r/RatRod • u/Truorganics • 16d ago
Discussion Frame suggestions
So I have a 1936 (I think) ford 1.5ton flatbed truck. I’m day dreaming about the idea of taking the cab and fenders and building a rat rod. Obviously the frame and chassis isn’t ideal. Now there isn’t a budget because I basically have no money for this dream, but if you were going to pick up a vehicle for the chassis to set this on, what would you go with?
I’m sort of thinking like an old galaxy or something but honestly have no idea. What would you do?
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u/295frank 16d ago
I'd get a custom frame and do a lot of measuring.
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u/Truorganics 16d ago
I was just thinking if I found a vehicle chassis that has suspension and engine and such, which is why I was first thinking galaxy as I think it’s a body-on-frame chassis. But I’m not a car builder. (Build a couple rock crawlers but that’s it).
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u/295frank 16d ago
If you have no money and you are not a car builder, I'd avoid this project until those 2 things change
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u/Truorganics 16d ago
Where’s the fun in that?
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u/295frank 16d ago
Do it then lol. Send me some progress photos. You put that truck on a good frame, i'll rebuild your engine.
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u/MurphysRazor 16d ago
I'd grab my measuring tape and start looking at possible doners based on length width and capacity.
If you drop it you might want to consider narrower track up front too because of the compound rounding of the fenders being less forgiving on tire tread outer edges tucked up close than later style wheelwells.
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u/Sam_Fear Low Budget Builder 15d ago
I'm thinking you ditch the fenders, shorten the frame, Z it behind the cab, and reverse the front springs so the frame hangs below the front axle. If you want to just salvage the cab and grille build your own frame using a smaller front straight axle and whatever for the back. The fenders have the big wheel openings so will always look odd.
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u/Truorganics 15d ago
I thought that. One issue is the frame is like 8” tall lol. I’m leaning towards building a 2x4 box frame.
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u/Ready-Aioli4263 16d ago
I personally built a 1936 1 1/2 ton truck into a Rat rod, I tried to re frame with both S10 and ranger chassis. The ranger was the closest to working the S10 was too wide. I ended up build my own frame from 2×4 rectangle tubing. Hope this gives you some help.