A friend told me about this site and I'm gonna be using the heck out of it with my new project. I'm gonna get my two sons, ages 12 and 9, to be part of the project. Most likely some type of Rat Rod as I don't have the funds after a divorce to go all out. I used to own a 65' Mustang Fastback. A Shelby clone. Sold it and have wanted something ever since. Just recently, right after my split with the Ex ; ) , a 97' C5 Corvette fell into my lap with only 27K miles on it. So I have my sports car ; ) Yet I still wish I had an old muscle car or hot rod. My friend has been building this rat rod and it got me thinking about doing a project like this with my kids to teach them how to turn a wrench. My Ex-Father in law has an old truck in his back yard. I've known the truck to be sitting in his yard for 30 years now and just recently the light bulb lit in my head. A phone call later and me letting him know it's a great way for me to teach his grand kids to work on their own cars...... he is giving me this truck ; ) From what I can find picture wise, it's a 41' - 46' International Harvester K-1 Pick-Up. It seems to be in pretty good condition considering it has been parked since 1966'!!!! Before I was born I'm gonna have to cut a tree down just to get it out of the corner of his yard. Can't wait to power wash it down, to get the spiders and rats out of it ; ) , and see what we have. This will be my first build like this so I'm gonna have plenty of questions. 1st is if the frame is in good shape, do most people use it? Or is it nessacerry to use a donor frame or custom? Here is how she sits today.
I don't usually welcome new members, as I'm a newbie myself, kinda stinks of being a post *****. But your name caught my eye, Maiden rocks!!! But anyway, stick with the stock frame, saves a pile of fab making the body panels fit. Oh yeah, and be careful with the 'rat rod' term around here, most (myself included) don't care for it, but many are VERY aggressive about it. Have fun, and good luck.
lmaf yea your name cought my eye too maiden does rock!!! yea ive been told the rat word around theese parts is a no no lol try the term "traditional rod" maybe people wont get there ******* in a bunch, as for myself i like all rods rat or not, the point is people built it, most "street rods" some poor schmuck like me built for the guy who doesnt even know what a tool is, anyway... looks like you have a solid looking truck there and i respect what your doing with the kids!!! im doing the same thing with my son same seneareo its a hard deal all the way around, dont count your losses, think of what youll gain, great great project enjoy it... dont lose intrest...ever wanna talk RAT (oops did i write that) send me a message
Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, I'm not real concerned with upsetting anyone with a simple term. Just looking for ways to get some guidance on this project. I'm building the truck for me and my boys to enjoy, not to enter some car show. With that in mind, don't expect it to fit some guideline of how it should be built and presented. I do want to find a good reliable V-8 and manual transmission that I can transplant in to this oldie. May even go with some more modern power if I feel I can get it to work. Maybe an LS1 out of a late 90's Camaro. Guess it's gonna depend on what I can find.
Welcome from New Zealand. Cool truck to teach your grandkids about wrenchin'. You'll find plenty of other Cornbinder enthusiasts on the site. I'm not sure what the rules are in CA these days for engines and you might want to check that out before you spend your hard earned cash. I'm sure there are other HAMBers who can guide you on that aspect of your build.
I'm glad to hear that you are going to build the truck with your kids. I'm doing the same with my Fury and the kids love it. I had to yse the excuse that it would be a great bonding time for me and the kids since I'm in the Navy and gone all the time. It worked and now I have a toy to play with. Can't wait to see pics of your truck, good luck and welcome from Virginia Beach.
They are my two sons that I'm getting some tool time with. It was their grampa, my ex-wifes dad, that has the truck and agreed to give it to me to use as a project with his grandkids. I'm only 41 so no grandkids yet ; )
The Jalopy Journal
