Thread: Decision time! Rat from 1950 f1 pickup?

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Originally Posted by hoof

I have the opportunity to get a 1950 f1 pickup chassis and cab for a good price. The two have been seperated for another project that never happened. I want to use the cab and suspension on a custom frame with hopefully a flathead v8 motor. No hood, no fenders, and maybe just bed siderails, maybe not? I have seen several rods built like this and they seem as "simple" as you can get. This would be my first custom build. I would buy the frame, not try to fab it myself, but I would like to do everything else.

On the plus side I have access to a 110volt 20amp mig, a decent air compressor and I have a lift (actually an old alignment rack) in my garage. I have restored antique tractors in the past, and I put a new motor in my Mustang two winters ago.

On the negative side I have little welding experience, and certainly not an unlimited supply of money.

Does this sound like too ambitious of a project?
Can anyone give me some links to blogs from others who have done the same thing? (I did a search and found a few)

Thanks,
CHAZ

I've been known in past posts to look at the bottle half empty sometimes when a beginning rodder is thinking about tackling a project like this. Maybe I am too much of a realist , or maybe I have just made too many costly mistakes like these along the road myself. I don't mean to be negative, but if someone asks a question, I feel obligated to give all sides of the picture if possible.

Let's look at your build: You are right about this sort of body having the ability to make an inexpensive, basic rod. Nice part about them is that they are pretty self-contained, i.e: once you bolt the body on the frame you are pretty far along in the construction bodywork-wise. As for the frame, this is where it becomes a little problematic. No off the rack frame exists that is going to be a good fit for his body to turn it into the rat rod appearing car you want. T bucket frames are really narrow, and short, and besides, you want this baby low, so that dictates at least a rear kickup and probably also one in the front. This spells custom frame. 2 x 4 tubing would be the most proportionally pleasing, but to fab one up takes a fair amount of skill and equipment, especially to do it right.

You mention having some tools, but that 110 volt mig will never cut it for tubing. For bodywork, yes, not for thick stuff. So you need at least a 220 volt arc welder or 220 volt mig to weld it up. You are like me in the respect that our welding skills are limited. I always tacked stuff with my 220 volt 180 amp lincoln welder then took it to a real shop to have it finished properly. Luckily now my Kid has become a good welder and has good equipment, so I don't have to travel very far.

I really feel bad when I post an answer like this, because who am I to dampen someone's dream and enthusiasm. Maybe I am all wet, and it can be done. But I have seen so many novice builders either get half way done and get so frustrated they give up, or they build something that is not safe and roadworthy. Learning the skills to actually take a car from the drawing board stage to final completion takes years and many mistakes along the road. That is why we always suggest that someone start out with someone elses almost completed project (assuming it was done well) or with a car that is in need of only personal touches. Learn from that car and go on step by step until you can afford and know the things you need to tackle a project like this.

I'm 61, and have built and rebuilt more cars in my life than I can remember, but I am still learning new and better ways to do things. I see some of the things others on here have done and know, and am in awe. Someone mentioned on here that the shows like American Chopper have left many beginning builders with the impression a total build up is pretty easy, and it isn't. You have to be part engineer, part scientist, problem solver, financier, mechanic, electrician, upholsterer, etc.

How about buying a partially finished similar car on ebay or elsewhere? You would be driving years sooner than you would going this route, and probably save a ton of money in the long run.

Ok, that is my dose of reality. Hopefully, someone else on here will have another perspective and solution to your questions, and you will be able to make a good decision from all that input.

Good luck and keep us posted.


Don


PS: I mentioned in the Project $3K T bucket posts that my kid convinced me not to use the T bucket frame I bought with the body on ebay. He didn't like the welds. So we built a new frame. Last week he cut up the old frame to scrap it, and he was right, now that we can look into the tubing. The welds the other guy did do not even penetrate all the way through, and are just surface welds. This thing would have broken for sure. I'm glad I listened to his advice.