Rat Rod tow truck ideas

[wrecker388]

I need ideas on what parts to use, i already some stuff gathered up for it, but not enough. If it helps i`m scratch building the body,using a NASCAR chassis, a Hemi engine, and torq-thrust for wheels, please help a rookie out.

[Chuck Most]

What kind of truck will the end result be? Are you using a '20's/'30's cab? Or something a little newer, like from the '60's?

[Harry P.]

Agree with Chuck. We need more info...

[wrecker388]

What kind of truck will the end result be? Are you using a '20's/'30's cab? Or something a little newer, like from the '60's?

30`s

forgot to add that the grille is from a 1/32 semi

[Chuck Most]

30`s

forgot to add that the grille is from a 1/32 semi

Alrightie.

For a wrecker boom, you could rob one from the Lindberg '34 Ford closed-cab pickup kit. You can trim the upright supports to adjust the angle of the boom. You could also scratchbuild one from Plastruct or Evergreen styrene. You'll need a bed or platform for the boom to attach to- cut down an existing kit part to suit, or make one up. Since you said the grille is from a semi, you could make one to resemble the wrecker body on a heavy-duty wrecker. A smaller version of the body on AMT's Peterbilt 359, or something like that. Or you could make one to resemble a period (1930's) wrecker body. Look around online for images of original '30's wreckers, some of them came with pretty cool looking Art Deco-styled wrecker bodies, and you could try to duplicate something similar.

Dual rear wheels and cab lights might be in order- they'd help tie the semi grille into the total theme. An air horn wouldn't be out of the question either. A shop name or some other type of artwork on the doors would be a nice touch as well.

None of these are requirements, really, just suggestions. And since it's a rat rod, there's really no 'wrong' way to do it. Unless you plan to graft the back end of a Grand Am and the front of an Alero to your cab.

A few 'visual aids' that might help...

[wrecker388]

Alrightie.

For a wrecker boom, you could rob one from the Lindberg '34 Ford closed-cab pickup kit. You can trim the upright supports to adjust the angle of the boom. You could also scratchbuild one from Plastruct or Evergreen styrene. You'll need a bed or platform for the boom to attach to- cut down an existing kit part to suit, or make one up. Since you said the grille is from a semi, you could make one to resemble the wrecker body on a heavy-duty wrecker. A smaller version of the body on AMT's Peterbilt 359, or something like that. Or you could make one to resemble a period (1930's) wrecker body. Look around online for images of original '30's wreckers, some of them came with pretty cool looking Art Deco-styled wrecker bodies, and you could try to duplicate something similar.

Dual rear wheels and cab lights might be in order- they'd help tie the semi grille into the total theme. An air horn wouldn't be out of the question either. A shop name or some other type of artwork on the doors would be a nice touch as well.

None of these are requirements, really, just suggestions. And since it's a rat rod, there's really no 'wrong' way to do it. Unless you plan to graft the back end of a Grand Am and the front of an Alero to your cab.

A few 'visual aids' that might help...

I have the entire semi to rip apart for whatever i could need, the bed will be built to the chassis once it`s extended a little,and a shop name on the door is in order.

[wrecker388]

I have one question though, how would I weather the shop logo on the door???

[southpier]

steel wool to fade, ink wash & powdered pastels to rust & dust