Thread: You all are slacking

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Come on guys and gals, we need some Rat Rod builds, info, pics or whatever. I like paint myself, but some of these builds on here are really nice, like the 35 international. Some really good engineering, and ideas on here.

only recently have i begun to like rust .. iv`e seen this thing around town a few times and had always thought it a stude baker of some sort but it is a ford ..

it has some reinforced welding around the bed and some sort of signs on the doors but the owner does not know any history of it ..

Originally Posted by vht

Come on guys and gals, we need some Rat Rod builds, info, pics or whatever. I like paint myself, but some of these builds on here are really nice, like the 35 international. Some really good engineering, and ideas on here.

The problem for me is that the term "Rat Rod" has been bastardized by those who think that anything goes, regardless of fit, function or safety. Too many are built purely for shock value, or to get laughs, and while unsafe they are still driven around shows just to draw attention. I have no use for the toilet seat interiors, crap hanging all over cause it can, and no attention to good build practices. If by Rat Rod you mean a truck like Hoss429 posted, where it's built right, reliable power train, reliable and well engineered chassis, but leaving the patina of age I would never put the "Rat Rod" name on it. Just my $0.02.

you`re right randy .. it did`nt occur to me when i posted the truck that it is not what i`d call a "rat rod " .. that truck has a modern running gear and is very dependable and safely built .. this beast also at the same show had some scary redneck engineering on it that would make me not sure if i wanted to drive it ..

Altho there are lots of vehicles out there called rat rods---some are way above board on design/engineering/etc, but there are also many that are so terribly put together that I don't even want to be in the same town with because they are a danger to people and animals--stuck throttles, ecky brake systems, steering--etc.etc---shouldn't even be on the public roads/streets as they are an extreme danger to mankind!!!!!!!!!

In that first photo Hoss, at first glance I thought the sign on the door was the camel logo of McClean trucking from Staunton, but the more I looked the more I thought...nah.

In the second, of the ratchet rod, it's hard to see how the spring is connected to the front axle; is it somehow connected to the box section that appears to be welded to the axle?

I'm almost sorry that I posted my thoughts on the term "Rat Rod". To be crystal clear, for me the '35 International that Kamikaze124 posted some time back,

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is a great little truck that has a fantastic stance, and an overall great look. It shows innovation, and a good eye for making things that came from different sources fit together right as a complete truck. In my mind, the fact that Kamikaze has chosen to not paint the truck is moot, and if that's what makes it a "Rat Rod" then it's just a name. That said, it's hard for me to get my head around throwing a nicely built car or truck into a group with the trashy stuff that we've accepted with, "Oh, it's OK because it's a Rat Rod!" Case in point, this little truck runs around our region, hitting most of the big shows and it's an awesome truck.

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Now if we take this little truck down to Shine and ask him to media blast it, taking most everything down to bare metal, pull all of the interior materials out, and then accelerate the "aging" with select chemicals to give it a rusty patina is it then a Rat Rod? To me the answer is"No", and that may be my problem.

In my mind the term was coined to put a moniker on the car that was a work in progress, being built on a budget, but being done right - improve the chassis & running gear to get the "stance" just right; new wheels & tires, or perhaps just new tires on old wheels; upgraded brakes; improved driveline; etc. Basically a finished car awaiting paint and interior, and the "wait" might be infinite. Once a guy started driving it, he just never stopped to blow it apart for paint, and the Indian blanket on the seats seemed to "fit". Somehow we got from that the "unfinished hot rod" to the point of accepting anything with wheels and a bunch of rusty crap tied together with baling wire as "Oh, it's OK because he calls it a Rat Rod" and I've come to really dislike the term because of that.

Sorry for the rant. VHT, I hope that you find the inspiration that you're seeking and get started on your project at your own pace. You mentioned at the start "...lots of good engineering here..." so it sounds like you like the "patina" as opposed to the shock & awe. Kamikaze124, I'd love to see more of your awesome '35 International. It looks great, painted or not. Call 'em what you want, to me they're hot rods. Just know that if you start building your steering components out of old manure spreader parts held together with baling wire, it'll probably raise a comment or two.

when we were young there was very little to choose from. you fought ants and hornets in the wrecking yard for your parts but we cleaned and painted everything. many of our cars had salvageable paint on them. if not we sanded and primed it . i learned to paint because i could not afford to pay for it and refused to "earl it ". i'll drive one in primer before i turn it over to some cheapo paint shop .
now to rat rods. imho they are junk. built to look like junk with junk .
but dont confuse a hotrod in patina for a rat rod. no comparison . kamikazie's truck is cool. he chose not to paint it. his call . my problem is with these young rockabilly wannab's telling me how it was done in the old days . stfu i was there. i refuse to go to any show such as the " no billet " shows or shows that crowd have a large attendance. this is why i do not go to the round up in austin . in all my 50 years involved with hotrods i know of no one who would pass up a piece of chrome .

Well stated Shine!!!!


A lot of you know of my past--and its definitely slowing me down on projects that I have----------the cost of painting materials is more that cost of complete projects years ago.


I had plnned to build me a hemi car and a matching flathead car, but now am planning to build one car and just switch the engines back and forth-saves a lot of $$$$$$$$on paint and upholstery--------and I'm good at quick engine changes!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by johnboy

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In the second, of the ratchet rod, it's hard to see how the spring is connected to the front axle; is it somehow connected to the box section that appears to be welded to the axle?

when i see it again i will get more pictures .. the steering setup is scary ..

my final build will be a street freak 66/67 nova . bbc 4 speed. was my all time favorite car . much like this one .

Originally Posted by shine

my final build will be a street freak 66/67 nova . bbc 4 speed. was my all time favorite car . much like this one .

Always liked the 66/67 Nova's! I'd love to have one like that, but would probably opt for a ProCharger or Kenne Belle to fit under the hood and keep people wondering... Very cool little street machine.

Nice chevy there Shine!

mine was marina blue with black interior. was an ss clone . doubt i'll have the dollars for a blower motor but i do have a polished tunnel ram .