Seen this pic and had to share. Very creative use of trailer hitches.....the chassis is a 83' Ford 4x4 Ranger pick-up. Rod owned by a 59 year old truck driver from Arizona. a quote from the owner "Thanks guys..., that is all '83 Ford Ranger driveline, 2.3 engine...radiator is John Deere, four core and only 14" wide....., i have been told on another board that the hitches weren't safe?......1 7/8 balls and rated at 2500 lbs apiece...the whole car probably doesn't weigh that !"
i bet he is using the lawn mower blades for a fan and coat hangers for throttle linkage. just like the 50s bro
This pic has been posted here before. Apparently it is only driven in extreme crosswinds. Shoving the radiator sideways against the exhaust has to have some interesting consequences. The trailer hitch front end is scary enough but doing it to the rear too? I noticed that none have safety pins in them either. No one drives it on the street do they?
Sorry for re-posting it...I never seen it here before. He states that it hasn't been on the road yet...waiting on windshield, turn signals and paperwork/registration. I sure hope they don't do a vehicle inspection before they issue title or paperwork! I know hitches tow stuff every day and HEAVY stuff too....... but I wonder if the inspector will have the same heart and love for rodz all of us do.
trailer hitches for the FOUNDATION of a car and you guys are wondering if the 4 wheel drive works? wow...
Not sure of what strength is required for that specific area of the front ends geometry, but going by this a 3/4" thread with a 5/8" hole rates in @ 40,572 lbs...(that is a far cry from a 2,500 lb. hitch)...is that or anywheres near that strength what's required in that area?... or are these Heim joints just super strong for "any" purpose? Sizes are as follows.... XMR/L3....3/16" HOLE..10-32 THREAD..$8.99 EA. Radial Static Load....2,851 Lbs. XMR/L4....1/4" HOLE..1/4-28 THREAD..$8.99 EA. Radial Static Load....5,260 Lbs. XMR/L5....5/16" HOLE..5/16-24 THREAD..$8.99 EA. Radial Static Load....7,639 Lbs. XMR/L6....3/8" HOLE..3/8-24 THREAD..$9.99 EA. Radial Static Load....9,544 Lbs. XMR/L7....7/16" HOLE..7/16-20 THREAD..$11.99 EA. Radial Static Load....10,285 Lbs. XMR/L8....1/2" HOLE..1/2-20 THREAD..$14.99 EA. Radial Static Load....16,238 Lbs. XMR/L10...5/8" HOLE..5/8-18 THREAD..$17.99 EA. Radial Static Load....17,955 Lbs. XMR/L10-12.5/8" HOLE..3/4-16 THREAD..$25.99 EA. Radial Static Load....40,572 Lbs. XMR/L12...3/4" HOLE..3/4-16 THREAD..$25.99 EA. Radial Static Load....28,081 Lbs. QA1 Rod Ends are the best in the industry with far superior quality and strength. www.arundelchassis.com www.autofabracecars.com
I'd be willing to bet that he can safely say he will never be parked next to another rod with the same "kustom" work as his.
I just want to know if the headlights adjust based on ride and load. Oh I see, you can adjust them while driving. Well thought out. Scrump
It does look scary, and asthetically suspect, but it is probably strong enough. I have pulled some heavy stuff with a 1 7/8" ball, and around corners, too, if anyone is questioning the forces generated during turns. But I'm no engineer.
It is only as strong as the pin holding it. Not only that, but when the car raises/lowers going over bumps the hitch ball would act as a fulcrum. So, I wonder how much that sucker tweaks in a situation like that?
I still do not understand the whole "Rat Rod" thing completely. Is it the "anti-Boyd", building something so ugly as to be the complete antithesis of the 90's monochromatic 'look'?? Or are the builders just utterly lacking in talent and vision?? Further, most rat rods seem to be showered with small and large items that scream "unsafe". This one is certainly no exception. Is this part and parcel of the whole?? Does a rat rod, by definition, HAVE to be unsafe?? I, myself, am no degreed engineer, nor can I claim extensive building credit. However, even my first car (a T Bucket) was safer than the hinges of the glovebox of this disaster. Lastly, I have noticed that builders of this ilk of motorised, um, vehicle, in general do not take kindly to any criticism, pointing out that it "made it here, didn't it" as a defence of any perceived lack of proper build quality. Over the years I have learned to snicker quietly, and make sure that I leave well after the monstrosity has left, hopefully in a different direction. Oh, yeah, I already know I'm an opinionated bastard, should anyone feel it helpful to point that out . Cosmo
Hey that is a pull load rating on the hitch not an up n down rating popped one off with a bumper jack once that was latched trying to raise trailer close to tongue==unsafe at any speed bout the same as pins with clips to hold it in place Ken
I like it makes me feel real smart. Ya know some things is ingenius but I think that one is out genius. Ol Whiley Coyotee aint got nuthin on him.
and it looks like a pile of shit too....for christ sake if ya gona build sumat, safe or not at least make it look good.....as far as safety goes I wouldn't want to be in it going any faster than 5mph and I'm no engineer. it probably took longer to do the trailer hitch joints than it would have done to do them right with proper rose joints or rubber bushes..
my comments werent really geared towards safety, i know what a trailer hitches function is. a hotrod or custom has everything to do with what looks right, not just whats laying out in your backyard or whats even safe.... this guy is way out in left field.
wow... hitches are ment to have positive toung weight... they are not designed to have any negative forces(up) on them. they can with stand short spans of upward force, but that.... that is scarry... i sure hope his state has vehicle safety inspections before issuing a registration or a title.
Just because something can be done damn sure doesn't mean it should be done. The rat creed seems to be "If any can be bolted, brazed, welded, soldered, or screwed to anything else then go ahead and do it!". Common sense or proven engineering and experience mean nothing to a know-nothing.
I know some 'bruthas' that wouldn't be caught in a P.O.S. like that..... Call O.S.R., I see their next cover..............
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