Junkyard Rat

[Jantrix]

Now that the unbelievable stress of an uncertain layoff is now (unfortunately) certain, the stress level is quite a bit lower. So as I search for a new job, I've gotten the itch again. But no paint booth, so what to build - a rat rod.

Now my idea of a rat rod is bit different and could be more accurately be called a traditional hot rod I suppose. This will be a junk yard build, built from my scrap bins/boxes with a scratched frame.

Recent rat trends lean towards uber-low with the tranny in your lap and the drive shaft under your elbow. I hate that, so this will have a taller ride heght and a rake more like the 60's rods. No rust. No weathering. But as a tribute to the early rodders who took their skills learned working on bombers/fighters/tank of WW2 and Korea, it will be olive drab green with a bit of nose art on the doors. I hope you like it.

Edited September 28, 2009 by Jantrix

[Geezerman]

Sorry to hear about your employment situation. These are hard times !!!

Your choice of bed material bout took me off my chair. SWEET ! Model looks promising.

Waiting for the rest.

Cheers

[Dr. Cranky]

I agree with Geezerma. This rat rod is going to be SPECIAL. That's a genius move on that bed choice. Can't wait to see more.

[Jantrix]

Thanks for the ataboys. A few more mock-up shots then. Chassis is complete and painted. I'm not going to narrow the rear to bed width, but rather add some shallow tubs like you might see on a duece highboy. The real fun part was fabbing the quarter eliptical front end. Lots of work still. As for the bed choice. I saw another builder use a trunk section of a 50's car and I was gonna use the trunk of the Fairlane, until I turned it around and saw how cool the front looked.

Edited September 9, 2009 by Jantrix

[retrobuilder]

Cool! love the front fender/rear fender treatment!!

[Foxer]

Those '57 fenders for the bed even LOOK proper! This one will be unique ... very cool!

[Ryan S.]

This is super cool. I really dig the "front-end-for back end" bed. I'll be following along for sure!

[Rider]

That looks great, wacky but great

Edited September 9, 2009 by Plastic Freak

[george 53]

WoW Rob, ya really got tha troops worked up on this'n!!! It IS neet though! REALLY FAR OUT the box thinnin!!! Just let that ol mind wander about an see what ELSE it'll come up with!!!

Edited September 9, 2009 by george 53

[Dr. Cranky]

You got the muses on your side with this one. What an amazing idea . . . and I really can't wait to see some paint on this sucker.

Keep it going, chap.

[Jantrix]

Thanks guys. Again, I can't really take credit for the rear fenders, someone else did something similar (I can't remember who though dag-nabbit). EDIT: LOL. It was you Cranky that inspired this. http://public.fotki.com/vsuarez666/voodoo-...aser/page2.html Many thanks.

However I would like some input on exhaust. As a born & bred non-conformist I'm torn. Most people who do rats would make some zoomies or something similar. They do look all sorts of cool.

So my options as I see em.

1. Zoomies/straight pipes

2. Headers & exit in front of the rear wheel.

3. Headers and exit through some sort of bumperette (Tbird style) on the rear facia.

Any other ideas?

Edited September 9, 2009 by Jantrix

[olarge1]

Nice!!!! what an original Idea (that i might just have to steal)... I would suggest headers that dumps in to a large collector just is front of the door , make it follow the line on the bottom of the fire wall ...that would be killer!

[Ryan S.]

Thanks guys. Again, I can't really take credit for the rear fenders, someone else did something similar (I can't remember who though dag-nabbit). EDIT: LOL. It was you Cranky that inspired this. http://public.fotki.com/vsuarez666/voodoo-...aser/page2.html Many thanks.

However I would like some input on exhaust. As a born & bred non-conformist I'm torn. Most people who do rats would make some zoomies or something similar. They do look all sorts of cool.

So my options as I see em.

1. Zoomies/straight pipes

2. Headers & exit in front of the rear wheel.

3. Headers and exit through some sort of bumperette (Tbird style) on the rear facia.

Any other ideas?

Here's just a thought, and it would take some work and might not be "real-world" applicable, but what if you ran the exhaust tubes along the frame rails and under the rear end, then up and terminated out of the "head light/ tail light" holes. You could fabricate a tip that conformed to the the top-round part of the headlight hole and acted as the top part of the bezel for the tail light...the lower half being...the tail light itself. Sort of a dual use of the big holes already there... and it would certainly be unique! Just my $0.02

[Geezerman]

This is good. man.

I love to see them stretched out in front !!!

hadn't seen Cranky's "Groucho" before. SWEET !.

I'll have to look thru the rest of his stuff.

[CB]

Here's just a thought, and it would take some work and might not be "real-world" applicable, but what if you ran the exhaust tubes along the frame rails and under the rear end, then up and terminated out of the "head light/ tail light" holes. You could fabricate a tip that conformed to the the top-round part of the headlight hole and acted as the top part of the bezel for the tail light...the lower half being...the tail light itself. Sort of a dual use of the big holes already there... and it would certainly be unique! Just my $0.02

Or how 'bout the tailpipes coming right thru the middle of the taillight lense?

It's lookin' good Rob, keep up the good work

[Jantrix]

Thanks for the comments guys. As for tail lights/exhaust issue. I have sliced off the taillight area of the same Fairlane that donated the front and will be turning that into a second set of "tail lights" and rolled pan at the rear with a Mustang bumper separating the two. The exhaust will likely exit the upper holes and the lower ones the tail lamps. Will be slingin' styrene tonight and will get some pics up before dawn - hopefully.

Also a interview today has a possibility of turning into permanent employment with a major global corp. A serious pay cut from my current salary but a job is better than no job.

[Jantrix]

Here's what I came up with for the rear. I have bug eye bezels for the top holes where the exhaust will exit. The lower ones will have standard bezels and have round flat tail lights.

Right now I'm working on some shallow wheel wells and then it'll be time to throw some putty.

I'm also kicking around what to do with the left over bed from the 50 F-1. Maybe cut down the Revell 49 Merc and add the bed in the rear?

Edited September 12, 2009 by Jantrix

[Jantrix]

Rear suspension is finished. Very simple, no frills. I wanted it to look like something that would be done on a budget.

And a couple mock-up pics.

Plumbing/wiring is next. Thanks for looking.

[RodneyBad]

That is one cool truck and a Very cool bed.

Chassis looks Great.

One Cool Ride.

[CB]

Ol' JR is lookin' mighty fine Rob I'd love to drive that thing

I'm also kicking around what to do with the left over bed from the 50 F-1. Maybe cut down the Revell 49 Merc and add the bed in the rear?

Wow Rob! that sounds like a cool idea!

[Jantrix]

Thanks Cap'n. Unfortunately, this build will likely have to be safely tucked away for later. My layoff woes have ended as I have managed to get my resume into the hands of the right people, and have secured myself a new job. Better pay and hours. However it involves a move. So I'll get as much done as I can (I'll pack the modelling table last) and then I'll have to wait until we are resettled. We're only moving about 4 hours away. From Jacksonville to Clearwater (near Tampa). I'm not gonna miss the Jax area too much, except for a particularly excellent LHS. Those are too rare.

I truly appreciate all the support from you folks and I'm sorry get derailed on you, but affairs of state must take precidence over affairs of state.

The young guys aren't gonna get that last line, I'm sure.

[CB]

Sorry to see the Junkyard Rat hiding away from us for awhile, but so glad you found a better job

Hope the moving goes well and you get settled in your new place and job just fine. Look forward to seein' ol' JR in the future. Take care

[Jantrix]

My wife has agreed to let me pack the hobby table last so I'm still plugging away.

Starting to detail the engine and the interior is coming along. I'm not sure about the dash yet. I might scratch one out and give it a metallic look like you might do if you were building a junkyard rod, but didn't have a dash that would work. Gonna add a skull head shifter if I can get my hands on a skull head. I'm gonna head down to the local gamers store and see if I can find some skeleton gaming figures that would work. Starting the fuel lines tonight too I think. Be cool.

[CB]

What junkyard you getting your parts from Rob? Them's some fine lookin' seats ya got there

Hope all's goin' well with the moving, etc

[Geezerman]

looking forward to the finish.

Clearwater is a dirty old man's paradise.

I should get down there more often