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

[RATRODKING]

jeff,
i just looked through your entire thread. didnt read it all, but some of it, and looked at all the pics.
awesome job man. you are one heck of a fabricator. i would not change a thing. its perfect.
i love your front airbag/piston bell crank set up. very inventive.
keep the pics coming, and if you ever think about selling, let me know.

and it always amazes me how some of you guys can do all the work you do AND find time to make such an informative thread on the build.

leonard

[Wolfco]

Hey Ratrodking....nice truck!!! i just checked out the photobucket link...man..that is a CLEAN truck!!! the box floor is a work of art.
Wolfco

[Wolfco]

I used the donor fusebox...cut a nice 3x4" hole in the firewall that mates the fuse box (inside) to the chassis plug on the outside. Made a paper template and cut the hole...the fusebox is located just above the tranny hump.

Airbag stuff:
I am using DOT airline, this stuff is tough, wont kink very easily, tough outer sheating. The VALVE asm is a pack of 8 solenoids and is compact vs 8 separate solenoids. (you need 2 valves at each bag. one lets air in, other valve lets air out).

[Wolfco]

another shot of the fusebox mounted, firewall chassis plug will feed the fusebox (from engine) and front wire harness plugs into this too.

I haver a rats nest of wiring from donor ambulance/camper/P.O.S....man that vehicle was a heap....

My friend Adam, electrical engineer at Polaris is helping to wire it....sweet!!
He cut off the main plug into the instrument cluster and marked each wire for usage...using about half of em...

[Wolfco]

WIRING: Here is Adam (AKA Jimmy John) cuz he is so fricken fast at wiring.....cheap too. We are using sealed connectors, crimping on terminals, seals, connectors...all automotive stuff!! man this is a sweet wire harness!

HEADLIGHTS: I am using Victory motorcycle headlights..these housings are retro bullet styling with a modern twist. Twin H11 bulbs...55 watts each i think...the front turn signals are LED light strips..amber color. I can get real HID lighting bulbs and ballasts for this setup...maybe an upgrade this summer.

[Wolfco]

I made some aluminum brackets for the LED front turn signals...to mount just under the headlights using the same bolt as the headlight bucket.

[Wolfco]

I pd 29.00 for this light on ebay...glass lens, it will be my third brake light , mounted a bit higher than the taillights on the box..it is from an old railroad light...about a 4" daimeter glass.
I put a new socket in it....i got the socket from a motorcycle turn signal light.

[Wolfco]

I finished up the dash, drilled the holes for the 2" gauges with a holesaw in the drill press. i used a plasma cutter to cutter the Model a dash to fit everything, and made a glove box area..all of this is in the area of the original model a gas tank, it had already been hacked into...so no harm done.

Jeff

[Wolfco]

I got this compressor for $75....OK, I had 2 gift certificates that me and my brother won at a RockCrawling off road rally...I had best time thru the course, and he had best crowd pleaser (he rolled his Samurai on a STEEP hillclimb due to my poor spotting advice)...anyway..i had no use for the $200 certificates and applied them towards this kickass compressor. I was told it is more air than a Viair 450??whatever that means..It is a PUMA brand...I rubber mounted it in the box of the truck with vibration dampening mounts. It is capable of 190PSI at high volume??CFM? I will use a 90/120PSI cutoff switch i bought on ebay for $4.00.

[Wolfco]

This is the homemade tank using the camper hot water heater i got from my buddy...i cut it in half, rolled the center section...I know why he replaced the heater..there were 25 holes i TIG welded shut from the inside of the shells. I used a gas tank repair sealant called "REDCOAT"...get this from OReilly or Parts City auto parts. or ebay of course.
This stuff is like tranny fluid looking liquid..a bit thicker like syrup. It is MEK based and is potent!! really smells and I'm sure causes health problems if you breathe too much of it...dang it is hard to get good stuff like this and i couldnt believe they are still selling MEK based stuff.. pour it in, slosh it around, roll tank slowly, drain out the rest. Let dry one night and ready for gas. I wanted to make sure all the little pinholes were sealed BEFORE i put fuel in it!

[Wolfco]

A couple pics...got the car on jackstands so i can route air hoses, wiring and general stuff. nice to be able to get under the car.

There is a car show in 2 weeks i signed up for...
WORLD OF WHEELS car show in Mpls MN, about 45 miles away from Osceola WI....we are trailering the "trailer queen" down to the show. I dont want it getting dirty or rusty.!

I gotta get busy...here is what is left:
1 Wiring
2 door hardware
3 air horn
4 dash/guages
5 all fluids, brake/tranny/oil/coolant etc
6 tune up
7 seats
everything i missed and more...you know how it goes. just when you think you are done you are 3 days behind schedule. Glad it is 10 below zero so i can justify this much shop time!

[hotroddaddy]

You can do it! i have faith. It`s looking good.

[Wolfco]

i posted this earlier...but for those who would like to watch a video of the suspension in action.

Since the video was made 2 months ago...i have disassembled the car, welded the frame airtight (it will be the air tank for the airbags) and painted the frame rustoleum "rust red"...made the floors, etc etc...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alyf-tY_oJ0

please post a comment on YOUTUBE if you like it

thanks
JEff

[RATRODKING]

dude, do you ever sleep ? LOL. you just keep going and going....

awesome build, and is one heck of a cool looking rat rod. the best i have seen in a long time.

cant wait to see if finished... and please post a video of it running and driving when you get it done.

leonard

[Wolfco]

Ratrodking....yes...i am putting in a couple hours per night....I think i can be determined....the term is OCD...(obsessive compulsive disorder)....I guess nowadays you can be labeled with a disorder if you have drive and determination and really love your hobby and spend time working on it vs watching tv..!?

OK, just 8 days until the World of WHeels car show in St Paul MN...i confirmed registration so I am "IN".
There is an Ol'Skool Rods section at the show ..sweet.
Last night my friend AdaM s gave me a hand, we changed oil (old stuff was BLACK as heck), added tranny fluid, rear end gear oil, finished door latch rods, lower radiator hose.
Tried to start it!!!! the starter is locked up ....i pressure washed the engine 6 months ago...a bit of rust in starter? It clicks and bendix tries to engage...then nothing. I had a 200 amp charger on the battery .....I may bench test the starter and give it another try this weekend.

Got the front LED turn signals working, and headlights.

Working on wiring...pics coming.