Hi everybody.

I'm in the process of buying my first "Rod," as it were. For the past few years, I've been into the custom truck scene, especially late model.

Since I am limited in both space and budget, I cannot afford or store a second vehicle, so no real rod. But, I'm in the process of buying a 2000 Ford F-150 2wd to turn into a 50's style "rat rod" (or is it "jalopy?). I have seen many old trucks and cars built with a modern theme, i.e. LS1 engines in 68 Camaros, IRS suspensions in 32 roadsters. But how often do you see a modern truck with satin black paint and Von Dutch-style pinstriping? Not often, I'm guessing. (Side note: anybody who thinks Von Dutch is a clothing designer should have their man-card revoked. I'm only 24, and I know who he was.)

Since I need my only transmission to be late-model reliable, my only choice is to take a newer truck and inject some personality into the sea of grey and white. If the people on this board are as accepting as I have found hot rodders in the past, we'll get along famously.