1951 White semi rat

[Hillbilly bling]

Hey ya'll,,, I'm james and this is Hillbilly Bling. It's a working rat, it was purpose built to pull a 24' trailor with my race my truck. The front half of the frame is made of 2"x4" x 1/4" and the back half is 2"x2"x1/4" stacked on top of 2"x3"x1/4".Front and rear axles are from 72 Winnabago motor home (rear Dana 70 with 4.56 gears). SBC (350) bored 30 over, Krowler crank and TRW pistons,and rods. Some head work done. Est. 400 hp. and a 4 speed w/granny and 205 transfer case. The t.case is only to use for 2 low. For backing trailor without slippin the clutch. At 55 mph. my tach is reading 2900 rpms. It pulls like no other truck i've owned!

 

[ratrodgirl]

wow thats sweeet !!! very cool

 

[Hillbilly bling]

Thank you! I'm trying to get some more pics. going here, but i can't upload any more. I'll keep tryin.

 

[ratrodgirl]

cool cant wait to see more defently a cool build !![cl[cl[cl

 

[Hillbilly bling]

Bling wasn't always Bling

This was the easyest chop i've done so far. Not that much poundin and shapin.

 

[Hillbilly bling]

First Mock up!

I built almost a complete frame just to check ride hieght. The mock up frame is 1 1/2"x3" Channel iron. I used a complete motor and tranny and Tcase and cab. Channeled the cab 3" so i would have 1" frame exposed below the cab. Just for protection (curb rash). Checked all clearances, took more measurements, then tore it all apart. Made the 2x4 frame, put all back together,,,,again,,LOL. Fun Huh? I can't get enough of it!!!

 

[Hillbilly bling]

A couple more of the frame, i kinda like the short wheel base but not practical for a tow rig. The piece my son is holdin, i pounded that into shape using the driveway. Mich. has alot of sand. Last is what Hillbilly Bling will tow.

 

[Tim...Ok]

that is very cool..I love it

 

[rex1927]

What a Ride!

Cool Truck!!!!
You are like my late father making that piece in the driveway.He could make amazing things with practically no fancy metal working tools.I sure miss him.
I had a chance to buy a truck like your a few years ago.After seeing how you fixed yours up.It makes me want one even more,Nice Job!!!!!!!!![

 

[Hillbilly bling]

Thanx Tim!! It's been alot of fun buildin. Took it on a fall color tour yesterday, had a good time. Hit the back roads, put it in granny gear and idled along. Looking at the sights. Here's a couple of shots.

 

[Hillbilly bling]

Thanck you Rex,,, Sorry to hear about your pa. Just remember him. Yea i don't have many tools either, i don't even have a garage! I build my stuff under a tarp if i'm lucky. What are you workin on?

 

[LUCKY DEVIL 13]

This has got to be one of the coolest rides I have ever seen!!! You did a killer job on it bro!! [cl [cl [cl [dr [dr [dr

 

[maverickmk]

I like it, very nice.

 

[Bonehead]

Great job. That is the kind of build I like to see.

 

[skull]

cool

very cool truck

thank you doin' a build thread[cl

Later

 

[Oldrodder43]

Man, that is one sweet truck. Awesome! Now you need a sleeper for it! perley

 

[truckster]

This is what keeps me checking RRR everyday. Love to see innovation and creativity like this. Definitely not cookie-cutter, and way cool. thanks for posting up your pictures.

 

[Hillbilly bling]

WOW!!!!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!! I didn't expect any responses like that. Thank you all!! I still have tons of photos of the build. I'll keep em comin. The truck still has a ways to go, just details. A good buddy of mine owns a scrap business and i GIVE him my scrap and he lets me have free rome of his yard!!! It works out for both of us. I've given him 36 cars and trucks over the years so he likes to see me comin!

 

[Hillbilly bling]

Some more pics. of the build. Sorry i didn't get any pics. of the frame in the build stages. The frame is a basic 90 degree angles (2 45s) with gussets. The first shot is the business end. I used two recievers for versitility, i have alot of different trailors. The next pics. are the steering box. What a pain,, tried a few different ways till i found one with NO bump steer. Then the next ones is how i mounted the carrier bearing.

 

[Hillbilly bling]

This is how i ended up mounting the steering gear box. Works great,, NO bump steer at all. I still have to put gussets on the mounting plate.