radio flyer wagon resto? mod? rod?

[deter]

I've got an old radio flyer that I'm not sure what to do with. I like the rod style ones I've seen. This one is pretty old with some decent patina. I'm just not sure if I should try to preserve the original with some clear, or blast it and paint it. Opinions?

This pic is a mock up with wood and screws. I'll weld up a frame, but it'll look pretty much like this.

 

[MarkG]

Depends what your plans are for it------if you like the 'rat rod' look, definitely go with a V8 engine rather than a box of Pampers.

 

[deter]

LOL, the pampers were added for comic relief. This will be a toy for my daughters. We have another "off-road" style wagon that I built a couple years ago. My wife suggested a "faux" engine to occupy the space between the front axle and the tub.

Our other wagon I painted purple and pink - so not sure if I want to leave this wagons patina or paint it up all girly

 

[MP&C]

Keep paint original, add some wide whites and baby moons, tuck and roll interior...

 

[89GLH]

replace the wagon wheels with kart wheels? Im working on one of those now. They can be had cheap on ebay.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47731

 

[OutlawDrifter]

you can pick up wheels/tires at harbor freight or tsc on the cheap. then you can give it a little more aggressive look. big n' littles is always good.

i would leave the patina and hit it with a matte/satin clear coat.

 

[deter]

I tend to like original wagons as it brings back a lot of memories;This is one I did a few years ago, before the hubcaps and decals were put in place, it's a Atlas.
Motoretro

awesome

 

[deter]

i would leave the patina and hit it with a matte/satin clear coat.

I think this is what I'll do paint-wise. I'll check out some wheels/tires and see if theres anything I like better

 

[kbs2244]

Check the antique toy market in your area before you do anything drastic.
The price will vary a lot with time and place (they are a fad type item) but it may be worth more than you think.
(Maybe a CL listing at what you think is a stupid high price and "OBO" and wait a while?)

 

[ambenz]

I am a toy wagon collector...see Wagonwerx on Facebook.

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1467403_10151985179050270_1712906083_n.jpg?oh=5918f50c7f6fc33d047d21094e9189f6&oe=562FD50B

I like to restore them to original like condition.
And sometimes, I find picture on my page of some "Awesome" work!!!

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/734394_10151334292060270_689203607_n.jpg?oh=fd1c3ff2d6e8832acd3463a10e50c5b0&oe=55EB2B34

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/1986_10151334292025270_1595871790_n.jpg?oh=bceeeea4b48e477eefbe50bcbc92778e&oe=56275CA1

Very Inspirational ...good luck with your project...and think big!

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

Here's one I made for my daughter before she was born, she's five now.

 

[MDSPHOTO]

I saw this one at a car show in Athens.

 

[Richard D]

Patina my ***, it's rust and wear. Rust has never been cool, no matter what these "rat rodderzzz" think. Unless it is a priceless antique, and extremely valuable in original condition(which you wouldn't cut up in the first place) shiny new paint is the way to go.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Patina my ***, it's rust and wear. Rust has never been cool, no matter what these "rat rodderzzz" think. Unless it is a priceless antique, and extremely valuable in original condition(which you wouldn't cut up in the first place) shiny new paint is the way to go.

everyone has their own opinion as to what is cool. it doesn't make it right or wrong, just different.

nice riv by the way!

 

[Richard D]

Thanks, it had "patina" when I bought it; I put fresh primer on it the very next day.

http://photochicken.smugmug.com/photos/439927140_tWoD2-L.jpg

More paint pics:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1965-riviera-finally-painted.724301/

Those wagons are nice for swap meets.

 

[69supercj]

I've got an old radio flyer I bought at an auction the other day and I'm gonna put the kart wheels and steering on it and slam it down a bit. A lot of guys use these/buy these for swap meet parts caddies. The gennies sit too high and are prone to tipping over if your carrying something very tall or heavy, especially on uneven ground. Gonna make up a few and try to sell 'em at the upcoming Springfield MO. swap meet in August.

 

[E.rodz]

i have a ton of ideas for you! please post up your build on my other thread on here Build something with your kids!
here are some ideas for you.

 

[deter]

thanks for sharing E.rodz, very cool!

 

[LB-1911]

^^^^

You might need a few more wagons......

 

[Zeke]

Best looking wheel barrow I've seen. AFA the rat wagons go I like them stock, I use one all the time.

 

[1956f100]

Here's mine for the grandkids. Not as innovative as some on here, but it does the job.

New heavy duty axles, lengthened handle so I don't have to stoop over, and "zoomies" made from sink drainpipes.

 

[gordo9742000]

Here is mine in its summer shoes. In the winter the front wheels come off and skis go on.

 

[c.schulz]

I am a toy wagon collector...see Wagonwerx on Facebook.

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1467403_10151985179050270_1712906083_n.jpg?oh=5918f50c7f6fc33d047d21094e9189f6&oe=562FD50B

I like to restore them to original like condition.
And sometimes, I find picture on my page of some "Awesome" work!!!

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/734394_10151334292060270_689203607_n.jpg?oh=fd1c3ff2d6e8832acd3463a10e50c5b0&oe=55EB2B34

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/1986_10151334292025270_1595871790_n.jpg?oh=bceeeea4b48e477eefbe50bcbc92778e&oe=56275CA1

Very Inspirational ...good luck with your project...and think big!

Thanks for good words on my wagon. Glad you like it. Couple more shots.

Chris
During assembly,




Finished

 

[Dan's EB]

Wow, nice work.

 

[deter]

beautiful. love all the details. any vids of it running around?

 

[deter]

Here is mine in its summer shoes. In the winter the front wheels come off and skis go on.

very nice. This is probably really close to what I will do

 

[gordo9742000]

very nice. This is probably really close to what I will do

It was a fun project. Only regret is not making the handle longer. ***** walking hunched over or the wagon running over my heels.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a few....

the one in the front started as nothing but a $5 rusted tub..

the black one is headed to camp riley, a summer camp for handicapped kids, in a week or so...

the others were given to me by a neighbor last week, after he found out what what i was doing with them..

there's some nostalgia here too......

the little blue one (in the back) belonged to the kids that grew up in the house we own. neighbor has lived here for 50+ years.

 

[coralnut]

those T buckets are awesome.
I shudder at the thought of it, but it's only a matter of time before somebody donks a Radio Flyer.

 

[semaj4712]

I enjoy the modded radio flyers quite a bit, I always liked a good slammed wagon, but I never was a big fan of the front wheels being way out in front. A while ago I built this beauty. Completely powder-coated and with custom Radio Flyer Slammed Wagon Graphics.

Then just a few months ago I built this rat-rod Greyhound Wagon.

 

[lashlee]

Pretty awesome!

 

[gte718p]

Those are awesome, but whats with the massive camber. Planning on wagon drifting?

 

[rodbuilderjim]

Hey guys I built this one 15 years ago when my son was born. Let me know what you think.

 

[xtremek]

Hey guys I built this one 15 years ago when my son was born. Let me know what you think.

You sir, ****!!!!!!!. What did you use for coil overs? Where did you get the wheels and tires? I'm guessing you built the control arms and spindles, correct?

 

[jd_1138]

Wouldn't it burn the legs/groin having an engine and exhaust right in between the legs? I think I'd mount the engine behind the back of the wagon. Or perhaps mount it towards the back of the wagon but still inside and then put a seat over it.

Wouldn't look as cool, though.

 

[rodbuilderjim]

X tremendous. The wheels and tires are just riding mower. I built the coil overs from scratch and they work just no dampening. Thanks for the compliment. It is cool I got my first "You ****" since I have been on here. To me that is a badge of honor.

 

[xtremek]

.........I built the coil overs from scratch and they work just no dampening. Thanks for the compliment. ........

Jim, you're welcome. For the shocks, is it just a tube or is there a rod that runs inside the tube?