This 1939 Dodge 3500 cab over engine is a classic example of art deco styling and rat rod aesthetics.

Diesel hot rods come mostly in the form of rat rods. Something about the thick black smoke, oily engines, and sulfur smell must prompt that industrial revolution aesthetic from builders. Rarely are rat rods both clean, and rough enough to qualify as a “rat”. This 1939 Dodge blends new and old to make one awesome car hauler! Whether you actually need to move around your project vehicles or you just want a cool truck to cruise to shows this rig fills the role.

Alcoa wheels front and rear add some modern shine to this rat rod.

The classic art deco cab design of this truck reminds us of an era in black and white; film noir, industrial smoke in the air, and car culture where bigger, bolder design was the trend designers aspired to create. The menacing facia of this truck leads into a hot-rodder’s dream’ a flat split-window, flip up windshield, darted fenders, and a patina paint job to rival most real rust buckets out there. The only real shine visible on this rat rod are the stunning Alcoa wheels.

The Cummins 12-valve, straight-six diesel features dual fuel tanks, new injector pump, injectors, and drive belts.

The cab of this 3500 Ram sits on a Chevy one-ton frame, and borrows the drivetrain from modern trucks. The transmission is an automatic out of a ’93 Dodge, and an inline 6-cylinder, 12-valve Cummins powers this rig down the highway.

The owner claims an easy 70-80 mph at 20 mpg is this trucks normal range. A little scary when you consider the age of this Dodge and the lack of metal in between the cab and grill!

The interior of this Dodge is a little rough, modern buckets and tilt column are out of place against a revolver shifter.

A suitably rough interior adorns this unique tow vehicle. Late model buckets, a modern steering wheel, and a few gauges are the only comforts in this steel cab. A rusty revolver frame offers the driver a good purchase on the shifter.

The custom made bed ramp is steel and features a bed liner coating for durability. Access doors cover up mechanical areas on either side of the ramp, and an 8,000 pound winch is affixed to the top of the slope for pulling whatever wreck or rod you need to haul.

The steel ramp of this rig is bed lined and features an 8,000 pound winch.

This 1939 could be the envy of your local rat rod circle with a little more work and vision: a few seats, an old steering wheel, and a little clean up in the cab. The character of this rig is striking alone, from the cab shape to the patina finish. A modern driveline means you could actually use this rig. What more could you want in a rat rod car hauler? Maybe a few turbos…