one-of-a-kind diesel rod Combining a classic Ford with a modern 12V Cummins,

Diesel rat stick! 1931 Fordor with a 12V Cummins from Sponsor Dodge Ram. Disastrous success: The combination of old and new creates a one-of-a-kind mouse stick.

Many of you already know what a great source of inspiration magazines can be. Studying the pages filled with images of different characters is the perfect way to determine your own preferences and design in your personal dream generator. That’s what happened to Jason Walters from Bluffton, South Carolina.

Jason grew up around cars thanks to his family’s toy store business, where he learned the art of welding at the age of 13. A helping car enthusiast ever since, he got his start on how to ride unique in 2012 after seeing pictures of a mouse stick in a magazine.

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The first half of the house with the 1931 Ford Fordor body Jason was found in Sumммerʋille, South Carolina. Since the small-key Cheʋrolet engine didn’t fit the image, he bought a 1993 Dodge Ramm D3500 dually pickup truck as a sponsor. His adventure was to try driving the Dodge, keeping only the 12V Cummins engine and 46RH transmission, then selling the rest. He used the same approach with the original Ford, only keeping the shape. The real challenge is to create a platform to connect the two.

A trip to the local steel supplier yielded 2×4-inch, 3/16-inch rectangular wall tubes, which will be used to create a frame suitable for the weight and the size of the diesel engine, as well as the diesel engine. length of Ford ody. For a bit of nostalgia, the original 1931 Ford suicide front end was retained but upgraded with disc brakes, 4-inch drop axles and forward leaf springs from Speedway Motors. Because the Cummins registered a weight of 1,100 pounds, Jason knew that a spring wouldn’t be strong enough. To combat that weight, he built a custom shock absorber to hold a pair of Speedway Motors coilovers, each weighing 500 pounds. Moving to the rear, Jason designed a triangular four-link suspension, retaining the 9.5-inch rear axle from a 2003 Cheʋrolet Silʋerado 2500. The rear setup was enhanced with a pair of Bilstein shocks and special Slam airbags. The special allows you to adjust the vehicle’s height. The Viair 450 compressor powers the system using FMC Technologies lines and 3/8-inch lines to pressurize the rear window primary fire extinguisher tank, which is currently used as a reserve tank. reserve.

Mouse bar style

The custom chassis rolls thanks to 15-inch Rocket Racing repro wheels up front similar to the old dragster model, wrapped in Coker Classic wheels. At the rear, 17-inch Moto Metal 8-lug rims use Firestone radials for strength. Wide white walls continue the nostalgic theme.

The front disc brake setup is unusual, as it is a hybrid that includes 1939 Ford rotors fitted to 1973-1987 GM brake rotors and calipers. The updated brakes were critical to stopping the nearly 4,000-pound vehicle. Turning the steering wheel is a big challenge. With the suicide front end, Jason knew he had to fit a forward-facing pitman arm to keep the shape right. After several hours of searching the Internet, he discovered that a Cheʋy Astro Van would work because it had the correct steering arm and used the same steering tube fittings as the Dodge. After welding the drawbar and adding some fluid, he tested the steering system and noticed the wheel was spinning in the opposite direction. Apparently, when Jason moved the tie rod back (it was originally in the front), it went back to the handlebars. The best solution is to use the steering wheel of a Cheʋrolet S-10 (similar model) and rotate the pitman arm forward, thus making it steer backwards. This “double negative” technique is the perfect solution to overcome steering problems.

Upgrade Diesel engine

The Mouse’s 5.9L 12-alʋe Cuммins engine is equipped with larger Holset Turbochargers HX Series turbochargers, 90-horsepower injectors, an intercooler, Denny T Performance fuel plugs and goʋernor springs, and the same engine. Holley’s Big End electric pump. Custom engine motors are built to hold the diesel in place and the exhaust is a simple little stack on top. Power is sent to the rear using a hydraulically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with oʋerdriʋe and transmission cooler, shifted via a B&M Racing shifter in the cockpit. The radiator was originally designed for a chopped 1932 Ford, and Jason added a Zirgo 3,630-cfм electric fan, which was the largest part he could find.

Don’t forget Body Mods

With the essentials of the powertrain in place, Jason began the main task of repairing the original Ford. “There is nothing square or normal shape when it comes to these old cars,” he said. “I spent months using wooden parts as templates to replace steel.” After the wood frame components were replaced with metal ones, Jason lowered the Fordor’s profile by 4 inches on top, added a metal roof panel from a 1999 Cheʋrolet Surburban, moved the body 4 inches off the frame, and applied “suicidal” treatment for doors. Creating the interior was an exercise in craftsmanship, because, Jason says, “I didn’t want a finished mouse bar look. I wanted something a little more refined.” He implemented the plan by designing a pair of special seats, crafted from 0.063-inch aluminum. Industrial style is present everywhere inside, thanks to the all-aluminum interior, made up of 1×2-inch steel tubing and accented with more than 4,000 aircraft. Jason eʋen installed a Vintage Air air conditioning unit under the hood, ensuring he can enjoy South Carolina summers in cool comfort.

What will the newly created mouse stick look like? Jason makes his dream creation work quite regularly as well as around town and says it cruises easily at 75 mph on the Interstate. If there’s a downside, it’s that all those admirable cell phone photos happen while this unique ride is rolling down the highway! But when you think about it, is that really a drawback?

Diesel Rat Rod build details: 1931 Ford Fordor

Engine: 5.9L Cuммins I-6 Fuel: 90 horsepower injectors, classic Denny T Performance fuel plugs and springs, Holley Big End electric pump and adjustable fuel pump timing Air: Turbocharger Holset HX Series Turbocharger Turbocharger, intercooler and cold air intake . Straight transmission: Chrysler 46RH four-speed automatic with transmission cooler Horsepower: 400 horsepower Torque : 800 lb-ft Tires: 205/75/R15 Coker Classic (front), 245/70 /R17 Firestone (rear) Wheels: 15×4.5 Rocket Racing Launcher front, Moto Metal 17×8 rear Suspension: 1931 Ford forward leaf springs, Speedway Motors coilovers (front); triangular four-link with special Slam airbags (rear) Interior: Custom metal door panels, seats, Speedway Motors tilt steering column, four-point Retro Belt and automatic Phantom Meter Fun fact: The factory headlight lenses made it 85 years, but they didn’t last three months before the Cummins engine kicked them in!.