How To Build Your Rat Rod Your Way

So you have seen hundreds, even thousands of pictures of Rat Rods
and you have had enough of ideas and you decide to build what you want
in a Rat Rod. Here's a couple of ways to get some ideas flowing for
your Rat Rod.Everybody seems to have the idea of flat black and steel
wheels with baby moon hubcaps. There is nothing wrong with going with
a flat metallic silver or a flat metallic maroon. Using full moon
hubcaps give it the "salt flats" look, and actually makes it look a
bit sleeker, without taking away the Rat Rod look.Engines and
Transmissions are readily available. If you want to be able to drive
your Rat Rod year round, there is nothing wrong with aftermarket fuel
injection. Just disguise it a bit so the wiring is not so obvious. Use
some metal conduit or other sheathing to run wires through. Hide
computers and electronics under the dash. Electronic transmissions are
not readily spotted as they sit under your ride.Interiors are always
another topic for argument. Most Rat Rods have no interior and have
the most basic "boat" type of seat. There is nothing wrong will a full
interior, just keep it relevant. I would not have a rolled and pleated
interior with bright vibrant colors. Mexican ponchos are great to wrap
around or even to glue to existing interior parts. The fit the bill
perfectly for your Rat Rod.Add-ons and customization is where many
people's opinions are different. Swapping out dashboards from other
year vehicles is cool, but some want to keep their Chevy all Chevy.
This is a matter of personal opinion. Same goes with headlights and
taillights. Fenders and body work is best swapped with similar years
as putting a fifties fender on a thirties car would look a bit funny.
Use common sense here. Just because it looks old and ratty doesn't
make it a true Rat Rod.Windshields and roofs are a matter of
driveability as well. Local bar hopping is ok if you chop the roof and
windshield. Only the die hard Rat Rodders drive them state to state.
Removable hard tops are optimum, but some experience is necessary to
cut off a roof and make it bolt-able. It's not too hard, but you
should have knowledge of welding and metal fabrication.What all this
means is that variety is the way to go when building your Rat Rod.
Take note of what people say, but you determine what the final outcome
of your ride will be.