Rat Rod possibly?

admin

So after starting on the Rocket stove for the shop to keep warm. I thought why not just Build a Rat Rod since im on Christmas break. So what im thinking is building a frame from some rectangler Tubing and I was thinking about using 11g or 3/16 tubing for it.. What do you guys think would be a good thickness?  Ill be using a 350 V8 small block for the motor. I found a 1930's Chevy coupe at my buddys salvage yard ill be using. For the suspension I was thinking Air bags. What would be a better ride? For the axle still debating on what to do. Any suggestions. Thanks!   The picture is what im kind of wanting it to look like Attached ImagesLincoln 140 Pak MIG Everlast powerarc 140 STLincoln Tombstone
Reply:Originally Posted by rockcrawler97So after starting on the Rocket stove for the shop to keep warm. I thought why not just Build a Rat Rod since im on Christmas break. So what im thinking is building a frame from some rectangler Tubing and I was thinking about using 11g or 3/16 tubing for it.. What do you guys think would be a good thickness?  Ill be using a 350 V8 small block for the motor. I found a 1930's Chevy coupe at my buddys salvage yard ill be using. For the suspension I was thinking Air bags. What would be a better ride? For the axle still debating on what to do. Any suggestions. Thanks!   The picture is what im kind of wanting it to look like
Reply:Is the car in the pic the one your gona rat out? Looks like a big block in there. That thing is way chopped!i think 4 link and a cross bar! Or a wats bar
Reply:find a set of old steel street lamp posts for a frame.... that is my plan....TOOLS AND TOYSSMAW Mid States Inc. "MISSING LINK" 10-150 AMP Buzzer circa 1945ishSMAW Magic Wand 40-60 AMP Suitcase Buzzer circa 1939ishGMAW Hobart 210 IronmanOxy-Propane TorchMany other old and cold goodies"Rusty but Trusty"
Reply:That rod is cool but the Ford cab and chassis in the background has my attention.
Reply:I personally would use the 11GA. and just add extra material wear required to add strength. You would need a lot less HP if you keep the weight down. A well thought out and designed light weight frame is a better way to go than just adding steel to compensate for a poor design. I like to project idea, could be fun.just my 2 cents Good luckEsab 253 mig welderHobart 210 mvp w/ C25 gasmiller 225 a/c stick welderO/A torchHF 40 amp plasma cutter
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313Is the car in the pic the one your gona rat out? Looks like a big block in there. That thing is way chopped!i think 4 link and a cross bar! Or a wats bar
Reply:But my question is how would I mount the body to the frame would I build brackets or would I just weld it to the frame?Lincoln 140 Pak MIG Everlast powerarc 140 STLincoln Tombstone
Reply:Do not weld the body to the frame.  You need to build brackets  and bolt it to the frame.  Do a little research and see how pickups are done.
Reply:My neighbor did that to his 64 nova put his own frame rails on it. But his 383 made 450 motor hp. Didn't these old cars have full frames or you only getting the body?how much horsepower you making?that will dictate how thick you need to go. Those are pretty small cars any way and its all low center of Gravity weight so I don't think 70 extra pounds will hurt if you go 3/16. If you drop 100 pounds of a 3000 pound car it will reduce 1/10 of a sec in the quater mile.
Reply:I would go 2x3 tubing,x.125 . Not much need to go larger/thicker once cross member's and brackets are added.
Reply:Originally Posted by motolife313My neighbor did that to his 64 nova put his own frame rails on it. But his 383 made 450 motor hp. Didn't these old cars have full frames or you only getting the body?how much horsepower you making?that will dictate how thick you need to go. Those are pretty small cars any way and its all low center of Gravity weight so I don't think 70 extra pounds will hurt if you go 3/16. If you drop 100 pounds of a 3000 pound car it will reduce 1/10 of a sec in the quater mile.