E-Rattus E-Roddus

[rustylocke]

The Basics:
1946 Ford Pickup Cab and Bed
350/350 unknown year
3 Duces
2X4 Frame
'46 Front Axle
S10 Rearend
4" Chop and Channel
Shortend and Narrowed Bed
RK Service Body Tailgate (For Now, Need Original TG)

Well here is a little project I started on. I kind of put the cart before the horse and didn't even have a garage to work in. I bought this project and started working on it parked on the trailer. All in the mean time, building a garage. Pretty crazy. Here are the before pictures:

I have been on a mission to build a "rat rod" that is reliable and safe. The 2nd week I had this I was cruising down one of the main drags in town and hit a pothole. The very next moment, NO STEERING! THe input shaft on the gearbox broke right in half. Luckly I went through the stop sign and ran up in some lady's yard. Went from "Hey look how cool I am, to please just get me out of here." I had just picked up my friend to go for his first cruise. Made it a 100 ft out of his driveway. This scaried the crap out of me because the day before I was going 65 mph. Luckily that day 40mph. So there's my quest. To not put your life in the hands of what someone else has done.

 

[rustylocke]

More of the BEFORE:
As I first got this, I had to make it mine. The first thing to go was the keg for a fuel tank. You can't pull up to church on a Wednesday night sporting that when your dad is the preacher. Beside's, I wanted a bed I could use. In one of the shots, the shock is doing absolutely nothing at that angle. Rode like an iron wheel wagon. You will see later, all of this got fixed. I haven't touched any of the front suspension, yet.

 

[rustylocke]

In the meantime I finally got some cover to work in. The shop is done now. All but the painting of the outside. It's like not having the right tool for the job.

 

[rustylocke]

Continuing on with the improvments:
I need gas so a fuel cell was in order.
I wanted a bed floor so I made some out of shiplap.
I bought a new steering box and made the steering column.
And I did it on the cheap, thanks to this site and some research.

 

[rustylocke]

I don't like yellow. I like black.

 

[rustylocke]

St Patty's Parade got 1st place for Antique Car. I have no idea why. I think it was because I knew the judge and he likes Rat Rods.

 

[38fordtruck]

i like it good work!

i would have left it yellow if it was me i like rust

 

[LUCKY DEVIL 13]

So how did you do the steering column?

 

[ratrodney]

Sweet! I bet people at traffic lights love ya with the open pipes. LOL Kool! RR

 

[radiation man 71]

love that truck

You've inspired me to do this to my truck. Have a 51 F1 with no bed right now and I was first tossin' the idea around after viewing the likes of the infamous punchkin seattle truck. The purists in the family will surely dis the idea but I really like your truck and the possibilities out there. I will try and post sometime where I'm at in my build. I guess I shouldn't have bought those rear fenders now. Do you just get those grilles at swap meets? Anyhoo, I will be checking back later on.

 

[Snake Farm]

Cool ride! [cl[cl

 

[rustylocke]

You've inspired me to do this to my truck. Have a 51 F1 with no bed right now and I was first tossin' the idea around after viewing the likes of the infamous punchkin seattle truck. The purists in the family will surely dis the idea but I really like your truck and the possibilities out there. I will try and post sometime where I'm at in my build. I guess I shouldn't have bought those rear fenders now. Do you just get those grilles at swap meets? Anyhoo, I will be checking back later on.

Cool man. i'm glad I am part of the inspiration. I can't afford a real 32 grill, but my wife bought this one for me on ebay. Don't tell anyone, a ratrod no no, it's fiberglass.

 

[rustylocke]

i like it good work!

i would have left it yellow if it was me i like rust

I really did like the rust at first, but I just couldn't do it. The great thing is. it's rattle can. Next week if I don't like it, I'll take it off. No problem.

 

[rustylocke]

You've inspired me to do this to my truck. Have a 51 F1 with no bed right now and I was first tossin' the idea around after viewing the likes of the infamous punchkin seattle truck. The purists in the family will surely dis the idea but I really like your truck and the possibilities out there. I will try and post sometime where I'm at in my build. I guess I shouldn't have bought those rear fenders now. Do you just get those grilles at swap meets? Anyhoo, I will be checking back later on.

I just realized I don't have pictures of the new grill. THat's the old one. It's a 1930. And its for sell by the way. Let me Know!!

 

[rustylocke]

Sweet! I bet people at traffic lights love ya with the open pipes. LOL Kool! RR

It's not that bad. 4 pair of ebay motorcycle baffles at $7 a pair do the trick for the citizens, me, and the cops!

 

[rustylocke]

Cool ride! [cl[cl

Thanks man. It's a lot of fun

 

[rustylocke]

So how did you do the steering column?

Pipe off an old basketball goal, some bearings, and a shaft. Most expensive part was the universal joint.

 

[chuckles]

Nice truck!!
What steering box? Thanks.

 

[rustylocke]

Nice truck!!
What steering box? Thanks.

At first an aluminum reversed corvair, NOW all steel reversed corvair.

 

[42chevy]

Nice truck!