Page 62 - Issue 42

sits on one 3” piec
sits on one 3” piece and the 3” tail rails sits e and the 3” tail rails sits
on that. The tail section depends on the vehicle. If it
on that. The tail section depends on the vehicle. If it
were a truck rod, that section would be 36” long to
were a truck rod, that section would be 36” long to
42” depending on the length of box you wanted. In
this case however, we wanted the tail section to run
to the very back of the body, so it was longer than
these dimensions.
As for width, the fi rewall determines that. In
a frame for a Model A, or T bucket, the fi rewall is
about 28”, so the fr
about 28”, so the front would be 2” less or 26” and the very rear ont would be 2” less or 26” and the very rear
about 28”, so the front would be 2” less or 26” and the very rear
would be 36” wide. In the case of this old Willys even after cutting it down was
would be 36” wide. In the case of this old Willys even after cutting it down was
still about 32” at the fi rewall. This meant that the front end was 30” and the very
still about 32” at the fi rewall. This meant that the front end was 30” and the very
rear was 40”. One easy way to lay out is to square up the front lines, and the back
rear was 40”. One easy way to lay out is to square up the front lines, and the back
Check us out at
lines at the length you need, and then chalk a 5-degree line from each front rail
back. If you don’t have degree fi nding tools, that’s ok too. Just square up all your RingRods HotRod Shop
lines, and then measure over 5” from each outside rear rail. The reason for the 16” on the Net for articles,
of kick up, is so you can have plenty of clearance between the rear end and the pics and videos and
tail rails. A set of coil springs fi t neatly in between this space and give plenty of on Youtube and Vimeo.
travel room. The smartest thing you can do while putting this frame together is to You can also follow us on
tac weld only. This way you can tweak as you go. Once the frame is tac welded Tommy Lee Ring Facebook.
together, be sure to cross measure left front to right rear and right front to left
Happy Rat Rodding!!!
rear. For the frame to be square, this measurement must be the same. More
reason to tac weld only till you know for sure.
Did I mention another reason for building your own frame is cost.
Currently steel for a frame is $60.00 and the cross strips are $15.00 for a TOMMY RING
total frame cost of $75.00. Not only do you have a cheap frame, you have
a cool frame custom made for your Rod only. By the way, you don’t need RINGRODS.COM
a Frame jig. All of this can be laid out on your fl oor with a chalk line and RINGRODS@GMAIL.COM
a framing square. Next issue we will get into the why’s and wherefore of RINGRODSFACEBOOK

the rear end and all its components.

62 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE FORTY-TWO

58x62 TommysToolbox.indd 62 2/2/17 3:37 PM