Preparing for Pandemonium...

[@daveglick5152]

a rolled pan curves under at the bottom. if my memory is correct. cheers

[@ratrodsafrica]

Makes sense to me

[@johnhamlin6018]

Yep in the states it's a roll pan

[@peterroper7471]

Love it brother, can’t wait to see your upcoming videos almost like being there lol those shackles you built reminds me of the’70s when that was the “thing to do “ all the hot rod cars were “jacked up “ in the back end lol

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yes, back in the day, that was the way🙂

[@MikeBobbitt-i5f]

Looks like the old flytrap is pretty well equipped. Thank you.

[@andrewmantle7627]

I heard some by god rock-a-billy welding music too.

[@thenotsojollyrancher-akate9516]

Add a leaf best solution.

[@ratrodsafrica]

That will make it stiffer, which I don't want🙂

[@joecioe8566]

I always enjoy your videos. I guess it is a hand brake unless of course you are having an emergency.

[@davidleskov5078]

Many years ago my father beefed up the rear suspension on a couple Falcon station wagons. He had me drill 2 inch long, 1/8" holes into the ends of the shackle pins, then fit grease zirks. Then i drilled holes crosswise to meet up with the first hole, and I hand filed shallow spiral grooves on the surface of the pins to distribute the grease. No squeaks, less wear to the shackles.

[@ratrodsafrica]

A lot of work your father made you do! 😀But proper stuff

[@rayaguirre4237]

12:57 = Rear valance or rear roll pan. As always, great job!

[@robertstevison1448]

Brother always an honor to tag along on all of your adventures yall have a lekka one and say hi to everyone for me brother

[@argee55]

I have a confession to make. I was never much of a rat rod guy until I discovered you on KZbin. I'm not sure if other rat rodders are as detailed at building as you are, but they should be. Love your channel. Love your builds. Keep it up.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man! Not a bad confession 😄 I think some guys use rat rods as an excuse for bad workmanship and sloppy mechanics...

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear argee55 👍👌👏 Same here (almost). Mr. Dif is a genius on so many levels. I watched and enjoyed all of his videos. I came here years ago from Waylon Wires old iron. Unfortunately his absolutely wonderful big Rat rod burnt down to 50% recently. He has had a lot of bad luck in the last 2 years. Before Mustie1's famous VW T1 single cab Crusty (patina restoration at it's finest), I was only interested in shiny oldtimer. But after also watching Waylon I was convinced that Rat rods respectively patina restorations are more usable/enjoyable and especially affordable vehicles that those way too expensive Pebble Beach concourse restorations. Nevertheless nice to look at but that's all. The only exception are the vehicles of Jay Leno. He drives them all. Nevertheless even he loves his iconic patina Mercedes 300 SL gull wing and his unrestored 300SEL 6.3 litre. Best regards, luck and health in particular.

[@tankstoys3034]

Same here. I've never been a trailer queen car guy but didn't care for rat rods either lol. Div has absolutely changed my mind on these rides to the point I changed my Model T project plans drastically.

[@ratrodsafrica]

@tankstoys3034 I think it's time that the term "rat rod" is redefined! A good topic for a future video, I think 🙂

[@shedbythetracks]

Impressive engineering Diff! But I confess... I was hoping for more welding... 😆😆 Cheers from a shed on the plains..

[@ratrodsafrica]

😂

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Very nice, much more usable as a truck now Diff!

[@sharndupreez1]

Wow, ok, Thank you Daniel! Great!

[@ezekielmoorejr3145]

A wise man once said that necessity is the mother of invention and that is so true! Looking good my friend!😊

[@ratrodsafrica]

Right on!😀

[@robertholcomb6200]

Excited for your trip to the hard pan! We play on the Great Salt Lake dry beds when we can. Always a blast! Enjoy!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Similar scenario. Can't wait!

[@trevorwoods2580]

Enjoy your few days away at the event hope all goes well and you have plenty of tails to tell us.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you, I will😀

[@MrFrostbite73]

That's one good looking truck. Love how you repurpose scrap iron. You would have a heyday in my iron pile! Stop by for coffee if you're ever in the area.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Free scrap! Where? Where? 😂

[@martinmurphy3868]

Well done Diff another great Video

[@brianhaw9398]

I would call the panel a rear valance. But Im in Canada. South Africa might have a different term for it.

[@ratrodsafrica]

That would be the correct term in my opinion too! Thanks

[@brianhaw9398]

Later in the video you mentioned roll pan which is another term I've heard!​@@ratrodsafrica

[@chuckster6513]

Hey Div, That trailer hitch looks right at home on the Fly Trap. But now I see a need for another project. Some sort of trailer ! A camping shelter for sleeping, cooking, resting inside protected from the weather be it warm or cold.? A flatbed hauler of new projects and or materials ? So many possibilities. Be Safe, Happy and Well

[@ratrodsafrica]

So many possibilities I know! Life is too short!😅

[@bobhalstead1879]

When lenghtening shackles for heavy use i also add a peice 1 or 1 1/2 heavy tubeing welded between shackles major improvement

[@johnkranz4004]

Very nice work Div Sounds like a good weekend at the Races

[@ericg303]

Truck is looking good. Nice to see how a vehicle changes and evolves as it is used and enjoyed.

[@ripstitchupholstery]

Leka Div 👍👍 in Saskatchewan we call it a roll pan.

[@geoffreymills9932]

That's a pretty cool trailer hitch and it makes for a great bumper too, nice work on the shackles too

[@dwbeatty6252]

you could call that panel a "valance"

[@terrencebuller7676]

Nice job Div, have fun on your trip. Take care my brother. 👍

[@donaldhalls2189]

It will be handy for going camping etc,thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones, have a Lekka one

[@robbollom7396]

Wow achieved two jobs on the lil truck...awesome Div...enjoy Pandemonium

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks!

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

That hitch turned out just fine. So did the shackles!

[@DonCatherman]

Its always a lekka time hanging out with brother Diff..brother Wayne....have a ball guy's..👍😎💯..

[@ratrodsafrica]

Greetings Don!

[@DonCatherman]

@ratrodsafrica hello brother Diff..how are things with you today..

[@aceadman]

I too never have the right bolt. And if I do, I don’t have the right NUT! 😁👍👍 Very excited for the trip!

[@petergrey7125]

LOL! Right?

[@ratrodsafrica]

I hear you! 😁

[@Greg-x8g]

Hi guys doing great work on cars and trucks love ❤seeing your shows

[@mixerman1]

A nice little place to hook a strap if you put it in the ditch on the muddy roads too. Well done Diff!! Have fun on your trip

[@ratrodsafrica]

One of the reasons for it😀 And to pull others out of ditches😂

[@markorr1874]

CALIFORNIA RAKE

[@markrobertson9015]

The flytrap looks great as a pull truck for camping I don't know how well your front end will do in an off road situation being as low as it is.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yes, front end is low on purpose. It could easily be raised by adjusting the torsion bars, but we going to a very flat salt lake bed, so not much clearance required 🙂

[@markrobertson9015]

@@ratrodsafrica oh that's true I forgot about the torsion bars adjustment I didn't know you had a salt flats that's cool sounds like a lot of fun. Have a great trip Take care Div.

[@markstack2309]

Glad to new new video. Love ❤️ your spirit. Have a lekka one Dif excellent as usual

[@DependableAutoTruck]

put a step on each side in reverse of your spare tire cover would look great and make it easy to get in back of truck

[@danross344]

It looks really cool. Very clean I like the old Ball. I know it wouldn’t look as clean, but maybe put some tread plate on top for a footstep, so you don’t slip off and bang your shin. Some people call diamond plate.

[@robertchall8576]

That's how we use to raise the old hot rods up in the rear.

[@billholder9665]

Rear valance... nice work guys!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks! 👍

[@josemsantiago7524]

This truck looks awesome. Very creative with the hitch.

[@tankstoys3034]

Personally I dig the tail being a bit higher. Mostly just love this ride!!!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Me too!🙂

[@charleslawrence7194]

Too bad you are a gazillion miles away. I need a couple "different" bumpers for my baywindow. 🙄 The desert event will be awesome and. Another terrific video Diff.

[@ekim000]

Nice oom Div. I restored and prepped a 1959 double cab VW bus for a 6000km trip around SA and this is bringing back moerse memories. Mooi ry!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Lekka! That bus is worth a fortune today!

[@robertstevison1448]

Great to see everyone always awesome to watch the master at work never say never because you own the patent on craftsmanship brother

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks! 👍

[@dannypeter6565]

Well done again as usual Diff. We would call the rear cover a roll pan I think. Cheers Wayne and Diff

[@TheTrooper777]

Great job man, never gets old watching you come up with all the ideas 💡

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks!

[@shotsrodder]

No problem for you Div 👍

[@ericyeoman2687]

Hi, I extended the rear spring hangers on my old Land-rover station wagon after re-engineing it with a lighter 6 cyl., Holden, 186 c.i. motor. The front end was too high..... I found that I had to add a centre bolt within a tube to stop the hanger sides flexing in or outwards..... I'm in Oz, so Holden 186's were the preferred replacement upgrade to the old Landy 4's..cheers mate. ( we have to say that. ). 😄

[@ratrodsafrica]

I would think flexing of the hangers will depend on length and size of the material used. Cheers mate🙂

[@g-man7938]

You have knack for engineering no doubt and very clean work.👍🏻

[@raymondantonio4145]

Very nicely done Diff, always admire your engineering skills, it may be a rat rod but very detailed and always safely done in most important. Have a great trip my brother!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you very much!

[@cobusvanniekerk83]

Very nice job Diff enjoy

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks 👍

[@DocSprocket]

"Roll pan" is a pollution of the language. It emanates from "rolled rear pan", a curved piece of sheetmetal designed to replace the rear bumper with a clean, smooth panel on customized pickup trucks etc. Also, for those wanting to skip the math, the widely accepted rule of thumb is 2:1 on a shackle. So, two inches added to a shackle's eye-to-eye measurement, adds 1" of overall lift.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yes, 2:1 is typical. I just wanted to show how it actually measures

[@DocSprocket]

@ratrodsafrica I think I speak for most of us when I say that even when we DO know something, we still appreciate the practical demonstrations of why it is the way it is. The one I particularly enjoyed was the demonstration of the Beetle front trailing arms caster change while the suspension cycles.

[@thomking6553]

looking fantastic, The new stance make the 51 look ready to roll.

[@rickfazzini22]

Just noticed the gas filler hanging off the car😂 this thing looks like so much fun do drive around.

[@ratrodsafrica]

It brings a smile to young and old alike 😊

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Dif. 👍👌👏 "Weld" done again (video and work). 2) I really wondered why you didn't make the shackles sturdier by welding in/on a piece of pipe or square pipe profile to have a more stabil H- shaped bracket. 3) Please kindly allow me to suggest that you also raise the front a little bit. You will certainly be thankful to have a bit more ride height in the desert respectively on your very bumpy dirt/gravel roads. It would make your wonderful Rat rod more usable additionally. As always: Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and especially health to all people shown in this video.

[@ratrodsafrica]

The material I used is beefier than the original. It will be strong enough. Those desert pans are flat, so more ride height is not needed. And I like the current stance!🙂

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear @@ratrodsafrica Thanks for replying and especially for giving a heart to my comment. I always and totally appreciate both very much. 2) Sir, I definitely know that you've chosen beefier steel, I watched the video and I'm neither blind nor deaf. I nevertheless suggested the reinforcement (wouldn't have been much effort to make it sturdier). But simply do as you pleased. It's your vehicle, channel, choice and life. 3) Okay, the desert you will go to is flat. So you don't even have those dirt/gravel roads leading to and from your farm/workshop any more? That's nice to hear. 😁 ;-) Sincerely yours.

[@ratrodsafrica]

@@Chr.U.Cas1622 I very drive the dirt roads here with Flytrap just the way she is, no problem

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

@@ratrodsafrica That's good to hear. Congratulations 🎉.

[@user-lj1hi4xh6o]

Div the Truck looks great. awesome job.

[@davidlester6092]

Really enjoy the content Diff!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@TheOldaz1]

Exactly what I did with my old nissan, Then I replaced the rusted out timber and steel flatbed with an aluminium one off an old toyota and that lifted the back end another 50 or so mm, then cranked just a little more on the torsion bars, still going strong. Thanks Div, it's looking good, but my roads are a lot like yours, so I would have to lift the front a little to avoid damage.

[@ratrodsafrica]

I should really lift the front some more, but like the slanted stance too much😅

[@joejewett8546]

That is the coolest ball hitch I've ever seen! Awesome build video.

[@abdulhaqebrahim5693]

39 Hudson please... Reno can wait a little longer 😂

[@pabloagosto6971]

good job my friend like always from Puerto Rico

[@charlietabone6162]

Don’t forget the Hudson

[@ratrodsafrica]

No I won't! She glares at me every day!😅

[@NewRiverRepair]

Nice work Diff. Thanks for showing how you complete these projects. Looking forward to your adventure, thanks for taking us along!

[@keithkrause3386]

You always do great fabrication with scrap. Awesome!!

[@donolbers]

I too, am not much of a rat rodder, but your builds are much, much nicer than what i have seen in the past, and your problem solving skills are fanatastic to me. My first video here was the wheel widening one from a few months back, and it took me a few to catch on to your location. Great stuff Div, carry on man

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you! I think because some guys use rat rods as an excuse for bad workmanship and sloppy mechanics, it creates a misunderstanding that is wrong!

[@donolbers]

@ratrodsafrica Right on, and I'll also comment on the barefoot cameraman, he does good work from up there

[@cliffolivent7901]

Awesome truck diff I have watched from start

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks for the support, brother!

[@steveingham2997]

why dont you build a trailer out of half a beetle shell on a custom made frame? might look pretty cool lol great work as usual Div

[@ratrodsafrica]

Can you read my mind?😅 Been toying with that idea...

[@robertstevison1448]

You are correct brother roll pan awesome adventure as always flytrap will need a top hat and tuxedo 😅 she is becoming a superstar 😎

[@ratrodsafrica]

😁👍

[@willwade1101]

Be careful extending the rear shackles. The 1 thing we experienced here in the states was back in the 70s when we raised the rear too much the oversteer became so bad it was hard to drive the vehicle. We found that extending them 1 inch at a time until we hit the limit was the way to do it, that is why on 70s muscle cars the rear shackles had several holes in them.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Yes, I know. That's why I said in the video it could lead to potential problems. Some oversteer on that dusty pan can be fun!😄 Lets see...

[@roadiemort3589]

@@ratrodsafrica Yes, worst case scenario you put a taller tire on the front.

[@benjaminreinhardt259]

I made that mistake as a teenager! I put super long shackles on the rear leafs on my 79 Camaro. I figured out the oversteer was bad when I slid into some old lady's yard. Threw the car through the same 'S' turn I always did, but the back end swung around on me and I slid into her yard. That caused me some trouble fixing her lawn. Car looked great, but they had to go!

[@lukemockeridge7899]

Such an awesome truck 👌

[@Franknberrie]

Everything you fab is a piece if beauty.. including your new hitch, very nice

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you!

[@vintagerustmotors411]

I was just planning a hitch receiver for a VW transporter and your video came out, perfect!! Have fun! Cheers

[@gavinsansom6266]

Great stuff Div. enjoy the pandemonium I wish I could be there 👍🏻

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man! We will take you with via the camera🙂

[@randyblack7495]

Back bumper look good keep up good work.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

That truck looks great. I actually like when it stands up a bit in the rear end. Sorta like a big cat about to pounce.

[@ratrodsafrica]

I also like the raked stance a lot🙂

[@earlmcgill5867]

Practical and cool, I love it!

[@donniehodge2548]

Another good one Diff 👍

[@homesteadingwithtaryn9194]

Almost ready to hit the road! What an adventure it will be...enjoy!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you! Can't wait 😀

[@shaimaalori7578]

Oom, howzit mahn, you should think about turbocharging one of your beauts & I must say you are damn good at what you do. Thanks for teaching us so much, please keep up the good work

[@ratrodsafrica]

I will leave the turbos for you young okes!😅

[@30brighter]

Thanks Div!

[@RichieCat4223]

17:52 I would call it a filler panel. 22:24 Adding a 3rd bolt to make a triangle will help the drop down bracket from trying to rotate. If the ball was directly inline with the 2 bolts there wouldn't be a problem.

[@ratrodsafrica]

If you look very closely, you will see I welded on a location tab to prevent rotation🙂

[@RichieCat4223]

@@ratrodsafrica Sorry don't see it.

[@RichieCat4223]

@@ratrodsafrica OK I see it when you show it fully welded up.

[@laurensmith1828]

Love thhat truck!. Thanks for taking us along!

[@alexbrown7786]

Fantastic, I really enjoy seeing you draw out and explain your method of how you create different parts and pieces.

[@allanpepper9651]

Maybe assisted air shocks would be a good compromise

[@ratrodsafrica]

Expensive and time consuming. My quick fix was cheap🙂

[@mynameis63]

Have a good trip boys.

[@johnfederkeil9211]

Great video Div!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks!

[@donames6941]

Here we have a true craftsman i hope i can do as good he is my mentor 👍

[@bobhalstead1879]

The length of shackles will only raise axle 1/2of added length due to axle in center of spring,aka add 4 inches to get 2 inches of lift .i usually dont exceed 3 inches of added shackle length, due to side movement.

[@ratrodsafrica]

That's the general rule of thumb, yes. Personally I would be weary to go as much as 3"😅

[@allenstandley1010]

I so much enjoyed your company as well.

[@ozenfant_ozn]

what an awesome truck!

[@daledavies2334]

A bit of caution; lengthen the rear shakles can reduce their side load strength. Under hard cornering they can collapse sideways. In the 1970's, guys wanted the drag race/funnycar look. Long shakles was the cheap way to do it. Another point to consider is roll or bump steer. The OEMs design roll steer in so the vehicle wants to understeer or straighten out the direction of travel. Both the front and rear suspensions have some built in. With a leaf sprung live axle, the front spring mounting point is lower than the rear spring mounting point. This is not the shakle mount point on the frame. As the body rolls in a turn, the axle twists slightly to straighten out the travel direction. If the spring is installed level, there is no roll steer. If the rear spring pivot is lower, closer to the ground, than the front, the axle is turned to decrease the turn radius. This is roll oversteer, which is to be avoided!

[@ratrodsafrica]

👍I know, that's why I said lengthened shackles can lead to problems. The steel I used is beefier than the original and because of the stance of this thing, the rear pivot points are still higher than the front. We will see how she goes...😅

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Soap.. if left on your drill press vice and deck will cause it to rust. Best clean off all the soap residue from your tools. Found this the hard way when I loaned my drill press to my nephew. It came back full of rust due to him using soap as a lubricant. Rust is great as a patina on Rat Rods.. not so much on tools. Took a full day to refinish the drill press and vice to factory finish.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Moral of the story, never loan out tools!😅

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

@ratrodsafrica just make sure you clean all that soap off your drill press or you will learn a hard self inflicted lesson as well.

[@williamevans4955]

You look like Poppa Smurf with those Blue Hands.

[@ratrodsafrica]

😂

[@randallgd]

Your awesome man thanks for taking us along!

[@ReduxGarage]

If I recall correctly, that is a torsion bar front suspension so you can lift the front to level it out. I may also have not remembered correctly and could be taking out of my a..

[@ratrodsafrica]

Correct. It is torsion bar and easily lifted. But I like the cartoon, ass in the air stance!😆

[@adamosborne4053]

Got to do what makes you happy❤ ltr brotha until then next one

[@billstahler5735]

Couple u bolts some flat strap and some coil springs under the frame and you are golden . Just attach the coils to the axle under the frame with the u bolts and flat strap .When you get home take them off.

[@ratrodsafrica]

A lot more work and money than 4 simple plates!🙂

[@billstahler5735]

Yes, but no worries ​about taking arch out of leaves.@ratrodsafrica