New guy form North Dakota

[Jscottnd85]

Hey guys, been a motor junkie for a long time. Always wanted to get into rat rods and my father and I had one in mind. My uncle had a 1930s dodge pick up. We knew where it was and always talked about getting it. Last year my father suffered a stroke that forever changed his and my families life. He is still with us mentaly, but phyiscally the stroke took much from him. It inspired me to go out and get that old truck this last week here. I had never retreived a vehicle in this condition so I was a bit nervous. I found four flat tires and managed to crank them on and with a lot of work was able to pull her free from a spot she had sat for over 60 years. Surprisingly in fairly decent condition. She is now home and ready to be started upon.

So this brings me to my next question, can anyone suggest a great way I can find some decent tires/rims for a 1933 dodge truck? Preferably cheaper ones tell I decide what it is I want to do with it. I ended up using a rim that dosnt match the lugs on the opposite side as I was unable to locate the 4th rim.

 

[sawzall]

welcome, that's a good lookin' start to a rat truck

 

[Dr Crankenstein]

Welcome to RRR from north of North Dakota.

I believe your truck is a later model, '36 '37 or '38. I also believe it uses a 5 x 4.5'' wheel bolt pattern. If I'm right about the pattern, junkyard wheels should be easy to find.

Here's a short list of possible donors...

http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-...sp?LugCount=5&StudSpreadInch=4.5&StudSpreadMM=

 

[Sam_Fear]

Welcome to RRR! That looks restoration worthy. ...well, at least not chop it up worthy.

 

[26Troadster]

welcome to rrr.

 

[Gus]

Hello,welcome to RRR......... Thats a late 30's truck 5-6-7 go to your local salvage yard "recycling" you'll find something that will work at a decent price for the wheel,tires just ask a tire shop for some take offs,you have a nice looking start either way for a rat or to go back some what original.
Sorry about your father,while he is still with you do what you can on the truck, he will have something to make him smile and he will know you started working on a dream you both share. [get after it hand.

 

[Dirtyrat]

Welcome to RRR, sorry about your father, sounds like you are inspired however, will be cool to see what you do with it!

 

[tattoodfreak]

Welcome to rrr-nice project to start on. Sorry to hear about your Dad

 

[hankthebigdog]

sorry that dad cant help ya like you once had planned. Looks like a great starting point. Keep dad involved all you can. this will help the quality time you have together.
salvage yard is where I would start for a roller wheel.

 

[Jscottnd85]

Thanks for the info guys, I will take that pattern sizing and run with it. Local junk yard here I come. When I went out to look at it about a week ago I kinda scratched my head and thought man is this really a truck I want to cut apart? I was unsure of the year and had been told it was a 1929, soon as I saw it I knew that wasnt correct. So I guessed at a 33, but seeing the 35 36 37 that does more closely resemble it.

Once I got it home and it sat in the driveway for a day I was positive I wanted to keep it with the fenders, with maybe taking a couple inches out of the cab.. maybe. Plans are to go for a flat black look with red rims and keep her low with a nice engine. Thats all the further along I am so far, it will be an immense under taking as I dont possess the skills for welding and body work like the old man has[ But I guess it will be a chance to learn, so if anyone has an resources worth watching or reading for hammer and dolly work or fixing some of the tears in the fenders I would love to take a look at it.

Is it worth doing a whole new frame for it? Kicking around rather I should do a whole new front and rear end. I originally was going to convert it over to chevrolet as I was always raised around chevy's.. Do a nice small block with 350 trani and prob a ford rear end.. but the thought of keeping it a dodge has become more appealing.

 

[BruceKoukalaka]

Personally I'd go all dodge just to create something a bit different.

 

[Gus]

It's your's and you want a rat rod so yeah do what you want !!!!! Me I'd take the cab,hood,grill,bed and the head lights cash out the rest and built me a RAT ROD[dr but I would have to keep it all Dodge except the rear end use a 9"

 

[Old Iron]

Welcome to the site
The ole Dodge looks kool
I'd probably do what is easiest for you on engine choice and your ideas sound good.
Start a build thread so we can follow along and post lots of pics

 

[agdeuce]

Welcome aboard

Glad you found this site. Really sorry to here about your dad. I bet if you and he get together he would be able to help you learn how to weld etc. and with practice you would be on your way. It sounds like he has a lot of knowledge.
Another idea I have been hearing a lot about is to us a small truck chassis like a D-50, S-10, Ranger or any small truck chassis that would measure up. In my opinion, since you have them, I would definitely use those fenders. Not real ratty but man they are hard to come by. Just my 2 cents worth. Most of all enjoy and persist.
Steve

 

[moparcowboy]

Welcome from Colorado, First sorry bout your Dad, Love your Dodge, I also would keep her all Dodge but then I'm a big MoPar fan. Keep us posted
Wish your Dad lots of good luck!!

 

[Tim...Ok]

Sorry about your dad, I went thru that with my mom..not much fun..

Really like the truck, I would do a chassis swap and keep the fenders intact..would be really cool