Hey guys, name is Ray. Have been on here for a while just soakin up what I can but never posted until today. That post was deleted to the best of my knowledge because I didn't introduce myself. Should have known better, seems to be the norm on most forums. I have been a bike guy for years. Trying to get some type of rod together. Have plenty of newer toys but I am pretty green on the ins and outs of the old iron so I will rely on you guys a bit throughout my stay. I have a 38 ford 1/2 ton truck that is missing its flathead. I am trying to figure out how to cram a ***mins diesel 6 cyl in it. My first post was asking if the stock front end can hold that 1100 lb motor, and if not what front end can that i can keep my stock bolt pattern and use the original artillery wheels and keep my stock ride height. I know many people on here don't care for diesels but I have come to love them over the past 5 years and really want a rod with one. I am really on the fence of wanting this rat truck because I have 3 kids and that cab isn't hardly big enough for 2 people, so I may be looking at some type of 50's sedan soon. Thanks for the info I have read over the past year and good to meet you all. Ray
welcome from TN. i read your post before it was deleted and had to run and didn't get a chance to respond. the brakes, frame, and rearend are as much a concern as the front axle. if you really want that ***mins in it, i would fab a new frame from heavy walled 2x4 rectangular tubing and add an updated heavyduty rear, and as much as i hate the idea, add independant front end parts that i'd cannibalize from a modern heavy duty truck as it sounds your keeping the full fendered look so it would be hidden. it would also give you disc brakes up front. as it is the frames too weak, the banjo rear wouldn't take the torque and has an enclosed driveshaft that won't mate without conversion to open drive. and as far as i know it has mechanical drum brakes,not even hydraulic. IF it was mine i'd opt for a small block v-8 ,box the factory frame, run '40 backing plates on the front with the '38 drums to keep the wide 5 pattern, and fit a '40 or so rearend with the '38 drums(or a modern rearend with wide five adaptor) and call it a good day for my first build. this would be way easier, way cheaper and you will have more friends on this forum. good luck with whatever direction you choose.
Ray (rollinrust) ... You actually did do an intro (see Long time lurker making it official) ... so I'm bettin' your thread got deleted because of your liberal use of the "R-word" ... you gotta remember that this is not the Ol' Skool Rodz forum. There's absolutely nothing wrong in building a Hot Rod truck with a ***mins diesel engine [look no further than today's When the Diesel came to Indy… Blog] ... BUT what many HAMBrs object to is an FNG that somehow equates a rusty, ratty-looking old car or truck to what we discuss here on the H.A.M.B. (i.e., Traditional Hot Rods & Customs). I wish you nothing but success with your "rat truck" (or '50s sedan) build ... Patina is sometimes cool ... but why not just fix the rust? Whatever you build, make sure it's a safe & road-worthy vehicle that you (& your family) can enjoy for many years to come.
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