189 replies to this topic

[Raul_Perez]

Here are a few pics with all of the bodywork done, except for the bed. This is the first real coat of primer I've applied to the body, so there's a bit of sanding and a little bit of putty work left to do before this one sees paint.

The front wheels are mounted on the new front susupension from the '99 Ford SVT Lightning truck. The rear suspension will also come from the Lightning kit, but for these pics the frame is just sitting on the axle.




Here you can clearly see how much better the front end looks with the front wheel openings moved forward 0.20".


While the primer dries I'll get started on the few mods I have in mind for to the bed to keep the rear of the truck aligned with the "Raptor" theme of the matching show car and trailer.

Thanks for looking,

Edited by Raul_Perez, 10 November 2008 - 06:54 PM.

[made007]

what paint color youre gonna use? though of that?

Edited by made007, 10 November 2008 - 07:00 PM.

[Raul_Perez]

what paint color youre gonna use? though of that?

Jose,
The hauler and the trailer will be painted to match the show car.


It's Testors Fathom Green Metallic with a Testors Phoenican Yellow stripe and black and orange pinstripes.

For the interior, it's Testors Fabric Tan.

Later,

[evilone]

are you going to do the tan top on the truck as well

[Raul_Perez]

are you going to do the tan top on the truck as well

Maybe...but probably not...I'll know better once the truck is painted green...

More than likely, the bed cover will be tan, like the interior, but not the roof.

Later,

[gilsdropshop1]

clean set up more pics please!

[Clay]

Here you can clearly see how much better the front end looks with the front wheel openings moved forward 0.20".

Wow Raul, thats looking awesome, I need to drag mine back out and work on it some more. What are your plans for the bed?

[Bernard Kron]

That front end Really Pops In Primer!

[Raul_Perez]

Wow Raul, thats looking awesome, I need to drag mine back out and work on it some more. What are your plans for the bed?

Thanks, Clay!
The look of the bed will depend on if I stay with the traditional trailer hitch setup that came with the model or if I switch to a 5th wheel design.

If I go the 5th wheel route, I'll make a bed cover that opens from the sides with a large rib down the middle for the panels to hinge on. It'll have the spine shape of the Raptor with a hole in it for the 5th wheel arm of the trailer to hook into.

If I stay with the traditional hitch I will probably build some sort of wing or peak design into the lid, similar to what's on the roof, but maybe running the full width of the bed.

Stay tuned...you'll know right after I do...

That front end Really Pops In Primer!

Thanks, Bernard. Yes, I like the way that the front wheel opening in relation to the fender now matches the rear fender. With the center of both wheel openings now located forward of the centerline of the fender, it gives it the appearance that its moving forward; even when it's standing still. Combine that with the pie-cut hood and that silly peak on the roof and this one looks like it's in motion!

Later,

[E St. Kruiser50]

are you going to do the tan top on the truck as well

Hey Raul
I really like how this is coming together.
I think Kevin may have something with the tan roof idea.
No matter though what you do, everything is lookin' great. It's fun to watch your progress.

Thanks for keeping us updated - Dave

[Clay]

Well IF, and I mean if, dont let it be the deciding factor, you go with the 5th wheel design would you send me the hitch? I some how lost mine...

Edited by Clay, 11 November 2008 - 07:55 AM.

[Clay]

I agree with the tan, I think it would look great to do the top in tan, just down to the roof seam.

[E St. Kruiser50]

I agree with the tan, I think it would look great to do the top in tan, just down to the roof seam.

I agree - but no pressure Raul

[Raul_Perez]

I agree with the tan, I think it would look great to do the top in tan, just down to the roof seam.

I agree - but no pressure Raul

We'll see...I've got a couple of weeks to think about it and model it on the computer before I have to decide...'

Thanks for your comments!!

[Clay]

Let us see the model on the computer. Is that how you design all you custom fabs?

[curt raitz]

Hey ol'buddy...
I think a 5th wheel would be a great choice
ya can really let your 'magination go nut's...not a short journey - I know!

[Raul_Perez]

Let us see the model on the computer. Is that how you design all you custom fabs?

Clay,
For this modification, I first took a picture of the side of the truck:


I then used MS Office Picture Manager to crop out and save a picture of just the wheel opening:


That image of the wheel opening was then pasted on top of the original, full sized picture in MS PowerPoint, but moved forward to where I liked the "look". Here are the original pic and the modified pic on top of each other from PowerPoint.



Here I used the same method to see how it would look with a chopped top:


It's a lot easier to change your mind in the computer than it is AFTER you've taken your favorite saw to an expensive or rare model kit...

No, I'm not going to chop the top...Ed Roth was a tall man and this is meant to be his hauler for the Raptor.

Many other people use software packages like PhotoShop to do the same type of work.
I hope this helps.

Hey ol'buddy...
I think a 5th wheel would be a great choice
ya can really let your 'magination go nut's...not a short journey - I know!

It's a pretty short trip for me...fortunately my memory is so bad that each time I go there, it seems like a new place!

Later,

Edited by Raul_Perez, 13 November 2008 - 11:55 AM.

[E St. Kruiser50]

Here are a few pics with all of the bodywork done, except for the bed. This is the first real coat of primer I've applied to the body, so there's a bit of sanding and a little bit of putty work left to do before this one sees paint.

The front wheels are mounted on the new front susupension from the '99 Ford SVT Lightning truck. The rear suspension will also come from the Lightning kit, but for these pics the frame is just sitting on the axle.




Here you can clearly see how much better the front end looks with the front wheel openings moved forward 0.20".


While the primer dries I'll get started on the few mods I have in mind for to the bed to keep the rear of the truck aligned with the "Raptor" theme of the matching show car and trailer.

Thanks for looking,

Hey there my friend
I keep looking at your truck and seeing small fins on the top of the bed, with tall arched taillights frenched in, going from the top of the fin to the bottom of a rolled pan of some kind. That ol' 50's Barris look.
Whattaya think?? .
I love the whole look of your project. Very cool, whatever ya do.
Just like to add my .002 cents worth

All the best - Dave

[Rudy]

Hey there my friend
I keep looking at your truck and seeing small fins on the top of the bed, with tall arched taillights frenched in, going from the top of the fin to the bottom of a rolled pan of some kind. That ol' 50's Barris look.
Whattaya think?? .
I love the whole look of your project. Very cool, whatever ya do.
Just like to add my .002 cents worth

All the best - Dave

I like It! I never thought of moving the front wheel openings forward on these trucks. I am also building a truck-trailer-racecar or hot rod combo (still undecided on what is gonna go on the trailer, probably my Gas-Rhonda mustang funny car in the finishing stages, paint etc.) Truck is a 57 chevy stepside pickup. It was my first attempt at a real nice paint job with letting the paint and primer gas out and wet sanding and polishing etc. I will tell you this, the next one I go full-tilt on the paint with WILL NOT be a stepside! Too hard to polish and wetsand the bed!

Looks great.

Rudy

Edited by Rudy, 14 November 2008 - 05:39 AM.

[Raul_Perez]

Hey there my friend
I keep looking at your truck and seeing small fins on the top of the bed, with tall arched taillights frenched in, going from the top of the fin to the bottom of a rolled pan of some kind. That ol' 50's Barris look.
Whattaya think?? .
I love the whole look of your project. Very cool, whatever ya do.
Just like to add my .002 cents worth
All the best - Dave

Actually, I want the back of the truck to look something like the back of the Raptor, but I like your ideas, too! Maybe I could move and turn the lights I plan on using like you suggest! We'll see soon!!

I like It! I never thought of moving the front wheel openings forward on these trucks. I am also building a truck-trailer-racecar or hot rod combo (still undecided on what is gonna go on the trailer, probably my Gas-Rhonda mustang funny car in the finishing stages, paint etc.) Truck is a 57 chevy stepside pickup. It was my first attempt at a real nice paint job with letting the paint and primer gas out and wet sanding and polishing etc. I will tell you this, the next one I go full-tilt on the paint with WILL NOT be a stepside! Too hard to polish and wetsand the bed!
Looks great.
Rudy

Thanks, Rudy!
Yes, moving the front wheel openings forward really gives it a more modern look, and makes the overall shape and wheel placement of the front fenders look more like the rear fenders.

Yes, that's exactly why I'm leaving the bed as a separate piece until after I paint it!!

Later,