Rat Rod
 

Hey guys, I am usually in the 67-72 forums, but thought you guys might want to see this....

So my brother wanted to build a rat rod and found a 1930 Model A Sedan body and a frame (2 different sources) to use for the build. From the beginning he wanted it to be diesel powered, so we started the hunt for a suitable engine, well that was harder than we thought. Eventually he stumbled across a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190D sedan for $500 (complete running/driving car) and it was on...

Grille Shell
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...0eb16d5904.jpg

Mock up of the front axle, which be narrowed because it was taken out of his 54' F100 (which got a Mustang II front end)
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...aed59bcc4c.jpg

Custom rear frame rails to use M/B IRS

Mock-Up...

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...prearframe.jpg


Completed..

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...Sinstalled.jpg


More to come....

Re: Rat Rod
 

Ok guys, more pics for you.....

IRS installed

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...od/RearIRS.jpg

M/B diesel engine in place, with custom turbo header for Mitsubishi turbo, originally a non-turbo diesel

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/MB-turbo.jpg


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/MBdiesel.jpg

Front frame rails and custom air bag setup (Firestone's). Front lower control arms are the factory REAR arms flipped to the front to lengthen the wheelbase.

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...axlebagged.jpg


Cowl Steering, using the stock F100 steering box/column (cut down)

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...wlsteering.jpg

Re: Rat Rod
 

Awesome! Sounds like it will be unique too. :metal::metal:

Re: Rat Rod
 

how bout some pics of the whole thing?!?!?!?????

Re: Rat Rod
 

Thanks guys, it is surely unique. Here are some more pics....

Steering Arm

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...127091740a.jpg


54' F100 dash (cut down), steering column (cut down) and steering box (cowl steering set-up)


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...024091344b.jpg


A couple of the body, I will get some better "complete vehicle" shots next time I am at my bro's

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...1024091901.jpg


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...024091901a.jpg

Custom center console and floor pan
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...127091741a.jpg

Gotta have a stack (with flapper) on a diesel!
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...127091741c.jpg

Re: Rat Rod
 

Mitsu turbo, manual boost controller, exhaust stack with waste gate merge pipe

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...127091739c.jpg


Spider web engine cover (circular cut-out is to allow oil filter to be serviced)

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...127091741b.jpg

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...024091343d.jpg


Current pic of the front end, just have to finish up some wiring and the install the front turn signal lenses

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...1127091740.jpg


Rear bumper, figured you guys would get a kick out of this!

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...1127091739.jpg


And a shot with the receiver hitch, complete with 7-pin trailer plug and another shot of the bumper(s)

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...1127091738.jpg

Re: Rat Rod
 

Craziness!

Re: Rat Rod
 

:agree:

But definitely different, nice work!

Re: Rat Rod
 

Thanks guys, I will let my brother know that you approve of his work, especially you FF... if you think its crazy, it has to be out there LOL

I cant take any credit here, all I did was wire it up, help with the air bag specs and provide encouragement to the insanity!

Re: Rat Rod
 

Definetely a cool project! :metal: If it wasn't crazy/unique, why bother?? :lol:

Re: Rat Rod
 

:lol: I agree, thanks for the compliments guys.

Re: Rat Rod
 

Update:
I finished all the wiring on my bro's Rat Rod Tuesday night, all the lighting now works (brake, turn signals, running lights, etc) he just has to finish up the last of the fabrication and get the VIN verification done... I will get some pics of it in action soon hopefully, might try to get a video as well!

Re: Rat Rod
 

I like it. Very original!

Re: Rat Rod
 

I'm gonna copy his "BUMPERS" for my Model A I'm building. i really like his idea!!!!

Re: Rat Rod
 

Awesome!!!

Is it an auto or manual?

Re: Rat Rod
 

love the stack

Re: Rat Rod
 

Thanks guys, I love the bumpers too, I am trying to talk him into making a front one to match. The stack is now black with a flapper, oh and added a little flame thrower action too. The system is going to be fed with propane and should make for quite a scene when we fire it up at shows this summer! I cant wait to see it rollin' black smoke...

Re: Rat Rod
 

:jdp: wow :jdp:

Re: Rat Rod
 

Well we got to test drive the ole rat rod yesterday and I have to say I am prety impressed. The little diesel pulls around pretty well, we were only getting 1 PSI of boost out of the turbo though, so we have some investigating to do there... Otherwise it did awesome. Sorry guys, I took pics, but all I had was my Droid and all the pics are very blurry, dang smart phone.... I will post up some pics the next time I go over there.

Thanks for watching!!

Re: Rat Rod
 

perhaps a video of that diesel in action?

Re: Rat Rod
 

I will try to get a video after my bro gets the title, plates and insurance worked out. We also still have to run the rest of the line for the flame thrower, then we get to test that next too.... I will definetly get some good pics of that!!

Re: Rat Rod
 

looking good!

Re: Rat Rod
 

Thank you very much, it has come a long way in the year (+/-) we have been working on it. Well here are the pics from Sunday, sorry they are poor, but they are pics!

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...3-28142400.jpg

"Knuckles" shift knob

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...3-28142407.jpg

First time in the sun!

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...3-28150253.jpg


Sorry guys, I will get better pics soon!

Side View (poor quality)

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...3-28144735.jpg

Re: Rat Rod
 

Update:
Ok everyone, I took some new pictures yesterday for you guys, I also took a short video of the little guy idling so you can get an idea of how it sounds. Let me know what you think, thanks!

Random shots of the Rat Rod

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-04153929.jpg


Louvered hood installed with belt tie downs

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-04153937.jpg


Rear/side with wheels painted black

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-04153956.jpg


Rear interior view with propane tank installed (for the flame thrower)

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-04154746.jpg


Ammo box for storage...

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-04154751.jpg


Rear all finished up, awaiting a license plate

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-04161703.jpg


Pic of stack, pinned open for flame thrower mode! :metal:

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-04155948.jpg


Last, but not least, the video! We were trying to test the flame thrower kit, adjust the propane flow and see if it would fire, but no go so far... more testing and vids to follow.

Re: Rat Rod
 

Here are some more pics of the rat rod, my bro just finished up the canvas top and it looks sweet. What do you guys think? I love it! Sorry for the blurry pics, the smart phone is on the blink again.


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-18113858.jpg


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-18113907.jpg


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/o...4-18113932.jpg