Years ago I had this idea for a 1:1 truck I wanted to build. A 70s-80's Chevy Rat Rod. at the time I drew up a sketch and its sat in my sketch book for years. Having a family and being in the army, the funds, time and work space weren't available. Recently, after a 10 year absence from models, I decided to build my rod... as a model. The idea was simple. A chopped and lowered chevy truck from that era that still maintained some of the styling and features you see in the older hotrods and rat rods. so I introduce the ChevyBilt rat.
mocked up how it should look with the exception of the front will sit lower after I fabricate the suicide FS. I apologize for not taking pictures up to this point.
I'm using parts from multiple vehicles.
'77 GMC- Cab, front differential and transfer case(did i mention its a 4wd?) and floor pan/firewall
'65 Chevy stepside- Bed, interior
'55 Chevy- emblems and odds and ends
Peterbilt 359- rear suspension and axle, tires and wheels, air tank for the suspension, fuel tank, smoke stacks(will be cut shorter) and grill(cut down to size), possibly more
1967 Plymouth GTX- 427 Hemi Engine
My first step was to cut off the front clip, rebuild the fire wall, fill in the gaps and chop the roof. Im still in the fitting and sanding stages so its still looking rough.
Then I built the frame and chopped the springs and hangers off the Peterbilt frame and attached them.
Next I took the stepside bed from the '65, cut the wheel well off and took about an inch out of the middle to make the length right for looks and so the rear tires would be centered
Next thing I did was cut out the seat door panels so I can put the door panels from the 65 in. The seat I kept because I'm going to uphulster it with an "awesome" 70's looking blanket I baught at goodwill.
NExt, I built my front suspension using the axel from the '77 gmc. I had to buiLe the top of the differential from scratch. I also used a rear leaf spring from the parts box(I believe it's from an older corvette.
Also got my seat upholstered.
I used bondo body filler for the cab/firewall. I realized my bondo skills aren't the greatest so if anyone has any tips, tricks or an easier product to work with I'd love to hear about it. Then I sprayed on some primer and did some sanding(much more needed)
Next, I cut down the petebilt radiator housing to the size I needed and resized a parts box radiator with electric fans to fit.
I got my motor mounts in and engine fitted with the transfer case from the '77 and used the transmission crossmember/skid plate from the 77s frame. I also got my bed fitted and put a cover on it, later on I will be putting aged wood on the bed cover.
And this, now that I've got the suspension all worked out will be the final stance of the truck.
Now this is how it all sits. I'll keep plugging away at it this week, maybe I'll get the engine built..
mocked up how it should look with the exception of the front will sit lower after I fabricate the suicide FS. I apologize for not taking pictures up to this point.
I'm using parts from multiple vehicles.
'77 GMC- Cab, front differential and transfer case(did i mention its a 4wd?) and floor pan/firewall
'65 Chevy stepside- Bed, interior
'55 Chevy- emblems and odds and ends
Peterbilt 359- rear suspension and axle, tires and wheels, air tank for the suspension, fuel tank, smoke stacks(will be cut shorter) and grill(cut down to size), possibly more
1967 Plymouth GTX- 427 Hemi Engine
My first step was to cut off the front clip, rebuild the fire wall, fill in the gaps and chop the roof. Im still in the fitting and sanding stages so its still looking rough.
Then I built the frame and chopped the springs and hangers off the Peterbilt frame and attached them.
Next I took the stepside bed from the '65, cut the wheel well off and took about an inch out of the middle to make the length right for looks and so the rear tires would be centered
Next thing I did was cut out the seat door panels so I can put the door panels from the 65 in. The seat I kept because I'm going to uphulster it with an "awesome" 70's looking blanket I baught at goodwill.
NExt, I built my front suspension using the axel from the '77 gmc. I had to buiLe the top of the differential from scratch. I also used a rear leaf spring from the parts box(I believe it's from an older corvette.
Also got my seat upholstered.
I used bondo body filler for the cab/firewall. I realized my bondo skills aren't the greatest so if anyone has any tips, tricks or an easier product to work with I'd love to hear about it. Then I sprayed on some primer and did some sanding(much more needed)
Next, I cut down the petebilt radiator housing to the size I needed and resized a parts box radiator with electric fans to fit.
I got my motor mounts in and engine fitted with the transfer case from the '77 and used the transmission crossmember/skid plate from the 77s frame. I also got my bed fitted and put a cover on it, later on I will be putting aged wood on the bed cover.
And this, now that I've got the suspension all worked out will be the final stance of the truck.
Now this is how it all sits. I'll keep plugging away at it this week, maybe I'll get the engine built..
