WIP - Customer's '40 Ford Ratrod Pickup

[tigeraid]

Finally, I get to have some fun and do a rod!

We're not sure on the final result yet, but it's inspired by ratrod pickups like this:



He's in the middle of building one himself, so he's looking to the 1/24 scale version for inspiration.

I'm using a Monogram '40 Ford Hot Rod Pickup kit. It sits nearly stock, and the cab is stock, so lots of work is required.

Fenders had to be removed, of course:





Here's how it sits stock. The cab needs to be chopped, and I'm going to bring the front axle up to lower the front end. Then I'll sit it back together and see if I need to channel it or not. The frame rails already sweep upward at the front and back, so I'm not sure if Z'ing the frame will work well here. Any suggestions?



My first chop, successful! I cut a bunch out of the A pillars first, then lowered it down to mark and cut the C pillars. Then I sliced the roof in two so they'd line back up again, leaving the small gap, which I filled with strip styrene.

[rod_k2]

Holy sh!t! I never heard about those rat rod pickups!
Will it sit as low as that pickup in the pikshurr?

[rsxse240]

Looks great John. you picked a really good kit to do the rat rod with too. Doesn't it already have a flathead v-8?

If you want that thing LOOOOOOOOW, you could "Z" the frame more than what it is oob, the rear end will definitely need something done about elevation issues.

the top looks great so far, I can't wait to see it all done!

[tigeraid]

My customer is running a 327 Chevy with an old style Cadillac air cleaner (which I think/hope comes in that AMT '49 Merc kit?)

[Turbokid15]

What in the hell is wrong with peeps today you dont put a cheby in a ford

[Ferrari TR]

Coolness.
you need to get the cab channeled on the frame.

[quadzero]

Interesting project for sure, looking forward to more of this.

[tigeraid]

Alrighty then... Finished the rough layout of the truck. Holy crap did I ever do a lot of cutting and gluing.

All of the modifications are made here are the same ones rodders usually make to these beasts. The cab and the box were both channeled, with the lower box "mounts" removed completely. I haven't put a floor in the cab yet.



The spring mounts were both raised, to lower the car. The rear-most crossmember, which mounts the rear springs, was moved forward about... 5 scale inches. About 6-7 scale inches was removed from the rear of the box, converting it to a short box. The cab was moved back slightly.





THEN the front crossmember holding the front axle was moved all the way to the front of the framerails, and here we sit. The car will have wide white slicks on the back, so it'll have a bit more rake to the stance, but otherwise that's how she'll sit. I MAY cut some more out of the back of the box, though.

[Ferrari TR]

The box seems long. Most i've seen are about as long as the cab with the axle in the center.

I'm loving this so far.

[tigeraid]

Alright, dammit, the layout is now complete FOR REAL. Box is bobbed another four scale inches or so, and the frame shortened as well. Bed was shortened and laid inside roughly, it will be taken out and cleaned up and painted as wood anyway. Got the stance roughly right by substituting cheater slicks, and tossed on the Moon wheels for now, just to get the stance right--the customer is still choosing his wheel and tire combo. Also mocked up the engine roughly, not sure on the exhaust yet anyway. Installed the tailgate and had to extend the skirts with sheet styrene behind the rear tires as well. Now I can actually get to WORK.

[thadude]

wow, cant wait to see how this turns out

[Ferrari TR]

Nice!
really ratty...

[tigeraid]

Got a wood bed with stainless slats put together and mocked up (flat tan base, drybrushed rust brown), and extended the bottom skirts of the box to match the height of the rocker panels on the cab. Layout's pretty much done now, just need to assemble the interior and start painting.

[quadzero]

I love the rims. Can you post a close up pic of how you did the wood bed?

[tigeraid]

Originally Posted by quadzero

I love the rims. Can you post a close up pic of how you did the wood bed?

Well unfortunately those wheels and tires aren't being used heh... Customer's preference.

I'll post a pic of the bed when it's done and clearcoated, but it's basically just flat styrene painted like I did the woodgrain on the station wagons... flat interior tan brushed on thick, with rust brown dry brushed over top. Slats are just painted silver styrene.