RT Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 starting to be tempted by a new project to build a ratrod and I want to know whether it is easier to use an original chassis or dump a body on a l200 ute chassis or something. I'm aware that if you do the latter you have to register it as 'scratch built 2011' which means you have to have a bunch of shit that you wouldn't on a pre-34 car. Gay stuff like window wipers and brakes. Problem is that some pre-34's have a lightweight chassis that wouldn't pass a cert for a v8 and I don't really know what the definition of a lightweight chassis is. How do you know if it's going to up up to it or not? I don't care about handling or performance, just doing it for cheap with least amount of effort for re-vin / cert. thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R100 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I personally would start with an L200, hilux chassis etc. Dont let the worry of havng to build it as a scratch built put you off. At least starting with a chassis like that you have your steering, brakes, suspension sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 if you ever want your rod to look good I wouldn't start with a ute chassis. Also if you actually found a sweet old chassis you can easily strengthen it up for a cert, but old tin is worth a fortune these days unless you are super lucky. Maybe buy a kit-set 32 etc chassis ( they are pretty cheap), needs to have a beam front end to look sweet IMO. What are you thinking for the body? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTheCreator Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 but you dont get the good looking leaf sprung front with a ute chassis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 yeah I really do want the old look ideally.. my original plan was a pre-34 something, anything really. Looking at a 29 Chev sedan. Chop it in half and turn it into a 2-door, chop roof and notch the original chassis and put it back on the road as a 29 chev. Not sure if it would be smarter to get it back on the road in original condition and re-vin it without mods.. and then chop it up. Just would suck to get the car and do a whole lot of work on it for Wayne to tell me the chassis is too light and won't cert it. I don't know what too light means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTheCreator Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/vintage-parts/other/auction-401945580.htm this would be a good start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 well people box old chassis all the time so if you can find a old rust free chassis for good money I'd be on it. You can get a 32 style (or later) ford chassis in a flat pack here in Australia for ~$1500 and they look tops. You would have to be confident you could weld it and keep it straight. Different beam front setups run in all sorts of different price ranges basic 32 I beam kit is $700 and go up from there. You can then run any diff you are keen on, leaf or 4 link. Shit adds up pretty expensive quick though I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seedy Al Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 yeah I'm totally against the idea of a ute chassis, especially with the year of vehicle your talking about. unless your running something full bodied like a 36 with fenders etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKAZ Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Have a look at my build, piece of piss....... cross sprung looks cool, handles like a bucket of shit...Got the NZHRA book?, you need that first, before even comtemplating building a chassis. We BUILD racecars from scratch, decided its a fuck sight easier to use a ute chassis, and 4 link the arse (if you are so inclined), us, we are using custom shortened leaves just to prove it can be done cheaply and easily, next up is a bedford k series cab built into a coupe, with , yes, another L200 underneath, but powered by 350 chev. Check out killbillet.com,and ratrodsrule.com for inspiration. Remember yanks dont have rules like us........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Ive driven a I-beam front end car and it sat on the road just fine, if you can afford to do a dropped I-beam front do it This VS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
governorsam Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/vintage-parts/other/auction-402831011.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKAZ Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 just doing it for cheap with least amount of effort for re-vin / cert. Ute chassis......4x2 or prefabbed rails look awesome, dont get me wrong, but the hassles from the certifier can be a problem, crack testing welds, dont like your gussetts, whatever. The book says additional k members HAVE to be incorporated if performance dynamics are significantly changed, Reason I went this way, is its all done, no tricky angles to figure out. And look what mine owes me, just over a grand with engine and body.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insani-T Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Nothing to say you cant just build your own chassis, it is what has been done with my build. You find the body you want and then design the chassis round that. I am also not a huge fan of going the ute chassis way, but that is just personal choice. Also you will be amazed at the stuff you dont need to have on your vehicle if you build from scratch. If you are worried about having to have windscreen wipers, then the easiest thing to do is dont have a windscreen but have a wind deflector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seedy Al Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 thishttp://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/vintage-parts/other/auction-402831011.htm cant view trade me, how much on that?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Starting bid of $2500 hasn't met reserve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 cheers - gives me something to think about. I don't really want to fuck around trying to make my own chassis and steering etc. My original plan was to find a pre-34 something and cut it up. I would prefer something old and clunky.. horse&cart suspension all round. Maybe I'll just check with wayne first to make sure the chassis is heavy duty enough to get a cert with a v8. Been looking on trademe for ages but yet to find the perfect contender. Ideally a 2-door something, pickup or coupe.. pre '34 with a non rusty chassis and at least one sheet of paperwork or old plates or re-vin is a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKAZ Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 As long as its solid and easy to box it up it will be all g. Get hold of a hobby car manual, its got all the dos and not many donts in it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.p.n.s Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 boxing in the chassis jon is pretyy easy as long as its in good condition with plenty of steel to weld to.but that could be said for the whole build. i know you want the old origanal feel to it (and im ith you on that) but there is alot to be said for using a ute chassis as it has all the brakes ,steering and suspention alrady to go.and with the old chassis you may have to have brakes,steering ect all rebiult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 but if its a pre 34 you dont need brakes, suspension or steering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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