Rat rod flatbed beater

[ecoli]

Winters are too long here. I decided I needed a beater rig to run in the snow, slop, whatever mother nature throws at us. What better base to start with on a beater rig than a rat rod I say?

I've been working on this in short spurts. Seems time is at a premium these days, plus not having all the components I need slows things down a bit.

So far, I've taken a perfectly good SCX chassis, hacked off some of the front end, put the tranny and motor in and shoved them forward. Given the narrow front end of the body, I did a bit of manipulation of the frame by hand to get the front end of the chassis to follow the body.

Next, I took a perfectly good Axial rat rod body and cut off everything except for the cab. Brazed up the start of a flatbed. Still scratching my head over what direction to take the rear end of this truck.

Starting the front grill. Will eventually braze it to the frame, chop off the headlights and braze some new light buckets on.

Still lots to go. Don't expect updates too often though :mrgreen:

 

[Jester666]

Your a sick man you know that Chris?:mrgreen: Awesome looking build so far, I can't wait to dee how it turns out.
How long have you been cooking this one up for?

 

[salmonfacesalad]

OoooooooH very nice. Are those the axles from the Russian 6x6?

 

[chopperray]

That looks wicked. Can't wait to see the finished product. Keep it up "thumbsup"

 

[FATBOYrs10]

very cool build i will deffinitelly keep a close watch on this one-my opinion on paint, not that u asked but-spray the inside random colors(2 or 3) like red and yellow, something that would pop and then spray the outside with red oxide primer... when the primer scatches it would really give it that RAT ROD look....just a thought!

 

[hotwheels000]

Love it bud"thumbsup",a suggestion...little less caster:mrgreen:

 

[toykilla5150]

Subscribed. I had this idea for my rc drift car but never thought about doing a rat crawler.good job!

 

[STANG KILLA SS]

YES! i love that you kept the lights!

 

[Bulldog]

subscribed for the long run!"thumbsup"

 

[ecoli]

Your a sick man you know that Chris?:mrgreen: Awesome looking build so far, I can't wait to dee how it turns out.
How long have you been cooking this one up for?

Not that long. Had bought the body for a different project, but once I got it, realized it wasn't going to work. That was last week or so. Winging it as I go :ror:

OoooooooH very nice. Are those the axles from the Russian 6x6?

Nope, from the 8x8 :ror: As much as I enjoyed driving the MAZ, the thing was a beast to haul around. Got a good offer from a local guy for the wheels/tires, body and chassis which meant enough parts left over for two new builds. Not that I have the time :ror:

That looks wicked. Can't wait to see the finished product. Keep it up "thumbsup"

Thanks!

very cool build i will deffinitelly keep a close watch on this one-my opinion on paint, not that u asked but-spray the inside random colors(2 or 3) like red and yellow, something that would pop and then spray the outside with red oxide primer... when the primer scatches it would really give it that RAT ROD look....just a thought!

Yep, it will look like your typical rat rod. I've always liked rat rods, I remember my Dad taking me to car shows as a kid and was always drawn to them. A buddy of mine said he was willing to take on the job of painting the body, so we'll see what he can do.

Love it bud"thumbsup",a suggestion...little less caster:mrgreen:

It'll work itself out at speed :ror: I'm a little more worried about the pinion angle at the moment ;-)

Subscribed. I had this idea for my rc drift car but never thought about doing a rat crawler.good job!

Hmm, a rat rod drifter. That would be different all right. This body definitely won't be low to the ground like a typical hot rod!

YES! i love that you kept the lights!

Thanks. Yes, the lights are something that really make these vehicles what they are. While I won't be keeping the lexan lights, it will have similar sized/shaped lights in the same location in the end "thumbsup"

subscribed for the long run!"thumbsup"

Glad to have you onboard "thumbsup"

 

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Really dig the tube buggys you build so imma watch this one too thanks for postin it up..

 

[BigBaller]

...I swear I've seen this before.

 

[Postclanker]

Don't see that many rat rods ...love them personally ....interested to see the chassis and shock arrangement....

Nice rubber and wheels too....

 

[ecoli]

Really dig the tube buggys you build so imma watch this one too thanks for postin it up..

This one will be without tube...for now :ror: One of my favourite rigs is Nas-T Bucket, but in it's raw form. Who knows, maybe some day this will evolve into that ;-)

...I swear I've seen this before.

Don't think so. In any case, it's got a long ways to go before being finished, so it should look different from anything else out there.

Don't see that many rat rods ...love them personally ....interested to see the chassis and shock arrangement....

Nice rubber and wheels too....

Thanks. I've got some plans for the wheels that I think should do the rat rod look justice "thumbsup"

Did some more work on this rig. I've got the rest of the parts I need to work on it coming, so worked on the interior for a while.

While I had the interior out, took a shot of how I have the tranny/motor placed. Just shoved up one hole on the frame. Gives more space behind and more weight up front.

Started by making a couple of bomber style seats:

Got to have the traditional rat rod shifter "thumbsup" The rivets for the base were an exercise in patience!

Dashboard gauges:

Overall look and installed. I'm thinking of painting the interior a combination of black with wood trim (leaving the steering wheel and seats bare metal of course).

Deciding on grill options. Rat rod grills come in a wide array of styles, from traditional wire style, to custom spider webs to expanded metal. I decided to cut out a few different types. I'm personally leaning towards the expanded metal. Feel free to post up your choice "thumbsup"

Lastly, you can see how this rig will be powered. I'm on the Big_Dawgz waiting list for the big propane tank. Just looks right on this rig I think.

Thanks for looking!

 

[GREEDY GENIUS]

Looking great man!

Nice touches with the interior,skull is bad arse.good luck with the build.tank is going to look awsome back there.

 

[BigBaller]

...I swear I've seen this before.

Don't think so.

Looks trick. *Will be watching to see what you do with rear end.

Yeah, looks great. Both of them.

 

[FATBOYrs10]

if those grills are steel, scuff with red pad and put em out on the porch for a couple days, let em rust, then make your decision! but i either one would look good after they rust"thumbsup"

 

[FATBOYrs10]

and i would stain the wood in the bed a grey, so it looked old like barn wood!!!

 

[ecoli]

Yeah, looks great. Both of them.

Yeah, looks exactly like Tim's :roll: All bullshit bantering aside, totally call me on it if it's a clone at the end of the build, or better yet, have Tim do it. I will give credit where credit is due. At this point, I think it's too early to call a cab and flatbed a copy of anything "thumbsup"

Looking great man!

Nice touches with the interior,skull is bad arse.good luck with the build.tank is going to look awsome back there.

Thanks "thumbsup"

if those grills are steel, scuff with red pad and put em out on the porch for a couple days, let em rust, then make your decision! but i either one would look good after they rust"thumbsup"

and i would stain the wood in the bed a grey, so it looked old like barn wood!!!

The thing is, with the grills on rat rods, they're typically in great condition. They are steel though, so I'll leave them to nature in the end. Putting lots of steel instead of styrene or aluminum so it gets that natural rust finish in the end. Makes it a heavy pig though!

Good idea on the stain for the wood. Definitely needs the weathered look too. All in time "thumbsup"

 

[crawl59]

Subscribed ecoli. Love your other rigs so no doubt this one will look sweet.