1/16 KW Rat Rod

[kgvarrato]

Well I finally started after a few months planning and part gathering my 1/16 KW rat rod. I chopped the roof 6 scale inches, cut open the doors added suicide hinges and sanded off the airhorn and clearance lights. I know I might get some flack for using this but I found a 1/10 Parma 426 Hemi with blower. I cut off the kit tranny away from the Cat and it lined up nicely. Using the mockup engine and tranny I measured out for the frame. I am using Evergreen styrene for that. Cut of the kit airbags, drilled holes and plumbed the airbags, added brass tubing for the suspension. Next step is to work on the front end. This is going to be a bit of a challenge. Here are some pics thus far. ENJOY and comments are always welcomed.

[Superpeterbilt]

You wont catch any flack from me. This is a cool project off to a good start. The motor looks right at home.

[Bennyg]

You won't cop flack of me either. Keep up the good work. Love where this is going. Cheers for sharing.

Ben

[slusher]

Impressive rod already, keep it going and the good work....

[tbill]

i'm digging it!

[redneckrodder]

Looks good and its your build so you have the right to build it how you want its a rat rod so any parts can be used anyway

[kgvarrato]

Thanks guys

[kgvarrato]

Well made a little more progress by starting the front end and adding the front motor mount. I found a set of airbags and springs in my parts box that fit perfectly, I just have to add the airlines, shocks and another cross brace or two. Cut the axle and added pins for steering. I also started filling in the holes and misc body marks with icing.

[Petetrucker07]

That is 1 pissed off lookin truck. Nice work so far

[blackbeard]

killer looking rat truck

[Wonderbread Kustomz]

That's so cool!

[gotnitro?]

Love it

[Bennyg]

Awesome work.

Ben

[Superpeterbilt]

What are your plans in the way of a radiator? Ive got a cool idea using the KW grill.

[kgvarrato]

Thanks and Terry I am using a KW grill, I ordered it yesterday from All American Toy Co. it's an early style Needle nose KW see pic.

I also worked on the front axle cutting away the extra thick plastic "U" bolts, scrapped and drilled adding brass ones. I think it looks better plus you will be able to see all the detail since nothing will be hidden.

[Petetrucker07]

That is slick bud. Ive always wanted to do "real" u-bolts. I think its gonna be a bit harder on 1/25. This is a very nice build. Awesome work so far

[Superpeterbilt]

Awesome! I didnt know they sold parts. What scale is their stuff? Heres a quick sketch of how I was picturing the radiator. This is completely just a suggestion, this is what I see when I look at your truck. If you add a strip of plastic (.250, or . 312)to the back of the grill to make it look like an old Ford or Autocar grill, then chrome it. It would look like a tombstone coming at you. Anyhow, its lookin great.

[kgvarrato]

Thanks for the idea and drawing terry, I see where you are going, I thought of something similar but like your idea. Once I get the grill I will work with it, but I think it will work out nicely. As far as All American Toy Co. (www.allamericantoyco.com) Pat deals with 1/16th scale Kenworths from the late 40's early 50's. Check out the website he has some cool stuff. He also has a 1/12th scale "Toter". Looks almost like an early Ford. Another good site I found is (www.gardentrucking.com) They deal in 1/16th scale R/C semi trucks. He also has a wide variety of stuff. I found both by chance because of a future build I and researching. I own a 1949 Kenworth fire truck. It is a retired Seattle FD Model 721 with a 400 series Hall-Scott engine and Spicer 4 speed tranny. I have for years wanted to build a model of my truck. Now I will for a winter project.

[tbill]

Kevin, that fire truck is too cool! that is awesome!!

[rcdave]

Nice build, I have been into rat rods lately. I like everything about them but the rust. I think it would look cool if you put the radiator low in front of the axle and leaned it back at an angle.

[Superpeterbilt]

Thanks for the info & the links. I have some 1/16 kits stashed, and I could use some of those parts. Thats a cool old fire truck. Thats definitely my favorite era of KW. Did you restore it or is it a survivor?

[kgvarrato]

I have always loved Kenworth's styling especially the late 40's through 50's. I purchased her back in 2000 from a small rural department in eastern WA that had just purchased a "newer" fire truck a 77 IH. she was retired from the Seattle FD in '74. I drove it back from WA to PA took 5 days with no problems other than top speed 50 mph, 5 mpg and Spanish steering and A/C (el-manual). But it was a hell of a fun time. I stripped the cab, hood and fenders to the bare metal and repainted it to Seattle original red and markings. I had the misfortune after a couple years loosing oil pressure and spinning the mains blowing out the babbits. When Seattle took delivery it was powered by a Continental then replaced by a Hercules and in the late 60's the Hall-Scott. I might rebuild the Hall-Scott or jut put a diesel in, up in the air.

[Superpeterbilt]

Id go back with the diesel. You can always snatch a continental out of an old military truck. Well, good luck with both. Thats quite a weekend cruiser youve got there.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Superpeterbilt

[kgvarrato]

To my surprise I found a box in the mail today from All American Toy Co. It was the grill I ordered in the beginning of the week. Have to say I found a very top quality chromed metal grill. Immediately I headed to the workshop and started messing with it. It is a little taller than I imagined but I think it will work out just fine. I bent some brass for a mock up. Here are the pictures.

Edited July 11, 2014 by kgvarrato

[Superpeterbilt]

That is just flat out awesome!!