Rat rodded Radio Flyer wagon for my future daughter

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My  fiance and I are having a baby girl this coming February, so what better thing to do then make a hot rod Radio Flyer for her and the dog to cruise around with. Started with an old Radio Flyer Special wagon which I quickly dissassembled made a simple rear drop axle from 3/4" steel tubing and some short pieces of 1/8th inch thick flat stockrear mocked up, nice and low front axle made from 3/4" tubing as well, just angled cuts, welded, and ground smooth front spindles being made chassis bought some threaded clevis's to use as tie rod ends, but they were fine thread and too small, so i drilled and tapped them to 5/16
Reply:front end linkage assembled  basically where i'm at now, everything is mocked up the way i like it.  still need to get some bolts and stuff, and fab up a new pull handle, but i'm really pleased how it's come out so far.
Reply:LOL,awsome, looks like your having fun!!
Reply:Gotta love it, Good job
Reply:Nice job, I love it. I have a couple of old wagons kicking around, I think I will steal your "blue-print". Thanks, my grand-daughter will love it. "SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:Originally Posted by kenklingermanLOL,awsome, looks like your having fun!!
Reply:That thing wouldn't survive 2 min on the sidewalks around here. Every other one is up or down 2-3 inches. That being said, that thing is awesome.  Are you going to have some fenders over the rear wheels??? I can picture arm burns that is why I ask.Come try it out and stay a while.
Reply:First off...........I think you've done a very nice job.Now for my rantAnother piece of American history ruined.  The Radio Flyer earned a special place in the minds of people my age.  I hate to see one chopped up.Same with cars and trucks that get ruined to make idiotic looking vehicles with the tops cut down etc.  My buddy Tubby owns one of the most exceptional junk yards around here.  Complete cars and TRUCKS from the 30's 40's 50's and 60's.  He won't sell to anyone even contemplating cutting down the vehicle.  He sells for full restoration only.It's just my opinion and preferance.  Don't take it personal.  Your daughter will love it, and you'll feel wonderful pulling her around in it."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:i bet  within 5 years that thing has steering wheel, seat, rollcage and lawnmower engine...
Reply:I love it. The other toddlers will just s**t themselves...... literally.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadi bet  within 5 years that thing has steering wheel, seat, rollcage and lawnmower engine...
Reply:I was thinking the front needed to be extended about 2 feet and the rear wheels replaced with wide mower tires. It would look like a top fuel dragster then..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadi bet  within 5 years that thing has steering wheel, seat, rollcage and lawnmower engine...
Reply:Needs a nose on it...My name's not Jim....
Reply:Where did you find the body?!I've given up looking for one. Mines gonna be a roadster unless i stumble on a flyer bodyhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=36367Here learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:Originally Posted by Atomik777Where did you find the body?!I've given up looking for one. Mines gonna be a roadster unless i stumble on a flyer bodyhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=36367
Reply:I like the wagon build. The dragster option is a neat idea                                                                    Greg
Reply:I especially like the custom built adjustable tie-rods. "SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:ya those tie rods are sweet... All i found on ebay is 1 $14 body and shipping is $70. I'm gonna keep my eyes open, thanks.Last edited by Atomik777; 12-21-2009 at 04:09 PM.Here learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammFirst off...........I think you've done a very nice job.Now for my rantAnother piece of American history ruined.  The Radio Flyer earned a special place in the minds of people my age.  I hate to see one chopped up.Same with cars and trucks that get ruined to make idiotic looking vehicles with the tops cut down etc.  My buddy Tubby owns one of the most exceptional junk yards around here.  Complete cars and TRUCKS from the 30's 40's 50's and 60's.  He won't sell to anyone even contemplating cutting down the vehicle.  He sells for full restoration only.It's just my opinion and preferance.  Don't take it personal.  Your daughter will love it, and you'll feel wonderful pulling her around in it.
Reply:Great lookin' wagon...I love rat rods
Reply:If you're from Ilinois you should bring that to the Hunnert car Pile-Up. Great rat rod show.
Reply:Nice job, be interested to the final product.My wife would have never permitted me to chop an old wagon.  Maybe when she sees this she will change her mind.  Never thought those old wagons were that plentifulGeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:Looks sick man.. nice jobAir vantage 500 on the 08' KWharris torchesl25 pro suitcasecomletely restored 1969 SA200 redfaceon my 08' duramaxPIMPN AINT EASY
Reply:Originally Posted by thefluxcorekidI was hesitant about chopping it up, but old Radio Flyers are a dime a dozen around here at flea markets.  I paid 15 bucks for this one.  Brand new steel Radio Flyers are 100 bucks at Wal Mart and Amazon.  Screw that.  They were mass produced and aren't rare.  I love hot rods, customs, chopped tops, everything.  To each their own.   As for fenders, I have some ideas.  I have an rear bicycle fender I might cut up and make some fenders out of.I was thinking side pipes
Reply:That's  got my wheels turning! Nice stance. More pics!Just another clown trying to be cool
Reply:Seat with Mexican blanket, shifter with skull or 8-ball, zoomies, bigger wheels on the rear, wheelie bars, banjo or chain steering wheel  ..... When you go to do the engine (and you will), a Honda clone or Briggs&Stratton will fit in there quite nicely, along with a go-kart rear axle.Great job!  I've been looking for an old wagon to do the same thing to lately ........ Harbor Freight wants $120 for one of their wooden RF wagons with the big wheels and suspension - forget that!
Reply:Update??? More Pics???Thanks
Reply:dude get more pictures up that is awesome
Reply:Originally Posted by thefluxcorekidfront end linkage assembled  basically where i'm at now, everything is mocked up the way i like it.  still need to get some bolts and stuff, and fab up a new pull handle, but i'm really pleased how it's come out so far.
Reply:Finally finished the wagon.  Stuck to a pink and black theme.  Bought some rear wheels from Tractor Supply and painted them pink.  Used some luan plywood, some foam upholstury material and a yard of pink and black polka dot material for the interior.  I think it came out pretty cool.  I wish I knew a pinstriper to do some striping on it.
Reply:I love it very cooooooooooooooool.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I'm not into Rat Rods but I believe I could get into Rat Rod Radio Flyers.  That is awesome!  Nice touch with the rear wheels.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:What if it's a "Son" vs a daughter jus' curious.Keen build well done!Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:That has to be the coolest wagon ever. It turned out awesome. Good job!
Reply:.Rat Rods  dont  have fat tires , fenders or noses...........perfect the way it istoooooo much luv.......................way to go fluxcorekid.        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:Next Rat Rod bar stool?Rat Rod_______________.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I think a rat rod lawn mower would be sweet.... or a rat rod 90cc quad. love the radio flyer, personally not a pink fan, liked prior to the paint, but from a girls perspective that things bitchin lol."...My pappy was a pistol I'm a son of a gun...""...God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy..."
Reply:Oh thanks, my 4 yr old "one a dem" (daughter, dem or them are girls, us are boys) just seen the finished pic and now wants one. That little one a dem can spot anything colored bubblegum from a mile away."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Thanks for the comments guys!   I was really liking the pre-paint look of the wagon, with just the raw steel and old patina'd paint, but it wasn't really girly enough.  My daughter is three months now, i figure at about six or eight months she'll be able to ride in it a little bit.
Reply:Raked, but not channeled.......... still awesome! I will try and post a pic of my M-SeriesRadio Flyer! My youngest would love it, she's a keeper too!OD @ It's Finest,Bruce The Welding ChefLincoln Weld-Pack 3200 NORWELD StickStanford Hill Farm
Reply:I dig the work it took to make it, but I thought you don't paint ratrods?  I can definitely see the radrod styling.
Reply:Originally Posted by ReebsNext Rat Rod bar stool?Rat Rod_______________.
Reply:Looks great, really nice idea.But be sure to keep that diaper clean, so you can pass any emissions test. lol
Reply:I love this thing, great idea, your new daughter will be the badass of the block!
Reply:Yea Bruce what else could go rat rod and look cool.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio