While certainly not to the level of a “trend” or “movement” yet, we’re seeing more and more tired old big rigs turned into hot rods or rat rod type creations. Some of them are boss and make us want to go searching for an old truck that’s been put out to pasture and others make us cringe a little when we see them. 10 years ago, this wasn’t something that anyone did. Today there is a good chance that at any large car show you’ll see one of two of these monster rods. Depending on your stance regarding the trucks, that is a good thing or a bad thing. Spoiler alert, we’re largely fans.
These trucks are more than just pulling the hood off and slapping some air bags on. As you’ll see in this neat video that documents the build of a 1984 ‘Pete 359, the cabs are relocated, new front suspension is fabricated, the frame is shortened, and the massive step is built to give the truck the low slung stance necessary to complete the look. Certainly it isn’t like these guys are building a Ridler Award contender, but there is a bunch of work to take the truck from a stocker to gigante rod status.
All of the same basic principles that are applied to building a hot rod Ford pickup from the ’30s apply here…just mega-sized. You really need to trust the dude who fabricates and welds that huge rear frame step, too. Screwing that up or failing to make solid welds could end really bad for the occupants of the truck and who ever gets that giant Eaton rear end in their lap!
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE THE HUGE RAT ROD BIG RIG PICKUP GET BUILT AND THEN WATCH IT CUT DONUTS IN THE SNOW!
