"OUT" with the old Rat "IN" with another "OLD" rat

In this video, we’re finishing up the half Dodge half Cadillac Rat Rod and bring in the insane V12-powered Rat Rod! If you’re into Rat Rod building, hot rod fabrication, or custom car mods, you won’t want to miss this one. We take you step by step through the process of designing, shaping, and welding these killer custom Dagmar bumper guards, perfect for that raw, old-school hot rod and Rat Rod aesthetic.
Whether you're a Rat Rod builder, hot rod enthusiast, or fabricator, this video is packed with metal shaping, welding techniques, and fabrication tips to help inspire your next build. We’re all about that DIY hot rod culture, so if you love V12 engines, custom metalwork, and vintage-inspired styling, hit that LIKE button, COMMENT with your thoughts, and SUBSCRIBE for more hand-built Rat Rod content!
🔥 Key Topics Covered:
✅ Custom Dagmar fabrication
✅ V12 Rat Rod build progress
✅ Metal shaping & welding techniques
✅ Hot rod & Rat Rod styling inspiration
Stay tuned for more custom Rat Rod builds, insane hot rod creations, and raw fabrication content! Subscribe now and turn on notifications so you don’t miss what’s next! 🚗💨 #RatRod #HotRod #Fabrication #CustomBuild #MetalFabrication

[@born2soon]

There may be a thousand other mechanical video guys out there, but only a few are worth watching loyally. I've been with you since Noah was driving a go-cart to grade school. I don't see you quitting your day job to make a living off KZbin, but I sure do appreciate what you give us!

[@kriswright1022]

You saved me a bunch of typing, 👍!

[@niteramscreations8653]

Well I don't always make comments on all the channels I watch on KZbin. But you keep up the good content Waylon.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

no I'm "certainly" not making a living.. it barely pays for itself..some months..haha.. cameras are expensive and I go through a lot of them working in a dirty shop every day. sure appreciate your loyalty

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks!

[@douglasb9105]

Your "silly little videos" are one of the highlights of my week! Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

Enjoyed the video as always, Ken 😎👍 Glad you found the leaks in the air system. Those lights would look pretty cool on the 'dozen. Happy wrenching, my friend 🔧

[@Novaman66]

I just love that “ potato, potato “ exhaust note on your Dogallac!!!!

[@peterjordan9734]

I love the sound of the Dodgelac. magnificent motor.

[@kriswright1022]

We men get great satisfaction from fixing things that need fixing, and you never cease to amaze me with yer persistence! Keep up the good work! 👍💪

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

seems everything around here NEEDS fixin'

[@kriswright1022]

@@1963impala2drWaylonWire Ain’t that the truth?! I live in the foothills below Lake Tahoe and above Sacramento, on 2 and 1/2 acres about 45 min out of Auburn. I do ALL the upkeep and maintenance on the house, property and our vehicles so your statement hit right on the mark! I really enjoy watching other people ( you especially, lol ) struggle with some of the same issues. I totally admire your humble attitude, and love your musical interludes! Been a loyal fan since you started on the dirty dozen!!! Keep on keepin on!

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

@ thank you, yes Im a full time maintenance man and grounds keeper. most people don't realize that I maintain 40 acres plus Ive been here over 30 years so my home, equipment and irrigation is in constant need of repair. plus I maintain my goin' to town rig, build rat rods AND make youtube videos.. each video takes about 5 hours to edit so that it "sort of but not always" makes sense! haha.. good luck to you and thanks for watching!

[@jimschafer9196]

Great content Waylon how to on the carb jetting and the air leak results - way to go may steps closer to completion and its first car show soon. Love the rummaging the the bumper finds with awesome fog light - look forward to your creative work WWOI.

[@nagrod47]

Love your humor, love your work, love your videos, love your music. I'm 78, still getting into my own trouble and look forward to my weekly dose of Waylon!

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

you're the man! haha.

[@lateefcarrere1649]

You're putting in the work and getting results. Always good to see 👍

[@allenstandley1010]

Well... You may be old but certainly not wore out, Thanks Waylon!

[@machinistwanttobebrianfrom6887]

Brian from Ma. longtime viewer of the channel. You’re exactly right about the Chinese parts. They’re getting worse it gets you to start second-guessing your work and your diagnosis. There is no more pride in work. We are a dying breed. Love your videos for the honesty, music and down to earth.THANK YOU Besafe

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Central California watching The almonds are blooming brother.

[@shelbybloom1185]

Been watching your videos for a long time Ken, going to continue. Thank you.

[@richardlincoln8438]

Well Sir, i came here long ago for the grafting and stayed for the Old Iron. You couldn't run me off with a steam shovel. Thanks again Mister Wire and Best Wishes to You, Your Family and Friends !

[@lanniehodges4507]

I always look forward to seeing what you are up to! You give me inspiration to get out to the shop and get on with projects that I had to take a “break” on, due to health issues and dealing with the big “C” thing. I hope someday to stop by on my way either the Monroe swap meet or Puyallup swap meet. It makesme happy to see your 10:42 determination when the “chips”

[@lanniehodges4507]

Could get you down!

[@lanniehodges4507]

Maybe put JB weld on the end of your air switch where the wires come out. Maybe it would seal it up. I sure hope we could get away from foreign made to factories coming home for some quality control!

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

I changed out the pressure switch.. dont think the new one will leak, its built better

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

best of luck to you with your health and your projects. thanks for stopping by

[@gordonwalker8003]

Well hello on Feb 6 2025 from Mt Morris Michigan Gordon. Been trying to get through. It's gordon

[@DannyNeal-g8y]

Waylon, you have to watch that new stuff. Nowadays, new is just an acronym for "never ever worked." That Dogellac sho is sounding good!

[@Bobby-W.]

Hellos again Ken!!!! ❤. Thanks for another great video. I love you're ole time approach to rat rods. I learn a lot from you on every video. Bobby.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks Bobby.. glad you are enjoying the channel

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

Well this just made my Thursday morning! @2:35, I see your hammer found your thumb. I have the same problem with my shop air. Those Chinesium brass fittings leak everywhere. Teflon tape won't seal them so I switched to pipe dope. The big GMC tractor I was driving the other evening belongs to the same feller that has the V-12 parts engine.

[@davidquerry8869]

I enjoy your videos.

[@EnthusiasticTruck-xh7ss]

We all appreciate you too forgiving us awesome videos thank you

[@rickaccount]

you still have one of the coolest channels :) keep doing what you're doing! best always, Rick Cuevas

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks Rick..appreciate it

[@ericfallis6202]

Awesome video Waylon 😊

[@BigDadio1967]

As long as you are deigned to post your musings and wrought, I, good sir, will click that link and like button.

[@RVerJerry]

Well there goes thirty six minutes of my life.I'll never get back.😂😅😂😅 keep up the good work.I love these videos.

[@williamvandyke1832]

Good stuff old man

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

be nice

[@glenharper3136]

Thanks for the video Waylon. The Dodgealac looks and sounds great.

[@stanleyj.mitchell4851]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that Dogelac looks and sounds better than before it got cooked.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks man..it might "look" better but it doesn't sound better "yet" haha but I'll get there

[@Jerrylb]

Love the hood emblem painting idea .turned out great

[@bcbloc02]

Appreciate the "tip"! Do you need to tape the spilt loom every so often to keep the critters from being able to just go thru the open side? I could see a squirrel or raccoon wanting to just see what was in there. It is a slower process but I have found if you use low strength loctite on your air fittings and give it a day to set up before pressurizing they won't leak at all. That is for the pipe style ones I don't know if it will work on the compression joints too but it probably would. It fills any any scratches or divits and sets up so air can't get past. Works a lot better than just horsing down and hoping it deforms enough to seal.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

no the split won't open up, it overlaps almost a full wrap

[@jonaathansimons7938]

Those Driving/Fog lights look damn fine on the front of the Dirty Dozen

[@randygolden4520]

How I enjoy waking up to Waylon, no suggestion but a question have you ever tried the yellow teflon tape they use for gas ? If not spend a dollar two ninety eight more (give or take two cents) and try it . use less of it and works great , designed for natural gas and propane but I have great luck with it on air !! I can only find it at hardware stores. I hate air leaks . Good luck , (I hate chineseum)😂😂😂😂😂 and we shore do appreciate ya😂

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

na, I worry about getting a tiny little bit of that tape in one of my solenoids.. I use "gasola" I have used tape and then put gasola over it to make sure not shreds of tape get loose lol

[@johnkranz4004]

Very nice work Ken She Sounds Sweet

[@H4rleyBoy]

I was just thinking, what I would build if I was up to it Ken, and I have to admit I don't have anywhere near the imagineering skills you have, I think it would be along the lines of the rockabilly as it seems so simple compared to Dodgelac or the Dirty dozen, imagine what you may have come up with if you had started building them when you were a younger man, I continue to be impressed by your "lack of skills" Ken, and long may you continue, you are a tenacious old bugger & I appreciate you and your videos more than you will ever know

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thank you.. that means a lot..yes.. I wonder too.. if I had started building from my own imagination when I was 15.. shoot, I'd probably be building space shuttles and such by now haha.. thanks for watching!!

[@H4rleyBoy]

@1963impala2drWaylonWire 😃😀😄😅🤣

[@jimmiller-vl4fk]

Thanks for the video!

[@jerrymurphy6673]

Looking good thank you for videos

[@capttom7772]

What a sound for the start of a "Waylon Wire Video"👍💪❤🏝 Hmmmmmm....... my notifications were turned "OFF"😡❗

[@rpeek]

I see where you're goin' with that..

[@donbrutcher4501]

Believe it or not, the carb main metering jetting effects idle adjustment. For that style carb, the best idle mixture settings is usually about 1 3/4 turns off the seats. I don't know the throttle blade to carb bore gap. I usually try to get the blades about half way up the idle transfer slots. All four idle screws should be exactly the same.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks man.. i can tell you know your stuff. idle adjustment is what im trying to get right.. it was struggling to idle and was idling way too rich.. I usually start at 1 and a half turns out but Ive used a vacuum gauge and adjusting the idle screws makes no difference.. I assume because of the cam. at least it doesn't burn the eyes now.. I'm wondering if I can go one step leaner without causing overheating issues. thanks again, your input is appreciated

[@donbrutcher4501]

@@1963impala2drWaylonWire You probably have the throttle plates way open, (because of the cam) beynd the transfer slots if you still have no reaction when adjusting the idle mixture. What is your idle vacuum?

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

@ boy I wish you were my neighbor! haha.. I don't even know what a throttle plate is! lol.. I'll have to check the vacuum again. .I don't recall..

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

@ Ive been trying to read up on adjusting the throttle plates but I don't know enough to ask intelligent questions..so they should be fully closed at idle?

[@donbrutcher4501]

@@1963impala2drWaylonWire No. The best I can tell, opened to about half way up the idle transfer slot (little verticle slot in the throttle bores). I'm guessing you are right about your cam causing low vacuum causing the throttle blades to be excessively open, negating the Idle circuit. Back in the day, 'they' would drill an 1/8 inch hole in each throttle plate to allow more air to come through allowing the throttle plates to be closed further. This is the point where I refer you to the carb manufacturer for their recommendations. Shoulda done so earlier.

[@danmay9728]

Well Ken, I've at some of the other cmments, like they I've been watching fer some time also. And I have to say I sure do sure. Do appreciate your videos. As always, be safe.Peace🇺🇲

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks, glad you are enjoying the channel..

[@MichaelJBisbano]

I'm excited to see that you may be working n"The Dirty Dozen" for a while. That's the vehicle that originally sparked my interest in your work.👀

[@shanewright6958]

Looking good 👍👍

[@davescrazy-trailer6542]

Look like you stayed up awful late or got up super early Have a great day

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

both!! haha.. thanks Dave!

[@johnnysechrist6313]

I've patched airbags, with the same patch as a tubeless tire patch. Air bags aint cheap.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

mine burned up.

[@jimbailey7997]

👍👍

[@Kickinpony66]

It was good to hear the Dogeillac "Making Potatoes"!

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks Neil.. its not 100 % yet but its getting close. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve haha

[@stevecowdery351]

Did you check the check valve between compressor and air tank.😊

[@65bugnut]

I don't like fooling around with carbs, I'd rather work on some wiring. The older I get, I find that my patience is shorter than it used to be. The Dodgelac is looking good, and sounding good. Is it done?

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

they are never done lol

[@glenmiller3783]

What we meant about the shocks is, you need an extended length shock that is short enough to limit the travel of the diff. The ones you have are too long.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

haha, I understand that but shorter shocks would still limit the lift to where it is now anyway so I guess it makes no difference

[@tiffanyrichert4994]

cool show you have, i like it.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks for watching, glad you liked it!

[@coylancaster3600]

Hey Waylon have you ever thought about hooking a vacuum pump to air bags to get them out and in easier?

[@richardoswalt1009]

I have nine cars all stock one has air shocks, they leak. I don't even want to think about all those air lines and leaks,it seems the more modifications the more issues.. Gives a guy something to do 😮

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

lol i guess

[@MrHevyshevy]

Another fine video.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

thanks man.. I appreciate the kind words!

[@robertchall8576]

Waylon you got it D O T approved now no air leaks.😊

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

I just went out to the shop and the front end is sitting on the ground.. grrrrr I'll never do bags again

[@JacobBurch-e7u]

All ways watch your shows

[@Beverlys-Hillbilly]

I think I will stick with this cannel, the things you are doing fit with what I would be doing if I could do it.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

preciatecha brother!

[@TheFrameoff]

Shocks are only there to control spring movement

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

what about controlling roll while cornering? do the bags control that? I have a bunch of people telling me they have bags and let the shocks carry the weight of the rear end when its picked up..my bags are fully extended before the shocks bottom out.. yes I could put shorter shocks on but whats the point, they would then restrict the lift height just as my chains do. lol.. thanks for watching..

[@johnthomas5176]

Do you happen to know if Victor watches your videographies?

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

yep

[@kevinschwab6538]

Another good video! Will you ever do another duet with Dannie from DD's Speed Shop? I recently watched that one again and I think a lot of us would like to see another one!

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

i emailed her about it but she doesn't answer me..

[@kevinschwab6538]

@1963impala2drWaylonWire That's too bad, but they have a lot going on these days. Maybe I'll comment in their next video and see what she says, with her personality I would think she'd be up for it 🤔

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

@@kevinschwab6538 yeah, no need to bother her..they are busy people and run a very successful channel.. unlike mine haha.. I had asked her last year to the point where I felt like I was badgering her so I let her off the hook.. told her I really "want" her to do it but I could get someone else if she was too busy.. I hope she didn't take it the wrong way. I just didn't want to keep bugging her if it was something she didn't really want to do. thanks man..

[@kevinschwab6538]

@1963impala2drWaylonWire OK thanks for the info, it is what it is see you on the next one!

[@1danwinn]

Like the old intro.

[@dnmtorp]

58th like

[@Truckman1980]

What ever happened to ol kerwood? I used to really enjoy the videos with him in them.

[@neilweber6338]

You need loom that’s fireproof.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

dont quit your day job

[@neilweber6338]

That was meant to be a joke.

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

@ so was mine! haha

[@eddief3326]

i watch you and sometime halfass customs

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

I like him and rat rods for africa. both are amazing fabricators

[@erniekoch8646]

Add a glycerin in yr soap water. Bigger bubbles.

[@60MorganRd]

you need to sing us a song or two

[@1963impala2drWaylonWire]

its all on waylon wires old music