Building a Rat-Rod

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Starting off by boxing the frame on this 33 roadster and welding in Engine, trans mounts and X supports. Any tips would be helpful. I do not have a frame jig so I welded in temporary angle iron to keep it from warping. I have been tacking everything, and running short 3 inch beads while moving around to keep the heat down. so far it is still straight and I aim to keep it there. I got a lot of work ahead of me and hopefully will be driving in a year or so. Attached Images
Reply:Looks like an interesting build. Hope to see more.
Reply:I really hope you don't build a "ratrod" out of what looks to be a nice start. Search the HAMB for some inspiration...traditional rods are soooo much cooler.
Reply:Should make a nice looking rat when your finished!  When I boxed the rear of mine, I leveled from side to side, too much heat is not good, but looks like you have that under control.  Looking forward to your updates.
Reply:Originally Posted by StoppedDownI really hope you don't build a "ratrod" out of what looks to be a nice start.
Reply:Not every rat rod has rust holes and whatnot.
Reply:Majority do, and brag on the fact they do. Maybe you really mean traditional hot rod? I hope the build goes well and you don't just throw something together. Sorry if I sound rude...I just hate "rat rods" when a nice car isn't much more difficult to build.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:[QUOTE=StoppedDown;4136981]Majority do, and brag on the fact they do. Maybe you really mean traditional hot rod? I hope the build goes well and you don't just throw something together. Sorry if I sound rude...I just hate "rat rods" when a nice car isn't much more difficult to build.I'd like to see your poll on "Majority do, and brag on the fact they do."  Your judging of others vehicles sounds like you might be H.A.M.B. member?
Reply:Every single person I've met that calls their car a rat rod lives the fact it is rusted and piece milled together with random tractor parts that don't fit. I've been around plenty of cars to make the assumption that most "rat rods" are half built cars that will end up junked. Your car is clean and the work looks well done. Why associate your build with a sub par quality genre?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianCNot every rat rod has rust holes and whatnot.
Reply:That is no 33... that's a 28-29 Model A cowl and back half with some bull**** welded in between.That is not a roadster cowl either.Last edited by Antibling; 05-04-2014 at 12:59 PM.
Reply:Then maybe I stand corrected as well lolSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Well not being active in the "sport", I was certainly mistaken on the origins and true definition.  Close - but not quite on the mark.Just goes to show . . . 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:StoppedDown,I will admit there is a lot of questionability as to whether some of these rat rods can actually be driven  (or should be with lack of safety built in to them),but not all. I built mine, not from the ground up. It was purchased as a 'runner' and not a good/safe one at that. I'd like to think it is safe now with new suspension , brakes and steering and belts.
Reply:just be careful when you get done there is two guys running around in a primer grey 55 with a real loopy girl and 300 dollars race bread and 20 to spend
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianCStoppedDown,I will admit there is a lot of questionability as to whether some of these rat rods can actually be driven  (or should be with lack of safety built in to them),but not all. I built mine, not from the ground up. It was purchased as a 'runner' and not a good/safe one at that. I'd like to think it is safe now with new suspension , brakes and steering and belts.
Reply:Originally Posted by AntiblingThat is no 33... that's a 28-29 Model A cowl and back half with some bull**** welded in between.That is not a roadster cowl either.
Reply:Originally Posted by StoppedDown Guess I'm jaded maybe, I simply cannot understand why someone would WANT a ratrod.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianC Your judging of others vehicles sounds like you might be H.A.M.B. member?
Reply:Originally Posted by RealMcCoyOK, I'll admit, that was funny...  Although most won't get it....
Reply:Too nice. You should see the 72 jeep CJ we rat rodded and will be hitting the streets before June.Airco Heliweld II AC/DC HomeMade Wire FeederLincoln 255PLincoln HD130Everlast PP804x8 CNC TableWelding helps me build my hobbies and takes up time on the side.
Reply:Originally Posted by StoppedDownI simply cannot understand why someone would WANT a ratrod.
Reply:Well if it doesn't look close enough to a rat rod to make others happy just put a few bullet holes in it and pour Clorox on it.Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:was a rat rod not by definition a hot rod where all the money was sunk into performance rather then appearance? if thats his shared definition then yes love it im doing the same with my c10 love itif you can step across it I can weld it.
Reply:Originally Posted by RealMcCoyBesides, what other car than a rat rod could you see something this cool on:I love a well executed rat rod. But the thing about them is they are so individual and so one rat rod will look great to one guy and horrible to the next. all that matters is the own likes it. The rest of us call all F off. which fits with the genre perfectly. I would love twin cars one restored and beautifully shiny, the other Ratted out. White sheep black sheep if you know what I mean.And the Dragon exhaust is SICK!There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Used to call them jalopies back in my fathers time because you couldn't get cars for racing dirt track during the war so you made them from junk parts and steel scrapHave to see if I can find some pics of my fathers jalopyThat he raced before he went into the armySent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Note the spark plug on the dragon. That would look awesome spewing flames from a choke richened carb!Airco Heliweld II AC/DC HomeMade Wire FeederLincoln 255PLincoln HD130Everlast PP804x8 CNC TableWelding helps me build my hobbies and takes up time on the side.
Reply:This is what I'm building.it ain't a rat rodit ain't a street rodit ain't a traditional rod,just an old truck.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/p...ctureid=500588Last edited by iwanaflattie; 05-05-2014 at 12:11 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by iwanaflattieThis is what I'm building.it ain't a rat rodit ain't a street rodit ain't a traditional rod,just an old truck.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/p...ctureid=500588
Reply:Whom ever made the Dragon Lizard is WAY TOO TALENTED!Nice Job!
Reply:Well, Got the frame boxed and fabbed up some motor mounts, next to do is throw in a trans crossmember and X the frame.  Had to run with flux core as I ran out of gas but all in all it came out ok.
Reply:Good start. Looking forward to watching it come together.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Love it.The term "hot rod" had a very different connotation when it was first put into popular slang, but the cause behind it soon came to mean an engine or a vehicle that had been heavily "tinkered with" to increase its overall performance.The term hot rod essentially meant that a connecting rod had burned up simply because the engine was making more power than the con rod and crankshaft journals could stand.  But that term soon came to be laid on any engine or vehicle that was subject to developing a hot rod.Of course Jim Dandy Mangrum (of band Black Oak Arkansas) had an entirely different explanation of "hot rod".  Go Jim Dandy, go Jim Dandy.
Reply:Looks like a nice start! I like both style cars. a nice clean restored original, and then the same car rat'd out... I lean a bit more to the rat'd version because of the artistic style put into it. Not that it takes any less to do a full restore, but I have seen my fill of Model "A", "B" & "T" with crate small/big blocks engines in them...  each their own.... Keep those pictures coming!!  Maybe find a burnt out Lincoln Tombstone, cut a air hole in the front of it and use as a radiator cover? 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:[ATTACH=CONFIG]746671[/ATTGot a little more done on the frame today, just gotta finish the front section of the X brace. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboI agree it is not a 33.  It is a 28-29 Model A.  Google images for both.  I had a 33 three window coupe body and frame and a complete 34 5 window coupe that I sold in 78 to buy my new wife a Toyota Corolla.  Can you believe that?
Reply:Got a little time over the 4th Holiday......... Figure I welded enough **** in to call it an X frame now............time to work on the brake lines.......Plenty of welding more to come.......................
Reply:Your getting there I hope you are going to install panhard rods both front and rear.  With transverse springs the shackles will allow to much sideways movement panhard rods stop that.Here is front end I did years ago on a 30 Ford Sedan (chopped & channeled). Attached ImagesDIY CNC Plasma table USB BOB Price THCHypertherm 65Everlast PowerTig 255 EXTMiler 180 Mig13" metal latheMill/ DrillECT, ECT,
Reply:I personally really like the rat rod look.  Check out this link.  This guy works for the same company I do at a different location.  He built this rat rod, frame, motor everything and it is bad azz.  I have a 61 Ford F350 that I hope to one day make a wrecker rat rod out of.  Carry on and keep the photos coming.http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-r...#axzz36b53mv6h
Reply:Nice, here is my hot rod I built 7 years ago
Reply:Originally Posted by kkustomzNice, here is my hot rod I built 7 years ago
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749If you become a member of the AAACE, you'll know things like that
Reply:Got a little more done today,  made a firewall now gotta fab up a trans tunnel and finish up the floor.