My first rat build........

I would of been ****ed and boycotted your next build thread ; ) I'm glad. I wanna see You finish this one. My kids are digging it too.

Glad your keeping it. Those internationals are sweet. One day Ill get back on mine and get her on the road

Thought I would post a couple of pics, nothing real exciting but a small step forward! This is the original IH seat, I gutted all the padding and springs down to the bare frame then cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to fit the frame then welded brackets to the frame to bolt the wood on. Added 3" of firm foam and 1" soft foam to the bottom and just the 3" firm to the back then covered it with O.D. green canvas which was once a US military tent.

I originally bought a 32 ford grill for this project but after reading some of the other guys builds I guess that grill is a little over used? So after digging through my pile of grills here's what I come up with, it's a 1927 Chrysler it was pretty rough a couple of bullet hole lots of dents and a pretty good tear where the crank start hole was and all the original chrome was green and peeling off and a lot of heavy pitting! No wonder I got it cheap!! So first off I sand blasted it , beat the bullet holes back together. Then welded the bullet holes shut and welded the tear. I cut out and filled the radiator hole and crank hole and the place where the chrysler emblem was, then a little body work and cut out a screen for it. What do you guys think? 32 ford or 27 chrysler?

Good work on the grill man, i like it... its more unique... but its your build put whichever on you think looks best... as long as you like it who cares if its used alot?

CORPO said:

Good work on the grill man, i like it... its more unique... but its your build put whichever on you think looks best... as long as you like it who cares if its used alot?

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How many of those Ford grilles were on Internationals??? Go with what you like. It's your vision. Post one of the Ford as well.

Thanks for the replies on the grill heres a pic of the two side by side. Which ever one I dont use will more then likely be used on my sons build (41 ford pu) The two grills are comparable in size the 27 chrysler is a little bit wider but about the same height.

I like both of them.
I would have said to use the Chrysler due to it being more unique, but, I really like the shape of the 32.
You may just have to see each one on the truck before making the final call.

Since your son is building a Ford, I vote for keeping the Ford on a Ford. The Harvester is unique, so is the Chrysler. Olus you did all that work to it already.

Corn Binder Chop!!

I love it. Now I am able to show my wife what my '51 will look like chopped. [cl Your cab looks very similar to mine, except I have two rear windows that I think I am going to keep. I might also give it a tilt window instead of trying to afford A/C. I have not finished drooling over your build yet. [dr

Thanks for the replies, I'm just going to get both grills ready then once I have the frame done and the cab on I'll set the grills on one at a time to see which one I like the best. Right now I'm building the tailgate, I'll post a few pics later when its done. I'm just kinda jumping around doing the small stuff that needs done untill I get the frame table from my buddy, he should be done with it in a week or so. Can't wait til the frame is done I keep thinkin its gonna be all down hill from there!

Glad you decided to keep it IR. RR

Got my tailgate built. Don't laugh though, I still have some welding and finish grinding to do on it but you'll get the basic idea!

Oops the pics...

I built the hinges out of 14ga sheet metal, I just beat it into the shape I wanted using various hammers and make shift anvils. The hard part for me was getting 2 the same shape!

I bought some latches but decided i didnt like them, they was too big and bulky so I built my own using 3/4" square tubing and 1/2" rod and 1/8" rod and a couple of springs. Pretty simple design but affective.

Nicely done tailgate hardware ! [cl Handmade stuff like that really makes the build so much more satisfying. Some quicky generic parts just don't work in the real rat world. [P

I think you should make a custom International emblem for the tailgate. I'm in awe. Love the build.

IRON MAIDEN said:

I think you should make a custom International emblem for the tailgate. I'm in awe. Love the build.

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Actually I am, I have it scribed out on the plate and will cut it out with the plasma cutter Thursday or Friday.

zzrodder said:

Nicely done tailgate hardware ! [cl Handmade stuff like that really makes the build so much more satisfying. Some quicky generic parts just don't work in the real rat world. [P

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Thanks! I just love building/ making stuff it doesn't matter to me if I can buy it or not id rather make it myself so it will look the way I want it to.