sloppy jaloppy

[twowheeletex]

I, like some others, am building a vw based rat rod. mine started out as a 67 vw bug, a 54 Chevrolet pick-up, and a 76 ford f350. powered by a supercharged chevy 350. most of the parts I've acquired from trades, and vehicles destined for the scrap yard. my tools are minimal, so most everything is done the hard way. that being said, any help or insight is much appreciated. here comes a barrage of pictures to catch you up to my current progress. here are the pieces I started with.

 

[twowheeletex]

I worked on the cab first. grafting the back half of the chevrolet cab on to the front half of the vw body.

 

[twowheeletex]

and the pics

 

[rainman]

How about a rundown on the direction you're going?
You have my attention!! ha ha

 

[twowheeletex]

the blue bits are bug door skins. the rear hatch section is from a vw bus. this allows me to carry the body line around to the back.

 

[twowheeletex]

I hope the direction becomes more apparent soon. where i'm at on the cab and on to the frame.

 

[twowheeletex]

more frame.

 

[twowheeletex]

and the frame and powerplant as they sit now.

 

[twowheeletex]

that's all for today. an suggestions or comments are very welcome.

 

[skull]

different

so using the back of the cab and the front of the VW?

that is what it looks like.

kinda cool idea, l will be watching the build[P

Later

 

[phillip-r-s]

[P looks tough I like it

 

[twowheeletex]

thanks all. i've been building this rat for some time. progress is slow but steady. a lot of time is spent with a measuring tape in hand. i plan for this to be a functional rat. something i can pull a substantial trailer with. so it may look overbuilt, but that's by design. if you see weaknesses let me know. my family will be riding in this thing, so better safe than. . .

How about a rundown on the direction you're going?
You have my attention!! ha ha

im going for a wild, off the beaten path rat, that still loosely fits the open wheel, exposed motor, tudor mold on a budget. vw, bench seat, manual, tow rig, will it work-we'll see. . . . .

 

[Bonehead]

Cool look to it for sure.

 

[Neverdone]

Well this should be entertaining. I think I might have tried to go the other way. Front of the cab back of the bug......

 

[soltz]

twowheel, i though i was a crazy ******* but i think you beat me out with wild and crazy ride. I do like it, my only question is how strong is that welded front axle? It just looks small at the pivot point/matting ends[S
Keep the pix coming, my next one's going to be a VW.
Have a good day and be safe.
soltz
Happy fouth to all [P

 

[twowheeletex]

i'm under no delusion that the welds will hold on their own. there will be a fair bit of bracing to come. I plan to weld a 3/8" plate to the bottom of the axle in a triangle so the tallest part, about 2 inches, is in the center and it tapers off at each end. then I'll bolt, to the front and rear of the axle, another piece of plate in the channel. the bolts will be 2 inches apart in an alternating pattern. one high in the channel then one low in the channel. this will basically. sandwich the axle.

 

[offroadrolls]

It's official!! Someone's got too much time on their hands..... I like it!!!

 

[soltz]

twowheeltex, if i was looking for a bomb proof anchore it would be your front axle. great job. [cl

 

[twowheeletex]

I have a 29 ford front axle with all the trimmings minus brakes. The only reasons im keeping this front axle is the bolt pattern and the massive front brakes.

 

[twowheeletex]

It's official!! Someone's got too much time on their hands..... I like it!!!

thanks, I only wish I had more time on my hands. between the wife, 1 year old, and 2 jobs time for the rat is in short supply. I have most saturdays to work as an agreement with the wife. she calls it my "Man Day." she just keeps the cold beer and ice water coming. . . . and meals. she's pretty awesome.

twowheeltex, if i was looking for a bomb proof anchore it would be your front axle. great job. [cl

I appreciate it. I know my family will be tiding in the rat. a little rough around the edges is ok, but I want it to be safe.