Hey everyone I'm looking to build my first project and have little knowledge about build a rod. I'm up for the challenge and not expecting to master anything overnight but just want to learn something new. I was given what I believe is a 1937 dodge truck cab for free from a friend imq just not sure if the rust on it is too far gone. I want to fix the rusted spots and build alittle rat rod. I have the original chassis but would like to build a new z frame. Just not sure where to start. Should I build frame first or work on cab repair or something else. Any help would be great.
1937 dodge pu cab repair
- Thread starter Ebaby35
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rods Rule:
Welcome Ebaby. Nice score on that awesome cab. 
Looks like a keeper to me. Did you get a title with it [S
Looks like a keeper to me. Did you get a title with it [S
Skip
Well-known member
Look at some of the other build threads for ideas on how to fix the rust. We have seen much worse brought back. This does look like a great starting place.
DozerII
Well-known member
Great start right there, going to have to figure out what drive train you want to run, start collecting the parts and pieces, then lay it all out for your frame dimensions.
smallfoot
He's rockin' the "Nuttin Special"!
Hell, that's just the start of some minor patina...[ddd
Old Iron
Well-known member
Hell, that's just the start of some minor patina...[ddd
^^^Yup what small said^^^
Welcome to the site.
You say you have limited experience, what about your welding skills?
If you can't weld, then have a qualified person do the welding for you. Safety is the most important part of any build.
Get an idea of your budget first, be realistic about the amount it's gonna take to see the project through to it's finish.
Get a plan of what you want your ride to look like then start collecting parts.
Secure a title before going too far.
Ask all the questions you can think of. We do not criticize but, we are honest so don't be hesitant.
Read the Undead Sleds "Rules of the road"
bruno
Crusty Rusty Old Rat Rodder!
DCM classics has some of the body panels you will need. The cab is either a 37 or 38, they are identical. Look at my build thread for some info that may work for your build. Nice cab by the way!
MercuryMac
Builder Junky!
Welcome, Ebabe. I was going to say that the lower back tin looks like the '35, '36 '37 Ford piece so you could use that reproduction part, but the rest of the repro Ford parts don't look like they would fit. First, look through what DCM Classics has, like Bruno says.
Nice truck!
Nice truck!
Old Iron
Well-known member
Right On [cl[P[P[P
[P[P[Puser 13565
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2012
- Messages
- 732
you may already know about this site.
I know you are not building a "T" , but these are free and give you some good fabrication tips.
You make up the dimensions.
https://www.tbucketplans.com/product/free-t-bucket-plans/
I know you are not building a "T" , but these are free and give you some good fabrication tips.
You make up the dimensions.
https://www.tbucketplans.com/product/free-t-bucket-plans/
Torchie
Well-known member
All good advice!
Good luck. Have fun. Ask lots of questions and you will learn a lot.
[P [P [P
Torchie
Good luck. Have fun. Ask lots of questions and you will learn a lot.
[P [P [P
Torchie
Thank for the help I'll be definitely checking those out. Just kinda lost on where to start. I have the original chassis but not sure if I can make that work. Or if building a new chassis is better. Trying to figure out if there a certain measurements thing need to be. I just want my first build to be safe so it's not falling apart when im driving.
Torchie
Well-known member
If you have the OG chassis you might start by putting the cab back on it. That way you can get an idea of wheel base length. As well as where your mounting points will need to be on a new frame(if you go that way). As well as blocking it up for an Idea on the ride height.....and so forth.
These projects take lots of staring at or as Mercury Mac likes to call it "Imagineering" .....
[P [P [P
Torchie
These projects take lots of staring at or as Mercury Mac likes to call it "Imagineering" .....
[P [P [P
Torchie
Old Iron
Well-known member
Sit the cab on the chassis and in the original mounting position.
Put marks on the chassis at the corners of the cab.
This area of the chassis, in the middle of the marks, can not be changes. The cab has to mount in this spot no matter what you do on each end.
The Z's of the frame will start from each of the marks and create the front stub and rear sections.
A good starting point for the height of the front Z is to put the bottom of the frame rail on the top of the cab section frame rail.
On the rear the Z will be about 16" to accommodate the rear axle housing movement up and down.
This is a 35 Dodge I modifies for a friend of mine that yo might look through the thread for ideas.
http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32775
Put marks on the chassis at the corners of the cab.
This area of the chassis, in the middle of the marks, can not be changes. The cab has to mount in this spot no matter what you do on each end.
The Z's of the frame will start from each of the marks and create the front stub and rear sections.
A good starting point for the height of the front Z is to put the bottom of the frame rail on the top of the cab section frame rail.
On the rear the Z will be about 16" to accommodate the rear axle housing movement up and down.
This is a 35 Dodge I modifies for a friend of mine that yo might look through the thread for ideas.
http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32775
