How to Build a Ratrod
What is a ratrod? A ratrod is a barebones car built for speed and racing. It shouldn't look pretty and it definitely shouldn't be new. In fact the older the car is, the better the ratrod. It's not hard to build a ratrod, however it will definitely require some time, labor and a little bit of skill to put your ratrod together.
What You Need
-
A car - not any car will do, make sure it can be customized meaning that you can easily pull out the bad parts
and insert some pieces such as;
An engine
A chassis
Power components such as a large carburetor, tires, transmission, exhaust headers, pistons, etc
Everything on a ratrod is customizable. Your goal is to make it a mean machine while keeping the essence of a ratrod.
Step1. Choose Your Car Frame
You can choose whatever you like, from a Dodge Dart - to an old Camaro - to an old Mustang - to a Gremlin, etc. It
really doesn't matter; however, your car should have personality and the more unique the better. Since it is a
necessity for you to race your ratrod, make sure that whatever car or frame you choose is light weight. You can even
strip off any accessories or components that add to your car's weight such as chrome bumpers, etc.
Step2. Choose an Engine
You want your ratrod to race and to be extremely powerful, so make sure you get the biggest engine possible that can
fit under the hood. You don't need to buy a new engine, rebuilt and used engines are fine. Your engine doesn't have
to cost that much, finding it at a junkyard will do. Remember, raw power is the goal, so make sure you get something
big and sloppy.
Step4. Install all the essentials
You should now have your car frame or chassis and your engine. Now you will be focusing on installing these items along
with other basic power components. These components are optional based upon your vehicle and can include a
transmission, battery, axles, wheels, etc.
Step5. Strip the Interior
By stripping the interior you should pull out any of the old interior that adds weight to the vehicle. This means all
seats, center console, etc. Obviously, you will want to either leave the driver's seat in the vehicle or install a
racing seat. The steering wheel is also important, as are the gas, brake, clutch pedals and stick if your vehicle has
a manual transmission (which is should).
It is extremely important to make sure your ratrod is safe. You will be driving your ratrod at high speed so make sure that your seatbelts are working properly. You can also build a roll cage that will keep you in the vehicle in the case of an accident. Other safety considerations include removing all glass windows and mirrors, adding padding and a 5 point harness system.
Step6. Work on the Body
While a ratrod shouldn't look pretty, it does deserve some sort of paint job. Many ratrods are painted with just black
primer or with color schemes that make their vehicle look mean and dirty. In addition, to the paint job, you might
want to add some racing flare such as a spoiler or air vents to your vehicle.
Step7. Tires and Rims
Tires are an important consideration, because they are the only thing from your ratrod that makes contact with the
road. Make sure that your tires are in excellent condition and are picked for the type of driving or racing you plan
on doing. Rims should be another consideration, while mainly for decoration, make sure your rims can withstand the
pressure of the tires and vehicle around the turns.
Step8. Test Your Vehicle
Before taking your ratrod to the track for competition, it is first important to test your vehicle to make sure it is
safe. Because most ratrods are not street legal, you will need to haul your ratrod to the track for some test runs.
You should make sure that everything is stable and working properly. This includes the suspension, engine,
transmission, steering, gas, brakes, etc.
Step9. Enjoy Your Ratrod
Once everything is working and your safety gear has been installed, take your ratrod out for some fun. Whether it is
racing on the track or enjoying it on the streets, a ratrod could be the perfect toy for anyone yearning for speed.
