3k-One Year-30's Ford-Rat Rod Build Thread

[Wolfco]

The brake lines i took from the donor were some steel lines, tee fittings etc. all were very good condition. The only hardware really left on the front end is the 2 large pins that hold the wishbones to the axle. I am putting new castle nuts and cotter pins, but the main pins will be re-used. Jeff

[Wolfco]

Oops, the build began JUNE 7th, not the 14th as i stated earlier! see the date code on the pics. The plan is 1 yr, but i am hoping for March 09 for a completion date.

[Matt167]

IMO, the old brake lines are best left to the trash.. Not only because of the low cost of brake lines ( $30-40 would buy all the lines needed ) but when you flex on old lines, they will stress and become weaker and safety with them will suffer.

[Dave Severson]

IMO, the old brake lines are best left to the trash.. Not only because of the low cost of brake lines ( $30-40 would buy all the lines needed ) but when you flex on old lines, they will stress and become weaker and safety with them will suffer.

Plus, the donor was old and evidently parked for awhile...Brake fluid attracts moisture, moisture causes corrosion......

[Wolfco]

Here are some pics of the chop. it is 5". used jig saw, sawzall, cutting wheel.

[Wolfco]

here are the pics.

[Wolfco]

chop pics-5" with the sawzall

[Itoldyouso]

Henry should have made those pickups with a chopped top right from the factory.........they look so cool like that. Coming along pretty well, looking good.

Don

[willowbilly3]

I don't follow many build threads. This one I like because I am a junkyard dog too. Finding a decent used drivetrain for a couple hundred bucks is always cool.
I started my build figuring a year would do it. I think that was about 4 years ago and I am half done now. The little stuff really eats up the budget, bolts, welding supplies, stuff like that. I quit keeping track and decided I'd rather have the car done like I want than save a few $$ along the way. I have spend probably $200 on just the grade 8 bolts.

I also found it was cheaper to go all new on front discs than doing a rebuild on the old drums. I think I have around $150 into the new rotors, brackets and calipers/hardware.

[stovens]

Yup
that chopped roof gives the ford a mean/cool look that just makes you wish it was yours!

[OFT]

Chop is looking good. What type custom frame is it going on and how deep will the chanel be? Looks like it may be a tight fit inside cab for you.

[willowbilly3]

Chop is looking good. What type custom frame is it going on and how deep will the chanel be? Looks like it may be a tight fit inside cab for you.

Yeah, I was thinking how cramped my friends stock 31 pickup was.

[Wolfco]

THe 2"x4" frame will be under the channeled body. I plan to build the floor on top of the frame, so will loose another 5" of room...4" frame and 1" for floor support equals the 5" .....the seat will need to be a 4-5" thick foam cushion with no seat framework to keep the seat height to a minimum.

Frame question:
I plan to airbag this car and I am looking for clean, simple way to airbag a Split wishbone suspension. any idea or perhaps some pics or links would be very helpful. I am about 2 weeks from frame building. help please!!

thankyou, Jeff

[Itoldyouso]

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Frame question:
I plan to airbag this car and I am looking for clean, simple way to airbag a Split wishbone suspension. any idea or perhaps some pics or links would be very helpful. I am about 2 weeks from frame building. help please!!
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Cenpen makes a cool setup that replaces the traditional Ford cross spring with an airbag setup. My Kid used one on the front of the first version of his RPU, and mounted it suicide instead of the way it was intended, on top of the axle.

Here are a couple of shots of how he did it.

Don

[Wolfco]

Itoldyouso....thanks for the pics, i cant really tell where the airbags are mounted or how the airbag pushes on the frame/wishbone. If you have any other info that would be great. anyone else have pics of a neat wishbone/airbag setup?