the requests have been for a truck with a sleeper, so at this time we will not be building a day cab.
Will an extended sleeper be available?
The cab sleeper unit is all molded into one piece and we have no plans to build an extended sleeper (condo).
Are there other body styles available?
Yes, see the Lil Kenny page.
