whlpny 203 #1 Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) Last year after the WheelHorse Collectors club show in PA the club made the announcement that "Customs" would be the feature tractor for the 2016 show. Man was I bummed that I had sold the Rat Grenade. First thought was to build a copy of it or to buy it back. I really hate to duplicate some projects and ruin their originality though sometimes it happens. After some thought and a suggestion by my friend Terese Emmory LaPree- I formed a new plan. At first the suggestion didn't... interest me but the following day it sparked an idea. So thanks Terese!!! This idea of a project rolled around for a couple months and I bounced it off a couple friends and they seemed to like it so I decided it had merit. I have to give some serious credit to Kevin Townsend for his help in some of the chassis design. No doubt after a couple failures into the project he was most likely getting sick of my texts for help! He added his ideas to mine for the creation of this project so my Thanks goes out to him as well! Also Thanks to Michael Biser for supplying a custom built 8-speed that gave us some flexibility in the width of the tractor. Also Thanks to Lonny Eskridge for the D-series pcs involved.This is one of 3 custom projects that we will be bringing to PA in June. So I guess here it goes- Fellow WH enthusiasts here is what has been dubbed as D-Rod Its specs are as follows- 16hp Onan Performer, Biser WH 8-spd, 4 gpm pump,power steering,hyd 3 pt hitch,16in front rubber ,17 in rear rubber on BlackRock wheels. Chassis, body and driveline all 100% handmade with exception of the D-series grille shell and front inverted axle. D-Rod can also do a couple tricks-but I will show them in another post later Edited May 5, 2016 by whlpny 29 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #2 Posted May 4, 2016 That is an awesome job! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,364 #3 Posted May 4, 2016 I love everything about it, design, colors stance etc etc etc.... Cannot wait to see it! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #4 Posted May 4, 2016 Thats awesome!! James 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,537 #5 Posted May 4, 2016 THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Beautiful Bob. I fell in love with the "rat grenade" as it inspired me on my build, which after seeing this I might just set mine on fire. So cool. Wish I could be there to see it in person. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #6 Posted May 4, 2016 WOW...That is a "Bad Ass" looking machine! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,618 #8 Posted May 4, 2016 great piece of workmanship 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,143 #9 Posted May 4, 2016 Very clean design. Clearly... an evolution of the ol' Grenade. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,268 #10 Posted May 4, 2016 Another great one Bob and Robert! I'd love to see what it can pull with the three point! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,474 #11 Posted May 4, 2016 Wow simply amazing can't wait to see it at the show 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry M-(Moderator) 2,177 #12 Posted May 4, 2016 Yes , that is really cool looking!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry M-(Moderator) 2,177 #13 Posted May 4, 2016 Yes , that is really cool looking!! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,335 #14 Posted May 4, 2016 That is one Kool Kustom ! Can't believe the the amount of work and thought that went into that build. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrightorchid 261 #15 Posted May 4, 2016 All I can say is WOW! looks fantastic. Great design. Ok, so I can say more than WOW!. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,537 #16 Posted May 4, 2016 So I have had drool all over my screen for most of the day staring at this thing. I was wondering what tachometer you were using and what's the deal with no axle tubes? This thing is awesome. I appreciate the time and effort it takes to restore one of these machines but this is what its all about for me. I have always had a thing for street rods since I was a kid. Out of the park Bob! I need more pictures....... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #17 Posted May 4, 2016 I can dig it. Only question I have is why the 17in wheels in front and 16 in the rear? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,358 #18 Posted May 4, 2016 I would have replied earlier ,but spent most of the day drying drool off the keyboard. That is one awesome custom. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derek M 27 #19 Posted May 4, 2016 Lol that's one sweet custom fab your my kind of people. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whlpny 203 #20 Posted May 5, 2016 So back to D-rod- After the Rat Grenade I learned that real low is too low when it comes time to load on a trailer. The first idea was simplifying that issue as I needed D-Rod to load into my truck bed but still be way low cool. I decided to make the front end rise with a hyd lift to get some good ground clearance and let it go up ramps. This is where it got ugly but cool ugly! Kevin Townsend hears this plan and then adds "you need to make the rear of the frame go up also". Y...up- here we go now we had brainstorming goin on. I already had planned on the 3 pt hitch and the PS so hyds wasn't an issue. So here we are the front lift gives the old Gasser look of the 60"s , the rear can lift separately for the low front rake Hot Rod look, and we can raise the tractor completely so when asked why a 3 pt ???Well why not it can go in a field with ground clearance smile emoticon Also Tach is a Summit tinytach, as for tires/wheels-wanted tall as possible in front to match hoodline and to be level with rear fenders at lowered ride height thus a smaller rear. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,143 #21 Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) With it's ride height maxed out... kinda sorta has the old M151 Jeep look to it. Edited May 5, 2016 by AMC RULES 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,827 #22 Posted May 5, 2016 I'm torn between low rider and the hot rod look. Nice indeed. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,618 #23 Posted May 5, 2016 5 minutes ago, AMC RULES said: With it's ride height maxed out... kinda sorta has the old M151 Jeep look to it. I love the look! It's just flat out fantastic 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrightorchid 261 #24 Posted May 5, 2016 Any pics from the build? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse46 519 #25 Posted May 6, 2016 Very very very Cool 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
