How to Build a Rat Rod

If you are looking for a fun project this winter, why notwill already have a V8 in it but if it doesn't it's no big
build a rat rod? My son and I had just as much fundeal. I usually start by cutting off the roof. You should
building our rat rod last winter as we did driving ittry to leave the uprights for the windshield in place so
around this summer. From finding the perfect body allyou can still mount a windshield easily. You should also
the way through finally finishing our rat rod the projectstrengthen the frame by welding in some tube steel in
was really fun.all the crucial places. This should take you a few
The first thing you are going to want to do is find aweeks if you are working 10 hours a week or so.
good body. You may want to find an old truck bodyNow you need an engine for your rat rod. Most people
from the early 20's through the 60's. You could alsouse small block chevy motors because they are
find a car body from the same era.available and cheap. You can use whatever you want,
How do you find one of these bodies? Well you couldbut make sure you don't spend too much. You should
check your local junkyards, or classified ads. There arerebuild or replace the crucial parts like the oil pump,
also other ways to find great bodies for building a ratwater pump, alternator etc. Make sure the motor is
rod, but I will get to that later.going to be loud. Put some new headers on and
If you are going to build a truck then try to get a halfremove all the smog stuff, so you can really hear it run.
ton and make sure you get the title. Hopefully the truck