Rat Rod (help and/or thoughts)

[YELLAHEEP]

Now THAT I like! Not crazy about the web theme, but I like the full cab. :thumbup:

 

[bjoehandley]

Yup, and you don't even need a tetanus shot to look at it!

 

[Mosephus]

Visit the jalopyjournal.com for ideas on their forum. Very cool site, I've also been wanting to build a "budget classic". I'm looking for a 55 F100 to build.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Dude, put a 258 in a rat rod that'd be awesome. Even better, a 4.0!

 

[GRIMUS99XJ]

thanks for all the input fellows. I think I have decided to go with a mid 30's model sedan chopped and primed. Before cab goes on frame and very little body work is done I am going to take it out into the field and myself and a few others put a couple clips threw it you know for character lol. As far as motor goes I am in no way a motor guy so I am leaving that part up to my roomate and see what he comes up with. This should be an intersting build and a lot of fun will try to keep yall posted.

Oh if anyone runs across a mid 30's sedan let me know please I feel that the body is going to be the hardest thing to find

 

[ehall]

there are always a few shells in junkyards, all you need is the cab

 

[GRIMUS99XJ]

full rolling chassis would be cool but really cab is all I need I plan to use a s10 frame

 

[XJ&CHZ4ME]

OK, I am in...will be on the look out for ya...plenty of these types of finds in my neck of the woods. And just for a bit of nostalgia, I did grow up one block away from one of the notorious Bonny and Clyde shoot outs in Joplin, Missouri, there is still a place in the concrete where bullets hit. kind of cool...

 

[bjoehandley]

Dude, put a 258 in a rat rod that'd be awesome. Even better, a 4.0!

How 'bout a stroker?!






then again, I think a stripped down 2wd XJ done up like a Gasser would be pretty bad ass, even with a warmed over 4.0l

 

[BlueCuda]

Do a unique motor, a SBC just doesn't do it for me. I saw a Rat Rod a few months ago that had a Buick Nailhead in it with 8 stromberg carbs on it! I would love to build a rat rod but I want to use a big block chrysler with the ram horn manifold that puts the carbs about 8-10" outside the valve covers on each side .

 

[GrimmJeeper]

yes, use some oddball motor, people are even starting to use diesels. i have a customer at work that has a 3 cylinder ford forklift motor in his rat rod. its all about using something that someone could have found for cheap in the 60s

 

[GRIMUS99XJ]

I diesel would be nice but I would have to run tall stacks or a true exhaust cause I would like to be able to drive it without having to take a shower as soon as I get out from all the soot (sp) lol

 

[tbburg]

...,use a big block chrysler with the ram horn manifold,...

They also made a long runner intake for the slant six. How about the valve cover sticking out one side of the car, and the carb sticking out the other?

 

[97XJ2]

The term rat rod irks some of those people, If you going to build tho basically use what parts you can find, and make them work some how.

You know the fad is about to burst when a guy does fake rust and holes on a fiberglass body. Its been done too, Hot Rod Mag a year ago they did a feature on the rat rod theme. Not saying they aren't cool but its the current fad.

Personally I'd do it too if I didn't have to drive to a non rust belt state to find a tub worth working with. But just like we do with our jeeps, have fun and make it yours!

Obviously more polished but still the "make the parts fit" idea:
http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0910_custom_peterbilt_rod/index.html

This is the Fiber bodied ratrod, well done but almost defeats the purpose:

Hot Rod Deluxe is a good mag too.

 

[SAMSET]

i don't have any knowledge on them but rat rod are sweet. i say go for that not the hot rod