Dirty Dave Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 Not much to show yet, but I just started today on my '60 Chevrolet pickup. My first order of business to narrow up my AMT Parts Pack '60 Mercury grille to fit the width of the pickup's opening, and to clearance the opening so the grille will nestle back into it. I removed six grille bars per side, and you can see the grille opening modified on one side. When it goes back together, the inner headlights should hide the seams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted December 28, 2014 Author Share Posted December 28, 2014 And now, you get a little better idea of what I'm shooting for. Next step: cutting the fleetside skins loose from the inner truck bed sidewalls so that I can raise the bed floor to accomodate the impending channel job. (You minitruck guys call it a body drop.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted December 28, 2014 Author Share Posted December 28, 2014 I'm raising the bed floor a bit more than I intend to channel the chassis so that I have room to install hydraulic cylinders above the spring pockets, and for clearance for the rear axle "pumpkin" at full drop. A straight guideline for trimming the sides was made by laying the masking tape edge at the appropriate height, misting a light coat of paint over the surface, and peeling the tape. As you can see, one side has been trimmed, and one is yet to be cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Grill looks cool. Strong start.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTalmage Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I really enjoy the grille on this truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Very coll project, I am watching... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 I tacked a few things together to check the stance. Looks like I need to narrow the rear axle just slightly. Happy wth the height, though. You can see how far I raised the bed floor to accommodate the channel and rear suspension drop (air bags in the rear, static in the front). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 Charger Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 That Merc grill looks great . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exesivefire Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Nice start, I like the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my80malibu Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I tacked a few things together to check the stance. Looks like I need to narrow the rear axle just slightly. Happy wth the height, though. You can see how far I raised the bed floor to accommodate the channel and rear suspension drop (air bags in the rear, static in the front). Beautiful, love that stance its just perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Nice start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Thanks. Not pictured are the adjustments made to the inner fenderwells, cab floor and back panel, firewall, door panels, radiator and bench seat to accomodate the drop. The front wheels have about 2-1/2 scale inches before they would contact against the tops of the unaltered inner fenders. That's fine by me - bumpstops can keep that from occurring. I only put adjustable suspension in the rear because that's how I prefer my 1:1 customs - as drivers. Adustable suspension up front causes all kinds of alignment/handling/tire wear headaches that aren't worth the hassle to me, and so I'm building this pickup in a similar manner. The plan is for it to be the tow/push rig for a little Offy-powered vintage dragster. I'm thinking pearl pink/purple/blue fades and scallops for paint with some bright pearl white on the roof and inner bed panels. Speaking of which, i need to build a new front panel for the bed, but want to wait until after I get the wood and stainless all done on the bed floor before I install it. Maybe some wood stake sides on top of the bed sides? We'll see. I'm still trying to figure out the interior scheme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullPowerGarage Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Wow! Cooooooool!! The stance, the wheels! Now a nice pearl color! Cool! But it is your truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I went right past pearl to matte mauve (Testors purple with a dullcoat after applying a couple of pinstripe decals) I also molded and shaved the hood, fender badges and doorhandles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project510 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Look forward to the build, looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Splendid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 After a scale 5" channel, I needed to doublecheck the underhood clearance to make sure the D&J Products turned air cleaners weren't going to be in the way. And it fit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atmobil Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Very beautiful looking truck. That customgrille looks perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt T. Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Very cool truck, Dave. Glad to see your builds again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubiconGuy11 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Like what you did with the bed. Look'n good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share Posted February 17, 2015 (edited) It's almost done - just a few finishing touches to go: I flipped the front bumper, and painted the lower section. Kind of a phony roll pan. I haven't mounted the bed permanently yet. It still needs exhaust and air suspension plumbing underneath, and the front bed wall is still missing. No engne pics until it moves over to under-glass. I haven't run the radiator and heater hoses yet, Edited February 17, 2015 by Dirty Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project510 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Nice job painting the bed, looks really good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Dave Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 Thanks! I painted all the wood by drybrushing and washes with acrylics, topping it off with some Tamiya clear yellow before I sealed it with clear lacquer. After that, I masked it off, painted the inner bed walls, and did the silver rails last, using a paint pen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpletcher55 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I like what you did that truck has a look to to it that works , nice job ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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