Yes, another rat rod truck build

[stanglarry]

It’s been done… and done a lot. But I don’t care because I always wanted one. It’s a chopped 40 Ford cab, a 30 something Ford bed, a 40 Mack grill, and a Z’d frame with a suicide front end. Ford 9 inch along with a ton of parts I’ve been saving for years. I have a 289 and c4 trans that need to be rebuilt or I can go the easy cheap route with a running Chevy 327 and 350 trans. Since I’m trying to build this whole truck for under 5 grand and in my driveway this winter, wish me luck.

 

[stanglarry]

couple more pics

 

[bob w]

You can do it for under five grand. Looks good. Just make it ride decent so you enjoy driving it.

 

[gene49]

If your going for under 5g, you better go with the running 327 & 350 trans. Rebuilding anything will kill the budget. Parts are getting expensive these days.

 

[Old Iron]

5G's is a tight budget but can be done.
Doesn't matter how many times something has been done it's always cool when it's yours.

 

[smallfoot]

Looking good! 5 grand is tight with a rebuild as Gene mentioned. I'd prefer Chevy over Ford but that's what rattles around in my wheel house the most and it's only preference because I'm more familiar with that brand. Both of those choices are killer choices for making good running machines however you go! And welcome!

 

[Bonehead]

Looking good so far, should be a fun truck.

 

[stanglarry]

If your going for under 5g, you better go with the running 327 & 350 trans. Rebuilding anything will kill the budget. Parts are getting expensive these days.

I’d like to keep a Ford in a Ford but you’re definitely right on, trying to stick to my budget.

 

[Fat-Man]

You've certainly got some nice proportions, I like it a lot.

I'd definitely prefer the Ford 289 but a Chevy is certainly the more economical choice.

 

[gene49]

Choices to make. I can easily see rebuilding that 289 Ford sucking up much of that 5G budget these days, and then the question of the real condition of the trans will be at the back of my mind. The Chevy motor & trans works now. I'm a Mopar guy, so I have no preference in this deal.

From strictly a budget standpoint, the GM motor/trans will get the project to the road much faster because you at least stand a chance staying with in the budget.

If the set budget is flexible, or a guy doesn't mind slowing down the build process to get his choice of motor, that changes everything.

Also, if a guy really wants a specific brand of drive train, moving forward on things that can be done while searching for the desired drive train may pay off big time.

When I started building my 49 Dodge, I did not have a motor or trans at all! About a month into the build, totally unexpectedly, I was offered a 44,000 mile, complete, 318 drive train for $400 (that included the 44,000 mile parts truck as well, the frame was rotted out).
Sometimes needed parts just show up at the right time. We are rat rodders, it has happened to all of us at some point.