Use Existing Firewall for a Rat Rod?

[Jason_B]

I'm excited to be a member of this great site! You have some awesome builds on here and I hope to contribute with mine soon.

I'm planning a father-son project to build a 40's pickup rat rod. I want a 1930's style drop axle with the exposed leaf spring in the front.

My idea is to use a 1970s short wheel base chevy truck with a small block and to keep the engine, transmission, drive shaft, rear end, all in place. I would lower the rear to get my desired rear ride height (spring over axle maybe with a notch if needed).

I plan to remove the front clip, bed and eventually the cab (minus the floor plan and firewall).

Two questions:
-Can I shorten the front rails and add my front axle assembly and set the front ride height with the front spring perch. Anyone see any issues with this? Will the exposed rails look awful? I understand that I would need a new radiator, lights, etc.

-Can I keep the existing firewall and drop an old rusty 1940s cab over it? Has anyone tried this?

I searched for a similar setup here and wasn't able to find one. Thank you in advance for all of your opinions and input.

newbie: Jason_B

[Hottrucks]

1st off welcome to the madness and I love your Idea....sorry to say but for what you/I want to do the 67/72 frames have a rise from the cab up to the front suspention......it wont get the look we want if you have the 40 cab you better off to get 2 pieces of 2x3 box for the frame rail get a 32 front X memeber to mount the spring into and fab things from there....

well at least thats my plan with a set of Zoomies!! and a step bed with the wheels up the the top of the bed rails!!

[Jason_B]

Hottrucks:

Thanks for your reply. I was afraid of that (rise in the front frame looks odd). I have to get around building a complete frame and doing all the wiring brakes, rear suspension, etc.

Plus, I need to keep the firewall. How about this?

-Chop the frame at the firewall and fab a new box for the front (out of channel or square tubing) but leave the existing frame from the firewall back? Would that work? I'd need to move the motor mounts but that would be easier than fabbing a complete frame.

Thoughts?

Jason_B.

[Hottrucks]

if you cutting off the front your cutting off the ugly but then you have the job of making a box frame blend into the stock frame..then your going to cut off the back half after the axle to get low enough so really what do you have left except the part under the cab that doesn't fit the 40 cab anyways

call Speedway and get a catalog or look online you can build a frame for something like a 27 T frame ( a bit longer) for cheap ...use a set of hair pins up front and a 4 bar in the back.....

like this
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Deluxe...Kit,24789.html

[Hottrucks]

heres the look I want with Zoomies

http://s3.amazonaws.com/hubgarage/ph...128_detail.jpg

[Jason_B]

That's exactly what I want!

I get you on the frame. I was trying to cut corners with the 70's frame. I think I'm going to have to rethink my plan. I think I knew that already but needed to hear it from someone else.

Sounds like we're interested in the same rod so keep me posted on your progress.

Love the Zoomies. You should buy a set for inspiration while you're getting your project off the ground.

[mikey531]

Do a google image search for "rat rod pickups" and you will find hundreds of ideas and suggestions

[Jason_B]

Originally Posted by mikey531

Do a google image search for "rat rod pickups" and you will find hundreds of ideas and suggestions

Thanks, Mikey. Do you ever see a custom truck that used the firewall and dash from the donor vehicle? I'd really like to see that work. Fabbing, moding and wiring everything from scratch may be over my ability level.

[Hubscrub]

i'm lovein yalls ideas i have had the thought along the same lines my self

[Hottrucks]

basicly I'm looking for anything that will hold my Butt and a 350

[Jason_B]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

i'm lovein yalls ideas i have had the thought along the same lines my self

Great builds! I love how well you document the progress. I'll try to do the same with mine.

I think I'm going to build it with the existing rails. If it looks awful, I'll take it from there. It's going to be a rat rod anyway so as long as me and my boy love it, it'll be fine.

I may even try to find a donor with a/c so we can stay cool in the summer. Now to develop a budget...

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by Jason_B

Great builds! I love how well you document the progress. I'll try to do the same with mine.

I think I'm going to build it with the existing rails. If it looks awful, I'll take it from there. It's going to be a rat rod anyway so as long as me and my boy love it, it'll be fine.

I may even try to find a donor with a/c so we can stay cool in the summer. Now to develop a budget...

Thanks, i agree as long as you like it thats all that matters.

[Jason_B]

Hey Guys,

I found this pic on the net. It has the existing rails (although from a 60s era truck) showing. I'd use a different axle but this doesn't look too bad.

What do you think?

[Hubscrub]

I love it
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hottrucks]

I love it to..nothing like a BB with a rat on it!! I bet the roof hole is for your head becasue the body drop is huge!! But who cares its Kool!!

[Jason_B]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

I love it to..nothing like a BB with a rat on it!! I bet the roof hole is for your head becasue the body drop is huge!! But who cares its Kool!!

It looks like it should have a batman emblem on it! Killer!