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

[Wolfco]

I found a radiator on Craigslist, paid too much at $50 but i needed it to continue...i needed to know the size and shape so i could make the frame. The ford F150 Radiator fits perfectly into the Model A grill shell...just trim off the radiator brackets (on the side) a bit and it fits really nice. After mocking things up, i decided to remove the mechanical fan, and will use electric. The mechanical fan will contact the radiator hoses and wont work for my application.

[Wolfco]

I bought 4 airbags from Ebay. I dont know anything about airbags but i think i can figure it out. 2 Bags are 2500# and 2 are 2600# bags...i think that is max rating at max 500psi pressure...I will be running 100 psi, more if i need to.

Collapsed these bags are 2.75 front bags and 3.0" for the rear. WIth 100psi the bags supposed lift to 9" and 10" respectively. I think that is correct... i will double check prior to making parts to mount them.

The rear bags will lift directly on the rear axle. The front will use a "lever" arm and the bags will be mounted just behind the radiator. This will "hide" the bags inside the frame area, and the lever will allow me to get more lift that the bag would normally allow (mechanical advantage)..... I dont want to need to "top out" the airbag and run at max pressure....i would like to run the bags at around 75% lift for a good ride.

[ScooterCO]

NICE! Very Cool!
Oh yea, "Sick"

[maddddog]

You, my friend, are a madman!!
You started this thread on 6/18 and now its 10/7, WOW!
I watched your video of the air bags. Very cool.
I especially like the way you did the front end.

You are an inspiration!!, but hurry up, would you?

[Sniper]

Pretty cool concept, I like the way the shocks are intergrated with the rockershaft. That took some thought. Well done. BTW, the video shows it off quite well. Sniper

[Wolfco]

thanks for the generous comments. It gives me more reason to work on the car!
The plan is to have the frame as the airtank. this will probably be in the area of 3-4 gallons of air at 100psi. I plan to run 4 bags -each on 2 solenoids, I bought a 8 valve manifold on E bay for $130 bucks. I will have 2 guages, each with 2 needles. There will be a rocker switch for each bag, and a toggle switch to flip if i just want to drop the rear end and drag the frame and throw sparks. I plan on having a 1/2" steel pad to drag on, vs grinding through the frame itself. The rocker bellcrank suspension works great, as well as the rear suspension...i am working on the floor now and will keep the pics coming.

Jeff

[Wolfco]

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

This is a video of the airbags in operation, it is a 2nd video done with a better camera.....the airlines are still the small 1/8" so it is a bit slow on the up/down-this will greatly improve with the 3/8" DOT approved airbag lines ...still in chop/cobble/tack weld phase....give me some time, i only have about 6 months into this project.


WCCS (wolf custom chop shop)

[oldrodder43]

Awesome! Great work. She truly is a ground hugger/kisser! Perley

[Wolfco]

Here is the latest update on cost. I am missing a few things but i plan to go part by part on the car and make sure i am documenting everything. I have a folder with all the reciepts so this is pretty much the list right now. This doesnt include the expendable items like welding wire or argon gas, grinding wheels etc.... just the parts.

cost Description
630 $630.00 1930s Box and Cab E Bay
50 $50.00 radiator grill shell E Bay
110 $110.00 350 engine/trans (300-190 for scrap) Craigslist want ad
50 $50.00 2 front tires and wheels Swap meet
100 $100.00 front axle Craigslist want ad
7 $7.00 steering arm-chrome Swap meet
-120.4 $(120.00) Scrap Ford F150-bought for rear end Craigslist want ad
165 $165.00 airbags Ebay
9 $9.00 airhorn ebay
50 $50.00 radiator Craigslist want ad
0 $20.00 brake master cylinder Craigslist want ad
0 brake lines
220 $220.00 Rear -15" cheeter slicks Swap meet
125 $125.00 front brakes Ford F100 drums, hubs Craigslist want ad
20 $20.00 heim joints-front wishbones speedway motors
148 $148.00 Frame steel Winnick Steel
39.99 $39.99 Kinpgin bushing kit speedway motors
100 $100.00 Ford 9" rear end Kirk-friend
39.99 $39.99 bearing kit, F100 to Ford spindle speedway motors
0 seats-Free Polaris RZR buckets
0 driveshaft-from donor ambulance, shorted with new u-joints
30 Victory motorcycle headlights- from work auction
29.01 tail lights-ebay center STOP light from Rail road
12.18 $12.18 Red paint/primer for wheels 2 cans ACE Ace
3 $3.00 tire patch-removed a plug TMS
20 $20.00 2 tie rod ends speedway motors
30 B&M shifter and cable found at Snwomobile swap meet
3.69 brake cable for automatic drum adjust
13.06 nuts and bolts from Ace Hardware
38.49 2 new u joints for rear driveshaft
50.62 Monroe sensa track shocks for front end
227.97 Airbag manifold block with 8 solenoids
34.99 Airbag dual guages (2 gauges) with 4 switches
27.99 Airbag airline 25 ft of 3/8" DOT approved hose
11.9 airbag push fittings, 10 pcs
19.99 Speedway spring shackle kit
5.99 Speedway 5/8" steering heim joint
37.9 Procomp electric fan from E bay includes shipping of 11 bucks
13.49 more nuts and bolts from Ace Hardware
6.51 more nuts and bolts from Ace Hardware
4.99 seal for steering box reversal
2.9 more nuts and bolts from Ace Hardware
40 MAS Racing brake pedal and bracket
40 floor steel from Work. 50 cents per pound
23



2471.25

[stovens]

Doin very well!

[_juice_]

thats awesome man! great to see a fellow ebayer/craigslister/junkyarder ! anything i need, those are the first 3 places i go! keep up the good work, cant wait to see it finished

[DougWertz]

Very nice build. The piston airbag top hats are nice along with the con-rod mounts!

[Wolfco]

I needed to move the lower radiator fitting ...current location would run the hose into the airbag....
I used a propane torch to remove the fitting, and then hammered it to fit the radiator so the gaps are small ...(like solder sweating copper pipe)..I cleaned it REALLY good and used plenty of flux....then soldered the fitting into the MIDDLE of the radiator. it worked great. I just found an old radiator in a friends scrap pile that i cut a piece of brass for a patch for the old location.

The lower hose will now run directly between the airbags and into the water pump.

Jeff

[Wolfco]

Instead of the typical Beer keg fuel tank, i am probably going to use this old Camper water heater tank. If i split the tank and widen it by around 20-24+ it will look pretty cool. I used a jigsaw and sawzall to cut the outer shell, then a handsaw to cut the inner 3" aluminum tubing....I love using wood tools on aluminum!!

I will post the progress later, but i think these parts will make nice tank ends. I can cut/roll/weld the center section to make this about a 12 gallon tank.

[Wolfco]

I used 1x1" square tubing for the floor support and structure. 16 ga sheet metal for the floor surface. The typical Rat Rodder likes to see/feel/and smell the tranny. (i dont get it?!) ....i am going to make a tunnel also to cover the transmission. The tunnel will be removeable (bolt in!!) so it will please the rat rodder or hot rodder at time of sale (if i ever sell it)..

The sheet metal was welded onto the 1" square frame. I made cardboard template first, then transferred onto the sheetmetal. This is like doing a linoleum floor and works GREAT. cardboard is easier to cut and prototype , then transfer to steel.

The center sheetmetal that is under the seats is welded UNDERNEATH the frame work to give an additional 1" of headroom for the driver and seat. REmember-this was a 5" CHOP.