Hey everyone I'm new here and I have a few questions. I have a 48 Chevy thriftmaster pickup, and I was wanting to make this into a rat rod. It's complete, but has been sitting in the weeds for years.... I plan to cut the hood and front fenders off, and maybe the box I'm not sure yet. Right now it has a 6 cyl out of an old Chrysler in it, and the three on the tree. I'd like to put a 350 and 4 on the floor in it if its doable...... So my question is, what all needs to be changed? Will I need a different rear end, or will the old one work? I won't be working on it until next spring, but I'm just trying to get a bit of a plan as to what I'm going to do with it, but I'm trying to see if I'm getting in over my head. Thanks in advance for any answers!
Need some insight on 1st rat rod
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Ricks Garage
Well-known member
First off, get it titled.
Most of the early pickups have a low gear in the rear end...4:11 plus.
Use a late model like a S-10 or Camaro
Save the bed.....plan on shortening it....
Use the 350 but I would recommend an automatic.....The clutch linkage can be a problem to make up.....
Find a smaller grill or cut down the Chevy.......I like to use a tractor grill.
Use the stock straight axle but change it to a transverse spring.
Make a plan and stick to it...
Look at images of other rats to get ideas......
weld on........[
Most of the early pickups have a low gear in the rear end...4:11 plus.
Use a late model like a S-10 or Camaro
Save the bed.....plan on shortening it....
Use the 350 but I would recommend an automatic.....The clutch linkage can be a problem to make up.....
Find a smaller grill or cut down the Chevy.......I like to use a tractor grill.
Use the stock straight axle but change it to a transverse spring.
Make a plan and stick to it...
Look at images of other rats to get ideas......
weld on........[
Willowbilly3
A *real* tin magnet
I personally think those trucks are too new to go fenderless but lots of people do it and they are easy to find..
I like them more like this truck.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1952...4258496?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c2bd1de40
Also, if you like a stickshift, go for it. Clutch linkage isn't that hard to fab. Or even easier, hydraulic clutch.Again, my opinion but 3 pedals just give a rod a whole different personality.
I like them more like this truck.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1952...4258496?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c2bd1de40
Also, if you like a stickshift, go for it. Clutch linkage isn't that hard to fab. Or even easier, hydraulic clutch.Again, my opinion but 3 pedals just give a rod a whole different personality.
Old Iron
Well-known member
What Willowbilly ^^^^^^^^^^ said
21willys
Well-known member
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- Mar 8, 2011
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- 2,751
It's hard to give solid advice when we don't know your skill level or what resources you have available. If your just starting to tune your skills and resources are limited I would suggest getting it running, brakes in good shape, and making it as reliable as possible. Before you jump in head first and get overwhelmed and then give up on it.
Start a build thread and the great folks here will get you thru it no matter what you decide to do.
Good luck
Start a build thread and the great folks here will get you thru it no matter what you decide to do.
Good luck
Will I be able to leave the stock rear end and driveshaft and have it geared low? I'm not looking for something to cruise down the highway mainly just around in town, so 60 mph would be plenty, IF the stock will work? And I've decided I'll probably put a manual in it, and do like willowbilly said with hydraulic clutch.
These are two ways how I'd attack it (ifin I were you.)
Plan 1 - get it driving or just leave it set until you have a clear plan of exactly what you will do. Gather parts during this time and do lots of research. Then, when you are ready with a full plan, dig in. Start with the frame and work your way up to the chop. If you don't have the experience to weld frame and critical parts, have a buddy or pay someone to come over and do it. The big thing is, HAVE A PLAN and stick to it.
Plan 2 - Change out the motor. Change the axle if need be. Drive it for awhile. Go back to Plan 1. The thing is, if you want a low lean fenderless bobbed rat, you're gonna have to do a lot of frame/suspension mods for the right look.
Think about keeping the fenderless with the hood, those look good that way.
Plan 1 - get it driving or just leave it set until you have a clear plan of exactly what you will do. Gather parts during this time and do lots of research. Then, when you are ready with a full plan, dig in. Start with the frame and work your way up to the chop. If you don't have the experience to weld frame and critical parts, have a buddy or pay someone to come over and do it. The big thing is, HAVE A PLAN and stick to it.
Plan 2 - Change out the motor. Change the axle if need be. Drive it for awhile. Go back to Plan 1. The thing is, if you want a low lean fenderless bobbed rat, you're gonna have to do a lot of frame/suspension mods for the right look.
Think about keeping the fenderless with the hood, those look good that way.
I agree, if you are 85 years old or a woman, get an automatic trans.
Thanks guys, and I'm trying to do like sam said and make a plan and research before I start on it next spring. So far I'm planning to change motor and tranny and just the basics to get it going until I have more time and money to make it how I really want it. If I need a new rear end and drive shaft an s10 will work right? Does it matter what year or anything?
mikec4193
Well-known member
Hey Newby
I think we will be building the same type vehicle. I kept as much of the truck as I could swapped out the stock truck rearend for a Camaro rearend and it bolted right in place. I have a 4 speed out of a 1970 Chevy truck. I got all the hardware that went with it so all I had to do was figure out brackets for the dogleg and stuff like that. (mine has a 6 cylinder motor tho).
In the end I didnt get the look I was looking for but I recently found another cab that is I hope a little better looking in the fenderless mode.
My avatar is the truck I am talking about. I went on this website and others too and found the look I was hoping for and then studied everything I could from their builds and try to incorporate them into my build.
Good luck with your build..just a warning tho...it'll take twice as long as planned and take twice the amount of cash too....mine still isnt done but hopefully when I get back to work on it...it won't take that long to finish it.
MikeC
I think we will be building the same type vehicle. I kept as much of the truck as I could swapped out the stock truck rearend for a Camaro rearend and it bolted right in place. I have a 4 speed out of a 1970 Chevy truck. I got all the hardware that went with it so all I had to do was figure out brackets for the dogleg and stuff like that. (mine has a 6 cylinder motor tho).
In the end I didnt get the look I was looking for but I recently found another cab that is I hope a little better looking in the fenderless mode.
My avatar is the truck I am talking about. I went on this website and others too and found the look I was hoping for and then studied everything I could from their builds and try to incorporate them into my build.
Good luck with your build..just a warning tho...it'll take twice as long as planned and take twice the amount of cash too....mine still isnt done but hopefully when I get back to work on it...it won't take that long to finish it.
MikeC
Flipper_1938
He recycles the right way
RESEARCH!!!!
Spend a few weeks reading build threads. There is a ton of cool info on the various boards where people have documented the build of their own vehicles.
Find a build you like and use it as the basis for your project.
Spend a few weeks reading build threads. There is a ton of cool info on the various boards where people have documented the build of their own vehicles.
Find a build you like and use it as the basis for your project.
Crossfire
Well-known member
1st rat.
Post some pictures of your truck,including the engine,don't recall ever seeing a Chevy truck with an old Chrysler engine in it.
Post some pictures of your truck,including the engine,don't recall ever seeing a Chevy truck with an old Chrysler engine in it.
Mike- thanks for the info and I'll be keeping an eye out for parts like the rear end and maybe an older Chevy with 4 speed for parts
Crossfire- ill try posting a pic of the pickup, but I don't have any pics of under the hood, but the reason of that motor in it is that when my great grandpa had this pickup the motor went out and he had a 47 (I think but not sure) Chrysler car that he pulled the motor out of
Crossfire- ill try posting a pic of the pickup, but I don't have any pics of under the hood, but the reason of that motor in it is that when my great grandpa had this pickup the motor went out and he had a 47 (I think but not sure) Chrysler car that he pulled the motor out of
Flipper_1938
He recycles the right way
Cool old truck.
I vote to keep the fenders, hood, and bed. Slam it and put new glass in it.
Make the truck functional and safe....and drive the wheels off of it.
I vote to keep the fenders, hood, and bed. Slam it and put new glass in it.
Make the truck functional and safe....and drive the wheels off of it.
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Willowbilly3
A *real* tin magnet
If the truck is a half ton, it will have an enclosed driveshaft to the rear end and that will all have to go if you change drivetrains. If it is a 3/4 or one tone, the shaft is only enclosed from the transmission to the hanger bearing but you have a huge clunky old rear and and need to change it anyway.
