Best Trucks to Build a Rat Rod: 6 Solid Starting Points
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The best trucks to build a rat rod are old, simple and easy to find parts for: a 1930s Ford Model B pickup, a 1947–1953 Chevy Advance Design, a 1955–1957 Task Force, or a 1960s or early-'70s Chevy C10. Pre-1960 pickups give you the classic rat rod look, while C10s and later Squarebodies give you cheap parts and a truck you can actually drive. Pick the one you can afford to buy, fix and keep on the road.
Rat rods were born as a reaction to expensive show cars that never left the trailer. The whole point is building within your means and driving the thing. So the "best" truck is not the rarest one. It's the one that lets you spend your money on the build instead of the purchase price.
What makes a good rat rod truck?
Before you scroll Marketplace at 1 a.m., know what you're looking for. A good starting point has:
- A solid frame. Rust on the cab is character. Rust through the frame is a different project entirely.
- Parts you can actually get. Rat rods are built from cheap and cast-off parts. That only works if the parts exist.
- Simple mechanicals. Fewer computers, fewer wires, fewer excuses.
- A body you like the look of with no paint. Primer, flat black, bare metal and original patina are the rat rod finish. If you can't love the truck rough, you'll end up paying for paint.
The best trucks to build a rat rod
1. 1932–1936 Ford Model B pickup
This is the old-school pick. Pre-war styling, a light frame and the flathead V8 legacy make it one of the most popular trucks to hot rod. Most traditional rat rods are late-1920s to late-1950s vehicles, and early pre-war builds often ditch the fenders, hood and running boards altogether. It's the route for the builder who wants the traditional look above all.
2. 1947–1953 Chevy Advance Design pickup
Rounded fenders, a big grille and a sturdy frame that can handle more engine and modern suspension upgrades. These trucks look right with nothing but patina and a drop.
3. 1955–1957 Chevy Task Force pickup
Car-like styling, a wraparound windshield, optional V8s from the factory, and a relatively light, strong structure. If you want '50s style with a little more road manners, start here.
4. 1960–1966 Chevy C10 (first generation)
This is the one closest to our driveway. Rob drives a ratted 1966 C-10, and Boyce has a ratty 1962. The first-gen trucks were a big step forward for pickups: independent front suspension replaced the old beam axle, and most models rode on a coil-sprung rear axle with trailing control arms. One detail worth knowing before you buy: the early trucks used torsion bars up front, and coil springs took over for 1963. So Boyce's '62 and Rob's '66 don't share front suspension parts, even though they look like cousins.
Planning to drop one? We covered that in How to Lower a C10.
5. 1967–1972 Chevy C10
Simple, boxy, easy to customize, a strong frame, and some of the best parts availability of any classic truck. If your goal is a rat rod you can fix in a parking lot with the tools in your toolbox, this generation is hard to beat.
6. Late '70s and '80s Squarebody C10
The budget builder's truck. Squarebodies are still relatively affordable and easy to find, with a rugged frame and iconic '80s styling. They don't have the pre-war look, but a patina Squarebody slammed on the ground still looks the part at any cruise night.
What about putting an old body on a newer chassis?
It's a common trick. Some builders set an old cab on a small modern pickup chassis, like a Chevy S-10 or Dodge Dakota, for better reliability and easier parts. You lose some old-school credibility with the purists, but you gain a truck that starts every morning. In rat rod land, driving it beats arguing about it.
A couple of other parts you'll hear about constantly:
- Ford I-beam front axles. Most traditional rat rods use a 1928–1948 Ford I-beam front axle for the dropped, old-school stance.
- Ford 9-inch rear ends. Popular mostly because spare parts are everywhere.
- Common V8s. Small-block Chevy, Ford flathead and early Chrysler Hemi engines are the classic choices, though plenty of rat rods run a straight-six or four.
How to pick your truck (the honest version)
- Set your total budget first, then spend no more than a fraction of it on the truck itself. The purchase is the cheap part.
- Check the frame before the body. Crawl under it. Bring a flashlight and a screwdriver.
- Find out what runs. A running engine, even a tired one, gets you driving while you build. It's always better to find one that runs.
- Know where the parts come from. Junkyards, swap meets, the guy down the street with three of the same truck. If you can't find a parts source in a weekend, think twice.
- Buy the one you'll actually drive. An unfinished project in the yard is just lawn art.
And yes, you will go look at one part and come home with a whole truck. That's practically a rite of passage, and it's why we made the WENT FOR ONE PART Came Home With a Truck T-Shirt. If your build is running on the "it'll be done when it's done" schedule, the NO ETA C10 Project Truck T-Shirt explains things to the neighbors for you. Keeping the rust instead of sanding it off? PATINA OVER PERFECTION says it plainly, and the BUILT BROKE Rat Rod Truck T-Shirt covers the rest.
Shopping for someone who has a truck like this in the driveway? Our Gifts for Rat Rod Builders collection is built for them. Everything is printed to order, so order by December 10 for Christmas delivery (details on our Christmas shipping deadlines page).
New to the style? Start with What Is a Rat Rod? and keep the rust from eating your build with How to Preserve Patina on a Truck. You can also watch our driveway builds on the Vulture Kustoms YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest truck to make a rat rod?
Late '70s and '80s Squarebody C10s are among the most affordable and easiest classic trucks to find, and 1967–1972 C10s have excellent parts availability, which keeps build costs down.
What year trucks are best for rat rods?
Most traditional rat rods are built from late-1920s to late-1950s vehicles, like 1932–1936 Ford Model B pickups, 1947–1953 Chevy Advance Design trucks and 1955–1957 Task Force trucks, but 1960s C10s are a popular, more drivable choice.
Can you build a rat rod on a modern chassis?
Yes. Some builders put an old body on a small modern pickup chassis, such as a Chevy S-10 or Dodge Dakota, to get better reliability and easier-to-find parts.
What engine do most rat rods use?
Most rat rods run a V8, usually a small-block Chevy, Ford flathead or early Chrysler Hemi, though straight-six, four-cylinder and V6 engines are also common.
Photo: Mike Bergmann on Unsplash