Rat rod frame suggestions

[QUOTE=luckyfasteddie;369665]

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Originally Posted by tuhll

Thanks. I don't have the tools to cut the steel at home and only have an old stick welder

I can only speak from my experience . we -my son and I -built our rat from scratch . He knew how to weld , first thing we did was buy a chop saw and a welder and all the tools we didn't have . We could not have built the truck with out them . You are constantly cutting tacking recutting and welding . It also helped that a good friend had the following: plasma cutter,lift,shrinker- stretcher, break, and lots of tools . Another friend who is a professional welder. welded the frame and the other critical joints , Building a "rat" is no different than building any other kind of vehicle , everything has too be done correctly or you could be killed when something that was improperly made , fails.It is actually harder than building something with off the shelf parts that you just bolt on . You also have the added factor that it has too look good -not all different make parts look good mixed . If you dom"t have a stash of old parts out back , or the time too hunt down what you need and lots of tools , you could easily drop 10 grand building a safe vehicle . Just something for you to think about . Are you going to the Turkey run next week ,I'm sure there will be a lot of rats there to give you insperation .LFE I will be there call me on my cell 302 535 3046

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Very good post, Eddie!!!! Doesn't really matter if you're building a Rat, Drag Car, or something to go after the Ridler with, proper fabrication and good strong welds are crucial for safety!!!

Thanks Matt and LFE. I have a welder and my son is an excellant welder just doesn't have much time to help me. I would probably buy a spirit frame and have him weld in the crossmembers.
I would love to go to the Turkey run but doubt it. If I can manage to get there I will definately give LFE a call.
I am attaching a couple more pictures of the truck. Let me know what you think. My friend wants $400. for it.

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Originally Posted by tuhll

Thanks Matt and LFE. I have a welder and my son is an excellant welder just doesn't have much time to help me. I would probably buy a spirit frame and have him weld in the crossmembers.
I would love to go to the Turkey run but doubt it. If I can manage to get there I will definately give LFE a call.
I am attaching a couple more pictures of the truck. Let me know what you think. My friend wants $400. for it.

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Yes, worth $400. I've seen the grilles sell for that much.

Also check Chassis Eng for crossmembers, engines mounts and tons of other stuff.

http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/

And give Eddie a call he's knows what he's doing!

Thanks all I'll give him a call.

I mentioned I want to use a straight axle well DUH! there is a straight axle in the truck. Can I use that or is it too heavy being its in a big truck. Can I then change spindles etc. to use the disk brakes off my donor car?:confused:

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Originally Posted by tuhll

Thanks all I'll give him a call.

I mentioned I want to use a straight axle well DUH! there is a straight axle in the truck. Can I use that or is it too heavy being its in a big truck. Can I then change spindles etc. to use the disk brakes off my donor car?:confused:

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I'm not familiar with the axle set up on the big trucks but if it's similar to the car axles you might be able to get a spindle kit from Speedway motors that will accept GM disk rotors.

As far as the Camino as a donor you should be able to use a lot of parts off of it. The rear may be a little wide but with the right offset wheel it should work. You can certainly use the trailing arm coils spring set up.

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Originally Posted by dmw56

I'm not familiar with the axle set up on the big trucks but if it's similar to the car axles you might be able to get a spindle kit from Speedway motors that will accept GM disk rotors.

As far as the Camino as a donor you should be able to use a lot of parts off of it. The rear may be a little wide but with the right offset wheel it should work. You can certainly use the trailing arm coils spring set up.

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Thanks dmw56 and evryone else that has contributed to this thread. You all have been very helpful. :) I'm sure I will have more questions in the near future.
Tom