:: Unique 31' Ford Build ::

Jus Starting my 31' Ford Build....
Should have started this Thread a Couple of Months ago....
But been super busy with my Job & Working in Tha Garage...

Got tha Truck around tha End of October, after trading a Guy straight across for my Last Project...

They already had a good start on tha Truck, by Chopping the Roof 8"
and Sectioning tha Lower Body 4"...
A Tube Chasis was well underway, but still in tha' Raw...

When I got tha Truck, it was in Pieces....
Cab
Bed
Had 16" Chrome Smoothie wheels w/ Denman Whitewall Tires
454 BB
Powerglide
So Cal Front Axle and Disc Brake Kit
Chevy 10 Bolt Rearend
Wishbones
Bomber Seats
Random parts

First thing in order was to drop tha Project off at the Powder Koat shop to have the Frame Sandblasted, so I had a Clean Canvas to work off of...

I was very happy with the work that had been done so far...
I think tha Truck is proportional as far as Chop, Z in tha Frame.... Section... etc.
But I am VERY Happy to start this project in tha stage it was in...It allows me to add my Own Flavor, and Vision it tha Way that I want to see it in the end....

Here are some Pictures of what I had to Start with...

I will post more updates as I build....
along with more threads to bring u all up to date with how I got where I'm at now....

Thanks For your Interest!!
I appreciate everyones Input, and Ideas!! I have SO MUCH to learn ahead of me....
Also.... MUCH THANKS TO a MEMBER Here..... "BoneHead"!! for referring me to this Awesome Site!!

Lets Put Colorado on tha Map My New Found Rat Rodding Buddy!!!

Jus' to keep ya'll interested::

Here are a Few Pics of where I'm at now....

Might I add....

[i am having a blast building this rod!!!![

Some Mock Up' Photos w/ tha Bed On....

Here are some of tha Mock up' Photos that I took, trying to Decide how I liked tha Look...
The Previous Owner had already sectioned a Foot or so out of tha bed...
Was trying to Decide how high I needed to mount it...
Or if I needed to section it more...

?????

In the End I decided I liked tha Looks of tha Truck Without tha Bed. I want tha Truck to be jus a Lil' different then tha rest of em....

My theme I'm going with is kindof a Mix of Different types of Builds:

Hot Rod: Big 22" Bonspeed Wheels out back...20" up front..
Nitto Tires

Rat Rod: Rusty Body, Chopped, Channeled, etc.

Pickup Truck Cab w/ out bed and Rear axle Moved Forward almost gives
it a T-Bucket look...

I'm kinda violating any "Traditional" type of building Rules, By Airbagging it all tha way around...but am doing my Best to keep things Very Clean & Simple!! I don't wanna get carried away with "TOO MANY MODS"
and after all.... I am Building this For Myself, so even know Traditions may not be followed, this in my eyes is tha next generation of Rat Rods... moving forward is never a bad thing....

Drivetrain

As much as I'd Like to Run a Flathead...
I'm jus gonna stick with what I got and Use what came
with tha Project...

a Chevy 454 Big Block
should be more reliable to drive everyday...
parts are easier to find...
I jus don't wanna be stuck somewhere and not be
able to find parts....

Motor Mounts and Tranny Mounts

Here are some Pics of tha Motor Mounts & Tranny Mount....

Chain Driven Steering Box

Some Pics of tha Chain Drive Steering Box...
Cowl Steering..

Old & New Wishbones..

Pics of tha Older Wishbones...
I believe they are off of a 40' Chevy
If you look close you can see how thin and fragile they look...
Not designed to take the whole weight of tha motor and front of tha truck...
I ordered a New set of Wishbones From Speedway...and modified them to act as a Lower mount for the Airbags...
Notice tha Difference in thickness of material on tha New Bones

I kind of like the bed, but it will hide a bunch of the cool suspension parts. But with the bed you have more room for battery, fuel, etc.

I love the over all look of it. It will have that really low and mean look !!

Just not sure on the wheel choice ? but to each their own.[cl

I'm liking it too![dr.....CR

Love them moter mounts .

Nice build but can't say I really care for the rolling stock. [S

Different is good , as long as it is sound engineering . I sell big wheels for a living , so they don't bother me . I love the big block , not so hot on the powerglide , they are great on the drag strip , but they always leave me wanting more . I honestly think it's A1 other than the glide , love the build ! I'm ready to see more [P

Its a great looking truck.. wheels arent my thing.. although they use to be.. but its your truck and build it the way you want it.. and who cares what the traditional guys say.. i look forward to the day when i roll up next to some traditional guys at a show..! How tall are those rear tires.. just out of curiosity?

I feel like i have seen this truck, by any chance did u buy it off a dude over at KB.. who has a wild looking datson truck with the suspension components in the cab??

I'm liking it without the bed and I like the wheels too. If you can, mock it up so the tailgate is an inch away from your rear axle. The bed might work if it is so short the wheels still stick back past it. Then you'd have a little room to hide stuff too. After you get the rear frame built, you may not like the no-bed look as much...

Very cool looking truck, I actually like those wheels with it, thinking if you do the engine kinda fancy looking to go with the wheels, to contrast with the rat body, that would be cool and different. Its good to see something more unique,definetly like the whole thing.

Wheel Choice

Well.... I knew I would hit a Speed Bump with tha Wheel Choice, and having tha idea appeal to everyone else...
Just to clear things up.... I did not just go buy those wheels for this Project....
I actually pulled them off of my Back Burner Project...
I ordered them about 5 or 6 yrs ago... for my 67' Chevy Pickup that I have yet to Finish.... **God Bless**
At tha time that I ordered them Bonspeed was jus' getting started... and I was Stoked to own an "Original" set of Wheels.... but due to my slow progress on tha Truck.... I've seen them popping up here and There...
So..... I thought what tha H**L..... I'll pull em' off and use em' for tha Rat Project.... and Order me another new set for tha 67' sometime this Summer....

Something else that I plan on doing before tha' Build is done.... is to have tha Wheels PowderKoated a transparent Candy Copper color.... that way they aren't SO "BLINGY".... haha

with tha Powderkoat I believe they will fit tha truck better...
I'm gonna go with a Copper/Brass theme throughout the truck....
Plan on doing Copper Hard Lines for tha air Lines.... brass fittings...
and maybe some Copper accessories riveted to tha Body here & there...

Still haven't decided if I like tha color of tha Motor & Tranny...
Either gonna go all Copper there too... Or a Shiny Jet Black, all Murdered out look for tha Drivetrain...

I will update you guys with more pics later today....
show some more of tha Progress, i'm just not at home right now...
don't have tha Pics on this Computer...

Bonehead said:

I kind of like the bed, but it will hide a bunch of the cool suspension parts. But with the bed you have more room for battery, fuel, etc.

Click to expand...

I like tha Bed too Bonehead!!
Looks sharp... but I'm stoked to show off that Watt's Link....
want people to see it working while they are driving behind me...

Kinda wish there was a way... I could still incorporate that Ol' Vintage Tailgate in there too....
Guess I can't have my cake and Eat it too....lol

whytesmoke said:

Love them moter mounts .

Click to expand...

Tha Credit for those Laser Cut Motor Mounts goes to tha 1st owner:
Jeff... Owner of Devious Customs Oroville, CA

He did a Great Job on them.... Jus need a Lil' more beefing up, and they're good to go!!