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beachbumberry
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006
Posts: 33
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 Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject: thinking about building a ratrod |
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| any advice? i figure chop the top, put an early american solid front axle (maybe a postal jeep front) pull the fenders, beef up the tranny and build up the motor, etc. i wanna do this on the cheap, so intirior will be pretty basic (like a ratrod should be) and the exterior will be the same. i want a fun project that i can do and have something really really cool. any input would be great |
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sovereignsamba
Banned
Joined: March 06, 2004
Posts: 2845
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| don't forget to paint it with flat paint & take all of the seat upohlstrey. Then weld 3 or 4 other shifers to your shifter to extend it so high that it almost hits the roof. |
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cvgt
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2006
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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nothing wrong with a ratrod. Your jeep axle won't work, it has twin longitudal leaf springs, you're thinking of a early Ford(pre 49)front axle with a single transverse leaf spring. Why not use a beam extender? Alot easier, decent look. I built a ratrod(wasn't called that then)in 1992 out of a 66 bug. People thought I was really weird.....
and I think he's being a bit fececious about the shifter..... |
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mailman
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2005
Posts: 1663
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I really love the whole rat-rod look. I'd like to build one for myself, but the "look" almost requires a chopped top.....and I'm 6" 4" tall.
Maybe a rat-rod convertible.......... 
_________________
'64 Bahama Blue Beetle / steel sunroof
'64 Bahama Blue Beetle Sedan (future ragtop) |
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beachbumberry
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| ok... what is a beam extender and how does it work? i actually planned on painting it flat brown but no big tall shifter... i dont like that |
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cvgt
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2006
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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| A beam extender is a fabricated metal part that moves the axle forward, placing the wheel center just behind the front apron. If you don't, the whole look is outa kilter. Being new here, don't know if I can mention the site you can find beam extenders at.......anybody know if it's allowed? |
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nukeworker
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2005
Posts: 490
Location: Area 51
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Have you seen the one in this month's Hot VW? I think that is like the coolest ride I've ever seen. Must be nice to have unlimited funds. |
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TimD_66
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2005
Posts: 1170
Location: San José, California
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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| cvgt wrote: |
| A beam extender is a fabricated metal part that moves the axle forward, placing the wheel center just behind the front apron. If you don't, the whole look is outa kilter. Being new here, don't know if I can mention the site you can find beam extenders at.......anybody know if it's allowed? |
yes you're allowed to mention the site where you can find beam extenders...
for more information on what you can and cant do in the forums, i suggest you read the forum rules.....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4
_________________
'58 Ragtop bug - 2276T (Re-assembly in progress!)
'65 13 window deluxe bus (SWR/BG)
'04 VW R32 - 3.2L VR6
B.L.T.N.
N.A.G. |
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VWRAT67
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2005
Posts: 134
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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The best advice I have for you is to go to http://www.volksrods.com this is not the best site for rat rod applications.
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DANIEL FROM RAINY WASHINGTON
1970 TYPE 1
www.franklinsvwwerks.com |
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RareAir
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002
Posts: 14576
Location: 18 miles North of the border
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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| beachbumberry wrote: |
| ok... what is a beam extender and how does it work? |
It pushes the front beam out & effectively lengthens the wheel base by around 10-inches. Another advantage the extenders has is that it lowers the front end about 2-inches at the same time. Contact Mike at wwwpeglegmetalwerks.com or (415) 253-0964
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1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241 |
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RareAir
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002
Posts: 14576
Location: 18 miles North of the border
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| Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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| shane red wrote: |
| don't forget to weld 3 or 4 other shifers to your shifter to extend it so high that it almost hits the roof. |
Or you can do it the easy way, install a 1961-67 Type 2 shifter instead.
_________________
1947 Typ 11a
1954 Typ 117
1956 Typ 151
1959 Typ 117
1959 Typ 265
1961 356B
1966 Typ 151
1966 Typ 241 |
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BaggedVdub58
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2006
Posts: 48
Location: Dinuba, California
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:23 am Post subject: |
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| If u do decide to go with a tall shifter try getting one built from alum or some other light weight material because a steel one would be to heavy and pop out of gear on hard bumps..... Just a thought My shifter is sits right in the middle of windshield.... |
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bugnut68
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003
Posts: 4180
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:33 am Post subject: |
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I've a totally legit question, as it's something I've wondered about for some time...what are the effects of switching to a Ford-style front suspension/front end, in terms of handling? Does it really work, or is it an acceptable swap for a car that only gets drive periodically and sees limited highway speeds? Not asking to stir the pot here, but am curious as to how well they work in real-world applications, as I'm wondering as to how much time went into properly changing the engineering of the VW's suspension?
I've never driven a '32 or any other early Ford, so I'm not sure as to their handling behavior... |
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andk5591
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 16757
Location: State College, PA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Re early Ford front end - Did you ever drive an old pick up? Something with a solid front axle - lot of early 60s pickups still had them. Not the best handling things out there. The early fords, etc were similar. Single bar with wheels stuck on the ends.
So - here is the thing - if you are after the look. then screw it as far as handling goes. I mean, would an independent front suspension look good on a T-Bucket? Heck no.
I doubt if you are planning to rip up and down canyon roads with it anyway. I do know some old school rodders that were able to get reasonable handling in early Ford rods, but it's a real chore. (Could never understand putting an Jag independent rear in a car with a solid front axle though......)
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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thefabulousnip
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 302
Location: Mobile, AL
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.speedwaymotors.com/product.aspx?display_id=4040&dept_id=948
You might want to check that kit out from Speedway.
andk5591, you compared the old Fords to a straight axle pickup, but a '40s model Ford car has a cross steering setup that is much better than the old trucks. I don't know if the VW kit uses cross steering, but if so it shouldn't handle too bad. A cross steer Ford car has zero bump steer problems, something that can't be said about the trucks. |
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bugnut68
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003
Posts: 4180
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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| andk5591 wrote: |
Re early Ford front end - Did you ever drive an old pick up? Something with a solid front axle - lot of early 60s pickups still had them. Not the best handling things out there. The early fords, etc were similar. Single bar with wheels stuck on the ends.
So - here is the thing - if you are after the look. then screw it as far as handling goes. I mean, would an independent front suspension look good on a T-Bucket? Heck no.
I doubt if you are planning to rip up and down canyon roads with it anyway. I do know some old school rodders that were able to get reasonable handling in early Ford rods, but it's a real chore. (Could never understand putting an Jag independent rear in a car with a solid front axle though......) |
I guess I'm just not meant to be a VolksRod guy, as I can't foresee building a car based on purely integrating the look of a completely different make. No offense to those who are into it, but it just doesn't make sense to me, especially when it worsens drivability characteristics, like handling. |
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jhicken
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Joined: October 24, 2003
Posts: 9466
Location: Fallbrook, CA
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KantDriveFast
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2005
Posts: 4293
Location: Caldwell, Id.
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| Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:54 am Post subject: |
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CLASSIC!  |
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fonzy
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2005
Posts: 126
Location: Omicron Persiei 8
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| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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yeah no kidding... wtf wants to do something un-original like a rat rod?
Personally, I haven't seen enough white convertible superbeetles get restored back to ... umm... factory specs... yet...
OHH OHH! wait! even better!
a white convertible superbeetle NOT restored back to factory specs! just sort of half-assed cleaned up and driven daily!
man now THAT would be the shiznit!
bet it would hit the cover of every major bug mag in a few weeks!
_________________
A legend and an out of work bum sure look alot alike, Daddy.
| jhicken wrote: |
That dude (FONZY) is the Martha Stewart of VW modification. Nice job.
-jeffrey |
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bugnut68
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003
Posts: 4180
Location: Eugene, OR
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| Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, without ruffling any feathers--I'm totally asking for the sake of curiosity--what is the point behind adapting a worse-handling front end to the front of a VW, other than the "look?" I mean, to me a Ford front end looks at home on a '32 Ford, and looks like it BELONGS there, but on a VW it only looks like an adapted novelty. Is that the only reasoning behind it?
I definitely see the creative palate that the VW is to many people and everything, but trying to make it look like a Ford I don't understand...especially when it inhibits--at least I'm assuming it inhibits, but other's opinions on the handling characteristics seem to confirm this--safe and agile handling. If the car can't be driven at speed safely, then it really isn't a "rod," is it? I know that street rods are built with drivabilty in mind, but aren't rat rods patterned after the original spirit of hot rodding, which was speed and horsepower?
Sorry if I'm reading further into this than necessary, but I'm a curious guy.  |
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