Vehicle Description
One of the things we like most about the recent "rat rod"
phenomenon is that you never know what to expect. At a glance, this
1946 Ford pickup looks like an old antique barn find, complete with
pre-war styling and the requisite patina exterior, but you'd only
be reading the book by its cover. But look under the hood or at the
chassis and you'll find beautiful workmanship and modern
components, featuring a 6.0L Vortec LS V8, a 4L80E 4-speed
automatic transmission, and a sporty suspension that were all
designed to make this a first-rate cruiser that dances to a
different tune.
The look is familiar to anyone that's driven through the American
countryside, yet when you set the stance to give the truck a slight
rake, it takes on an entirely new personality. Finished in what we
can only call Patina Green, it's rusty in an incredibly cool,
consistent way and the clamshell hood, round fenders, and running
boards are staples of the Ford's pre-war design. That's right, this
is still technically a pre-war truck since Ford used the 1941
design after the war until 1948, with only minor changes to the
grills and trim on some models. The result is an old-school truck
that demands attention but doesn't shout about it, and we love that
what's left of the front grille and hood trim was retained when
this rat rod was built. Looking past the primer paint job, you'll
find all-original Henry Ford steel, and yes, it has dents, dings,
and rusty spots, but it's still a very solid truck that's ready for
the rigors of the road. Doors fit well, the hood sits surprisingly
flush, and even the front and rear bumpers survived decades of use
and open-air preservation to make their way into the new
millennium. Out back, the bed floor is made of wood panels, but the
bed sides and tailgate remain in solid condition, and the fuel cell
and battery were mounted back there to allot more space for the new
motor up front. It's a killer look, and we can all but guarantee
that this truck will be all that's talked about at the car
show.
Climb behind the wheel and you'll see things feel totally
different, starting with a pair of sculpted low-back bucket seats
wrapped in beautiful two-tone Saddle and Tan upholstery. They're
all-day comfortable and even come equipped with lap belts, while
the door panels, floor, headliner, and dash are all bare metal
painted and treated to match the exterior. A gorgeous wood-rimmed
Billet Specialties steering wheel sits atop a polished tilt column
that anchors the interior and feel wonderful in the hands of the
driver, while the very tall shifter that manages the automatic
transmission is just a short reach away and is a staple of many rat
rod builds. The original gauges were retained, although they're
just for show, while a digital speedometer mounted on the dash
minds the truck's speed and a few extra digital ports for gauges
were installed for the next owner to install further auxiliary
dials in the future. A Kenwood AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit was installed
under the dash and it powers an amplifier and 11 speakers scattered
throughout the cab, so yeah, the stereo sounds awesome. LED
interior lights brighten things up inside, and the stock gas tank
was removed from behind the seats and replaced with a fuel cell in
the bed for safety. Nice, right?
The big news under the hood is definitely big: a 6.0L Vortec LS V8
with a rebuilt top end that was swapped in from a 2006 GM vehicle.
With big block torque, it makes this Ford plenty quick, yet very
streetable, reliable, and easy to service. Modern fuel-injected
power means this lightweight truck can get and go with immediate
responsiveness, breathing easy through a cone air filter and
staying nice and cool thanks to the giant aluminum radiator and
electric fan up front. The intake cover and valve covers were
painted bright orange and 'Jabo' scripted on top (possibly as an
homage to the similarly nicknamed German fighter-bombers), and it
fits the truck's personality perfectly. Underneath, you get the
aforementioned 4L60E 4-speed AOD transmission feeding a beefy
10-bolt rear end, so it's an easy cruiser on the highway -
something most rat rods cannot brag about. Giving it great road
manners is the Police-spec Crown Victoria front clip with power
rack-and-pinion steering up front, a locker rear end on adjustable
coilovers in the back, sway bars fore and aft, and power 4-wheel
disc brakes at each corner. Long-tube headers feed a cackling dual
exhaust system features throaty Flowmaster mufflers that sound
great the moment this big motor sparks to life. Matching green
steel wheels adorned with Ford center caps finish the look and
they're wrapped in 225/60/16 Sumitomo rubber with plenty of
grip.
For the money, you probably won't get a much cooler truck than
this. Rat Rods like this always attract a lot of attention and with
the comfortable interior and strong modern running gear, it will
always be a pleasure to drive. Call today!
