Best frame to start off with (32 ford)

[mademan]

Im looking to get into a hot rod/ rat rod build. ive got a few kits for parts , lil coffin ( wheels and tires), revell 32 ford good guys kit, and the lindberg 25 T.... I will be z ` ing the frame etc. anyways, but what is the best frame to start with? from which kit?

[Terry Sumner]

Im looking to get into a hot rod/ rat rod build. ive got a few kits for parts , lil coffin ( wheels and tires), revell 32 ford good guys kit, and the lindberg 25 T.... I will be z ` ing the frame etc. anyways, but what is the best frame to start with? from which kit?

I would think that would totally depend on exactly what you plan to build. The 32 frame and the 25 frame are 2 different animals. Like comparing apples and oranges. Decide on what body you intend on using and then go from there?

Terry

[george 53]

Terry's right Dude, they don't mix. If your buildin a newer 32(as in modern)the Phantom 32 Vickie has the most modern frame. For a traditional rod,any of the R/M 32's 'll do. The old AMT parts pack had a nice frame that'd fit a 29 body without too much work. I think the NEW RC2 engine pack comes with a frame that you MIGHT be able to use(I don't know if it's long enough,but you could stretch it without too much trouble) Hope this helps.

[Smart-Resins]

I love the 32 phatom viky frame! But for old school, its a no go. From what I have seen most all of the rest of the frames have molded in belly pans, so not all the greates. I prefer R/M over AMT by far. If you are looking for perhaps a 32 rails for a t bucket, you will more then likely have to pinch the frame rails together to fit to the t bucket body better. Theres honestly not a tremendious amount of different between the 32 chassis and the 29 as for the front of the frame. if thats the only section that will show, then you might be able to get away with that. As for the rear of the frames, I usually tend to do some scratch building to get them the way I like. Jody

[Bernard Kron]

As someone who builds a lot of hot rods here are my thoughts on readily available hot rod frames.

The '25 T frame is ideal for a T-bucket, includes a quick change rear end and hairpin fronts and a suicide front axle. It is often overlooked. On the other hand, the frame is too narrow for anything but the t-bucket.

If you're channeling the frame then the appearance of the sides is not relevant. The best looking frame forward of the firewalls is the Revell '32 and the front suspension is nice looking with its tubular dropped axle and parallel links and is simple simple to install. It does need slight lowering by trimming the mounting tab. For a rear suspension, the Revell '32 has a modern airbag setup with a nice 9-inch rear axle and is simple to install, which can be a benefit when you're doing a lot of frame cutting, but it lacks character and funk value in a traditional/rat build. The ladder bar rear radius rods are hard to accommodate once you Z the frame and required a fair amount of modification.

If you are planning a suicide front suspension and channeling (pretty classic rat rod stuff) then any frame will do since most of it will be either cut or hidden. In this case, I would strongly consider the Revell '29 Ford Roadster Pickup Rat Rod Kit, or the similar '31 sedan kit. The front suspension on these kits is the best looking with its I-beam front axle and the option to make it posable. It's great raw material for a suicide front. As regards rear suspension, the Revell '29-'31 model A kits has better raw material with a really nice rear spring and axle setup and a great traditional rear cross member. The frame rails are a bit thin and taper at the ends but you will be cutting them up anyway so it won't be a big issue.

I agree that the AMT Phantom Vicky has an excellent contemporary '32 frame and suspension setup but this is not relevant for a rat rod build.

[MikeMc]

As someone who builds a lot of hot rods here are my thoughts on readily available hot rod frames.

The '25 T frame is ideal for a T-bucket, includes a quick change rear end and hairpin fronts and a suicide front axle. It is often overlooked. On the other hand, the frame is too narrow for anything but the t-bucket.

If you're channeling the frame then the appearance of the sides is not relevant. The best looking frame forward of the firewalls is the Revell '32 and the front suspension is nice looking with its tubular dropped axle and parallel links and is simple simple to install. It does need slight lowering by trimming the mounting tab. For a rear suspension, the Revell '32 has a modern airbag setup with a nice 9-inch rear axle and is simple to install, which can be a benefit when you're doing a lot of frame cutting, but it lacks character and funk value in a traditional/rat build. The ladder bar rear radius rods are hard to accommodate once you Z the frame and required a fair amount of modification.

If you are planning a suicide front suspension and channeling (pretty classic rat rod stuff) then any frame will do since most of it will be either cut or hidden. In this case, I would strongly consider the Revell '29 Ford Roadster Pickup Rat Rod Kit, or the similar '31 sedan kit. The front suspension on these kits is the best looking with its I-beam front axle and the option to make it posable. It's great raw material for a suicide front. As regards rear suspension, the Revell '29-'31 model A kits has better raw material with a really nice rear spring and axle setup and a great traditional rear cross member. The frame rails are a bit thin and taper at the ends but you will be cutting them up anyway so it won't be a big issue.

I agree that the AMT Phantom Vicky has an excellent contemporary '32 frame and suspension setup but this is not relevant for a rat rod build.

100% FACT... Listen to Bernard!!

I've done a '31 lowered and Z'd....where is the frame? Hidden!

same with the '29 pickup.....yep big Z front and rear Hidden frame!

[Custom Hearse]

I think the NEW RC2 engine pack comes with a frame that you MIGHT be able to use(I don't know if it's long enough,but you could stretch it without too much trouble) Hope this helps.

Actually, it doesn't have a frame, just a '27 T-body, grill, and assorted parts.