37 Inernational Rat Rod

[rmmetalfab]

I purchased this cobbed half ass truck on Ebay, thinking it was nicer than it was. After driving 300+ miles one way to pick it up, seeing it for the first time I was to say the least....disappointed. Having come that far, and feeling resentment from seller that I wanted to back out... back to MA with the truck I went.

 

[Dirtyrat]

It looks like a good start to a cool build!

 

[rmmetalfab]

Disassembly

After the truck sat for while, my girlfriend (also a welder) expressed interest in wanting to build a rat rod of her own. She has never built one before and needs instruction and guidance. Together we started assessing what to save and what to fabricate ourselves. Taking the truck apart, we realized we have more work cut out for us than expected.

 

[rmmetalfab]

Custom Frame Build

Initially we were going to use the dodge frame it was sitting on until we got a better look at it. New plan was to use an S10 frame that we already had. After discussion, we thought that using the S10 frame was to bulky and we wanted more of a custom look. So we decided on fabricating our own custom frame with S10 components.

 

[42chevy]

I like it. Unique also

 

[rmmetalfab]

Motor Choice

I bought the truck with a 4 cylinder motor in it. Knowing we wanted something better, are options on the table were, a new GM 5.3 or a 1953 Cadillac 331 from another project. We decided on the simpler Cadillac motor.

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

Love the truck, what is the bed off of?

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

Welcome to RRR.

Among other things, I've considered adapting S10 suspension to my '38 Chevy frame... so I'll be watching your build with keen interest. Nice fab work btw!

.

 

[skull]

cool

looking good

Later

 

[rmmetalfab]

ideas

Thanks everyone!
The bed sides may be original? The rear fenders are 50's F-100. We picked up some 50's chevy bedsides and fenders. There shape seems to fit the truck better, we will shorten the bed to about 5 feet.
The nose may get stretched a few inches and the cab was chopped already. (may need to revisit that). I cut the cab rockers 5 inches and will section another 5 inches. I want a really low look. I still have a couple inches of headroom too.

 

[05snopro440]

Thanks everyone!
The bed sides may be original? The rear fenders are 50's F-100. We picked up some 50's chevy bedsides and fenders. There shape seems to fit the truck better, we will shorten the bed to about 5 feet.
The nose may get stretched a few inches and the cab was chopped already. (may need to revisit that). I cut the cab rockers 5 inches and will section another 5 inches. I want a really low look. I still have a couple inches of headroom too.

Just thought I would let you know that those aren't the original international bedsides. The international bedsides had ribs in them. Not sure what that's off of. Keep up the good work, it's going to look awesome!

 

[rmmetalfab]

just a mock up

So the frame is tacked together good enough to set on the floor with engine in place. I set the cab over the frame to see how it looks and make more decisions. The more I work on this cab the more I think I should find another one. Well see.
More parts are in so I can build the A arms and get it sitting on wheels. The steering will be a trick clearing the fenders. I was thinking rack/pinion but not sure will be that easy to get right and still have any turning radius.

 

[skull]

mean

that's gonna look mean[cl

Later

 

[CORPO]

I'm digging the look...

 

[rmmetalfab]

A arms

Not much progress to warrant pictures. Working on the A arms, machining the sleeves to hold stock rubber bushings. The A arms will be tubular and about 2" longer than stock.
Here is a picture of the 50 Chevy rear fenders sitting on the floor. They are perfect. I am thinking a speedster look, maybe use a hood and blend it into the fenders?

 

[Dirtyrat]

I don't see anything wrong with that cab, many of us have started with much worse condition cabs... I like the mock up, going to look pretty cool with the huge fenders!

 

[I-R-POPS]

Sweet! Nothing wrong with something different. I like the look.

 

[Z.Z.Rat]

Hope you go thru with your mock up. That could turn out really nice. BTW nice shop.

 

[Oldrodder43]

That will be one mean looking hot rod. Cabs like that up here are few and far between and $$$$$$$$$. Take it to the limit. Kudos to you and your girl. I'll be watching too.

 

[choppinczech]

Oh man that's cool! [cl[P