Thread: My Rat Build

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Thanks Rickomatic,

Its been a truly slow build and a great time of learning. I have lost counts of the parts I have had to remake. But I have found out what doesnt work.

Working on the R&P bracket now. Will post a pic or so when I get more done on it. Kinda in the R&D stage at the moment.

Larry

Well the R&P is on. Came out better than I expected, very happy with the results.

Still have to machine the final mounting brackets that hold the rack in place but the exhaust clamps do the trick for the time being. I am working on doughnut clamps for the final brackets.

Machined the sleeves and spacers this weekend and got the tie rods fitted up.

The Omni rack gives me 1 1/2 turns from center to center. SWEET!!!

Here's a couple of pictures and what I have so far. Still need to trim the flat mounting plate to match the axle profile.

Larry

I love this build! I've had this dream for years of building my own car from scratch, and this build is very inspireing!

Thanks Silverhawk for your kind words. Now jump a plane and come on to the east coast and I will put you to work....
It has truly been a learning experience for me being I have never build a car from the ground up before.
Larry

Hmmmm.... Ok, I've got to ask..... Are those two muffler clamps all that is going to be holding the rack in place and attached to the axle?????? That's only a couple of 5/16" or 3/8" (whichever size they are) mounted in single sheer to absorb all the forces a rack encounters while driving?????

Nope, making doughnut clamps from 3/4 flat stock. When finished these clamps will be welded to the mounting bracket. Hope you can see the drawing. This will give you the idea behind the clamping system when finished.
Thanks for your concern.
Larry

Kewl, looks like a much better plan!!!! Them U bolts are scary!!!!!

Yeah, the u-bolts are for mock-up only and not for go... Only good for moving it in and out of the garage.

I wouldnt put my life or anyone elses on the line riding on exhaust clamps. This car will one day go to my grandkids and believe me I want it to be as safe as possible.

The idea came from this web site, check it out: Good info.

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...ing/index.html

Larry

Thanks for that website. That is definitly what I want to do with my 54 Stude truck.

Started playing around with the look of the front end this evening and came up with is look. Not sure if I like this look or not??

Btw Perley I got the headlight mounts made but I am thinking about shortening them to lower the headlights maybe 2-3 more inches to make the front end look lower. Right now the brackets are 5" tall.

Radius rods should be here Monday or Tuesday. They are made by Lahr's Speed and Custom over in Ky. Promised Ron Lahr to give him a shout out about his products, great prices too.

Let me know what you folks think before I start making the shroud for the grille shell. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Larry

Yeah, I agree Larry. Lights a little lower will be good. Mine include the shock mounts, so didn't have much choice, unless I made some other kind of mount. I love that grill shell----------And the arrow is COOOOL. Perley

Thanks Perley,

The shell is two door window frames welded together and bent in an angle. Still have to build the shroud around it .

The arrow is a image of my old unit patch from Nam. There's also a sword that will go in the middle of that when finished. II Field Forces. That the whole theme of this build. A salute to my old unit. B-battery, 5/42 Artty.

Larry

Got a little work done on the grille shell this afternoon. Still need to get the wire mesh for the background and it will be ready for a few coats of primer.

I think it turned out pretty good for a couple of door window frames welded together. Whatcha think??

You already know from my previous post that I'm not a big fan of rack & pinion steering mounted on straight axles, but I gotta say I really like that grille shell. Making that from a couple of window frames is one of the coolest ideas I've seen yet.

Yeah though I am not a big fan of fiberglass, shiney paint or chrome, I kinda like the grille shell too

Have a great day friend