Big Rat Wrecker!

[vwcamperman]

Here's a shot of my January sales purchase.



The pics of it mocked up are before I lowered the front suspension. The cab has been channeled over the frame and I rebuilt the rear wall as it had a huge hole in it for the sleeper box using the rear of the sleeper box. The curved bit in front of the doors is where the fenders were attached. The frame was "Z"ed so the suspension would be lower with out having to rebuild the whole lot but I raised the rear slightly to give it more rake. I'm building some boxes to go under the cab sides and a simple hoist system for the rear.





here you can see the shortened grill



These pics are of the lowering of the front end



ah clothes-pegs




comments, ideas or abuse appreciated


PS Thanks for the name Charlie (It'll be towing something to "Charlies European Vintage Car Parts and Scrap Merchants" )

[vwcamperman]

I'm going to copy the paint scheme from charlies build too, unfortunately photobucket is down so I can't put a pic up

[davea]

Abuse? OK, ten lashes with a wet noodle! Looks like some serious alterations are going on- keep us posted!

[fredmellini]

Hi Martin, Kool idea!! you have done alot of chassis modification--great work!! Hey I was looking at your side shot with the cab sitting on the frame...I was just wondering if that is where you want the cab to sit because I noticed that your motor is now almost to the cab roof and your hood mounts and hood will sit higher that the cab? In other words the hood will not line up with the cab..because the motor height does not allow the hood to be dropped down... ..When I lowered my ratrod rig,I had to lower the front end by cutting the front leafsprings and shocks, then I had to notch out the oil pan of the motor so the front axle would fit.....This is only if you are going to use the diesel engine and stock hood. If you are going to use a different motor set up, then forget everything I said ;D ;D ;D ;D. .....................Fred

I should have read your statement more accurately...I see you said the mock up was before you lowered the front suspension......my bad!!!

[barten]

VERY COOL!
GB
BArten

[vwcamperman]

Thanks Fred I'm going to scratchbuild a hood. I realise this thing would be about as practical as concrete spectacles but it doesn't hurt if it's plastic ;D

[halfasskustom]

That's going to be crazzy, never tot of doing that to a big rig.

[Bert]

Lookin Good Martin. Check out this link, if you haven't already. I plan on doing something like this one day.
blastolene.com/Work_in_Progress/index.htm

Can't wait to see it finished

[vwcamperman]

Thanks for the link Bert,I'd been looking for that as it was what inspired me to make a big rig rod

[Dr. Kerry]

Z'd frame on a semi??
Man that is nutz!!!! But for whatever reason (Ha ha) I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome job Martin, do keep us posted on it!!!

Man that is KrAzIe!!!!

[TheMadModeler]

Bert that Kicks Butt.. Very Very Nice.....
Finish that up man..

BiLL..

[vwcamperman]

If you find the big truck thing on the progress category that's what this has turned into now! ;D