Rat Wagon - Radio Flyer

[bill-der]

I never got a rat build on here, but I did start this:

Trying to get a hold of some connecting rods to attach the rear axle as trailing arms, and an old piston to use as my rear "diff".

Would be really cool to throw some bearings on the rear camshaft axle and hook up the old oil pump shaft to a motor

Used a camshaft off an old project

Built a new frame out of 3/4 square tube and flipped the front stock axle/steering unit upside down to drop it, and z;d the front of the frame... Rear will either be z'd or hooked up with old connecting rods if I can get my hands on some and figure out the mounts, thinking I can cut up some hockey puks to make bushings to clamp in the rod around the cam bosses?

 

[goose-em]

That thing is looking pretty cool. Keep it up!

 

[busch]

bill-der great job on the rat wagon low an slow

 

[hotwheels]

very kewl........

 

[Bobt]

koool [ using camshaft axel great idea!! looking forward to progress postings, keep up the good work[P

 

[Rat_Rods_Forever]

great job, looks cool with the cam shaft. [

 

[Charley Davidson]

Very sweeeeeet!!!!!!! I'm not much for stealing ideas but if you don't mind I'd like to borrow some of yours as I have a wagon sitting here waiting to be modded for my grandson.

 

[mitchs66]

Very cool, my Natalie would love it. [cl

 

[bill-der]

Very sweeeeeet!!!!!!! I'm not much for stealing ideas but if you don't mind I'd like to borrow some of yours as I have a wagon sitting here waiting to be modded for my grandson.

I am pretty sure I stole everything I did from this site or from a link from this site in some shape or form, so pass it on just don't tell the old dude who gave me that wagon for free what I did to it, haha... I hope his kids (now in their 20's) don't come back asking for it


Thanks for all the comments!

 

[bill-der]

Making progress slowly... Trying to figure out how to mount the rear axle, but trying to use an old flat rubber bungee cord as an isolator around the cam journals and using the rods as my trailing arms, and the old piston top as my "pumpkin".

I also don't like how the front end is so long, so I might try to build an axle with steering knuckles so the axle can be brought closer to the body without rubbing when I turn. If not, I am going to use diamond plate to cover the "pinch zones" between the front frame rails

 

[hotwheels]

that looks awesome.......

 

[RPM]

Here is one I am finishing up on for my grandson. he will be 1 year old next Tuesday. I have to add a go kart bucket seat and a Simpson 5 point harness. Has regular car type steering on it an ball bearing wheel hubs.

 

[bill-der]

Nice RPM.... Do you have a front view of the steering setup?

I eventually want to build a scale drilled I-beam or at least something with knuckles so I can pull my front acle closer to the body, but I am barely finding the time to get this part done without that.

 

[RPM]

Here is the steering during mock up before powder coating.

And then here it is finished.

 

[ace]

Both are some cool wagons!!!

 

[clamor]

RPM (or anyone else), I'm going to be starting on my wagon/cart this spring or summer.
Can you provide any measurements, drawings, angles etc on the steering?
That's one of the things I hadn't decided if I'd fab or purchase.

Thanks,
Chaz

 

[RPM]

There are no blueprints for it. Just bought an old radio flyer wagon. Some used go kart wheels and tires. A hew set of ball bearing hubs and a new set of spindles. You can get that stuff on Ebay. Just lay it out on the bench or floor and just make it all fit. One thing I did wrong was I put too much castor in the front axle. I put it on 5 degrees and 1 would have been plenty. With 5 degrees it will pick one of the front tires up off the pavement in a tight turn.

 

[clamor]

It's the front end that I'm concerned about.
I'm going to be using 2 wagons and a 70cc Honda engine.
It'll be a 2 seater that will fit my 6'2" tall (not to mention wide) butt.
How many degrees of caster & if I were to purchase knuckles where should I look?
-Chaz

 

[bill-der]

DONE

The one in the foreground

 

[Stretch's56]

Turned out great !!!!! Gave me some ideas for one i've had in the shed.