Thread: 16 and starting a ratrod project

Tweet

Hey every one. Im starting a Ratrod/Hotrod project, I have a 65 ford F-250 with a 352 im rebuilding. I have no clue where to start on the body.... you know how to design it haha. So any one who has a truck there working on post some pics please or just comment some ideas, because I dont know where to start. I need some ideas.

Start by getting your engine the way you want it; that'll give you some good experience and time to think about the rest of the project.

Originally Posted by falconvan

Start by getting your engine the way you want it; that'll give you some good experience and time to think about the rest of the project.

Thanks my dad and I are talking about the engine right now and what we want to do to it. By the way what do you think is the best inexpensive wire feed welder to buy for this project?


ELVIRArat

I bought a Clarke about six years ago and it's still going strong. I've use it quite a bit; probably every weekend.

Thanks a bunch. By the way what are you working on?

48 Plymouth coupe and a 72 AM General ice cream truck.

If that's your Slick in your avatar it's already way too nice to be a rat rod, maybe set it on fire and put it out with a logging chain? Haha.

Originally Posted by R Pope

If that's your Slick in your avatar it's already way too nice to be a rat rod, maybe set it on fire and put it out with a logging chain? Haha.

Well me and my dad decided a work truck that gets 9 mpg was not worth it. so were going to try for 4 mpg and make it look like a heap.

Originally Posted by ELVIRArat

Well me and my dad decided a work truck that gets 9 mpg was not worth it. so were going to try for 4 mpg and make it look like a heap.

and that would be an improvement????? I guess if a rat is what you really want, that's fine..... but are you building a rat because it's what you want, or because that seems to be what's in fashion at the moment?????

Takes a lot of time and money to do a build, even a rat..... Always best to have a complete plan in mind before you start rather then just throwing various leftovers at it that may or may not work well together.....

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

and that would be an improvement????? I guess if a rat is what you really want, that's fine..... but are you building a rat because it's what you want, or because that seems to be what's in fashion at the moment?????

Takes a lot of time and money to do a build, even a rat..... Always best to have a complete plan in mind before you start rather then just throwing various leftovers at it that may or may not work well together.....

Hmmmmm your very right dave. I see what you mean. Before throwing a hole bunch of money into it, make sure ill love it when its done. Ill just start with rebuilding the engine. Get it back in the truck and go from there. Ill have a sit down with my dad and try and figure out a plan. Thanks alot Dave. Good advice is all ways welcome haha

You're most certainly welcome, and the better the planning, the better the finished product... Any project will benefit from this same thing, determine a central theme for the project, then carefully pick and choose components and mods that compliment this central theme....

Or, as the old saying goes, Plan your work, Work you plan!!!!

by rat, do you mean hack it up or maybe just lower it, wheels and a satin black paint job? truck looks like a nice start from here. be careful not to confuse budget build and "rat". like has been said previously build what you like, how you like. least you arn't building a civic!! good luck and welcome aboard

Originally Posted by tudorkeith

by rat, do you mean hack it up or maybe just lower it, wheels and a satin black paint job? truck looks like a nice start from here. be careful not to confuse budget build and "rat". like has been said previously build what you like, how you like. least you arn't building a civic!! good luck and welcome aboard

My plan so far is to get the engine back in the truck, chop up the fenders a little and run the exhaust out the side. Build a cool little flatbed that exposes the tires with some back off mud flaps. My theme that I like the most so far is Ratrodded flatbed farm truck. Im kinda leaning towards the tractor grilli to haha

I agree with Dave's comments above: formulate a plan for what you want to do, where you want the project to go, how much time/money you expect to invest, what your "phase II" plans on for future development, etc. This will help you stay focused and on track as the project goes along.

As for your design ideas and getting the engine going, that sounds like a good place to start to me. Keep us updated and show us pictures as you make progress. If you're gonna build it, don't be shy about showing it off!!

Ya im going to have to do what you all are saying. How I want it to look is still undecided. Its going to take a lot of thinking and planing to get this project how I want her.
Thanks again all