405 replies to this topic

[Foxer]

2 updates in 2 days! I'm moving now .

Got the windows cut out ... this is a big one for me ... been starring at that windowless van for a month! It all came out good ... about 2 corners to putty and a bit more filing to square up. I'm a happy camper tonight. Probably should take the night off!

Edited by Foxer, 15 October 2010 - 02:15 PM.

[Nick Winter]

Looks Great Mike, let me know when your package shows.

[charlie8575]

Wow, Mike. How did you get the windows that even? The only thing I can think of is a VERY long blade or a jigsaw.

Charlie Larkin

[Foxer]

Wow, Mike. How did you get the windows that even? The only thing I can think of is a VERY long blade or a jigsaw.

Charlie Larkin

Thanks, Charlie, but all I did was "draw" the top and bottoms with tape starting with the front windows. That was a good guide and responsible for most of it. After the corner holes, I just cut them out with a small round blade in the dremel. ... and file and sand to the marked edges.

Edited by Foxer, 25 December 2010 - 03:18 AM.

[RodneyBad]

Looks like the Money shot for this Van is gonna be the Windows..
They look Perfectly Cut.
Dash and interior is coming along very nicely..

Great work..

[Foxer]

Looks like the Money shot for this Van is gonna be the Windows..
They look Perfectly Cut.
Dash and interior is coming along very nicely..

Great work..

Thanks, Rodney, but you guys are making my head swell, so here's a shot of the other side. A couple corners got out of line and need some body work. They have already got their first first coat.

[Tumbler75]

Man, this is turning out great! I started building the A-Team Van to replicate a van I used to own but then gave up as the door hinges eluded me. I converted mine to a Chevrolet. Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see more on this. Especially when you start tryin' to weather it. Keep them updates a comin'!

Here's my 1989 Chevy G20:

[Foxer]

Man, this is turning out great! I started building the A-Team Van to replicate a van I used to own but then gave up as the door hinges eluded me. I converted mine to a Chevrolet.

That looks good! Gonna be some big interior work I see. It will be a blast being one you owned. All the door cutouts look great! It's a shame to let all that work sit, but I do know .. don't ask how many are sitting here waiting for me!
I'm hinging the rear doors and plan to use some 1/16 brass tube and brass rod for pins. These were hinged like '32 Fords ... pretty easy hinges to make. Just use a long rod with both hinges on it to get them aligned when gluing. I'm going to attempt it with the center rod and two short rods on the door as the real one is. If that gets too finicky, I'll just use two rod pieces. They do need a small arm off the center rod to attach to the body.

Here's a shot showing what I'm talking about:

Edited by Foxer, 17 October 2010 - 08:04 AM.

[camarobuilder]

nice work so far.

Frank

[gray07]

Looking good, cant wait to see this done

[Tumbler75]

Thanx for the shot of the hinges and the compliment. I lost mine somewhere. LoL Can't wait to see an update on your build. I'll be back on mine after I get a few projects out of the way. Waiting patiently.

[crashmaster]

Hey;
My name is Shawn and I am new to the website. I have an idea for the hinges that I have used on some of the Jeeps that I have built. I used the plastic coating that comes on the wire that you get when you buy the display cases to tie down the model that you are displaying. You remove the wire from the inside of the plastic coating and then cut that to the size you need for the hinge. Then you take a regular push pin that you can get from any fabric store or Hobby Lobby and insert that into the the plastic boot. Once that is done you add sheet plastic cut to the size of the hinge that mounts to the truck and the door to the appropriate side of the hinge. I would add pics but this thing is giving a problem doing that. If you have questions please feel free to ask. I also have the 8 lug wheels if you need them.

Shawn

Edited by crashmaster, 19 October 2010 - 08:30 AM.

[crashmaster]

Here are the pics I was trying to get on here. The first on is of the pin and plastic casing. The next is of the Mutt Cutts van I am currently working on.

[crashmaster]

Pics

Attached Files

•  100_4868.JPG   380.73K   73 downloads
•  100_4874.JPG   67.41K   65 downloads

[Foxer]

Pics

First off Shawn, welcome to the site!

That is quite a van going there, VERY unusual! What did you use to cover it?

The hinge method is one I've not heard of, but it sounds very good AND economical! I think it's worth posting in our Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials section.

I'd love to take you up on the 8 lug wheels as I spent much time hunting for them. I did come to the conclusion that it will be easier to strip the lugs off some 5 bolt ones and add the lugs. I found the 8 lug version are deep dish, if you would confirm, and I'd have to cut and bring them back to shallower ones. Is that true? I DO appreciate the offer, though!

Edited by Foxer, 19 October 2010 - 10:12 AM.

[crashmaster]

Well Thanks for the compliment. I used an inner lining for a sweater that my wife was getting rid of. The wheels that I have pictured here took me months to make. I will have the dog dish hubcap in a couple of weeks. Let me know what you think.

Attached Files

•  100_4880.JPG   208.23K   40 downloads

[Johnny]

Hey Mike! Enjoying your van build! It is cool to see someone building a vehicle that was owned by them or a family member but this one is very unique in the subject and the history behind it!

I'll stay tuned in!

[Foxer]

I found a replacement seat for GMC vans that had dimensions, so I'm using the custom seats from the A-Team van and adding some width and shape. They will go to the body shop for some 2 part Bondo and maybe some V-Groove tuck and roll like on the side panels ... at least on passenger side. Driver's seat will need special patterned seat covers.

I started making a milk crate which shows in one of the shots of the 1:1 van. Some corner angles, plastic sheet and a grid I happened to have (see photo) should do it .. if I can get it all square! Some semi gloss black should give it a plastic look.

Edited by Foxer, 22 October 2010 - 05:21 AM.

[crowe-t]

Mike,

The work you are doing on the dash looks great! I like seeing builds of vans, they aren't done often enough.

[Foxer]

Just a minor update, but lots going on here. There's a lot of minor body things to do, like cleaning up all the thick plastic along the roof gutters from the simulated sliding door tracks. This has two regular side doors. I have a shot while extending the side trim with some triangular shapes. The brass sheet is what I use for a straight guide and also to scribe body lines. It may look curved in the photo, but the brass sheet is bulging outward and the shadows are whats giving the bent look to it.

I'm also in the process of making a milk container, but it's going slow. Hopefully I'll get past the fragile stage and can proceed instead of stepping back.

Thanks to all that have commented.. you're helping to keep me going on this one.

Edited by Foxer, 27 October 2010 - 06:06 AM.