My build...1952 F1

[BadRATT]

Well I finally got to get a chance to start tearing apart ( THANKS to 62 degree weather..!!)what I hope will be a COOL RAT ROD.I am starting out with a 1952 F1 I bought for 125.00,but with no doors,BUT I am sure I will find a pair along the way.I also bought a dropped front axle from the same guy for 50.00 complete,but needs a total rebuild...and thanks to the cool people at Speedway I have all of my parts to do it with.
I bought a 1995 Dodge Dakota rear end for 75.00 and I also picked up a SBC for free but it does need an intake and a water pump,in fact it came from a build but the guy wanted to go another route.
I just bought a 700R4 for 75.00 but it needs a convertor.I am sticking with drum brakes all the way around for the simple fact its still a trusted way to stop a car...yes I know your all screaming.."GO with a front disc set-up" but a cash flow big enough to do it with isnt in the budget..and besides..I never has problems with drums all around my other cars.
The frame is being built by dogpatch1 ..( ya know..THAT orange crush guy...LOL..) because all of the metal I need was supplied free by the company I work for...( we build metal racks..).
I am leaning towards a 4 link set-up with coil overs,but ya never know.I am waiting on up-coming swap meets to gather more parts.AND of course it will be chopped,probaly in the neighborhood of 5 inches,with a mail slot rear window..( I LOVE THOSE..!! .)
I have read almost every build on here and have gotten some GREAT ideas and hope my build can be close to cool as some of the ones I have seen on here.You guys are the best.

 

[Bonehead]

It is a real shame you don't have the doors, cause the rest of that truck looks to be in great shape. I think you will build a good one. You have a great start.

 

[dmw56]

Shouldn't be hard to find doors for that truck. Keep us posted on your build. Should be a good one. They do make cool rat rods! But I'm biased.

 

[rockb1]

Awesome looking cab. So where in Michigan are you from?? I hear ya on that crappy cold weather. I really need to get some heat in my garage. Any chance you might have any extra steel laying around at that shop of yours?

Great start, cant wait to see the progress.

 

[50Ford]

Looks good. I cant wait to see more of this

 

[wrecker55]

gonna b nice, rucks are cool rods

 

[ratty46pickup]

Looking forward to following your build. I`m a pretty big fan of those trucks. Right now I`m building a 48 F-2 on an S-10 frame with a 500 caddy` but these trucks are cool almost any way you go with them!

 

[Gastrick]

Looks like you are ahead of the game with all the parts you have gathered already. I won't be one who complains about your drum/drum setup. It's working for me.

 

[BadRATT]

Damn..talk about a SLOW builder....Well the pieces are starting to fall into place with this build of mine...Cant believe its been so LONG since I posted..BUT I was helping build another car,poor guy needed all the help he could use...LMAO.Parts are always pouring in everyday around here..( Kinda reminds me of Christmas....) Check out the custom made front spring perch.!! Thanks to Dogpatch customs for supplying me with that.

 

[BadRATT]

Still more

Now that the build has flipped into high gear I realized I HATE a few things..!! I HATE grinding.......grinding...and MORE grinding...!! But I get a chance to see how this whole process works.MAN,talk about a learning curve..!! I must admit I am having a great time with this so far...searching for parts has become...uh...quite a chore some days..!! Speedway is helping with a lot of the parts I am looking for.I also HATE using EBAY for parts....some guys are just on DRUGS with those shipping prices.!! NICE custom made gussets...!!! I really didnt know when I read or heard guys says.."Its the little things that make it stand out.." Well NOW I know what that means.

 

[BadRATT]

SEE what happens when you...

See what they mean about working in a closed GARAGE for an extended period on time will do to you..!?!?!?!?!

 

[BadRATT]

Opps..forgot the pic

For that post...here ya go..I actually re-gained my confidence in welding and started pushing DP1 out of the way and doing it myself...OK fine..he threw the welding handle at me and said..DO IT..!!!

 

[BadRATT]

Things to remember..and to forget.

I am really surprised that things have taken off on my build.I watch the news and see so many people losing there jobs I get nervous almost everyday.I re-search my azz off for parts to see if getting the lower priced part is really worth it.I wonder if next week I will hear those words..." No more work..". I feel so sorry for guys that lose jobs and then I see there projects for sale.I try to keep focused on the job at hand....BUILD..BUILD...BUILD..!!! GRIND..GRIND..GRIND..!!!..LOL.
There should be a class on-line for guys thinking about doing this.It is SO easy to lose track of what you want to do and what you can really afford.You can ask some guys 1 question and get 30 different answers...who do you believe..? You want to make sure you do it right..!! My dad said.."Why cant we find the time to do it right the first time,but find the time to re-do it a second time.." I really cant wait for the day when I am sitting behind the wheel and take it for its first test ride.I think I will probaly hurl..!! Of course I sit in the cab and make VEROOOOOM noises...Girlfriend just walks away..shaking her head....

 

[moronthethrottle]

Some deep thoughts there BadRATT. Just keep your eyes on the prize!

It's nice to see you're getting some first hand experience, creates a great sense of accomplishment, doesn't it? Makes you really feel like you're at one with the rod.

 

[BadRATT]

It is a SLOW process

Watching it come together is SO cool....BUT damn it takes a long time... I finished adjusting the rear ends today.

 

[Sam_Fear]

If I were you I'd go over those rear ends again. Attention to detail ya know....

Classy chassis BTW.

 

[rockb1]

BadRatt, Ya I hear ya It is hard to lose track. I have worked on a few cars and lost my way ultimately giving up on the project because i have started too many more. The job situation does suck, but if your a hard enough worker you can find something. Or maybe its cause I know everyone around here that I did. But the project is looking great, Its good to see that you regained your welding skills. I will be trying my hand at it soon. Im having DP1 build my frame since I have no ideal how to build a frame.

 

[dogpatch1]

badratt

thats BADRATT there tearing it up on the welder and his favorite tool the GRINDER!

 

[dogpatch1]

more

a few more this metal badratt gets is like 3/16s or 1/4 inch thick it takes some effort with a sawzall to cut.

 

[dogpatch1]

more

the few more i have