Hey so I have this 1938 plymouth pickup truck that is sitting outside my garage. The frame is pretty rotted and beat but the rest of the body is good with no rust that is eating trough the metal, just surface rust. Anyways my uncle and I were thinking about making a rat rod out of her. Anyone done this? In my head im thinking maybe put it on a 90's dakota frame (I have no clue at all if it would fit, or what car frame would fit) and then I was thinking of putting a mag 360 or maybe a LA 360/318 im not sure really. I was thinking drop it down and get rid of the fenders, maybe just put a clear coat over the previously black with sunbaked surface rust, and leave the patina. That or like a flat or matte black. Redo the interior with white leather, white wall tires and man that looks sexy! So heres my big question: We are wanting as modern of a frame as we can so it has discs on all 4 and somewhat modern suspension. Does anyone know if a dakota frame would work? Or what frame would work? Any problems that we might encounter? This would be a fairly low budget car, just a cruiser and something to do. What do you guys think??

Maybe something like this:

 

sounds like the makeings of a rat rod. with a flame job.

 

I've heard about the 40-50s Dodge pickups fitting on a Dakota frame, I'm unsure about a 38 though. I would imagine it would be either a 2nd (91-96) or 3rd (97-04) gen Dakota though.

I'd find a 2wd with either a Magnum V8 or the 4.7L already, pull the body and drop your 38 onto it. You'll have to get creative with the body mounts but it's doable. IFS front, double triangular 4 link rear with a 9.25 axle, tubbed bed, replace all your fuel and brake lines with SS, etc..

Now I'm always up for a challenge and while this sounds like a great project, I'd also toss the idea around of stripping what you have a building your own frame out of 2x3x.188 box tubing. A lot more work and planning but you can build it how you want.