Welderup’s Diamond in the Rough

Rat rods, whether you love or hate them, are impossible to ignore: especially when diesel powered. When Texas rat rod-aficionado Bobby Hughes set out to create his dream ride, he launched an extensive search to find a builder who shared his vision. His quest led him to Steve Darnell, owner of Welderup, a hot rod and fab shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of the key elements that led to the pairing was both Hughes’ and Darnell’s mutual admirations of diesel engines: In that age-old hot rodder’s debate over horsepower vs. torque, they both came definitively down on the side of torque.

DIESEL DECISION

Hughes owns a large oilfield equipment fabrication company and is immersed daily in diesel-powered machinery. Explaining his power preference, he told us “I’ve been a car guy for years and owned all types of sports cars and hot rods. A big block V-8 with a loud, lopey idle makes a great sound. But there’s something real special about driving a diesel hot rod, quietly sitting at a stoplight, no drama,” he continued. “The light turns green, you tip into the throttle and GO! Talk about getting surprised looks.”

Meanwhile, Darnell’s love of diesel hot-rod propulsion came when he got the notion to yank the engine out of his competitive sled puller pickup truck and shoehorn it into one of his earliest rat-rod creations. He loves the diesel thrust, but most importantly, the esthetics: “V-8 rods are more common than bellybuttons,” he said. “In addition to providing plenty of power, they fit into the statement I want to make in building a rat rod. They give that very mechanical look I’m after.”

Hughes was dead serious regarding the project, telling us he “wanted Steve and his crew to do it right or not at all—no cutting corners. I knew he and his team were right for the job, and I turned ‘em loose.”

Darnell, whose automotive exploits can be seen on Discovery Channel’s Vegas Rat Rods series, is much more than a car builder. He possesses a cinematic vision and an eye for texture and color, which is displayed on all aspects of this project. He and his crew of master automotive fabricators certainly did not disappoint.

THE CAR

The build, which screams “Welderup creation,” started with a clapped-out 1932ish Ford pickup cab and bed. The front suspension, steering and control arms are all custom fabricated. The airbag suspended rear, featuring a Winters sprint car quick change third member, is also all custom. The chassis is formed from 2×4 hammered steel tubing, which is available from only two sources in the world: one in Italy and the other in the U.S. All is TIG welded together.

Almost every inch of metal on the entire vehicle has been meticulously weathered by hand, including the copper inserts on the exterior and interior, engine trim, rivet heads and brackets. Great lengths of wire have been painstakingly braided and serve as trim.

[Diesel engines] give that very mechanical look I’m after” -Steve Darnell

The interior is an extension of the builder’s unique vision: The yards of cedar are carefully joined like fine cabinetry. Don’t look for knobs or switches (including ignition), as all are hidden from view. All interior metal—pedals, shifter and trim pieces—are hand fabricated. The center-piece is the quick release copper-braided steering wheel, weighing in at about ten pounds. The only nod to modern technology visible are the AutoMeter gauges.

The best part of the entire project? Despite its totally custom construction, Hughes did not want a trailer queen, insisting instead on a road warrior. So, you might just pull up next to Bobby at a stoplight, and if you do, think before you act—because you just might get smoked. UDBG

Almost every inch of metal on the entire vehicle has been meticulously weathered by hand”

---

WELDERUP RAT

Engine:

Cummins based engine by Industrial Injection, featuring:

• Industrial Injection 4bt street performance engine
• Industrial Injection Dragonfly p7100 injection pump
• Industrial Injection 5x.012 Dragon Flow injectors
• Industrial Injection 58mm BorgWarner s300 high-pressure turbo
• Industrial Injection s366 low pressure turbo charger AFP 425 12mm head studs and main studs and connecting rod bolts
• Fire Ring head gasket
• Coated and chamfered pistons
• Balanced & blue printed long block
• Custom made stainless steel valves 150 lbs. valve springs
• Shoot peen polished rods
• Industrial Injection bolt-in billet freeze plugs
• Balanced and blue printed long block
• Compression ratio 17.5:1
• Run 4000 rpm
• Produce 50-60 psi boost pressure
• Predicted performance: 400-450 hp
• 800 foot pounds of torque

Transmission:

• ATS custom Diesel conversion torque converter with patented mixed-flow high torque stator
• Exclusive ATS clutches
• Torrington bearing gear set
• Straight cut planetary gear set
• Heavy duty pump
• Full manual valve body with a Trans brake
  

  ---