My '65 patina rat

[jmcap]

I tired of my Trailer Queen Mopars. Sold them to start a new project. As I've aged I realize what I really like. Found this beauty with a 350 and 700r4 Tranny, Disc brake conversion, etc. Just finished installing rear lowering coil springs.

[Rusty63]

nice stance!

[pdxhall]

Welcome to the forum. That looks like a great truck. Good luck.

[LostMy65]

Are you going to make it a shiny trailer queen?

[jmcap]

Thanks all for your kind words. Paint ?? Nah. Done with polishing. Besides, it might throw things out of balance.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

What other plans do you have for your truck?

[Palf70Step]

Nice looking stepper!

[jmcap]

The truck had no bed floor............ So I bought a 4X8 oak veneered plywood and will cut to fit and hinge at the cab end. My Dad had some extruded aluminum runners he intended to use on his smoothie running boards in his supply of parts. The final look will mimic the kits that sell for too much than what I want to spend. I'll provide pics when completed. Remember. It's a rat rod !!

[aggie91]

Can't wait to see how your plywood floor turns out. I have been thinking of something that sounds similar to what you described...

[jmcap]

I'll have to wait on the truck bed until I install the external gas tank I ordered and see where the fill tube will be. At this point I have a lot of parts to be installed but need to be smart with the order of installment. I think the saying is "Don't put the cart before the horse.?

[rusty76]

I’ll be watching. Welcome to the forum.

[jmcap]

As we all know, buying someone else's project comes with pros and cons. After examination, I found that along with the dropped spindles from Classic Performance and required disc brake conversion ( a positive ) , the wrong springs and shocks were used to further slam it to the point that the truck was resting on the bump stops!! ( a definite con ). After speaking to the techs at Classic Performance, I'm following their recommendations to provide the stance and safety that is required and purchased springs and shocks that in combination with the spindles will give the truck an overall drop of 4" at the front. As a result, the original post with the picture I added showing the result of me further lowering the rear was all for nothing and will be returned to the slightly taller stance to avoid any rake.
So, while waiting for parts to be delivered, yesterday my father, brother-in-law, and I prepared the truck for surgery. After swapping out the rear springs... an easy fix, we jacked up the front and secured with jack stands. Coil springs and shocks were removed waiting for the 'transplants' to arrive. I'll let you know how the patient makes out.

[okndn]

Very good start

[rusty76]

I’ll be watching.

[jmcap]

Glad to know your with me Rusty 76.

Failed to mention that when we tore the suspension apart this past weekend, we as well pulled the passenger side rear axle to get ready to replace the oil seal.

Today, after work I replaced the seal, installed the axle, spider gears, and c clamp, buttoned it up, added oil and the rear is done!!

On my doorstep was a new exterior gas tank. Can't wait to get the gas out from inside the cabin!